Read A Ghost to Die For for Free Online

were delivered in. “Never mind. Let’s go set the table for pizza and salad. Rosario will be back any minute. And while we’re doing it, you can explain why you have changed your mind.”
    I set out dinner plates, flatware, beverage glasses and paper napkins. Alex was looking in the refrigerator. “It appears I should have stopped and picked up milk for us. There is enough ginger ale, some red wine and iced tea. What’s your pleasure?” he asked.
    “I’ll have the iced tea. Now, tell me why did you change your mind?”
    Alex poured iced tea for both of us and then sat next to me at the table. “Rosario called me and said she was staying over at her sister’s home and suggested I come on over a day early. I’ve brought Atlas with me, he’s out in the backyard. As soon as Rosario returns with the pizza, he’ll want in. Anyway, Rosario said it was okay that Atlas stays here with me. I’m taking Rosario’s room, here, off the kitchen, that way, if Atlas needs to go out late at night or in the early morning, it won’t disturb you.”
    “Oh, sure. I like having Atlas around. Maybe I can take him out for walks. Uh-oh, I said the W word and Atlas heard me. Look, he is peeking in through the kitchen window.” I laughed at the sight. Not too many dogs could peek into a window without standing up on their hind legs, but Atlas, Alex’s huge Irish Wolfhound could.
    Alex turned to see his dog spying on us. He chuckled. “I call that gatoring. Looks like my great gray ghost wants in on this conversation.” Alex got up and let Atlas in. Atlas made a beeline for me.
    “Well, hello there handsome. Looks like you’ll be my roommate for a few days.” Atlas wagged his tail at this news and then sat down. “Okay big guy, a few rules are in order. First, when you are in close proximity to food, you must sit or lay down. And when you are in my room, no hogging the bed. Understand?”
    Atlas thumped his tail on the floor and offered his left forepaw to me. I shook it and said, “That’s a deal.”
    “I’d be careful about making deals with him, especially offering him the comfort of your bedroom. You know how protective he is of you. He’ll end up being the great gray shadow in your life.”
    “Oh, I don’t mind. If I’m home, he can keep me company while you are teaching at the college and if I leave, I’ll put him in the backyard and make sure the gate is locked.”
    Alex smiled and said, “Thank you. I should warn you, I’ve cut down on my class schedule this semester. I’m teaching on Tuesday afternoons, only. What with the economy, the college has had to cut back on courses and teaching just the one day a week is fine with them. I don’t mind, I’m positioned on enough boards as a consultant in maritime history that the income is more than adequate.”
    Adequate, I mused. At approaching the age of thirty, Alex’s wealth and investments would carry him through the rest of his life, without ever working another day, if he so chose. Rosario walked in and the aroma of pizza was so sumptuous that Atlas wasn’t the only one drooling.
    In all, it was the perfect evening. After dinner and doing the dishes we stayed at the kitchen table and chatted about Rosario’s upcoming vacation. And because she was spending the night at her sister’s home, so the two of them could help each other pack for the cruise, I gave Rosario her birthday present. She loved it, as I knew she would. Rosario left at a little after ten that evening. Then, Alex and Atlas settled into Rosario’s room, and I turned in shortly after that.
    Before climbing into bed I opened my bedroom door a crack, just enough that if Atlas decided he needed to check in on me, I would not have to get up, he could easily shove the door open on his own. I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.
     
    Chapter 8
    I woke, but kept my eyes closed. Lying still, I let a shiver run through me and focused on remembering every single detail of my dream. Once