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don’t date occasionally. I do.” Carefully, she removed the foil on a piece of paper-wrapped chicken, popped it in her mouth, and savored the delicious taste. Paper-wrapped chicken was her favorite. After that, the dish of choice was moo shoo, which she’d learned to make herself using flour tortillas. “My parents died four years ago, which is why I bought this house—to keep my mind active and positive. I’m close to my godparents and see them regularly. And I have Olive here and a few good friends. How about you?”
    â€œI’ve been involved a couple of times but never tied the knot. This last time, we found we wanted different things out of life. She moved on, and so did I. Mom and Dad didn’t like her, said she thought she was pretty high up on the Christmas tree. I have a brother in Montana and a sister in England. We e-mail. But basically, it’s just me and Noodle.”
    â€œI had a crush on you back in school,” Jane blurted, and immediately wished she hadn’t.
    Mike put down his beer and cocked his head. “I didn’t know that,” he said, looking far too deeply into her eyes.
    â€œOf course you didn’t,” she answered. “You were too busy being Mr. Popularity and running after Ginger and Lonnie and all the cheerleaders.”
    He threw up his hands in self-defense. “Hey! I admit it. I was a real jerk back then. I thought only of myself, how much fun I could have, and who I could have it with.”
    â€œThat’s a fair assessment,” Jane smirked.
    â€œYeah, but I’m not like that anymore. I’ve changed. And so have you. You used to be quiet and studious, and you kept to yourself.”
    â€œThat’s because I had low self-esteem. I had a very vain mother, who was pretty and thin and didn’t wear glasses. She loved to point out our differences to her friends.”
    Mike studied her for a moment. “If I hurt you in any way, Jane, I apologize.”
    Jane pushed her plate away. “I’m basically a vegetarian,” she confided. The food was good, but she wasn’t nearly as hungry as she’d thought. “Would you like to see the rest of the house?”
    â€œYou bet, but first I’d like to see the well.”
    â€œThe well?”
    â€œYeah, where the guy fell down and the dog died waiting.”
    â€œOh, sure.” She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
    They left the food sitting on the table and went out the back door and down the steps. A gently curved brick path meandered through the garden, widening and narrowing as it went.
    â€œI’ve been looking forward to this ever since you mentioned it at lunch,” Mike said behind her. “I’m going to sleep like a top tonight. First, I find a complete set of T. F. Dingle, and now I’m going to the site where a ghost might be dwelling. Today was an absolute fluke. I think we should both buy Duracell. My guy might be onto something.”
    Jane laughed. It was the first good laugh she’d had in a very long while. She led him down the path to the well. She turned when she heard Olive barking. By the time she realized the dog’s intentions, Olive already had a hold on Mike’s ankle.
    â€œGet her off of me,” he yelled.
    â€œOllie. Let go, Ollie,” Jane commanded. But Olive was determined and refused to let go. Jane did the only thing she could think of and struggled to pick up the springer. “I’m sorry,” she said, grimacing. “She’s become very territorial where the well is concerned.”
    Mike pulled up his trouser leg. “I think she took a chunk out of my leg.” Blood was oozing through his gray sock. “Look, I’m bleeding.”
    â€œOh, it’s just a little nip,” Jane said, purposely making light of it. For a big man he was certainly acting like a wuss. She pulled a tissue out of her