SEDUCTIVE SUPERNATURALS: 12 Tales of Shapeshifters, Vampires & Sexy Spirits (130 page)

“Margaret wasn’t known as Molly back then. Molly is a Hollywood invention. Her friends called her Maggie. My dear mother was one of her best friends. I’m named after her, you know, so is Dillon’s mother. My sweet daughter preferred Molly rather than Maggie. Thought it sounded glamorous. So, we all called her Molly. Even Frank liked her nickname.”

“I can’t imagine Frank married to anyone, much less your daughter.”

“He was a good, decent man then. All that changed once my precious Molly got sick. But we’re here to save Dillon, so let’s focus on that.”

Hilly nodded, straightened up in her chair, and concentrated on what Margarita had to say.

“You have a gift, sweetheart, and don’t you think it isn’t.”

Hilly truly wondered if Margarita had been reading her mind all along.

“You can see spirits,” Margarita continued. “Not many people can, so don’t be afraid of it. Embrace your powers. Remember, whatever happens tonight is for Dillon’s own good. No one will try to hurt him, or you. Now, sit back and think the same thoughts you did when he appeared to you all those other times.”

Hilly didn’t quite understand. “I wasn’t thinking of anything in particular. He just showed up. We fought the last time I saw him. I think that’s why he hasn’t been around.”

“What was the argument about?

Hilly was hesitant to admit it. “I thought he needed to know the truth about the accident. I told him you didn’t make it through.”

“He already knew it in his heart, sweet pea. That’s one of the reasons why he won’t get back into his body. But we’re going to try and fix that.”

“So, what’s the other reason?”

Margarita grinned. “He’s in love with you, but he’s afraid to tell you. Afraid something bad will happen to you if he does. Like his mom . . . the boy thought he somehow caused her death. I don’t think he ever truly got over that notion.”

“But what about his fiancée?”

“That’s why he’s marrying her. The way he’s got it figured is if he doesn’t love her, then she’s safe. Nothing bad will happen to her and he won’t have to go through the hurt. He’s trying to guard himself. It’s like all those people who won’t get a pet because that pet is going to die and they don’t want to feel the pain. They never look at all the love they’re willing to give up simply because they’re trying to guard themselves against some hurt. Everything that’s alive eventually dies. It’s part of the cycle of nature. We all must accept it and go on. It’s the people who can’t accept it that miss out on the wonders of life itself.

“You’ve got to tell him how you truly feel or this time he’ll close his heart and Frank will send him off to die. It’s too late for Frank, he’s the walking dead. He closed down his heart when my Molly got sick and never looked back. But Dillon still believes in love. So there’s a chance we can pull him through this and he’ll awaken before Frank has his way.”

Hilly had held her growing feelings for Dillon in check for so long she didn’t know if she was capable of being honest with her emotions anymore.

“I’ll try,” she told Margarita.

After spending some time with this other Dillon, she’d allowed her emotions for him to burst through, but to actually lay them out in the open . . . she simply no longer knew exactly how to do that.

“That’s all anybody can ask for, honey. Now, what were you doing when he showed up the first time?”

“You’re going to think this is silly, but I was just getting comfortable in the bathtub. I had a bubble bath going and Dillon appeared. Actually, almost every time he showed up, I was getting into or out of the bath or the shower. Dillon seems to have perfect timing that way.”

“You’re a looker, and he’s a man. Seems natural to me. Besides, his mom always gave him bubble baths when he was a little boy and as he grew into a teen, he used to sneak them. Then once he became a man, he told me that he relished his long bubble baths. They were a way for him to relax.”

Hilly giggled. “I’d love to see him covered in bubbles.”

“If this works, I’m sure you will.”

Hilly blushed.

“Okay, then jump into the shower and see what happens.”

The thought of being naked during an intervention scared Hilly.

“No way. It’s embarrassing enough with just him in the room, let alone a group of ghosts I’ve never met. I have my limits.”

“No time for modesty, sweet pea, besides he seems to like you naked. Boys will be boys.”

Hilly thought of a compromise. “I’ll get in the whirlpool, but I’ll do it my way.”

“Whatever makes you comfy.”

Fifteen minutes later, while Hilly was settling into a mountain of swirling bubbles, her thoughts drifted to Dillon. She had no idea how she would tell him she had feelings for him. Or how she’d tell him she’d always been attracted to him and that now she was falling for him, at least for his spirit. She had no idea if this new Dillon would translate over to the real Dillon, and if new Dillon didn’t translate over, she certainly could never love old Dillon. That would only lead to heartache.

She used to wonder what kind of a lover he was. Did he like foreplay or did he prefer to get right to it?

“Foreplay,” Dillon said scaring Hilly and causing her to slip under the bubbles once again. “Lots of foreplay.”

When she popped up she was mad as hell. “So, you can read my mind now?”

“Always could.”

“Well, stop.”

“I can’t. I don’t have control over what I hear.” He pounded the side of his head with an open hand.

“If you know what I’m thinking then why haven’t you shown up for the past two days?”

He shrugged. “I can only hear you when you’re being honest about your feelings. Huh. I never realized that before. You like to keep your emotions hidden.”

“It’s sometimes safer that way.”

“Too bad. I would’ve liked to have known how you felt about me a long time ago. It may have changed our relationship.”

“I doubt it.”

He smirked. “You really should be more upfront about things. I’m learning how honest emotion is important.”

“I’m glad you’re getting something out of this situation.”

“I know I like red.” He smiled and glanced at her breasts.

“Glad you approve.” Hilly wore her new red lace bra and matching panties.

“I’ve always been partial to red, myself,” a man, wearing a rumpled, old-fashioned gray suit announced as he appeared standing in the open doorway.

Hilly let out a little startled yelp. “Who are you?”

“People in these parts call me Doc, Doc Holliday, ma’am. Pleased to meet you.”

He tilted his head with a slight bow. Hilly felt intimidated by his presence. She’d read that he sometimes haunted this hotel, but she never thought he’d actually participate in this intervention.

“The real Doc Holliday? I’ve heard so much about you. You’re a legend,” Dillon said, his face glowing with adoration.

“He’s not a real doctor, only a dentist. I don’t like dentists, but he’s nice,” a young girl said, dressed in a light-blue Victorian dress, a big bow in her blond curly hair, bouncing a ball on the bathroom tile, the sound echoing off the walls.

She was the same young girl Hilly had spotted running down the hallway on her first night in the hotel. At least now her appearance made sense.

“And who are you?” Hilly asked the girl, intrigued by her visitors.

“I can’t remember my name. It’s been too long. Today I like Rachel.”

“Nice to meet you, Rachel. Sorry if I don’t get up, but as you can see, I’m not properly dressed.”

“What’s going on?” Dillon asked Hilly. He was now hovering next to her on the side of the tub.

“It’s an intervention.”

“For whom?”

“For you.”

“Me? I’m fine. I figured it all out. Tell these intruders to leave. We’ve got more important things to talk about.”

“I can’t. Your grandmother invited them.”

Hilly could see the deep sadness in Dillon’s eyes when she mentioned his grandmother. “Let’s not talk about her.”

“You have to talk about me, Dillon. I’m part of your problem.”

Dillon stood and walked over to Margarita who had appeared at the foot of the tub, and as he moved in closer, she vanished into a puff a white mist. The mist quickly took on the strong scent of a lit cigar. Soon the entire room reeked from the smell.

“Whew, Devereux,” Doc said, waving his hand in front of his face. “Don’t you know smokin’ can kill you?”

“I do now!”

The thin man wearing a brown felt hat, an ill-fitting wool suit and puffing on a long cigar, chuckled. He stood right where Margarita had stood only moments before.

Hilly was getting a bit woozy from how quickly these folks appeared and disappeared in front of her.

“Excuse me, but are you Walter Devereux, the person who likes to smoke in the lobby?” Hilly asked.

He smirked. “One and the same. I built this here grand hotel and I don’t give a hoot what these new owners say about not smoking. It’s my hotel and I’ll damn well do as I please.”

“Absolutely,” Hilly said. She was not about to argue with an irate ghost.

She leaned back in the tub as she reminded herself this was all for Dillon, and when it was over, she would go back to a normal life: no ghosts allowed.

At least that was the plan, as yet another ghost appeared, standing in front of the window. This one she could easily see right through to the full moon behind her. It was an odd and surreal sight.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said. “I’m Irene, a chambermaid.”

Irene appeared to be in her early twenties, dressed in a white cotton uniform with a white apron tied around her waist. The hem on her skirt touched her black high-top shoes. “I was unpacking for the guests in room four-forty-one. They had so many valises I thought I’d never get through everything.”

Everyone smiled as if they understood, but Hilly was completely perplexed.

When it came right down to it, Hilly had to admit her ability to see dead people was certainly entertaining, if not educational. She wondered what Sarah would think of all of this once she told her. Knowing Sarah, she’d probably ask why she hadn’t gotten a few autographs . . . if that was even possible.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Maggie Brown said, while hovering behind Doc Holliday. Hilly instantly recognized her from all the pictures around the suite and was immediately awestruck. “We don’t have all night and that girl in the tub is going to shrivel up if we keep her in there much longer. I know what water does to a person.” She turned to Hilly. “What you need is a good quality mink coat to keep you warm once you get out of that bath water. I owned quite a few. They come in handy when you’re in a lifeboat out on the ocean.”

“I’ll keep that in mind next time I’m on a cruise ship,” Hilly told her, totally impressed by Maggie’s presence. She had a hundred questions to ask Maggie, but she restrained herself knowing this intervention was for Dillon.

Maggie turned to Dillon. “Here’s the problem as I see it. You are under the misguided notion that you can decide to remain in the state you’re in forever, is that correct?”

“To be honest, I haven’t given it enough thought.”

“An unacceptable answer, given the immediacy of your pending demise.” This ghost had a striking resemblance to Teddy Roosevelt, down to the round wire-rimmed glasses. “You, my good fellow, have a choice, and a choice should never be squandered out of fear.”

Dillon turned to Hilly. “Is that really Teddy Roosevelt?”

“I think so, yes.”

Dillon nodded. “You really know how to throw a party!”

“Pay attention, young man. We don’t gather like this very often,” Maggie Brown ordered. “Some of us feel as if we know you from all the years you’ve been visiting this hotel. Therefore, when Margarita, a truly lovely woman, requested our presence, we didn’t hesitate.

“The way I see it, and I’m always right, none of us had a choice when the end finally came, but you do. You, my dear young man, must choose to live. The brave men on the Titanic chose to die so the women and children could take the few lifeboats and live. I was on one of those lifeboats, through no fault of my own, but once onboard, I chose life and made damn well sure everyone else on our lifeboat chose the same. At one point, it didn’t appear as if we would make it, even our Quartermaster wanted to give up, but I never did. As long as there was a chance at life, I was going to take it. So I rowed harder. Best decision I ever made.”

“Besides, it’s not your time, and you can’t be hanging around here messing with the status quo. You’ve got to get over yourself and get on with living,” Devereux said.

“Yes indeed,” Irene said, standing in the doorway, holding several of Hilly’s sweaters, now draped over hangers. They had been twisted in a ball in her suitcase before all of this began. “I’m going to hang these in the armoire with Dillon’s things. That way it’s much easier for you to find them. This room is a mess. I’ll tidy up a bit.”

“Thanks, but you don’t have to do that,” Hilly told her.

“It’s her job. Besides she enjoys it, especially when the visitors get all fussy over finding their cloths hung up,” Doc Holliday said, gazing over at Irene, a wide smile on her face. Hilly was sure they had some sort of romance going . . . if that was even possible.

“Dillon Spencer, as your president,” Teddy Roosevelt said, “I command you to return to your body and live your life. No matter the pain or the suffering, you must man up. I think that’s the most current term. I like keeping up with language trends. It’s exhilarating, don’t you think?”

Dillon nodded. “Yes, exhilarating.”

“I do so like some of these new terms. Precise and to the point,” Teddy said. “Completely agreeable to my way of thinking.”

The room had filled to standing room only, with Dillon as the star attraction. But of all the ghosts present, Margarita was nowhere to be seen. Hilly didn’t understand why.

“Let me just say this, dude,” Doc said. “When Wyatt and me was headed for the O.K. Corral, if I’d had bristles I’d a’looked like a wild hog. I did it anyway, and came out smooth as a cow’s ear. Made me a legend. You’re just caught up in your own loop, dude, and can’t see how to get out of it. I’m sayin’ all you got to do is hike up your legs and keep walkin’.”