Haunted Love

Chapter 10 Part 12

Chapter 10

Lindsey changed six times!

Her stomach was in knots as she stared at herself in the mirror. She was nervous and giddy and nauseated. She was actually going to meet Thane's parents in less than an hour and she felt overwhelmed.

She wished she could stay in her room and watch movies as she curled up in her purple and gray comforter on her four-post bed. The lavender colored walls and gray trim made her feel safe, comfortable. It wasn't that she didn't want to meet Thane's mom and dad; she just didn't want to meet any ghost that may be hanging around the property.

She would die if their first impression of her was lousy. What if their house was full of spirits? What if she accidentally talked to them instead of ignoring their excited chatter? They often got so excited when they met her that they refused to shut up. But one question above all the others sat the hardest on her limp shoulders.

She leaned into the mirror and studied her perfectly applied make-up, looking for flaws. "What if they don't like me?"

"Oh, they are going to love you! Just be yourself and make my brother happy." Penny picked up a necklace and put it against her neck as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. "His goofy smile will win them over faster than anything else you can do."

Lindsey whirled and put her hand to her heart. "You scared me!" Her brows drew together and she ran a hand over her hair and down her red dress. "I must be more rattled than I thought."

Penny gave a delighted laugh and walked over to Lindsey. She placed the necklace around the shaky woman's neck and watched her in the long mirror on the back of the closet door before putting her chin on her shoulder. "You are going to make my momma positively giddy." She sighed and took in Lindsey's upswept hair and delicate appearance. "You look beautiful! Now stop fretting and enjoy tonight. You are going to blow my parents over with your sweet personality."

Lindsey still wasn't sure she had what it took to be girlfriend material to such a normal man. "What if they don't think I am good enough for Thane? Did he bring girls home often?"

Penny turned and flopped down on the queen bed, making her hair fan out behind her. "Thane was always bringing people home. He collected them like wounded animals. That's how I met Justin."

Lindsey sat down at her vanity and began to touch up her make-up as she tried to visualize Thane finding damaged individuals and trying to fix them. Was that what she was to him? Was she just another project?

Penny saw the thoughtful look on Lindsey's face and she picked up a throw pillow and, well...threw it at her. Lindsey gave a strangled laugh when she threw the pillow back on the bed. "You're putting too much thought into this. My parents are laid back and friendly. Just go in there with your pretty little face and your whacky gloves and enjoy the night. They need this...they need to find happiness again and you and Thane have the power to make that happen."

Lindsey stood up and took one final look at herself in the mirror. She looked down at her hands and bit her lip before slipping off her gloves, her security blanket, and tucking them in the bedside table drawer. She faced Penny and spread her hands before dropping them and slapping her thighs.

"Okay", she twirled, making her skirt flair around her knees, "How do I look?"

Penny stood up and turned her toward the mirror once more. "Look at yourself! You are stunning! My brother is going to be speechless."

Lindsey smiled shyly as though she was not used to receiving compliments. "The dinner with my parents was a disaster." She picked at her nails, threatening to ruin her French manicure, the one that had not seen the light of day since she had gotten them painted. "Your brother rescued me from something very bad. I guess I have to trust him to do that again. I think he would do anything in his power to protect me."