Page 15 (1/2)

She’d been running the water for the coffee, which was probably why she hadn’t heard Leslie come down When she turned, she ju ide brown eyes at Leslie

"I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to startle you," Leslie said

"Startle me? You scared me out of ten years of life," Melissa replied She had a death grip on the coffee urn Probably a good thing It ht have crashed to the floor otherwise

"But you’re not a ghost," Melissa said, still staring

Leslie shook her head, half s "No, I’ here while I work on the new dig site You were expecting a ghost?"

"No, they told ot And, well, I think this place has to be haunted"

"I see," Leslie murmured

"Oh, Lord, I’hosts frohosts"

"It’s all right," Leslie said Melissa was trying so hard and seehed aloud "It’s a very historic house"

"Incredibly historic," Melissa agreed "And you--you’re an archaeologist," Melissa said, her tone filled with reverence

"Yes You’ll see lots of them around here"

"Not of your caliber"

"I’ve had some luck," Leslie admitted

"Luck? You’re a mile above the rest"

"I’ve just had a few more years at it than so unconvinced

"How about you finishthat coffee? I’d love a cup And if you’re the one buying the supplies, please let me chip in"

"I’d be happy to pay for your coffee," Melissa told her

Leslie hesitated, certain the Historical Society wasn’t paying the girl much "Honestly, I’--"

"Oh, I make pure shit," Melissa said, then added quickly, "Oh, Lord, there I go again I’h to live on I’m not here for the money I’m here because I want to be I love this place I’m fascinated by history, especially New York history"

"Then you should be an archaeologist"

"School," Melissa said, griot to be a way You know that old saying ‘Where’s there’s a will’ and all that I can help you work on it"

"You’d do that for me?" Melissa asked in awe

"Sure And lots of the stuff we do, we use volunteers That is, if you want to do volunteer work, after all the hours you put in"

"I’d die!" Melissa said, then gasped "Ipast the girl as she realized she would have to finishthe coffee herself

"Greta said that pretty soon she’ll let uides don’t uides are set for money Tandy’s husband ot his pension But I love the history of this place, and I swear, I’d work here for free if I could afford to"

"I’s out so you don’t have to do that," Leslie proar?"

Melissa stopped and flushed "I guess I’ to the choir," she said

"It’s fine I think your enthusiasm’s wonderful," Leslie assured her truthfully She liked Melissa, loved her enthusiasirl to treat her like any other nor that must have happened in this place? With all the battles, all the fires, can you believe that it never burned to the ground? Even a ain"

"Melissa, just relax Please"

The coffee was finally ready Leslie poured two cups as Melissa stepped anxiously to her side

"They’re all worried about you, you know"

"And they don’t need to be"

"Everyone says you and Matt were like a fairy-tale couple So in love and--oh, foot inhere because I can think about hi him It’s okay if you talk about him--it’s hoe keep those we loved alive"

Melissa was silent for a moment as Leslie added cream to her coffee

"Do you see him?" Melissa asked then

"What?"