Ghost of Christmas Past: Red Door Series, #2

By Joy Eileen

Esmerelda Tussaud was born with the ability to talk to spirits.

Jake Delassixe loved her the moment he saw her sipping chocolate milk through a straw at his grandma's bar.

Jake didn't think anything could tear them apart, especially after they endured the cruelty of high school. Esmeralda proved him wrong when she left him, on the night of their graduation after his proposal. With nothing tethering him to New Orleans, Jake moved to New York to revamp an old bar his grandma gifted to him.

Now things are starting to happen in his bar. Things that only Esmeralda can help him with. As Esmeralda helps Jake rid his bar of unwanted specters, she also raises the love that Jake thought was dead.

Can Jake forgive her?

Will she be banished from his heart like the ghosts in his bar? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joy Eileen
• Release date: Nov 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519942845

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jake Nathaniel Delassixe get down here, baby.

I put my book down careful to mark my spot and barreled downstairs. At the age of fifteen, I was smart enough to listen when my grandmother, Mama Cleo, bellowed.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Mama Cleo waited for me. Her hair was pulled up in a green turban, showing off whiskey colored eyes. Her large body was regal in a purple dress making her brown skin shimmer.

She stood next to a beautiful woman about the same age as my mother. The woman wore a flowing hot pink dress with a mass of black curls tied back with an orange ribbon. Her blue eyes sparkled showing her amusement from watching me run down the stairs at the fastest speed my gangly legs allowed.

My whole world stopped when I noticed a beautiful creature sitting on one of the bar stools drinking chocolate milk through a straw, and swinging her legs without a care. I couldn't move my gaze from her. She was mesmerizing. Her curly black hair cascaded down her back lightly swaying every time her legs pumped back.

Jake, honey. I want you to say hello to Mrs. Tussaud, and her daughter Esmerelda. Mrs. Tussaud will be managing the bar for me. Mama Cleo moved her voluptuous arm around to point out Esmerelda, unnecessarily, as my eyes were still glued to her.

Esmerelda turned her face toward mine and I held my breath. Her big blue eyes rivaled the picture of the Caribbean Sea I once saw in a book. Her mouth turned up into a smile showing off her straight white teeth. I was riveted as Esmerelda jumped off the stool and walked toward me. She wore pink sparkly shorts and a black tank top with a picture of a ghost on it.

Jake, you can call me, Libby, Mrs. Tussaud said. This is my daughter Ezzie.

I'm going to marry you, Ezzie said.

Mama Cleo let out a belly laugh, and Ezzie's olive colored skin tinged pink. She slapped her hand over her mouth as her eyes roamed the bar, refusing to settle back on me.

Ezzie, let the boy breathe. You're going to scare the poor thing, her mother scolded.

Sorry, Ezzie replied when her eyes finally locked on mine. Did I scare you? Her face scrunched up with worry.

Nah, I have a feeling you might be right.

Ezzie's face flamed red, and I smiled even bigger, feeling more confident than I ever had in my life.

Well you two aren't getting married today. Why don't you go on and show Ezzie around the apartment while I give Ms. Libby a tour of the bar where she'll be working. Mama Cleo shooed us away when we continued to stare at each other.

Come on Jake, Ezzie called out as she sprinted toward the stairs out of Mama Cleo's bar, Voodoo, and up to the apartment above.

Be careful Ezzie. I don't want you to fall, I shouted, running up the stairs behind her.

Ezzie was sprawled out on the red rug in front of Mama Cleo's black suede couch, laughing hysterically when I reached her. The corner of her eyes sparkled with tears, and the sight of her carefree attitude did something to my chest. I was too young to realize it, but I had found my soulmate at that very moment.

You're crazy, I told her, plopping down on the couch, giving her time to get her giggles out.

I'm not crazy, she cried out, pushing herself into a sitting position. Her eyes were slits as she glared at me. Don't ever call me crazy, she stated, getting up and heading toward the stairs.

Wait. I'm sorry I wasn't saying it as a bad thing. I caught up with her before her neon blue shoes could reach the first step.

She wouldn't turn toward me, but she didn't step away so I was calling that a victory.

Kids at my old school called me crazy. That's one of the reasons my mom moved us here. She had a tiny hitch in her voice, and my heart hammered against my chest afraid she might cry.

I was always uncomfortable when girls cried at school, and I definitely didn't want to be the one to make Ezzie shed a tear.

They're stupid, I told her as I pulled her toward the couch. Do you want something to drink? I was desperately trying to think of anything to keep her from crying.

No thank you. She wouldn't look up at me as she tugged on the ghost charm necklace she pulled out from under her shirt collar.

Why do they call you crazy?

Promise not to laugh?

I would never laugh at you, I told her, trying to wrap my head around someone being cruel to her.

I can see spirits, she whispered, gazing into my face, studying me intently to see if I would break my promise.

And? Are they mad because you're rubbing in such an awesome gift? I asked, cocking my head with a smile.

That's when she did it. She smiled. Not just any smile, a smile that said I was her hero. The smile I would carry with me long after she broke my heart.

No, they say I'm crazy. She sat up a little straighter, tucking her slim legs underneath her.

They're crazy, and probably jealous. A thought formed in my head. How old are you?

I'm fifteen. Why?

Will you be going to New Orleans High School?

She nodded her head, her eyebrow quirked at my questioning.

Good. We'll be at the same school. If anyone picks on you, come find me.

I can take care of myself, she said, grasping harder at her ghost charm around her neck.

I know you can, but I want to help you. Will you let me? I would have gotten down on my knees to beg her if I had to, but she nodded her head before leaning over and kissing me on the cheek.

A jolt of electricity shot through me when her lips connected with my skin.

Did you feel that? I told you we're meant to be.

Once again, I think you're right.

Is it true your mom can see spirits too?

Yeah, she got her gift from Mama Cleo. My parents are actually in New York helping someone with an unruly spirit as we speak.

Why didn't you go with them to New York? Her voice took on a dreamy quality.

I didn't want to leave Mama Cleo alone, besides I really like New Orleans.

I like New Orleans, too. I'm glad my mom decided to move us here. Your mom and Mama Cleo said they would help me with my gift.

They'll love teaching you. They were disappointed when I didn't develop any ghostly abilities. She