A Ghost of a Chance

By Abigail Owen

He may just be the death of her...

Josie has a problem. Her brother’s ghost shows up at her home and tells her if she doesn’t save his life, he’ll remain a ghost forever. But she can’t save him on her own, not when his body was somewhere in the mountain wilderness near their home.

Unfortunately, her brother's best friend, the man she walked away from–who she’d once wrapped hopes of her future around–is the only person who can help. The problem? He can’t see ghosts and has no idea she can. So how does she convince him to help without giving away her secret?

*This short story was originally published in 2016 with a different cover, but has since undergone a re-edit. Scenes were added, things were changed, but the kissing still remains!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Violet Publishing LLC
• Release date: Jan 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005455040

Abigail Owen

Award-winning author, Abigail Owen, writes new adult/upper YA fantasy romance and adult paranormal romance. She loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of HEAs! Abbie has a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing) from Texas A&M University (gig’em Ags!), and an EMBA from California State University-Sacramento. Prior to becoming a published author, she spent years 15+ years using the other side of her brain in various tech-related roles including website design, graphic design, HTML coding, and business analysis. Other titles include: wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, AuDHD, spreadsheet lover, Jeopardy fanatic, organizational guru, true classic movie buff, linguaphile, wishful world traveler, and chocoholic. Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero, their (mostly) angelic teenagers, and two adorable fur babies.

Book preview

A Ghost of a Chance

A Brimstone Inc. Short Story

Abigail Owen

COPYRIGHT © 2020 by Abigail Owen

Smashwords Edition

A Ghost of a Chance

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Cover Art by Abigail Owen | Authors On A Dime, LLC

Dedication

To: J.C., L.A., Sharon, & Maureen

A GHOST OF A CHANCE

He might just be the death of her…

Josie has a problem. Her brother’s ghost shows up at her home and tells her if she doesn’t save his life, he’ll remain a ghost forever. But she can’t save him on her own, not when his body was somewhere in the mountain wilderness near their home. Unfortunately, the man she walked away from–who she’d once wrapped hopes of her future around–is the only person who can help. The problem? He can’t see ghosts and has no idea she can. So how does she convince him to help without giving away her secret?

Chapter 1

Josie Barton raised her hand, shook it to try to stop the trembles, then knocked briskly at the door.

She winced. These new iron doors were gorgeous, but they sure hurt like hell to bang on. Not that that was where her focus should be. She knew she was mentally stalling for what came next.

After a long moment of silence, she glanced at her brother, who stood beside her. Hovered, more like. He’s not here, she hissed out of the side of her mouth.

The overcast skies were a constant grey, providing a vague drizzle which had her hair curling damply on her neck. Despite the waterproof windbreaker she wore over her t-shirt and jeans, her clothes clung uncomfortably to her skin. The only thing making this soggy day tolerable was the fresh smell of the wet pine woods prevalent in their area of Montana. She’d always loved that scent.

He’s working in the back bedroom. Try again. Peter didn’t bother to lower his voice. He didn’t need to. No one else would be able to hear him.

Reluctantly, she knocked again, having already confirmed that the doorbell didn’t work.

A small, selfish part of her hoped Bryce wasn’t home. Comfortable was not a word she associated with being around this man. Not because of her massive crush when they were teenagers. This new tension between them was more recent. Although, every so often, she’d catch a strangely intent look directed her way—as though he still cared if she didn’t know better.

But she did know better. She’d made it that way.

With a deep breath, Josie pushed those thoughts away. Her brother needed her help, and she couldn’t help him without Bryce.

Peter’s pale form floated through her, and a cold shiver ripped up Josie’s spine, causing instant brain freeze. Quit that, she mumbled with a glare.

He flashed a wicked grin, still an ass even when spectral. When Bryce comes to the door, tell him about me—

"I’m not telling him that. She practically snarled the words. And how are you so cheerful right now?"

He shrugged. Maybe turning into a ghost disconnects your emotions? He was guessing. Besides, she’d met plenty of ghosts who tapped into deep wells of emotion—love, regret, anger. Especially the anger. A better bet was Peter was trying to shield her from the worst of his predicament, downplaying the urgency even when his life hung on the line. Protecting her was a habit left over from childhood. The more serious the situation, the goofier he tended to get.

I’m just saying, he’ll understand, Peter insisted.

Josie highly doubted it. Most people wouldn’t understand, but telling Bryce Evans she could see and speak to ghosts would lead to questions from her past she didn’t want to answer. Mister Know-it-all Outdoorsman Local Hero didn’t know everything. She wanted to keep it that way. Had to. To protect him from himself.

Tell him, Peter urged.

She snapped her head around so hard her ponytail smacked her in the face, curls the color of wet sand damp and stinging. She aimed a glare at her brother that should’ve melted him into plasma goo on the spot. Shut up.

Excuse me?

Josie froze at the sound of the deeply voiced question from the man now standing in the open doorway, then grimaced.

Peter smirked. "Now you have to tell him, or he’ll think you’re crazy."

Bryce already did.

Slowly Josie turned to face the man who managed to make desire coil around her heart even as trepidation coiled in her belly. With effort, she tried to arrange her face in a smile. It had been a while since she’d used the expression and it went down like castor oil.

Bryce frowned.

You need his help.

With a quick once-over she took in the fact that he wore a white t-shirt paired with jeans, a tool belt slung low around his hips. His dark hair was spiked as though he’d been running his hands through it repeatedly. Damn. Did drool run down her chin? How could a sweaty carpenter be so darn appealing?

Why do I need to shut up? he asked.

Not you, she murmured, trying not to look away with the guilt of a school kid caught out in a lie.

His thick brows, already lowered, smoothed and his expression turned to the cool, emotionless mask he habitually wore in her vicinity. The same expression she gave him most of the time. Is there something you need, Josie?

Only your undying devotion, Peter intoned in a high voice, batting his eyelashes.

Had he been living instead of a ghost, she