Haunted Hearts Read online

  “Haunted Hearts”

  A Lesbian Halloween Romance

  Jenny Bloom

  © 2019

  Jenny Bloom

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This book is intended for Adults (ages 18+) only. The contents may be offensive to some readers. It may contain graphic language, explicit sexual content, and adult situations. May contain scenes of unprotected sex. Please do not read this book if you are offended by content as mentioned above or if you are under the age of 18. Please educate yourself on safe sex practices before making potentially life-changing decisions about sex in real life.

  This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner & are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Products or brand names mentioned are trademarks of their respective holders or companies. The cover uses licensed images & are shown for illustrative purposes only. Any person(s) that may be depicted on the cover are simply models.

  Edition v1.00 (2019.10.23)

  www.JennyBloomAuthor.com

  Special thanks to the following volunteer readers who helped with proofreading: Jenn, N. Watts, RB, JayBee and those who assisted but wished to be anonymous. Thank you so much for your support.

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Free Book “Second Chances”

  Chapter One

  Ruby

  The store was full of clamoring noises: hangers scraping against their racks, shoes squeaking against the tile floor, and children filling the gaps of conversation with requests for drinks or different costumes. Standing right in the center of the chaos as if it weren't happening at all was Ruby. Her lengthy black hair fell over her shoulders like a water fall, tumbling down to her waist and swishing side to side when she moved. Her red lips were curled permanently into a professional smile as she reached up to grab a skeleton toy from the top shelf.

  She sank down to her knees and handed the toy to a child whose mother thanked her profusely.

  “I just would have never been able to reach that,” the mother said. “He's been talking about it since he saw it yesterday. We just had to get it.”

  Ruby stood up and nodded knowingly. “I understand, ma'am. It's my pleasure!”

  “Ruby!”

  Ruby spun around to see one of her associates, Helga, struggling with an ever-growing line of customers holding costumes and other accessories. She shuffled gracefully to the counter and began ringing up sales as though she did it in her sleep. After the line had calmed down, she returned to the floor to gather the items that had been scattered by their frantic customers.

  There were pirate hats, plastic swords, masquerade masks, feather boas, and a latex mask that had she gathered swiftly. She smiled warmly at the feather boa and carefully began placing the items back in their aisles. Since the crowd had thinned out, she could hear the seasonal Halloween music much clearer through the speakers above. She listened closely to the spooky sounds of ghosts howling and witches cackling.

  Helga appeared next to her with a grim expression while rubbing her temples. “I think I might die.”

  “It's only Tuesday, Helga. Halloween isn't for another two weeks.”

  “Yeah, that's why I think I'll die.”

  Ruby chuckled. “I promise it gets easier the closer we draw to Christmas.”

  “But it's only October!”

  “I know.” Ruby sighed while setting the mask—the last item she was holding—back into its place. Its ugly mug was warped with fake skin, open sores, and a hollow set of eyes. “I never quite liked this one. It's too gory.”

  “I thought you loved Halloween.”

  “I do! I love everything about it—except gross gore.”

  “You're a strange one, Ruby. I don't know how you can handle all this noise in here.”

  “I've gotten used to the noise. After a while, it just sounds like a familiar song.”

  “I don't like babies crying.”

  Ruby laughed. “I don't think the parents like their children crying. It just takes a little compassion to rush them out of the store.”

  “Ah, so you do have ulterior motives.”

  “Only when the babies are crying. Otherwise, I'm more than happy to help.”

  Helga let out a loud sigh as she turned around. The store was practically empty. The holiday rush of Halloween always brought waves of people that acted like hordes of zombies in need of brains—or, in this case, plenty of stylish costumes. As she crossed her arms, she nodded toward the bargain costume racks.

  “Looks like someone over there needs assistance from our best sales associate.”

  Ruby chuckled. “I'll go see what she needs.”

  She left Helga behind and twirled the silk belt hanging around her waist. As she approached the customer, she noticed the woman holding up a poodle skirt.

  “Welcome to The Witch's Cauldron. May I help you with anything?”

  The woman turned slowly with a vacant expression while rubbing the fabric of the skirt. Although her features were blank, there was nothing at all empty about her appearance. She was gorgeous, her peach skin decorated with light brown freckles practically glowing in the afternoon light spilling through the grand store-front windows. Her eyes were wide-set, oval, and tinted a rich chestnut brown. Her button nose seemed to mark the center of her face perfectly, drawing a line that displayed the symmetry of her face.

  She had an oval face and wore a pair of pastel pink specks that could have been true vintage glasses. Her chestnut brown hair was styled in a pixie cut, appearing intentionally wild while remaining mostly under control. She wore a brown sweater with a pink collared-shirt underneath and her slacks paused just above her pastel pink shoes. Everything about her oozed style—and perhaps also control.

  Ruby gaped.

  “I could use some help, yeah,” the woman replied. She cleared her throat. “I just...I'm volunteering for a thing and I need a costume.”

  “Well, the poodle skirt is always a good choice for a quick outfit.”

  “But is it worth it? I mean, when would I ever wear a poodle skirt again?”

  Ruby grinned dreamily.

  Maybe on a date, she thought. She blinked away the thought just as quickly as it surfaced and retained her professional grin. Okay, focus. C
ute girls don't need to distract me from being an amazing sales woman.

  “I could think of about a dozen other events that could require a poodle skirt,” she commented.

  “Like?”

  “Like a school event or a bake sale. I mean, I think they're quite stylish, don't you? They totally match your glasses.”

  The woman blushed lightly while touching her glasses. “Everyone calls them my granny glasses. You really think they match?”

  “Down to the pigment. Why don't you try it on? We have some rooms just over there where you can see if you like it.”

  “A good call. Always try it before you buy it.”

  “I can think of a dozen situations where that applies as well.”

  The woman giggled. “For example?”

  I mean, kissing is one, she replied mentally.

  Ruby's eyes widened as she realized her entire face was heating up. She could feel the warmth spread from her forehead through her cheeks and down into her neck. She coughed nervously and shrugged as if the question hadn't bothered her.

  “Cookies, for example, are something I like to try before I buy.”

  The woman nodded. “So, you didn't mean people?”

  “Oh, no! I wouldn't ever mistreat someone like that. I mean, not that I find it disrespectful or uncommon to sleep with someone before committing to dating, but I wouldn't want to offend...I mean, I don't think...” Ruby faded, biting her lower lip. “Why don't you go try that on? I'll wait here.”

  The woman squinted. “Ruby, is it?”

  She nodded. “At your service.”

  “I'm Lynda. You promise you'll be honest?”

  Ruby held up three fingers. “Scouts honor.”

  “I'll hold you to it.”

  When Lynda disappeared, Ruby released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. The entire exchange had made her flustered, causing her stomach to flip and her fingers to twirl her scarf with increased vigor. Her heart was racing. She felt sweat on the back of her neck.

  She rubbed her cheek.

  Well, that's new. I haven't had that reaction in a while, she reflected shyly. But it feels nice. I wonder if she's on my team…

  The dressing room door on the other side of the racks squeaked. Lynda stood in the frame wearing a posh white sweater with the poodle skirt hanging down from her waist.

  Ruby smiled. “It looks perfect!”

  “Are you sure? I feel like I look...weird.”

  “If you mean you look different, that's how costumes are supposed to make you look.”

  Lynda turned to the wall-length mirror next to the dressing room door. “I feel like one of those theater kids.”

  “That means you look good.”

  “Well, I guess that means I'm getting it.”

  “Excellent! I can ring you up over at the counter, register two.”

  Lynda disappeared again and Ruby shuffled to the counter, taking deliberate motions to calm her shaking hands. She occupied her mind by organizing a few returns from behind the counter. Helga was off to the side on her phone, hardly paying attention.

  “Don't let Martha see you doing that,” Ruby warned. “You know she hates it when we're on our phones.”

  “There's no one here.”

  “Lynda is here.”

  Helga laughed. “Who's Lynda?”

  “That girl with the skirt...the cute one.” Ruby squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the knot in her throat tighten while Helga gasped dramatically to the right. “I mean, that girl with the skirt.”

  “The cute one,” Helga repeated in a teasing voice. “Is she gay? Can you tell? You have to be able to tell, right?”

  “I don't have a gaydar, Helga.”

  “Oh, come on! Everybody has a gaydar. It's like hard-wired into our brains so we attract the right mates.”

  “You're so weird.”

  Helga giggled. “I mean, we're both weird. We work here. How can we not be weird?”

  Ruby joined the laughter for a moment but stopped when she noticed Lynda approaching the counter. She plastered on her customer service smile and took the poodle skirt, scanning the tag before gently folding it into a paper bag. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

  Lynda hummed, focusing on the wall behind Ruby. “How about one of those bows? That would match, I'm willing to bet.”

  “The pink one?”

  “No, the green one.”

  Ruby blinked twice.

  Lynda broke into a grin. “I'm kidding! Yes, the pink one. I have to match everything if you couldn't tell.”

  “Oh! A joke! Right!” Ruby laughed nervously while turning to gather up one of the gigantic pink bows. She scanned the tag and placed it neatly on top of the skirt in the bag. “Your total is $21.00 even.”

  “That's an odd number,” Lynda teased while opening her bag. “But I'll forgive you since you've been so nice.”

  “Oh, how kind of you. I was worried I wasn't being nice enough.”

  Lynda winked. “You've been plenty nice.”

  As Ruby accepted the money from Lynda, she felt Lynda's fingers brush against her knuckles. The mere touch seemed to be a strike from a bolt of lightning, halting her in her tracks. She met Lynda's gaze again. Had that wink been flirtatious or friendly?

  She mechanically pressed the button on the register and popped open the tray, placing the bills neatly inside. She gathered the handle of the paper bag and held it over the counter.

  “Thanks for shopping at The Witch's Cauldron! We hope you'll come again for the clothes and the cackles.”

  “Wow, do they really make you say that?” Lynda asked while taking the bag. “I mean, it's cute, but I figure you get tired of it after a while.”

  “Martha makes us say a lot of weird things,” Helga remarked.

  “Helga,” Ruby hissed. She turned with a smile back to Lynda. “I personally like having those phrases.”

  “Well, as long as you like it, right?” Lynda winked and then headed out the double glass doors.

  When she was gone, Ruby dropped her shoulders and huffed. “Wow, that was intense.”

  “She looks like she's interested,” Helga commented while whipping her phone back out. “And she's really pretty. I'm not gay, but I can see that much.”

  “Helga,” Ruby groaned. “Hush.”

  “All right, I won't say another word.”

  Ruby stared at the double doors, noticing they had come to a halt as soon as Lynda had left. She sighed.

  I should have asked for her number, she considered. At least I would have tried.

  Chapter Two

  Lynda

  “Blood drives...ugh. Not only does Halloween give me the creeps, but blood does, too,” Lynda mumbled under her breath as she wiped down a chair with a cloth.

  She sanitized the seat, the headrest, and the armrests before moving on to the next chair. With a rag in one hand and a bottle of disinfectant in the other, she moved from seat to seat in preparation for the lunch rush. People always swarmed the blood drive during lunch which made sense to Lynda considering that's when people were often free from their jobs.

  She sighed when she noticed people walking in. “Showtime.”

  She smoothed the wrinkles from her new poodle skirt and forced a smile, greeting the two people walking through the doors. It was her job to make sure people were comfortable and had plenty of snacks while donating. Though she was more interested in learning business, she knew that volunteering at the blood drive would get her extra points on her college resume.

  But the blood, she thought hauntingly. I just can't look at it. No way. I have to turn away every single time.

  She wandered to the table on the other side of the room that hosted packaged cookies, protein bars, and an assortment of juice. She plucked an oatmeal cookie from a box, picked up an orange juice, and sat down in one of the chairs near the table. The place would be packed soon. All the nurses who volunteered were from the university. It was the perfect way for them to learn procedu
re and get some experience.

  “Mind if I take this seat?”

  Lynda locked eyes with her friend, Ray. She shrugged. “Go for it.”

  “You seem lackluster today, almost pale.”

  “It's one of those days.”

  “Well, you look cute.”

  She grinned. “Thanks, Ray. You look...” She glanced nosily down his outfit, studying the faded blue jeans and leather jacket. “...Handsome?”

  “I'm doing my best here to match you. What else are friends for?”

  “You're funny. I think I could use a break from this costume. It's starting to feel itchy.”

  He jokingly scooted his chair away. “Do you have lice?”

  “Oh, shut up.”

  “I'm kidding, Lyn. Don't get so uptight. You always get this way around Halloween.”

  “Gee, I wonder why,” she said sarcastically. “Maybe it's the blood.”

  “Hell, I don't see why you volunteered if you don't like blood.”

  “It's a way to help people without getting too dirty. The place is sanitized and there's always lots of cookies, so I can keep calm.”

  She held up her cookie as a salute and took a bite, smiling contentedly when the taste filled her mouth. When she swallowed, she unscrewed the lid to her orange juice and took a sip.

  Ray nodded to the bottle. “Now, that's an odd combination.”

  “It keeps my blood sugar up.”

  “Because of the blood?”

  She nodded with a giggle. “And I was feeling faint the other day. I think I have a crush.”

  “Uh oh, red alert.” He made siren noises while covering his mouth. “Houston, we have a problem. We have a problem.”

  “What's the problem?”

  “I thought you said you don't date.”

  “That doesn't mean I can't have a crush, Ray.”

  He eyed her suspiciously. “You're the one who wanted to focus on your business career. I thought that's why you moved up here?”

  “Yeah, that's part of the reason. I also wanted to get away from my ex-girlfriend. Wouldn't you want to escape your exes?”