Whisper appeared in front of me, as I reached the open front door.

"You're blushing, Daddy."

.

I rolled my eyes. I could feel that I was.

"Thank you for stating the obvious."

.

"You say something, Will?" Evangeline asked aloud.

.

"No," I smirked.

"Just a pesky insect hanging around my head."

I waved my hand.

"Shoo, shoo, pesky insect."

.

"Ha, ha," Whisper snapped, as she wriggled her nose at me.

"You are so funny."

She kissed my cheek.

"But you are still blushing."

.

She disappeared, but appeared again, quickly.

"And like I told you, a long time ago, I am not a fly."

Again she disappeared.

.

As I walked through the door, I saw Evangeline, sitting in a chair, playing with Ghost and Spirit, who were both laying on their backs, letting her rub their bellies.

"I missed these two," she informed me.

"They are the most amazing cats."

.

"Don't praise them up too much," I asked her.

"It will go to their spoiled heads."

.

Evangeline laughed, continuing to rub both their bellies.

"I don't care. They are just so adorable."

.

The cats were sopping up the attention, completely ignoring me.

"Looks like they remember you."

I passed her the coffee, looking at the cats.

"Now, both of you. Scoot."

.

They both jumped to their feet, snapped their tales at me and scurried off the veranda.

.

"And stay away from the cliff," I yelled behind them.

.

They both stopped, looked at me and then at each other. With another duet snap of the tails, they disappeared into the woods, surrounding the property.

.

Evangeline shook her head.

"It is like they understand every word you say."

.

I sipped my coffee.

"Sometimes, I believe they do."

.

She looked out over the ocean, as she sipped her coffee.

"Mmmmm. This is delicious."

.

"Thank you. Its my special blend of about six different coffees."

I smiled.

"I couldn't make up my mind which one I liked so I just mix equal mounts of all of them."

.

She raised her cup.

"It works."

She looked back out to the ocean.

"You have such a wonderful view from here."

.

"I love it," I said.

"That is why I chose this spot."

.

"Your house is amazing. I don't think I have ever seen such a design."

.

"I worked with an architect and we designed it together. I had a vision of what I wanted and he brought it to life for me."

.

"It is beautiful," she repeated.

.

I sat down. "It is."

.

Whisper was in front of me.

"Daddy, show her the house."

.

"Of course."

I turned to Eva. "Would you like to see the house?"

.

She sipped her coffee, looking at me strangely. "Who were you just talking to?"

.

"What?"

.

"You looked like you were talking to someone.

You were looking toward the door. Is there someone in there?"

.

"No, not at all. Just, the thought struck me that I had not offered to show you my house."

I glanced toward Whisper.

Now she was giving me a strange look.

"What?" I questioned aloud.

Again I forgot I had company.

.

"There you go again," she laughed.

"Do you have an imaginary friend, Will?"

.

I shook my head.

"No, but there are times, I wish I did."

.

Whisper licked her tongue out at me and disappeared.

.

Evangeline laughed.

"Aren't you a little old for imaginary friends?"

.

I laughed with her, nodding my head.

"I guess so.

I'm sorry. I don't get many guests here and as you may have noticed, I am not exactly a social butterfly."

.

Eva laughed. "Social butterfly?"

She put her hand on my arm.

"You never seemed to have any problems, when we worked together in Twillingate."

.

I knew I was blushing.

And I knew Evangeline could see it clearly. I stood up.

"Okay, I think I will find a corner to hide in."

I started toward the front door.

.

Evangeline was still laughing. Not a hearty laugh, but a warm beautiful laugh.

"Get back here. I am just teasing. And I love that shade of red on your face."

.

I just shook my head.

Whisper reappeared. She was laughing, too.

'What are you laughing at?'

.

She just smiled and disappeared.

'I love that shade of red, too, Daddy.'

I heard her giggle.

.

I shook my head and took a deep breath, turning back to Evangeline.

"Would you like another coffee."

.

She nodded.

"I could probably force down another one. It is so delicious."

.

"Sure, come on."

I offered her my hand.

"Please come in."

.

She took my hand and I helped her up. She had the most beautiful brownish, greenish eyes. Why I had not really noticed them before, I was not sure.

I couldn't stop staring.

.

She smiled and held up her cup. "Coffee? House tour?"

.

"Of course."

We went to the kitchen and I poured both of us coffees.

.

"This place is so beautiful," she gasped, looking around the kitchen.

.

I took her hand again.

"Come on, let me show you my palace."

.

The tour lasted about an hour and Evangeline continued to be amazed by my house.

We ended up back in the kitchen, where we had first started.

I offered her another coffee.

.

She shook her head. "No, two cups are my limit."

.

"I could make you an Irish coffee," I said quickly, not wanting her to go.

.

She smile. "No, thank you, Will, but if you have a beer, I wouldn't mind one."

.

"You want a glass?"

.

She shook her head.

"No. Bottle or can, whatever you have. Anything except Black Horse. That shit is really hard to get down."

.

I laughed.

"I am glad you agree. I haven't had one of those since Twillingate. They are all Molson Canadian and Blue Star drinkers here in the Rock."

I went to the refrigerator.

"Why don't you go out on the veranda. I will be out in a second."

.

"Okay," she agreed smiling.

She took her camera off the kitchen counter and went outside.

.

Whisper appeared immediately.

"She is really pretty Daddy," Whisper gasped.

"I can see why you like her."

.

"What makes you think I like her?" I asked, while opening the beers.

.

Whisper giggled.

"I can read your thoughts, Daddy. And you are blushing like a schoolboy."

.

I turned off my thoughts and stared at Whisper.

"Schoolboy? Where did you hear that?"

.

She shrugged.

"Around."

She changed the subject back to Evangeline.

"But she is very pretty."

.

"Yes she is," I assured her, "but ...

she is also married."

.

"Really?"

.

I didn't understand Whisper's tone or her ignoring my eye contact.

"You are strange, little girl."

.

"Takes one to know one, Daddy."

.

I stared at her.

"You gotta stop hanging out at the cemetery."

.

She started giggling.

She floated up and kissed my cheek.

"I will go watch some T.V."

.

"Good idea, but first go and find Ghost and Spirit and make sure they do not bring any presents home, while Evangeline is here.

I don't need dead mice or half dead birds covering my veranda."

.

She nodded.

"I will go and remind them, Daddy."

She kissed my cheek again.

"Now go see the pretty ...

married ...

woman."

.

Why she emphasized the word married, was beyond me.

"What are you not telling me, hun?"

.

"Oh. I think Ghost is calling me," Whisper chirped, cupping her ear, with her hand.

"Gotta go, Joe."

She disappeared.

.

I shook my head, laughing.

Where was she picking up this stuff?

Life with Whisper certainly interesting.

.

I took the beers and went back outside.