Ghostly Serenade
Page 30
My brows rose. He hadn’t told her? He sent a warning glance my way before answering her. “I hurt it last night, but it’s fine.”
She arched her brow, wondering what he hadn’t told her. “Is that right? Then I look forward to hearing all about it.” She was willing to let it go for now, but he’d better tell her everything, or she’d never let him forget it.
I couldn’t hold back my smile. Seeing it, Uncle Joey grumbled under his breath. My smile widened. It did my heart good to know he was in so much trouble. It was nice that it wasn’t me for a change.
Totally exhausted, I glanced around the table, my heart filled with love for each of these people. Savannah had scared me to death, and I promised myself that I would have a long talk with her. But she was okay now, and I was grateful for that.
In fact, one of her wishes had been fulfilled when Miguel hugged her, and walked all the way back to the hotel with his arm around her. She was sure to fantasize about that for a long time to come. On the other hand, I’d seen Miguel’s perspective of her take a sudden change. While that could be worrisome, I knew it wasn’t immediate, so I pushed it away for now.
At least I didn’t have to perpetuate the lie that we were actually related to the Manettos anymore, although the version that Savannah believed wasn’t the truth either. Still, it wasn’t quite as bad as the lie Uncle Joey had told.
So, after all was said and done, this trip had been a success. We’d succeeded in taking down the Bilottis, which neutralized the threat to Miguel and the New York Manettos. I’d helped the police solve a murder case, which also put the Bilottis away for good. More importantly, we’d all survived. That was a major accomplishment.
Even so, I looked forward to going home and sleeping in my own bed.
Finally ready to call it a night, we all headed toward the elevators. In the lobby, I heard a familiar song playing over the sound system, and my heart stopped. It was "Con te partirò," the first song I’d ever heard Grandfather Manetto singing to me in my room.
“Stop,” I said, catching everyone’s attention. “Listen.” I paused. “Do you hear that song?”
They all looked at me like I was bonkers. But everyone stood still and listened. “Yeah,” Chris said. “It’s that Italian song. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s a song that Grandfather Manetto used to sing. If he could, I’d bet he’d sing that song to us right now.”
“What does it mean?” Savannah asked, not even questioning how I knew that.
“Time to say goodbye,” Miguel answered. He knew the meaning of the lyrics because he’d sung it himself, many times.
My eyes teared up. Did that mean Grandfather Manetto was leaving? He’d done what he needed to do, and now he could rest in peace?
We stood there transfixed. As the volume grew, it seemed as if there were two voices singing. Sudden goosebumps rose on my arms and neck, and I felt like I was floating.
Maggie moved closer to Uncle Joey, taking his arm. Sylvie and Frank stepped together. Miguel glanced up at the ceiling, as if looking for the source of the voice. Uncle Joey stared at me, his eyes opened wide and his lips parted.
The music rose to a climatic end, holding us all in thrall to the last note, and it felt as if our hearts beat as one. As the final note drifted away, I swallowed. Uncle Joey blinked, as if coming out of a trance. None of us spoke for a few seconds.
“Did you hear that?” Savannah asked. “It was like there were two voices.”
“Yeah,” Miguel nodded. “I felt something… like a connection. Do you think…” He shook his head. How could he even think it possible that his great-grandfather was singing along? That was nuts. Still… it was like he was really here, and singing just to him. “You know what the words mean at the end?” He said it to no one in particular, then he glanced at Uncle Joey. “I go with you.”
A chill ran down my spine. “That sounds about right.”
We stood there for a few more seconds. Then the music changed to a jazz number, breaking the spell, and we all shuffled to the elevator.
Uncle Joey came to my side. “I heard him,” he said. “It was really him, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Will we ever hear him again?”
“I don’t know. But I think he’s at peace now.”
Uncle Joey nodded, thinking that he’d always hear that song differently now. It settled something deep in his heart. For so much of his life, he’d been consumed with the business and making his mark. Except for Ramos at his side, he’d done it alone.
After he’d discovered Miguel and allowed Jackie into his heart, things had changed. He’d made amends with his New York cousins, and, even more surprising, he’d found his sister. I’d been there through it all. Who would have thought a mind-reading soccer mom could have changed his life so much?
I shook my head and smiled.
Somehow, we all managed to fit in the elevator. Savannah was back to her effervescent self, talking a mile a minute. “Did you know we’re getting a dog when we get home?” she asked Miguel. “Have you ever had a dog?”
“No,” he said. “But I’ve always wanted one.”
“When you come home to visit, we’ll introduce you. It’ll be like your dog too, only without all the work.”
He chuckled. “Sounds good to me.”
We exited the elevator on our floor, waving goodnight to the others. Tomorrow we’d have one last breakfast together, and then we were headed home. In a way, I’d miss everyone here, but, on the other hand, I couldn’t wait to get back to my normal life.
I needed some sleep and a break from all the drama. I didn’t know if that was even possible, or what awaited me at home. But, I’d learned that I was stronger than I thought, and I knew that whatever happened, I could handle it. Besides my wonderful family, I had friends on both sides of the law who needed me and my special abilities.
Sure, it made my life more complicated… but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thank you for reading Ghostly Serenade: A Shelby Nichols Adventure.
I am currently hard at work on Shelby’s next adventure and promise to do my best for another thrilling ride!
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Devil in a Black Suit
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A Midsummer Night's Murder: A Shelby Nichols Novella
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA TODAY AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSLLING AUTHOR
As the author of the Shelby Nichols Adventure Series, Colleen is often asked if Shelby Nichols is her alter-ego. “Definitely,” she says. “Shelby is the epitome of everything I wish I dared to be.” Known for her laugh since she was a kid, Colleen has always tried to find the humor in every situation and continues to enjoy writing about Shelby’s adventures. “I love getting Shelby into trouble… I just don’t always know how to get her out of it!” Besides writing, she loves a good book, biking, hiking, and playing board and card games with family and friends. She loves to connect with readers and admits that fans of the series keep her writing.
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