“The ending of the book is on the other side of that wall, Alex. If you want an ending, help me knock it down.”
Alex tapped on the bar with his fingers and shook his head. “What do you think you’re going to find over there, Megan? Call me curious. Have you uncovered something in the research that you aren’t telling me? Is this a theory that you and your new friend share?”
I wiped my forehead with the sleeve of my robe. Yeah, I was pretty sure I had a fever.
“Give it a rest, Alex. Micah and Loretta are interested in the subject because Morgan’s Rock is of interest to them. Please, don’t be a jerk. And I’m not sure what’s on the other side of that wall, but I believe whatever it is will be significant. So significant that someone walled the place up and painted a protection spell on it.”
Alex leaned across the bar, his face so close to mine.
“You don’t know that’s a protection spell, but it does make for good fiction. Go on, tell me your theory.”
At one time, I would have kissed him without guilt or reservation. But that was before. Before I fell in love with Paden.
“You don’t want this cold or whatever this is, Alex. I wouldn’t get that close if I were you.” His easy-going smile vanished from his face. “And I don’t have a theory yet, but I’m knocking that wall down with or without you, when I get to feeling better.”
“I’ll call the service to see what’s happened to the housekeeper. And if you’re still determined to demolish the house, I will help you—but after the party. Please, after the party. Promise me you’ll wait. If there is a dead body or some other macabre find on the other side, I don’t want it to be uncovered when all the biggest folks in Hollywood are here.”
I squeezed his hand and agreed as I tried to stop my nose from running. How long would it take for this medicine to kick in? I said, “I think you’re missing one heck of an opportunity here, but okay. Now please go away so I can go back to bed.”
“Alright. I’ll text you later when I have news about your help. Feel better.”
“Thanks, Alex. I do appreciate all you do.”
He tapped the bar one last time and left me alone in my kitchen. What a strange feeling. It was as if Alex took all the warmth with him. I shivered and tugged the robe closer to my body. Locking the door, I picked up the papers and considered going back to my room. I paused at the bottom of the stairs and waited, poised quietly on the bottom step. I could have sworn I heard music playing. Yes, I knew that tune. A hazy tune, A Little Bit of Heaven.
Love is just a little bit of heaven
Since I fell in love with you
Love can make a home a little heaven
Whenever two hearts are true
“Joanna? Are you coming?”
I heard footsteps on the landing above me. Upward they traveled.
“Hello?” I called as I wavered on the bottom step. I really should lie down. Go lie down before you tumble up the stairs.
I wasn’t listening to the responsible part of my brain. My heart tugged at me, and I grabbed the railing tightly as I slowly ascended the stairs. Somewhere along the way, I lost my paperwork…but it didn’t matter.
Paden waited for me.
Chapter Seventeen
“Keep them closed. No peeking.” Paden chuckled in my ear. “I mean it. No peeking.” I stumbled forward and couldn’t help but laugh at my husband’s excitement.
“Have you brought me a unicorn, Paden Kincaid? I’m going to fall if you’re not careful.” I put my hands on the blindfold; I was so tempted to snatch it off and steal a peek at whatever it was that he’d brought me. He was so excited about this gift, and that was contagious. Paden had been gone only two weeks this time, but it may as well have been two months. I’d been so lonely, so very lonely, but I hadn’t been alone. There were ghosts at Morgan’s Rock. Shadows that turned corners too quickly for me to catch them. But all that was behind me now. Paden was here, and I wasn’t alone anymore. And when the time was right, I was going to tell him he couldn’t leave me again. I was Joanna Storm, not the Old Lady in the Shoe. Surely he had enough love for me that he would agree. Yes, that’s what would have to happen. The next time Paden left Morgan’s Rock, I would leave it with him. He’d promised me after Danny and Vivian died that he would take me away.
We’ll walk in the sunshine together, Joanna.
But it hadn’t happened, and I was growing impatient with his excuses. Yes, that’s what they were. Excuses. I wasn’t so sick that I couldn’t travel. Not if we were discreet. Nobody would know anything at all if he stayed close to me.
“Can I open them now? This is all too mysterious, Paden.”
Suddenly he pulled off the blindfold and I blinked against the sunshine. A gray mare trotted toward me. Mr. Lee smiled broadly as he escorted the beautiful animal to us.
“Magadan? That’s not possible!”
Paden kissed my cheek and led me to the fence. “No, she’s not Magadan, but I think Magadan Two has a nice ring to it. Or Maggie.”
“She’s so very like my Magadan. I can’t get over the similarities. What a wonderful animal! Thank you, Paden! And this is why you left?” I smiled as I walked through the gate and into the yard to meet my new friend. “I love the name Maggie. I think she’s gorgeous.”
“Yes, that’s part of the reason. But that’s not the only surprise I have for you.”
I laughed with delight. “You must be joking. More than this?”
“So much more than this, darling. But don’t ask because I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to wait until tonight. In the meantime, pet Maggie and I will see you in just a bit.”
“Where are you going, Paden? Don’t you want to see me ride?”
“I do, dearest, but I have to meet someone. Mr. Lee, make sure she doesn’t break her pretty head,” he said playfully. I wasn’t in the mood to laugh at such a joke, but I did in the interest of keeping the peace. I would make my demands later, and I wanted to be sure he was in a good mood.
“You aren’t leaving home again, are you?”
“No, Joanna. I’ll see you in the dining room. Enjoy Maggie. She’s only just arrived, though, so go easy on her.” He left me alone in the yard with Magadan Two. Mr. Lee lingered about, but I smiled at him.
“I can assure you I feel fine, Mr. Lee. You can tend to your duties. I’ll just lead her around the yard a bit.” He smiled and tipped his hat, remarking on the animal’s beauty before he left. I thanked him for his kindness and took the reins. She was indeed a lovely creature. I patted her and brushed her velvet nose, but she didn’t know me, not yet, and she wasn’t as keen to fall in love with me as I was with her.
“It’s okay, Maggie. I understand, but I can assure you I will be a good friend to you. You’ll just have to learn to trust me.” She snorted and tugged away from me, but I didn’t release the reins. I sighed and walked her to the stable. I worried that Paden would leave unexpectedly, that he would leave me here, and I refused to be left behind like his extra pair of shoes.
“Mr. Lee, she’s all yours. I’ll come back to visit her this evening before dinner.”
“Yes, miss. By the way, Miss Storm, I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Well, it might not be my place to say anything, but…”
“Mr. Lee! Nobleman hasn’t gotten his lunch yet, and the fellow is getting impatient. What’s the matter, dearest? You didn’t want to take your new animal out for a ride?” Paden was there, his cheeks two patches of red as if he’d run back here.
“Sorry, sir. Just tending to it now. Excuse me, miss.”
“I thought you had something to do, Paden. Have you canceled your plans?” I smiled with some delight.
“What did he say to you, Joanna?”
“Mr. Lee? You haven’t answered me, Paden. And that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I want you to make me a promise. Please, promise me that you won’t leave me again.” I clutched his hand and did my best not to cry. I had warned myself about this earlier. If I wanted
to be believed, I needed to act rationally. I wouldn’t tell Paden about the dreams. I saw him in my dreams and he was warning me about something, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying…and then suddenly Vivian was there. She was strange in my dreams. Still the lovely Vivian that I knew, only paler and covered in red painted symbols. She showed me her arms freely now. No more hiding them under long sleeves and floor-length dresses. She was scarred, and she wanted me to see her scars.
“Joanna, I plan to stay with you forever. We will never be parted again, dearest. That I promise you.”
Paden held me, and I breathed him in. He smelled like sunshine and horses and cedar. I loved to smell him. Rain began to patter on the roof of the barn. “Let me make love to you, my wife. Right here, in our barn. What’s to stop us, Joanna?”
“Here? Now?” I smiled with some embarrassment. If I had been well, I would have agreed to his request without worry. In fact, it might have been my idea. I couldn’t be so impulsive now, not since I’d been struck with Mother’s malady. But he was right, he was my husband and this was our barn.
“Upstairs, dearest. On second thought, why don’t you let me lead the way?” he whispered in my ear. How long had it been since we’d made love? I giggled as I climbed up the ladder to enter whatever bower Paden had arranged for us. How I loved this man! Surely after our lovemaking, he would not deny my deepest wish, to never be parted from him again.
Surely not. There was only one way to find out. I followed him up the narrow wooden ladder.
Chapter Eighteen
“No!” I said as I opened my eyes. Heartbreak wasted no time weighing down my soul. The loss of him hurt me so deeply. I buried my face in my pillow and wept for all my worth. When I couldn’t cry anymore, I decided to drag myself out of my twisted sheets and stumble to the bathroom. That’s when sickness rose up in me; it was similar to the mild sickness I experienced whenever I flew. Even the shortest flight made me ill, especially if I skipped the Dramamine.
I clutched the doorframe; the wood felt cool beneath my fingers. I clutched my stomach with my other hand. I wobbled on my feet for a few seconds and then hurried to brush my teeth and wash my face. I looked at myself in the mirror and was jolted by the truth as if by an electric shock. This wasn’t a stomach bug. This was morning sickness. I was…Paden and I… I had no idea how this was possible, but there was no doubt—I was pregnant with Paden Kincaid’s baby. I should have been panicked, but I only felt a mixture of love, happiness and crushing heartache.
Paden, I wish you knew. I wish you could know.
“Paden,” I sobbed again as I clutched the sink with my head bowed. My stomach was finally calming, but my heart would never be right again. Never. I was elated to be having a child with the man I loved, but that overwhelming heartache washed over me because I knew what was coming. I focused on my breathing.
Pull yourself together. You don’t want to make the baby sick. I looked at myself in the mirror again. I looked horrible. My hair needed washing; it was sweaty and stringy. My eyes had dark circles beneath them, and they were red from crying. No, I didn’t look my best at all. What was Alex going to say when I saw him later? How was I going to tell him about any of this?
How could I tell him that I didn’t want to be here? I wanted to be with Paden. Whether I was Megan or Joanna, Paden was my destiny. I wanted it that way. I would rather have that little time with him. Paden would die soon. The ghost of Danny Petit would kill him, but he would save me.
But what if I could save him? What if I could? I had to try, didn’t I? He was the father of my child now. That absolutely blew my mind but also strengthened my resolve. The problem was that when I went back, I became Joanna. She was so much stronger than I was, undoubtedly because she belonged there and I did not. But that would have to change. I would have to remember to assert my own presence and not be selfish. Not get lost in Paden’s arms and forget…not if I was going to save his life.
But how?
I considered all this as I showered and tended to my hair. Then I went back into my bedroom and opened the armoire. There was the Vivaldi. The beautiful dress was carefully folded in its box; I still hadn’t sent the antique to the restoration company. I’d been meaning to. I told myself I would, but not yet. I still held out hope that it would carry me back again, to that night. That first night when Father…
But I never went back, never to the same moment. Every time I returned, it was to a different time. Sometimes it was before Paden’s death, sometimes before Dan’s, but never to the same point in time. Why?
Maybe that’s how this all worked. Maybe I only had one chance to change any given moment? I couldn’t be sure, but I had to be ready. And I had to remember and not get lost in the moment. As much as I loved those tender moments with Paden, I couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t going to die in a horrible way. Taking in a deep breath, I silently pledged that that was exactly what I would do. Now that my stomach had stopped flipping around, I felt a little hungry. For the sake of my health, as well as the baby, I had to start eating regularly. And healthier too. No more cigarettes. No more anything that was bad for me. Yes, that’s what I should do. Go make friends with the new housekeeper and find something healthy to eat.
But I had already opened the box. And I had the dress in my hands.
Suddenly I felt very excited, excited about the possibility that I would see Paden. And when I did, I would tell him everything. About who I was…about our baby. He might not believe me at first, but I would make him believe and then we would leave Morgan’s Rock together. Forever. Before the horrible thing happened to him.
Maybe that’s why Joanna Storm disappeared. What if Joanna was me and I managed to take him away? But no, that couldn’t be right. Oh, no. Now my head hurt.
I put the box on the bed and clutched the beaded gown tightly. Well, it wouldn’t hurt to put the dress on at least for a few minutes. I’ll put it on and if nothing happens, that settles it. But if I can go back to just the right moment, I have to do it.
I shed the towel and stepped into the dress. I slid the straps up over my shoulders and rubbed the fabric under my hands. I loved this dress. I walked around the room and wrung my hands. Nothing happened. I opened the door and walked out in the hallway, but there was nothing to see. I’d gone nowhere.
I walked back in my room and closed the door. I went back to the bathroom and sipped some water from the glass on the counter. Well, I had to do something with my hair. Why not pull it up into a pretty French twist? It had been awhile since I’d done anything new with my hair. Maybe I’d go get a haircut before the party? Wouldn’t that surprise everyone? Joanna had done it. Everyone loved it after the shock of it wore off. Joanna loved it too.
Yes, I loved it. It made me feel pretty.
“Joanna?”
I tucked in the last bobby pin and listened. I didn’t hear her again. But then again, I wouldn’t, would I?
I am Joanna Storm. And it’s time to go. Time to go see Paden, maybe for one last time.
I checked myself in the mirror one more time. For a moment, a brief moment, Megan Pressfield wasn’t looking back at me. Joanna Storm was. Her dark hair was perfectly curled in pin waves. The Vivaldi gown was the same, if a bit newer. I touched my stomach, and so did she. I had to do this. I had to go, and I may never come back.
I didn’t look again. I flipped off the light and walked out into the hallway.
But I wasn’t in the hallway now. I was in a dark room…and by the smell of it, I knew exactly where I was.
I was in the hidden room.
And I wasn’t alone.
Chapter Nineteen
A woman who looked remarkably like the late Vivian Kemal, except for the scar on the right side of her face, stood before me. She turned away from me, presumably to hide her face, but I wasn’t mistaken. There was no way I was mistaken. She had been waiting for me, I could see that. I was surprised to see her thin bare arms, scarred from both old and new cuts, proof of her bloody
obsession.
“Vivian?” I whispered as I clutched around me for something to steady me. My hands came to rest on a slab of smooth stone. Dizzy now, I struggled to stay in place. Vivian’s mutilated face twisted.
“Joanna, or should I call you by another name?”
I didn’t answer her question but asked one of my own, “Where is Paden?” She smiled her answer and shook her head. Then a dull yellow light from a torch filled the room. A strange hooded man put the torch in a metal sconce but did nothing else besides watch. Yes, he was watching me carefully.
“Paden?” I called, but he wasn’t here. I was by myself with Vivian and the hooded man. What do I do now? What do I do? I could see no way out of this room. The door was shut, and there was no way I would be able to outrun these two. Not the way I was feeling. I struggled to remember who I was—who I really was.
I am Megan Pressfield. I am an author. I have friends. Alex, Loretta…my name is Megan Pressfield.
But the struggle I felt, the inner struggle, was as real as this cold stone. And with the knowledge that Joanna was with me, that she was me, I became more aware of her. She grew stronger with that awareness, and so did her seizure disorder. Now my hands tingled and my jaw clenched, but I refused to budge. My mind was so cloudy. No! I can’t lose focus!
Why was I here again? I couldn’t remember, and I had to remember. All I could do was stare—stare at Vivian. And I did that for quite some time, or maybe it just felt like quite some time. I was instantly tired. So tired. Was this some kind of magic? Vivian’s magic?
“Megan…” I said, my words slurring slightly. My confession did not move Vivian at all. Neither did the threat of a seizure. “My name is Meg…” My voice let out a hiss, and my tongue felt swollen and useless. Vivian’s dark eyes glittered with delight.
That’s when I began to see the flashing lights. They were in front of me and very close now. My skin tingled, and I felt my leg begin to jerk. With great effort I placed my tingling hand over my knee, but it did little good.
The Haunting at Morgan's Rock Page 20
