It was all clear.
Jared opened the front door to the house. He paused in the doorway and waved to Ava, who sat wide-eyed in the driver’s seat of the police cruiser.
At his signal, she opened the door to the car and approached the house.
“Did you find anything?”
He shook his head. “Come inside. There’s no one here.”
He stepped back to allow her space to enter, then firmly closed the door and locked it. He joined her on the opposite side of the sofa, perching on the cushions so he could face her.
“I’ve been told this has happened before. This isn’t your first 911 call.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Why don’t you fill me in on what’s been going on.”
“Okay,” she said with a deep sigh, her fingers spread open on her festive candy cane legging-clad legs. “It started over a month ago.”
Her gaze found his. Every time she looked at him, his pulse sped up in reaction. Ava was beautiful. Not only in appearance, but in her soul. She was a good person. She had a sweet and gentle disposition. A wonderful, caring heart.
Seeing her frightened like this ate at him. Guilt for not checking on her and self-hatred for desiring her clawed at his insides. Even as she spoke, he fought the urge to lean toward her, to wrap her in his arms.
“At first, I thought it was the house creaking. You know? House settling or the wind. But the sounds continued. They were footsteps. Distinct footsteps.”
“In the basement?”
She shook her head. “Not always.”
“Do you keep the doors and windows locked at all times?”
“I do now.” She nodded, then clenched her fingers together. “Jared, I think it might be Jesse.”
Chapter 2
She sounded insane. She knew she did. But she couldn’t explain it any other way.
Ava had been over it again and again in her mind. She couldn’t come up with any other answers or explanations as to what was causing those footsteps or the irrational sensation of someone watching her.
“What?” Jared reeled back, his eyes widening as if she’d dumped a bucket of ice over his head. “Jesse’s dead, Ava.”
“I know that,” she snapped, squeezing her eyes closed for a moment and then taking a deep breath before refocusing her gaze on him. “I think he’s a ghost.”
“Ava…” Jared leaned back on the sofa. He opened his mouth to continue, then closed it shut.
Ava unclenched her fingers and rubbed her knees. Then she tightened her fingers into fists and lay them on her lap. She didn’t know what to do with her hands anymore. She desperately wanted to keep herself occupied so she could resist the urge to grab Jared by the shoulders and shake him. Or wrap her hands around his chest again and hold him close.
Either way, she forced herself to remain seated as she waited for his response, knowing she must sound crazy. Would he believe her? She barely believed herself most days.
What else could it be? When the noises started, she’d searched the house herself. There was never anyone there. But the noises continued to the point she began calling 911. She didn’t know what else to do anymore.
“Ava,” Jared sighed. “If that’s the case, then calling 911 won’t help. That’s a little out of my wheelhouse.”
Anger flared within her, and she leaned forward.
“Well, I had to. You weren’t returning my phone calls. You even stopped coming into the diner. You disappeared. I had no one else to turn to.”
He flinched. “I know… I’m sorry… I was—”
“Busy, I know.” Ava nodded. “I’ve heard how busy you’ve been. May Alcott. Sue Reynolds. Josie Watkins. Am I missing anyone?”
Jared’s left eyebrow raised as she listed the names of the women he’d dated in the last three years since Jesse’s death.
“What do they have to do with this?”
“Nothing,” Ava said, shaking her head with a sigh. “Absolutely nothing. I’m sorry, I’m just…” She put a hand to her brow and rubbed her forehead.
She hadn’t meant to let loose such an outburst. Just because she kept a constant vigil on Jared didn’t mean he needed to do the same for her.
But she worried about him. She knew how much Jesse had meant to Jared and losing him that way… It had been hard.
Ava had only been married to Jesse for three years before cancer claimed him. Jared had known his brother for his entire life. What were a few years of marriage compared to a lifetime as siblings?
And they weren’t only brothers. They’d been best friends. Always hanging out together, sharing the same hobbies, the same likes and dislikes. They had their moments of disagreements like all siblings, but their relationship was strong enough to continue beyond those few moments.
It’d been three years since Jesse’s funeral. For the first several months, Jared had done as he’d promised Jesse. He’d checked in on Ava. Many times.
They shared their grief over losing Jesse. In the process, they’d grown to be greater friends.
And then, what felt like all of a sudden, his visits became only phone calls. Soon later, the length between phone calls grew until nothing.
“It’s been months since I’ve heard from you, Jared.” Ava couldn’t hide the concern in her voice, so she added, “I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” Jared blurted. He shook his head, his gaze falling to focus on his hands. “I should have returned your phone calls. I should’ve checked on you sooner. Especially after I heard about the 911 calls. I’m sorry. I have no excuse.”
Ava nodded, accepting his apology. Just like Jesse, her relationship with Jared went beyond squabbles. They had a disagreement. Now, they could move forward.
At least, she hoped.
“That isn’t what this is about, is it?” Jared tilted his head as he lifted his chin to stare at her. “Did you make those 911 calls to get me to come here?”
“No.” Ava shook her head, gasping to realize how he might interpret the situation in that way. “God, no, Jared. I wouldn’t do that.”
“Then you seriously heard footsteps in the house?”
“Yes.” She nodded, keeping her gaze steady with his.
“And you think they might be from… Jesse?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. But who else could it be?”
Jared sighed again. “You don’t think there might be someone trying to prank you? Teenagers, looking to scare someone for fun, that sort of thing?”
“Jared, I don’t know. That’s why I called 911.”
“Okay,” he said, nodding. “Okay. Well… I’m here. I haven’t seen sign of any intruder. All the doors and windows are secure. What do you want me to do?”
Ava squeezed her eyes shut. She took a deep breath. When she reopened her eyes, she said, “I don’t know if I’m going crazy or not, Jared. I hear footsteps in my house, but no one is there. Could you… Could you stay for a while? Maybe if you heard them, too, then I’ll know what’s really going on.”
When he opened his mouth to answer, she feared he’d find some excuse not to stay, so she leaned forward, touching his knee with her hand.
“Please? If you heard them… at least, I’d know I’m not going crazy.”
“Fine.” Jared said, laying his hand over hers. “I can’t stay now, but I’ll be back after my shift. Will you be okay here until then?”
Ava shivered at the thought of listening to those footsteps again. If she knew for certain it was Jesse, she’d feel better. She could never be afraid of her husband. He loved her and had taken care of her.
But… what if it wasn’t Jesse? That’s what worried her. There was no way for her to know for sure, and she needed help.
She needed Jared.
If he could help her get through this… haunting or whatever it was, she knew she’d be okay.
“Just text me when you’re on your way here. I’ll head over to my sister’s place until then. I’ve been spending more time
at Tina’s house than mine lately.”
Jared frowned. “Has it been that bad?”
“It’s the not knowing that’s the worst.”
Ava stood, clasping her hands in front of her. Jared joined her and they walked to the door together.
“We’ll get this sorted, Ava,” Jared said when he hesitated at the door. “I don’t know how, but we’ll figure it out. I promise.”
“Thanks,” she said. And because she couldn’t help herself and it was just her way, she wrapped her arms around him again, hugging him in the same way she’d greeted him.
She inhaled his scent. Cinnamon and pine. His warmth wrapped around her as he folded his hands over her back.
“It’ll be okay, Ava.” He whispered into her hair. He placed a gentle kiss on her head before he dropped his hands and released her. Her scalp tingled where he pressed his lips.
She watched him go. He opened the door, walked to the police cruiser and drove away.
Her heart thudded. It felt so good to see him again. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed him until recently.
She tried to ignore that spark of desire that ignited every time she thought of him.
She’d known Jared since high school. They met when he dated Ava’s sister for a short time. But her friendship with him had grown even after her sister had broken it off with him.
Jared had been one of her best friends long before he introduced her to his brother. She’d always been attracted to Jared. But so had other women. There was never a time Jared was unattached, and she’d never been the kind of person to interfere in someone else’s relationship.
And then she met Jesse. Since Jared was unavailable, she moved on. She was tired of waiting. Jesse had been a wonderful husband, and he loved her. She loved him. She had a good life with him until he got sick.
Now, for the first time in their lives, both Jared and Ava were each single again.
Ava tried not to think of what that could mean. She didn’t want to get her hopes up. She buried her husband three years ago.
Three long, lonely years.
Ava doubted Jared would look at her in the way she desired. He never had when they were teenagers. Now, he simply saw her as his sister-in-law.
His friend.
Any affection he felt for her was platonic. She knew that, even if she secretly yearned for something more.
To her surprise, her high school crush on her sister’s boyfriend had never faded.
And now there were footsteps in her house that might be from her dead husband.
She shivered as she glanced around the living room, wondering if Jesse was with her now. Had he watched her interaction with his brother?
Was he angry about her growing feelings for Jared? Could ghosts be jealous of the living?
Or would Jesse, being the warm-hearted soul as she knew him, be relieved to see her finally find happiness again?
Or what if it wasn’t Jesse? What would she do then?
Chapter 3
Jared finished his shift and texted Ava that he was on his way. He arrived before she did, so he took the time to sweep the property, checking the new fallen snow from the winter storm last night for any additional footprints other than his own leading to the house. He searched the perimeter of the house and found nothing aside from a few deer tracks. Even those didn't approach the house too closely.
The question remained. Where were the sounds of those footsteps coming from? Were they a figment of Ava's imagination?
That's what he had to find out. He wasn't there to renew his friendship with Ava, nor rediscover old feelings of desire he felt for his brother's wife. This was strictly business.
He kept telling himself that, but the moment he saw Ava pull her Ford Taurus into the driveway, his heart gave a sudden leap.
So much for keeping this platonic.
Jared fought his reaction to his sister-in-law as she got out of the car and slammed the door. A second later, she wavered, slipping on ice and crashing to the ground.
Jared leaped off the porch, rushing to her side.
"Are you okay?" He knelt beside her, grasping her arms as she blinked.
"Jeez," she said with a nervous laugh. "I guess I should have done better with shoveling the snow."
"Are you hurt? You went down hard."
"Only my pride."
Jared helped her to her feet, then hooked her arm around his elbow as he accompanied her back to the house. There were a few icy patches beneath the snow. She wobbled once more before they reached the porch.
"Thank you," she said while stomping the snow off her shoes.
"Of course," Jared answered. "Any time."
He didn't mention it was a pleasure for him to help her. He enjoyed the feeling of her tucked beside him, as if it were the place she belonged.
Once inside, they both removed their winter jackets. Ava took his to hang on a hook by the front door. Then she removed her shoes and asked him to do the same.
"No sense tracking wet snow throughout the house," she added while she placed her sneakers and his boots beneath the area where their jackets hung. She straightened. "You want a cup of hot cocoa? Or something else?"
"Hot cocoa will be fine." He followed her into the kitchen. She set about the room, getting the contents together for the hot cocoa while he wandered to the back door, checking the locks again. He pulled the curtains to investigate the backyard. "How's your sister doing?"
"Tina? Well..." Ava shrugged. "She's Tina, you know? Her life is continuing drama."
"Oh?" Once Jared determined the back door was secure, he walked nonchalantly to the basement door, checking the doorknob to see that it was locked, as well. "What's going on?"
"She broke up with Duane."
"Duane Nagle?"
"Yep." She nodded as she stirred the milk in a pot on the stove.
Jared smiled. It always amused him that Ava insisted on making hot cocoa from milk heated by the stove rather than the microwave. She used to complain the microwave made it taste fake.
He grabbed some mugs from the cupboard near the sink, placing them on the counter beside her.
"Thanks." She smiled, glancing at him. His heart thudded at the sight of the smile softening her face.
"You're welcome."
She continued to tell him of her sister's issues with Duane and why she finally broke off their relationship. Jared listened intently while at the same time admiring Ava. She wore the same sweater and candy cane leggings from earlier. He enjoyed the sight of her figure, all curves on her petite frame. He'd often imagined what it might feel like to peel the clothes from her body, to marvel at the sight of her naked and in his embrace.
She set the steaming mug of cocoa in front of him, jarring him from his daydreams.
"Marshmallows or whipped cream?"
The sudden image of her naked and covered in whipped cream and cherries popped into his mind. He felt himself flush as he chastised himself for his improper and highly erotic thoughts.
"Neither, thanks," he muttered, rubbing his eyes as if that might erase the image. He needed to keep this professional between them. He couldn't do that if he kept imaging her naked and writhing with pleasure beneath him.
"Tired?" Ava slid onto the seat across from him.
"Huh?"
Her delicate eyebrows crinkled with concern. "You were rubbing your eyes. Are you tired? Rough day at work?"
"Ah..." No way was he telling her the truth. "Yeah. A bit. How about you? How's the diner?"
He easily diverted the conversation back to her. Which is the way he preferred it. He enjoyed listening to her. She could talk about anything, the dullest subject he could imagine, and he'd pay rapt attention to her. Her voice was sweet and sincere. Like a soft melody. He enjoyed every note.
She laughed nervously. "I hope I'm not wasting your time tonight."
"Not at all."
"You don't have any hot date? It is Friday night. Shouldn't you be out wooing someone?"
"There's no one I'm interested in wooing right now." It felt like a lie on his tongue. Someone interested him. But she was untouchable.
"I find that hard to believe." Ava laughed, lightly. She quickly sobered when she said, "I just hope I'm not keeping you for no reason. I'll feel bad if nothing happens tonight."
Again, improper images danced in his imagination. He scolded his libido. That's not what she meant.
"Hey, don't worry about it." Jared reached across the table, covering his fingers over her small hand that held her mug in a rather tight grip. He squeezed gently in reassurance. "We're just two friends catching up with each other. There doesn't have to be any other reason for me to be here."
She nodded, her smile forced. "I just hope you hear what I hear. I need to know I'm not crazy."
Again, he squeezed his hand over hers. "I don't think you’re crazy, Ava. Not at all."
"Thanks," she whispered. He thought he saw her eyes glistening before she rapidly blinked and quickly stood, taking their empty mugs to the sink to rinse out. Turning back to him, she said, "What would you like to do while we wait? Play a card game? Watch a movie?"
He desperately wanted to do something else with her, but he could never tell her that. "Some TV will be great."
"Okay." She smiled as they moved into the living room. She grabbed the remote and curled onto one end of the sofa while he claimed the other side. The television clicked on and she scrolled through the guide until she found something they both liked. "I think there's a hockey game on."
Jared's heart swelled at the suggestion. "That's sweet of you, Ava. But I know for a fact that you abhor hockey. I'm not gonna ask you to watch it for me."
"It's okay," she said, the laughter back in her voice. "Guest's choice. You're doing me a favor by hanging out with me. The least I can do is make it enjoyable for you by watching a game of hockey."
He shook his head. But he loved her even more for offering. She was so selfless. Few other women he knew would sit and watch a game they didn't like to please the guy they're with.
Curse of Christmas: A Collection of Paranormal Holiday Stories Page 51
