“My favorite! Actually, so is pecan pie and chocolate cream pie. Just off the top of my head.”
Jen laughed in response and took a sip of her water. “It’s gorgeous out today. Perfect for hanging out at the town square. I think there’s going to be music later.”
“Cool.” I was starting to relax.
“Rob was afraid he might have offended you,” Jen said.
“What? Oh, my God. No. I’m afraid I offended him. He was just being a nice guy.” I sighed, feeling a hint of tension in my neck. “I sort of panicked. I’m not used to, you know, a man paying attention to me. Since Tom, I mean.”
“I told him that was probably what it was.”
“Should I say something to him?”
“Only if you want to.”
I kind of did. “I owe him an apology. I’ll tell him if I see him again.”
“It’s a small town. Trust me, you’ll see him again. Besides, he’s fine.”
Thoughts of Rob had been shoved aside by the middle-of-the-night events. Now I couldn’t help thinking about him, about how nice being with him had been. A cloud of guilt floated toward me, but I pushed it away. I didn’t have to feel guilty. Tom wasn’t coming back, and he wouldn’t want me to close myself off from life. I pictured Rob, his kind, expressive eyes, his broad shoulders. The way his mouth . . .
That was going too far. I shook myself. No. I’m not ready for that.
I stretched my legs out in front of me, luxuriating in the warm breeze swirling around the square. I didn’t want to think about anything at the moment. The weekend had been stressful enough, and Monday would be spent with the estate attorney. More stress. For the moment, I just wanted to bake in the sun.
But thoughts came anyway. Of Tom . . . and of Rob. It was too soon. I couldn’t possibly be interested in another man. Rob had been so kind last night, so interested in me. So sympathetic when I told him about Tom. Then he touched me. It was silly of me to run away like that.
I didn’t do anything wrong. I wouldn’t feel guilty for being in the same room with him, or for liking the feel of his hand on mine. I’d try not to feel guilty about the way I ran away from that same room. Not room. Backyard. Semantics . . .
I opened my eyes and glanced toward the sound of boys playing. TJ looked happy. It made my heart warm to see him with his friends, laughing and carefree.
When would I be that way again?
Chapter 13
O
L
ate afternoon brought the aroma of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers into focus. The food booths had been there all day, but until you’re hungry they don’t register. We were all hungry. TJ begged for money, which I gave him, along with a request for him to bring a burger back for me. Jason offered to go with TJ, leaving me and Jen alone for the first time all day.
“Okay, spill. What’s going on with you?” she asked. “Should I be worried?”
I shrugged. “TJ and I spent last night in a motel.”
“What?”
“I think I have a ghost problem.”
Her mouth dropped open. “No you don’t!”
“Maybe I do.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Remember I mentioned that the Alexa in TJ’s room talks? And cries?”
“Did you hear it?”
I nodded. “It was so weird.”
“What does it say?”
“It said, help us.”
“Help who?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t hang around long enough to question it.”
“Are you pulling my leg?” Her eyebrow quirked up.
“I wish I were. But, unless I’m losing my mind, I’m serious.”
“But what—” The return of Jason and TJ with food ended our conversation.
“We can talk later,” I said as TJ handed me my burger, along with packets of ketchup and a bunch of napkins.
It had been hours since breakfast and all of us were starving. Nobody talked while we stuffed our faces, but I could feel Jen watching me.
We didn’t get a chance to talk again. At six, a local country western band started playing and claimed everyone’s attention. Jen was swaying to the music and singing along, but my thoughts were all over the place and I couldn’t concentrate. After half an hour, I decided to leave. Jen gave me a hug and said to call her if I needed anything. Then, holding me at arm’s length, she asked if TJ and I wanted to stay at her house.
Her offer was sweet and generous, but I told her we’d be okay. I hoped I was right.
While TJ took his bath, I visited his room. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I sat on his bed and waited for something, anything, to happen. I said “Are you there?” to Alexa but it didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure what was more troubling, that she didn’t answer or that I thought she would. Had I imagined the events that had me dragging my 8-year-old out of the house in the dead of night?
Everything seemed normal. I stood at the window looking out. It wasn’t fully dark yet. The house stood on a forested lot, and usually the view of the trees from the window comforted me, but tonight I was too keyed up, ready to jump at any sudden noise.
“Mom, what are you doing?” TJ asked. He was in pajamas, his hair wet and spikey. I smiled at him.
“Just enjoying your view. Are you ready for bed now?”
“Yeah. Can I read for a while?”
“Sure.” I cleared my throat. “Do you want to sleep in my room tonight?”
“Nah. I like my room best. Do you want to sleep in my room?”
I laughed. “It’s a nice offer, but I guess I like my room best, too. But call me, okay, if you get scared.”
I pulled the covers up around his neck and kissed his forehead, my pulse racing at leaving him alone in his room.
He mumbled a “’Night, Mom” and curled up on his side with a book. My cue to leave.
Opting against pajamas, I pulled on leggings and a sweatshirt. Just in case.
With the nightly rituals of brushing my teeth and washing my face out of the way, I climbed into bed and lay still, listening. For a long time. But there were no sounds except the creaking of an old house.
More than once during the night I tiptoed into TJ’s room. All was well. No sounds other than the rhythmic breathing of a deep sleep. I carried a throw and settled into the antique rocking chair occupying a corner of his room, keeping a watchful eye. Until I didn’t. The sun coming in his window woke me and I stretched, suddenly noticing where I was. I felt peaceful. There’d been no voices during the night. A cautious optimism settled in that maybe the night before had been nothing more than a quirky turn of events.
Chapter 14
O
I
was fifteen minutes early for my appointment with Mr. Silver. His law office was in a historic building near the town square. The building had been upgraded in recent years, but still bore the musty scent of age. Whoever did the remodel had done an excellent job of capturing the original design of the interior while adding modern touches to support current technological needs. Still, the dark wood and leather the designer had employed lent a certain gravity to the law office.
The receptionist sat at a large mahogany desk and was working at her computer when I walked in and announced my appointment with Mr. Silver.
She smiled and escorted me to a small glassed-in conference room off the reception area, offering me something to drink. I declined her offer and instead pulled out my cell to check messages.
Jen had texted about getting together for lunch. As I finished texting her yes, the conference room door opened.
“Ms. Harris? Very pleased to meet you,” Mr. Silver greeted me with a smile and an outstretched hand, and took a seat opposite me. “I was sorry to hear about your husband. Very tragic.”
I thanked him with a solemn nod.
He cleared his throat. “How may I help you?”
I pulled the summons from my handbag and handed it to him. “
I think she wants my house.”
He scanned the document silently for a moment.
“Can she do that?” I asked.
“Well, she can certainly try,” Mr. Silver said. “I believe Kate’s will was specific, and that she was of sound mind. I have no reason not to believe that.” He flipped open the file folder he’d brought with him and searched through it for a minute or two. “Here’s Kate’s will. There were only a few bequests. The largest one, by far, was the house, which went to your husband. She left Tara Edley $20,000 and another $20,000 went to Daniel Prentiss, a nephew. She also left a sum to a charity for abandoned animals.” He read through it again. “Her bequests were specific, not a general division of her estate. This should bolster your case.”
“Why?”
“Because it shows she had a definite idea of how she wanted her property divided. I don’t really foresee a problem for you. I’ll attend the court hearing. At this point, I don’t think there’s any reason you would have to be there.”
I felt relief and smiled tentatively. “That’s good to hear.”
“If there’s nothing else,” he stood, “I’ll get started on this. Please call if you have any questions.”
“Thank you,” I said, gathering up my handbag. “I appreciate your help.”
My appointment with the lawyer had gone quickly and there was more than an hour until lunchtime. With the rare extra time, I took a walk around the town square, finding myself peering in the Dreams of Yesterday window, the horse peering back at me. I wandered inside, hoping to see Rob, but Gina was the only one there.
I was disappointed. I owed him an apology, but it would apparently have to wait.
“Your horse is waiting on you,” Gina said with a smile.
I laughed. “Does everyone think I need that horse?”
“Apparently. Don’t you?”
“I don’t know. My resolve slips a little bit every time I come in here.” I wandered around the shop. “I’m meeting Jen for lunch in a little while so I’m just killing time.” Realizing what I’d just said, I apologized. “That didn’t come out right. I meant that it’s always fun to browse around in your store.”
Gina laughed. “You’re always welcome. Buy something, don’t buy something. I’m glad to have people stop in. Let me know if you find anything you just have to have.”
“I will,” I said. I was curious where Rob was, but managed to restrain myself. No sense giving anyone the idea that I might be interested in him. Of course, I wasn’t. That would be inappropriate.
Jen texted that she was ready for lunch. I texted back that I’d meet her at the Italian restaurant a block away from the bank where she worked and a short walk from the antique store.
As soon as we were seated, Jen pounced. “Tell me everything!”
“Everything?”
“The ghost?”
“Oh, that.” I shivered. “Well, it could be my imagination running away with me.”
“Maybe you should start at the beginning.”
“Strange things have been going on in that house. First, TJ told me he heard Alexa crying. While I was in his room, I found my necklace on his dresser. I already told you about that.” I fingered the pendant. “He insisted he hadn’t brought it in there, and I certainly hadn’t taken it off in his room. So, there was that.”
“Um hmm. And what else?”
“The next night, I heard TJ yelling for me. He was scared. He said Alexa talked to him. He said she said ‘Help me.’”
“Now I’m scared!” Jen said with a shiver and a smile. “Is that why you spent the night in a motel?”
“No. It was what happened after your party. Unable to sleep, I went into TJ’s room to check on him. It suddenly got really cold and then I heard it, too. It was Alexa, and she was crying. Then the door slammed shut and I couldn’t get it to open and there was wind swirling around the room. Scared me to death. Then, Alexa said Help us, and TJ woke up. The voice said Help us, please and started to cry and then the door flew open. I grabbed TJ and dragged him out of the room.” I took a gulp of my water. “That’s when I packed up and TJ and I spent the night in a motel.”
Jen looked stunned. She didn’t say anything; just stared at me for a long moment. Then she shivered again and said, “Oh, my God.”
I shrugged.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. We stayed at home last night. I ended up spending half the night dozing in the rocking chair in TJ’s room, but nothing happened. So, did I imagine everything?”
“It would be kind of hard for a person to imagine all that. And you don’t seem like someone who would. And, don’t forget, your son heard it first.”
“You’re right. He did.”
“Oooh. You have ghosts!”
“How is that even possible? It sounds like my house is haunted, doesn’t it?”
“It kinda does. I don’t have any experience with haunted houses other than from movies. Do you want me to come over and stay one night to see if anything happens?”
“Thanks, but it hasn’t been happening every night so you might not hear or see anything. I appreciate the offer, though.”
“Is it okay to say I’m relieved you said no?”
I laughed. “I don’t blame you.”
I picked at my Caesar salad. “Besides, I have something else to worry about.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m being sued.”
“What! By whom? Why?”
“One of Tom’s cousins is disputing the will. She thinks Kate’s house should have gone to her.”
“That sucks. Are you going to talk to someone?”
“I met with the attorney who handled Kate’s will this morning. He thinks the will is sound and told me he’d take care of it.”
“I hope he’s right.”
“Me, too. I can’t help worrying, though.”
“Hello, ladies,” a voice sounded over my shoulder.
“Hi, Rob,” Jen said, looking past me.
“Rob?” I turned my head to say hi. I don’t know why, but I was surprised to see him in a gray suit. His tie was loosened and the top button of his white shirt was open. “You look so different.”
“Why don’t you join us?” Jen asked. He looked at me, a question in his eyes.
I slid over in the booth and he hesitated a moment and sat beside me.
“I don’t want to interrupt your lunch,” he said.
“You’re not. I have half an hour before I need to get back to the bank. Plenty of time for you to order and have a bite with us.”
The server appeared and looked at him expectantly.
“Can I get a submarine sandwich?”
“Coming right up, Rob,” she said with a smile.
“What’s going on?” he asked Jen.
Her eyes glinted mischievously. “Kelly was just filling me in on some excitement in her life.” I shot her a look and she quickly said, “Just kidding. Her life’s about as exciting as mine.” She glanced at me and quirked her head. I took it to mean that she wanted me to talk to Rob.
The server set a cup of coffee in front of him. He thanked her as he pulled the cup closer, grabbed the creamer and sloshed a little in his coffee, and looked at me over the top of his cup as he took a sip. I squirmed and smiled and cleared my throat.
“You’re kind of dressed up to work in an antique shop,” I said.
He laughed. “I don’t actually work there. I was covering for my aunt while she ran an errand that day.”
“He’s a cop,” Jen said.
I looked at him. “Really? A cop?”
“What, you don’t like cops?”
“I didn’t mean . . . of course I like cops. I love cops.” I knew I was starting to babble so I picked up my water glass and took a gulp. And started coughing as the water went down the wrong pipe.
Jen and Rob both laughed. I’d have laughed, too, if it wasn’
t me doing the coughing.
Jen looked back and forth between Rob and me. I could practically see the cogs turning in her brain. She was up to something. I was almost sure of it.
“Sorry to bug out on you,” she started as I glared at her, “but I forgot I have a meeting with my supervisor and I don’t want to be late. You guys have fun.” She opened her handbag, left some money on the table, and stood. I think she knew I wasn’t pleased with her because she flashed a smile at Rob but barely waved at me as she scooted out of the booth.
An awkward silence stretched between us until the server arrived with Rob’s sub. He’d moved to the other side of the booth after Jen had left to give me more room, thanked the server and picked up the sandwich. “Excuse me. I’m just gonna—”
I made a small laugh. “No problem. I have my salad to finish.” For several minutes we ate without speaking.
I looked up as I took a bite of my salad to see a concerned look on his face. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about, you know, if I was too—”
It caught me off guard, and my heart sank, the heat of embarrassment creeping up my neck. I lowered my eyes, unable to hold his gaze. I’d almost forgotten about the apology I needed to give him.
“You weren’t too anything, Rob. You were a perfect gentleman. It was me. I suppose I’ve been a mess since losing Tom. I completely overreacted. It’s me who owes you an apology.”
“No apology needed. I’d never want to make you uncomfortable. I know you’re still grieving. It’s just . . . I like you. No strings or anything. I just think you’re someone I’d like to get to know better. If, you know, you feel like you’d like to get to know me better, too.”
I didn’t have an answer for him. My feelings were too tangled up. The best I could do was smile at him and gulp my water. Carefully this time.
After a moment, I looked at him and smiled tentatively. “How long have you been a policeman?”
“Detective, actually. Ten years. More or less.”
“Isn’t Marysville a pretty quiet town?”
“Pretty much. Not a lot of violent crime, mostly B&Es and vandalism.”
“Oh, that’s good to know.”
Under the Willows Page 6
