“And they’ll do DNA testing to make sure it’s Emma?”
“Yep. I already made the case that another little girl had vanished a few years back and it might be her, so they’ll be able to compare the samples.”
“Why don’t you let me look at your side?” I said. He’d changed out of his wetsuit and back into jeans and a T-shirt at the cabin, so I hadn’t been thinking about his wound.
“You don’t have to do that,” he said.
“I know, but I’m worried what the strenuous activity and being in the water might have done to it. Come on.”
I headed for the bathroom and he reluctantly followed.
I noticed him grimacing when he moved to pull the T-shirt off over his head, so I helped him take it off. The wound was still covered by a bandage, but blooms of blood had soaked through. The waterproof bandage had prevented water from getting inside, for which I was relieved.
When I’d adjusted to the sight of the blood, I noticed that Rob was sitting in front of me half naked. I couldn’t help myself. I blushed and turned away, busying myself with finding tape and bandages under the sink, so he wouldn’t see that I was embarrassed. Being the mother of an 8-year-old, I was pretty well-stocked for any emergency.
“I’m going to change that.” When he didn’t protest, I started carefully peeling away the bandage. He sucked in a breath and put his hands on my shoulders for a moment.
He looked at me as if he’d done something wrong and pulled his hands back.
“It’s okay,” I said. “If that helps with the pain, I don’t mind.”
I carefully washed away the blood and inspected the area around the bullet hole. Thankfully, it didn’t look infected, so I applied some betadine and a new bandage. When he winced trying to stand, I gave him my hand to help him up.
There was a knock at my door. “Are you okay to put your T-shirt back on?” I asked. When he nodded, I went to see who was knocking.
A vaguely familiar woman glared at me when I opened the door.
“Can I help you?” I asked, wondering who she was until it clicked. Tara Edley.
“Tara?” I said, confused and not really confused.
“It’s not right that you have this house,” she snarled. “You weren’t even related to Kate. With your husband dead, you have no connection to this family at all. This house should rightfully be mine.”
“I think the judge disagreed with you,” I said.
“I don’t care what the judge said. The only right thing for you to do is sign this house over to me.”
She was making me mad. “And why would I do that? It’s my home now. It’s my son’s home.”
“Because. You don’t belong here.”
“No. You don’t belong here. You want to know why Kate left the house to Tom? Because he spent his childhood summers with her. His parents rented a house in town and Kate and Tom were best of friends when he was young. I don’t remember him mentioning that you were there. Were you? After Tom and I were married, admittedly we didn’t see her much, but Tom called her monthly and always remembered her on her birthday and at the holidays. Did you? I don’t really know a lot about your branch of the family, but I think, if you’d been as close to her as Tom was, then I expect she would have left you a bigger inheritance.”
She sputtered. “How dare you—”
“How dare me? How dare you come to my home like this. Take your greedy ass out of my house and out of my sight. And don’t ever come back here again.”
She was speechless, her mouth hanging open. If she thought I’d be a meek little mouse and let her bully me out of my home, she definitely didn’t know me very well. Or at all.
I slammed the door in her face and glared at it.
“Bravo!”
I turned around to see Rob clapping. “Impressive. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
I felt my cheeks redden. “I didn’t tell you I was being sued, did I? She wanted my house.”
“So I heard.”
“One of Tom’s cousins thought I didn’t deserve the house because I’m not a real relative. I could be sympathetic to that if she wasn’t such a butt about it.”
“You handled it beautifully. Hopefully, that’s the last contact you’ll have with her.”
He picked up his mug. “Hey, don’t you have to go get TJ?”
“Nope. Jen’s picking him up. She’s dying to come hear what happened today. I guess you’re going to have to tell that tale again.”
“Maybe I should just write a book.”
“You could but, again, you’d probably have to market it as fiction.”
He laughed. “Yeah. I guess I would.”
“Do you think Emma’s gone now? You know, crossed over?”
“I don’t know how those things work. My first ghost, after all. According to ghost stories I’ve read, they leave after their funeral.”
“I hope that’s true. I want to say goodbye.”
—
TJ and Jen were enthralled at Rob’s recounting of the events of the day. I’d thrown together a pasta dinner for the four of us because everyone wanted to talk about the unbelievable experiences we’d all shared. After dinner, while the grownups talked, TJ camped out in his room, hoping Emma would drop in.
At the same time, Jen and I noticed Rob’s heroic efforts to keep his eyes open, and we took pity on him. She said she needed to get home, and gave Rob a peck on the cheek. “I’ll probably talk to you guys tomorrow.”
Once he heard the front door close, Rob sat up and stretched.
“Going somewhere?” I asked.
“Yeah, home.”
“No, you’re not. Stay here tonight. You’re exhausted and in pain.”
“The neighbors will talk,” he said with a tired smile.
“Let them,” I said. “You deserve to be pampered.”
“I wish I wasn’t too wiped out to enjoy it.”
“Move over to the chair and I’ll get the couch ready. You need to sleep.”
The moment his head hit the pillow, he was out. I bent and pulled the blanket up to his shoulders, then impulsively kissed him lightly on the mouth. I surprised myself, and quickly backed away, relieved that he didn’t wake up. I rested a hand on his chest, feeling him breathe in and out peacefully. I knew I should go upstairs, but it was hard to leave him.
Maybe it isn’t too soon, I told myself.
I walked up the stairs, sticking my head into TJ’s room. He looked dejected.
“No Emma?” I asked.
“No.”
“I’m sorry. Maybe we’ll hear from her tomorrow.”
“I hope so,” he said.
“Me, too. I’m going to bed. It’s been a long day. You should get ready for bed, too. Don’t go downstairs. Rob’s sound asleep, and he needs it.”
“Okay, Mom.”
I made quick work of my bedtime rituals, brushing my teeth and washing my face like I had a time limit, laughing at the thought of falling asleep at the sink. But when I climbed in bed and snuggled under the covers, sleep wouldn’t come. Thoughts of Rob swirled through my head. Thoughts of all the times we’d been together, the way he touched me sometimes, always respectfully, his kindness and caring, his growing bond with TJ. The way he felt as close to Emma as I did. The way I didn’t want to leave him tonight.
What about Tom? Was I being disloyal by feeling an attraction to Rob? Of course I missed Tom, but missing him wouldn’t bring him back. Still, my brain kept screaming Tom! Tom! Tom!
Under normal circumstances, I’d go downstairs and make myself a cup of tea to settle my nerves, but Rob was down there, and I didn’t trust myself. When had everything shifted?
—
I got up early after a fitful night and brushed my teeth, pulling my hair up into my go-to messy bun and washing my face. In the light of day, I could face down my attraction to Rob. As quietly as possible, I tiptoed into TJ’s room to check on him. He slept
peacefully, an angelic smile on his face.
I patted a little foot through the blanket and turned to leave, shivering at the coolness of the room.
He’s a good man, Kelly.
My head whipped toward Alexa, my breath caught in my throat, as a chill settled over the room. “Tom?” I managed to choke out.
Don’t be afraid to trust your heart.
“Tom!” I wrapped my hands around the Dot, tears streaming down my face. “Tom, wait!” I begged as the room warmed up again.
“Mom?”
I turned to see TJ sitting up in bed, rubbing his eyes. Quickly swiping at my tears, I said, “Good morning, Sunshine. I was just checking on you. Didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“Will Emma come today?”
“I don’t know, honey. I hope so. Are you hungry?”
“Kinda.”
“Well, get yourself cleaned up and come on downstairs. I’ll get breakfast going.”
I don’t know how I managed to have that mundane conversation with my son. It felt like a soupy fog had settled over me, and I moved like a zombie down the stairs and into the kitchen, not even glancing in Rob’s direction. Had I really heard it? Had Tom told me he was okay about me and Rob? I couldn’t help the tears that started to fall again, and grabbed a napkin to dry my eyes before anyone could see.
The kitchen routine helped me control the confusion that wanted to send me back to my room where I could shut out the world.
I heard a sleepy “Good morning,” and looked over my shoulder to see Rob leaning against the doorjamb. Rob, with his hair poking up in all directions, wearing a T-shirt and pajama bottoms, his arms crossed, looking like every woman’s dream.
Somehow, I managed to smile a normal smile. “I’m just getting the coffee on. Eggs and bacon okay for breakfast?”
“Better than okay. I’m famished.”
“You sound like TJ,” I said with a chuckle. “Everything should be ready in fifteen minutes if you want to go get ready.”
“Thanks, Kel.”
No. Thank you, I whispered under my breath. For healing my heart.
I felt a peace that had eluded me since Tom’s death. I could look toward the future without a shroud of sadness following me into every day.
—
Rob called from the precinct later in the day to say the DNA match was positive for Emma. It was just a formality, as Rob and I both knew it would be.
“How long before they can bury her?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. Probably two weeks at the outside. They have to examine the body for cause of death. The parents were notified an hour ago. Very emotional, as I’m sure you can imagine. I think they’ve waited long enough for their daughter.”
“I feel so badly for them. I know they probably expected it, but now the fact their daughter is dead is staring them in the face.”
“Yeah, I know. I think determining the cause of death will be difficult. If she either starved to death or drowned, they won’t be able to tell that from the skeleton.”
“Brindleson might get away with it?”
“I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure when they analyze materials they found in those enclosures they’ll find Emma’s DNA there, as well as Marilee’s.”
“What’s Brindleson been saying?”
“He’s saying we didn’t have a warrant and entered his property illegally.”
“Captain Magnusson grilled me on what we were doing there, and I repeated the story about trying to find you lakefront property. He’ll back me up, I think.”
“Surely Brindleson can’t explain away putting Marilee in the boat, can he?”
“A good lawyer will try, but I think the evidence will be enough to ensure that he’s found guilty.”
“Well, I’m worried.”
“Look, nothing is ever for sure. We have to trust that justice will be done here. By the way, Emma’s parents are coming to the station tomorrow. They want to thank the dive teams. Do you want to be there?”
“No. They won’t have any idea who I am or what my connection might be, and I’m fine with that. You’re the one who found Emma, so let them thank you. That’s the way it should be.”
“I don’t think I can get out of it anyway. It’s good PR for the department.”
“Are you . . . are you coming back tonight?” I held my breath waiting for his answer.
“I, uh, I think I’ve taken advantage of your hospitality for too long. I should go home.”
“Oh.” I tried to mask the disappointment in my voice, but don’t know if I was successful.
“Unless—”
“It’s no trouble. Really. I mean, I’m fine if you want to stay another couple of days. You’re still in pain and—”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” He gave a half-hearted laugh. “I mean, who wants to say no to being pampered, right?”
“It’s settled then. We can try to talk to Emma again.”
“I’d like that,” he said. I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Dinner’s at six. Nothing special, just chicken. I thought it was time for a change from pizza and pasta.”
“Sounds great. Not that I don’t like pizza and pasta. I can’t wait to see you.” He sputtered. “I mean—”
“It’s okay. I can’t wait to see you either.” I hung up, wondering if I’d just opened the door all the way. Maybe not all the way, but the door was definitely swinging inward.
Suddenly getting cold feet, I texted Jen to ask if she and Jason wanted to come for dinner. There’s safety in numbers.
I added champagne to my shopping list. If the events of the past few days didn’t warrant a celebration, nothing did.
Chapter 37
O
“I
s someone going to show us this ghost?” Jason asked. “I feel left out.”
“Dinner first or ghost first?” I asked with a grin.
“Why wait?” Jason answered.
“Let’s go.” I had baked chicken in the oven, and the timer wasn’t set to go off for another half hour.
On the way up to TJ’s room, I tried to tamp down expectations. “She doesn’t always come,” I said. “She may be spooked by so many people at one time.”
“Spooked, huh?” Jason said.
“I know,” I said with a laugh. “I just mean I don’t know how she’ll feel about it. I think everyone should be as quiet as possible and let Rob and me try to contact her.”
TJ and I sat on the end of his bed. Rob stood next to me and Jen sat in the rocker, glancing nervously at Jason, who leaned against the doorjamb.
The room temperature was comfortable so it was obvious she wasn’t here. I would be disappointed if I didn’t get a chance to talk to her one last time. She meant so much to me.
“Emma?” I said. “Are you here?”
Nothing stirred in the room. I looked up at Rob. “You try.”
He nodded. “It’s me, Emma. Rob. We really want to talk to you. There’s so much to say. Please come.”
Jen’s eyes were big, excited to see what would happen. Jason watched, his face reflecting his skepticism. I wasn’t sure what he thought. I was sure he didn’t think any of us were lying, and he’d heard the news about the police finding the remains of a little girl named Emma, but I knew it was a lot to swallow without proof.
And, still, Emma didn’t come.
As my ace in the hole, I held out my pendant, squeezing my hand around it, closing my eyes and silently willing her to appear.
When the room became suddenly cold and a breeze swirled through the room, Jason’s eyes grew huge and his mouth fell open.
“Emma?” I said.
Yes.
“Thank God, Emma. I was afraid you would be gone. Do you know what’s happened?”
He found me, she said, and the breeze ruffled Rob’s hair. He reached up and touched his face in awe as if he’d felt her hand there.
“Emm
a, I couldn’t have found you without your help. You saved yourself. You’re a brave girl. I’m so proud of you.”
An eerie giggle came from Alexa. I’d never heard joy from her, and the sound pierced my heart. “Oh, Emma, we love you so much. Can you rest in peace now?”
I can’t go yet.
“Did we miss something?” Rob asked, a look of concern on his face.
I want to see my mommy and my daddy.
“There’s going to be a funeral for you very soon. Is that when you’ll go up to heaven?” I asked.
Yes. It will be finished.
“I’ll bury your necklace with you. That’s where it belongs.”
No. I want you to have it. So you’ll remember me.
“Emma, none of us will ever forget you. You’re in all our hearts.”
“We want you to know, Emma,” Rob said. “that we’ll all be there for your funeral. To say goodbye.”
Can you tell my mommy I want my teddy bear Brownie?
“Of course, I’ll tell her,” I said, and started to cry. TJ put his arms around me.
“I’ll remember you, too, Emma,” he said. “You’re my friend.”
You’re my friend, too. Thank you for hearing me. As the chill started to dissipate, a tiny voice said I love you.
The room was warm again, and we knew Emma had left the building.
Rob sat beside me and took my hand. None of us spoke for a moment, then I heard, “What the hell was that?” and laughed when I saw Jason’s face.
“Told you it was real,” Jen said, giving him a hug. “Now you can never doubt me again.”
The timer dinged downstairs signaling the chicken was ready. I jumped up and rushed down to the kitchen, everyone following behind me.
When dinner was finished and the dishes tucked away in the dishwasher, I brought out the champagne and poured everyone a glass. I’d bought a small bottle of sparkling apple juice for TJ.
Standing and holding my glass aloft, I said, “We have so many things to celebrate tonight, I don’t know where to begin. Our first toast should be to Emma, our brave little ghost. She’s the true hero of this story.” Glasses clinked around the table.
Under the Willows Page 19
