“I didn't tell you everything.”
Across his face flashed a look of fear, and then it was carefully hidden once more. Julian was excellent at burying emotion as long as it didn't catch him off guard. Obviously, Tori had done just that.
“Then, I think you should tell me now.”
Tori moved toward the bed and kicked off her boots. Hopping up, she sat there and waited to see if he would join her. When he didn't move, she figured it was time.
“Just as I heard the music, I could feel the icy cold touching me, and my body felt weird.”
That had his attention. “Weird? How?”
“There was this heat. It started here,” she said, placing her hand over her stomach. “It radiated out from the center and felt like I was on fire, and then I don’t remember anything more.”
“Okay.”
Julian moved closer to her, a look of concern on his face. Gone was the fear and irritation that she was keeping secrets, and here was the worry for her well-being.
“Then, we can flash forward to this evening in Beverly and Richard’s room. Bethany told me more than just where to find the book, and when I tell you, you’re either going to freak out or think I’m certifiable.”
He didn't like that those were his only choices. “Okay, so it’s going to be bad. I can handle it, Tori. Just tell me, and let’s get it over with.”
“She told me that I’m pregnant.”
That wasn’t what he was expecting. In fact, it wasn’t even close to what he assumed was coming.
Tori was right, he was going to freak out, but Julian wasn’t sure why. Was it because a ghost of a dead woman had told his wife this, or because they could be having a child?
FINALLY!
“Tori, if you’re screwing with me, I’ve got to tell you that I don’t think I can recover from this one. I’m all about pranks…”
She cut him off as the tears filled her eyes. “I’m telling you the truth, Julian. I’ve never lied to you before, and I wouldn’t joke about this topic.”
He moved even closer as the cold abated and hope filled his heart. If what she was saying was true, he was finally going to get the one thing that he wanted more than anything in life.
Julian was going to be a father.
God! He needed this to be true in the worst way. Even though he opted to stop tormenting Tori with the melancholy and sadness that he was feeling, it was still there. It continued eating away at him, making his life sheer hell.
“Are you?” he asked hopefully.
“I don’t know. Since that happened a few days ago, I can’t take a pregnancy test for a couple weeks yet, but I thought you should know.”
Now, he began pacing back and forth like a mad man as his mind fought to rationalize it.
Tori watched in concern, understanding exactly why he was all stirred up. She was too, but there was nothing that she could do about it. If they were pregnant, it was time to be parents.
A piece of her wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, but all of Tori wished that he would just hold her and offer reassurance that they would be okay.
Motherhood was a scary thing, and now, so was how she became pregnant.
“Christ,” he muttered, “This freaks me the hell out.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes as her hand went to her stomach protectively. Never once did it occur to her that Julian wouldn’t want this child.
If there was one.
Suddenly, he stopped and stared at her. “No, honey! I’m not talking about us having a baby. I’m talking about the fact that now I have to believe that spirits exist. I always thought that it was possible, hoping that my father watched over me, but now,” he paused, taking a deep breath, “I have no choice. They’re here.”
“I know this throws your well-ordered life into a chaotic mess, Julian, but I’m scared. I need you to be the strong one. I can’t carry this alone.”
Julian could hear the fear in her voice and it crushed his heart. Here, they were given a possible miracle, his wife was terrified, and he was acting like an idiot.
What was the saying? Be careful what you wished for… well, he wished, and who was Julian to judge how that one miracle was granted?
Walking toward Tori, he paused in front of her.
“I know it freaks you out, but if I am will you still love us, or has this whole thing tainted it because of how it happened?” In her mind, she could still picture the raw red scratches down his back and the terror in his eyes.
He couldn’t breathe at her words.
“Will you still be happy, Julian?” she asked.
“No.”
Her heart sank and in that moment. She wanted to weep.
“I won’t be happy, Victoria. I’ll be ecstatic. I’ll be crazy in love with my wife, and so happy that I’m going to be a father that I’ll walk around grinning like an idiot for the next nine months.”
His words offered her some reassurance.
When he hopped onto the bed next to her and pulled her into his arms, she found the peace that was eluding her.
Finally, reassurance had come.
Julian had once more held her up.
“If you’re having a baby, I’m going to love, protect, and keep my family safe.”
He laid back, taking his wife with him, so that he could cradle her against his body. It warmed his soul that there might be someone else tucked gently between them.
His child.
Closing his eyes, he chose to ignore the fear that was chasing him. Instead, Julian allowed the knowledge that they may have made a life together, offer him peace. In that moment, he opted to let happiness lead the way. Not only for himself, but for his wife and the little Littlemoon they may have created, despite how it happened.
Julian cherished the moment, knowing it would be fleeting.
He crossed his fingers and sent out a prayer to his father. If one spirit existed, surely they all did.
‘Please, Dad. Let it be true.’
* * *
Tuesday Morning
At breakfast, there was the normal banter and chatter among the guests. The topic that was most often discussed was the singing ghost and had anyone heard or seen her.
This time, Tori said nothing. As far as she was concerned, no one was hearing another thing from her regarding it. When she was asked, Tori simply shook her head, denying it.
It was for the best.
After Tori and Julian talked last night, they decided that if they were pregnant, no one was ever going to hear how it happened. That was going to be a secret that they carried alone. It wasn’t anyone’s business, not that people would believe it anyway.
If Tori was expecting, and their child was conceived while she was oddly ‘possessed’ by the ghost, it would die with them. This was their child, and they would give their baby every benefit in life, and not have it be talk and fodder for the rumor mill.
Even in the family.
Everyone’s attention was drawn to Lorelei, as she made her first appearance since the accident. Eyes tracked her as she entered the room, taking her spot at the head of the table.
“Good morning!” she said cheerfully. “As you can see, I’m back and better. So, we here at Hesser Estates are going to move forward. Today, the milner is going to be arriving with all of your hats. I can’t wait to see them on each of you.”
There were murmurs of agreement on that.
“Tonight, we’ll have a barbeque on the back patio. There will be swimming and drinking copious amounts of champagne in the hot tub. I hope that you’re all going to be available to join us. We always have this fun little outing to help relax right before the race on Saturday. Everyone, including the staff, is invited to join in the festivities, so please come!”
Fredrick stared lecherously across the table at Tori. When he blew her a kiss, the tension was thick.
Julian really wished he could kick the shit out of the man for even thinking about his wife in her swim
wear. If he tried anything, he was certainly going to be hurting in the morning. While Julian was possessive before, now he was going to be over the edge. He understood what was at stake, and it wasn’t happening. Tori and the possibility that she was carrying their child was his priority.
Before all this, Julian was a pit bull. Now, he was a rabid, crazed, hungry one, willing to do anything to protect what was his.
He squeezed Tori’s hand, earning the same back.
When Lorelei sat, the conversation started back up again. Julian and Tori focused on Bev and her husband. After all, they had stolen the book back, deleting all the pictures and video off their cameras.
Julian was curious to see if they would think it was a guest or the ghost who did it. When they said nothing, he almost wanted to laugh.
“How was the séance?” Tori asked.
Bev glanced over at her. “It would have been more powerful if everyone was there. It takes a lot of energy for a sprit to manifest. We didn't have enough people to partake in it.”
She actually sounded disappointed. Tori fought to not make some comment about the ghost being particular with who she wanted to commune with.
Julian rolled his eyes and Kane tried not to laugh.
“Maybe we can try again tonight?” Bev suggested, glancing over hopefully at Tori and Christina.
“I don’t think I’m going to be available,” Tori said. “I really like to spend my evenings with my husband. I also don’t believe in ghosts.”
Christina chimed in, “Me either. I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt last night, but I didn't see any proof. I’m not going to waste another night.”
Bev was obviously angry. There was a red tinge to her skin, starting at her neck and moving upwards.
“They do exist,” Beverly insisted.
Tori shrugged, baiting the woman. “I haven’t seen anything that says that they do, other than some music.”
It was as if the floodgates opened. “Well, we had all of our photos and videos disappear off our equipment. That kind of thing is common around high energy bursts.”
Julian had to wipe his mouth with his napkin to hide the grin. Yeah, Littlemoon Investigations had struck again. His wife had managed to stir the pot so much, that she got the medium to out herself.
It was official.
These two were nuts, and his wife was really good at her job.
Lorelei was intrigued. “Really? Maybe your equipment failed. What were they pictures of?” she asked. “I can’t imagine why you’d be skulking around my home playing ghost hunter.”
Bev realized what she had done. Inadvertently, she had admitted to more than she intended.
“They were pictures of the grounds and the house. I was hoping to catch an orb or shadow of the ‘Singing Woman’, nothing more. It’s sort of my pastime.”
Fredrick started laughing. “You have to be kidding me. You’re stalking around here taking pictures of inanimate objects trying to find a ghost? That’s crazy.”
Oh, he didn't know the half of it.
Bev Curry stood. “Well, it wasn’t like I had anything better to do. This entire trip is beginning to feel like a waste of our time and money!” She tapped her husband on the arm, and they both left the room.
“I’m sorry,” stated Lorelei, as the two stormed off. “I promise to make the last couple of days more fun.”
Tori was entertained. Beverly and her husband were definitely good at running a con. One minute, they looked crazy, and the next, they managed to turn it all around and place the blame on the family and the ‘accidents’ happening there.
“I’m going to visit my father this morning, but I’ll be back by the time the milner arrives. If anyone needs anything, Jamie will be available to assist you,” she said, standing.
Fredrick gave them all a look, and then followed his cousin out of the room. Apparently, he wasn’t happy either.
“I think I’m going to take a walk,” stated Julian, holding out his hand to his wife.
What he really wanted to do was talk to the team, and outside the house. Who knew if someone was listening to their conversations?
In this instance, it was better safe than sorry.
Tori stood, dropping her napkin onto her plate. As they headed out, she could hear the rest of the group disbursing too. It would only be a matter of time before Kane and Christina met them outside.
They had work to do.
Once at the duck pond, Julian and Tori took a seat. When they saw their team heading toward them, they scanned the area. It appeared that they were alone.
Dropping down beside them, they hoped that from a distance, it would look like a group of people having a friendly conversation.
“What happened last night?” Julian asked Kane, referring to the makeshift séance in the attic.
“Absolutely nothing at all. The woman put on one hell of a show, but there wasn’t a peep from the ghost. I seriously think she’s a grifter.”
Christina laughed. “She tried everything in her book of tricks. The Ouija board failed, the candles didn't blow out, and there wasn’t any channeling. It was like the ghost had left the building. If it existed to begin with,” she added.
Tori glanced over at Julian. Oh, she was around, just not in the attic.
“Was Beverly mad?” Tori asked.
“I think that she was more irritated. This morning she was pissed when she was questioned,” Kane replied, referring to the display at the table. “Please tell me that you deleted the pictures, and it wasn’t someone else or the ‘ghost’.”
Julian grinned. “Yep, and we found the family Bible. The Currys had it hidden in their room.”
Kane started laughing. “Great, then we’re out of here!” He went to stand, and Tori touched his arm to stop him.
Julian hated to burst his bubble but last night, his wife told him about her promise to Bethany. While it seemed crazy, he knew that she was a woman of her word. His soldier babe always followed up, and he would stand by her on this one.
“No, we still have to figure out what happened to William Macavoy. Tori and I want to find out who killed Bethany Duvaul too.”
The look on Kane’s face was priceless.
“Seriously?”
Tori picked up, “If there’s a ghost here, she needs to be put to rest, and that means solving this.”
Christina was good with that. She’d seen plenty of bodies. They all deserved a decent burial and final resting place. “I’m in!”
Kane was horrified, but he knew it was the right thing to do.
“Okay, bosses, so what’s on the game plan then?” Christina asked, popping a lemon candy in her mouth.
“It’s time for that distraction.”
Christina grinned wickedly.
“Not yours,” Julian reiterated, making sure they were on the same page. “Tori had one that won’t get us arrested. Meet us back in our room in one hour. Make sure you’re seen somewhere, because once that alarm goes off, you’re our alibi.”
Kane offered his hand to his fiancée. “See you in a little while,” he stated, not questioning the people who paid him. If they wanted to finish this up, he wasn’t going to say a word. In the hierarchy, he was the drone, and they were the boss bees. Not to mention that they were friends.
Tori and Julian gave them time to slip away. Leaning over, she decided to spend a few minutes making out with her husband. What better cover was there than that?
The second her lips met his, there was this explosion of heat and warmth. Slowly, she allowed herself to sink into it,finding peace. When Tori pulled away, her gray blue eyes met his gold flecked ones.
“I’m good now,” she whispered. “I needed to kiss my husband.”
Julian grinned wickedly. “Feel free any time you want,” he offered. “Or anything else that comes to mind.”
Tori offered him her hand. “Oh, you can bet on it,” she replied, pulling him to his feet.
“Yippee,” he stated.
/> “Come on! Let’s go break the law, cause mayhem, and see if the ghost pops up,” she stated, teasing him.
“Couldn’t we just go back to making out?” he asked, getting pulled toward the house.
“Julian!”
“Yeah, yeah. I know.”
Duty called.
And insanity was sure to be right behind it.
* * *
Back in the room, Julian and Tori waited for Kane and Christina to arrive. Kane came by way of balcony and the pregnant woman knocked on the door. Once inside, they planned it out.
“We’re not going to have much time. Once you hit the panic button on your way out the door, we’ll maybe have one minute to break through those old boards.”
Tori continued, “You’ll have to give us a head start. We need to be in place the second the entire system starts up. We can’t miss this window.”
“I could pull the fire alarm and buy you a lot more time,” Christina offered. When she saw the look of horror on Julian’s face, it made her giggle. “Or not.”
“Yeah, let’s not mess this one up. We only have one shot,” he stated, as his wife pulled out the absconded knife to pop the secret door.
“We’ll text you when we’re in place,” Tori said, disappearing into the secret passage.
When the door was closed, Kane scoped out the hall, letting Christina know that the coast was clear.
“Shall we, my love?” he asked, holding out his arm.
“Let’s,” she replied, giggling.
It was time to raise a little hell.
God, she loved her job.
* * *
Tori and Julian navigated their way to the one blocked off passage. They had to find the spot that Christina described, since they had never seen it before.
Checking out the area, they made their plans.
“If we lean against these support beams,” Tori suggested, “we can probably kick in the boards. They look too sturdy to use our shoulders with this little space.”
Julian ran the light and his hand over the boards. “It looks like they’re nailed in from the other side, so if we kick, they should pop right out.”
Lost & Broken (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 2) Page 38
