Moonlight Dancer

by Mona Ingram

  He wandered around the room, touching familiar objects. He stopped by the window, back to his sister-in-law. “Do you believe in ghosts?”

  Wendy’s eyes widened. “I don’t know” she said carefully. “I don’t not believe in them.”

  He turned to her with a rueful smile. “That’s not much help.”

  “Why don’t you tell me what this is about?”

  He took a deep breath. “Charlie says she’s been talking to a ghost.”

  “Talking to a ghost?” Wendy’s expression was bland. “The one in Janelle’s old farmhouse, I suppose. Her name is Charlotte.”

  “You know about that?” His voice rose. “How come I’ve never heard about it?”

  “I don’t know, Jason.” She looked at him levelly. “She’s been there a long time, but I’ve never actually seen her. Charlie talked to her, you say?”

  “Not exactly.” Jason couldn’t believe she was being so cool. “She says she talked to a ghost at The Trip.” He held up two fingers. “Twice.”

  “Now that’s a new one.”

  “No kidding!”

  “Well, you don’t have to be sarcastic. I don’t imagine she made all this up, do you?”

  “No.” This conversation wasn’t going the way he’d imagined. “You don’t seem very upset about it. I mean, don’t you think it’s kind of weird, her claiming she talked to a ghost?”

  “I’m amazed she trusted you enough to tell you. Who is it?”

  “Who?”

  “The ghost. Who else? Really, Jason, get with the program.”

  “Oh. It’s the cowboy that Charlie’s ancestor was supposed to run off with.”

  Wendy frowned, deep in thought. “I’m trying to remember the story. I believe they planned to get married. To my way of thinking that’s different than simply running off.”

  “Does it matter?” He truly didn’t understand.

  “Of course it does. To a woman, anyway.” She frowned. “This has obviously got you upset. Why?”

  “Because it’s so…” he waved a hand in the air. “I don’t know, it’s so strange. It makes me uncomfortable.”

  “I can see that. But have you given any thought to how Charlie must feel about it? Maybe it disturbs her just as much as it does you.” She watched him carefully. “You like her, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, I guess I do.” He stopped pacing and turned to her. “How did you know?”

  “Well, apart from the fact that you talk about her a lot, I saw you last night. She’s the first woman you’ve taken to your place since Christine left.” She smacked herself on the forehead. “Oh, I almost forgot. Christine called.”

  “I had my cell off. Did she leave a message?”

  “No, but she sounded suspiciously friendly.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s all I need.” He picked up his Stetson. “Thanks, Wendy. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

  * * *

  “Wow.” Charlie lowered the journal to her lap. “Things were sure different back then.” Charlotte’s descriptions of life in the big farmhouse leaped off the page. The sounds, smells, atmosphere were as real to Charlie as if she had stepped back in time. She was delighted to learn that Charlotte had written the journal right here, in the corner where she now felt so comfortable.

  The passages describing Charlotte’s first meeting with Harm were heartbreakingly poignant. Not surprisingly, the attraction had been immediate and strong. Charlie could almost hear their whispered words of love.

  Her hand went to her throat as Charlotte described wearing Harm’s ring on a gold chain and her eyes misted over with sympathetic tears as she read the touching passage Charlotte had written after learning of Harm’s death. It was difficult to read how he’d been thrown from a horse during a rodeo, dying instantly. The money he’d hoped to earn would have been their start toward a new life.

  Tears spilled from Charlie’s eyes and she didn’t try to stop them. She cried not only for Charlotte, but for herself as well. She’d trusted Jason enough to tell him of the strange occurrences and he’d taken that trust and thrown it back in her face. But even now she wished he would try to understand. If only…

  She brushed away the tears with her fingertips, determined to get back to the matter at hand. What had she learned from the journal? Nothing, really. She skimmed through the last few pages and decided that they would keep until tomorrow. She pulled a piece of lavender from the teapot at her side and stuck it between the pages. As she did, she noticed that the writing had changed. It was still Charlotte’s, but it wasn’t the graceful script that flowed across the previous pages.

  There’s something different here, she thought to herself. Perhaps a few more pages. She settled down to read.

  “Charlie? Are you up there?” Janelle startled her and she closed the journal, her thoughts swirling.

  “Yes, I’m here.” She placed the journal on the table beside the bouquet of lavender and turned out the light. “Has Jack gone? I didn’t hear him leave.”

  “He just left.” She stood at the foot of the stairs and Charlie ran down. “What were you doing up there?”

  “I was reading.” That much was true. “It’s such a peaceful atmosphere.”

  “I suppose so. I haven’t been up there in years.” She shivered dramatically. “Your mother used to tease me. She’d tell me there were ghosts up there.”

  Charlie smiled. “I’ll let you know if I see any.”

  * * *

  Charlie lay on her side, barely aware of the moon rising behind the old elm outside her bedroom. The leaves cast shadowy fingers across her bed as the moon angled its way up the inky sky. Her thoughts were with Charlotte, and the last few journal pages she’d managed to read before Janelle called. Raging against the tragic loss of Harm, Charlotte had ripped the ring from the chain around her neck and thrown it away as though by doing so she could rid herself of painful memories.

  Charlie rolled onto her back. Throwing away the ring had been a desperate act by a heartbroken young woman, and she could sympathize with her one hundred percent. Hadn’t she felt the same way this afternoon, wanting to strike back at Jason? Okay, so it wasn’t exactly the same, but deep down she and Charlotte shared the hope that things could be put right.

  Her gaze drifted back to the window. She’d never noticed before just how quickly the moon moved. She watched it for a few moments, wondering if from now on she’d think of Jason every time she saw it. Before meeting him, she’d rarely noticed it.

  She crawled out of bed, impatiently kicking at the sheets tangled around her legs. Hadn’t the moon been half full when she and Jason sat by the lake that first night? She pressed her forehead against the window, thinking back. Yes, and now it was much larger. If only…she shook her head. She was getting ahead of herself but the notion persisted, worming into her consciousness. Was it possible? She raised her eyes, daring to think ahead to the night when it would shine the most brightly. The full moon.

  * * *

  Charlie slept fitfully and woke as daylight started to fill the sky. She looked toward the east and her thoughts inevitably turned to Jason. She owed him an apology for walking off yesterday, for not looking back when he called her. How was she going to solve Charlotte’s problems when she couldn’t even manage her own life?

  “That’s it” she said aloud and swung her feet onto the floor. “I’m going over there right now and apologize.”

  She dressed quickly and examined her reflection in the mirror. Not bad, considering that she’d had little sleep. But if she stopped to shower and fuss with her appearance, she’d lose her nerve.

  She went quietly down the stairs, fearful of waking Janelle. She didn’t want anyone–even her aunt–to second-guess her decision. Thomas rose and walked out onto the verandah with her where he sat blinking at the early morning light.

  Charlie found the ATV in the drive-in shed where Jason had pointed it out. Thankfully the key was in the ignition and she was soon on the t
rail skirting Jason and Brad’s property. It had rained during the night; everything was washed clean. Droplets of water hung from the leaves of the alfalfa, sparkling like precious gems in the first rays of the sun.

  As she pulled up in front of Jason’s home the screen door opened and he came out. He was wearing jeans, but no shirt or shoes. His body was as she knew it would be; hard and toned. The sight of him took her breath away and she swallowed, searching for her voice.

  He took a few steps forward. “Charlie, what are you doing here?” He glanced back toward the house. “I’m happy to see you, but this is a surprise.” His voice was warm and welcoming. Maybe it wasn’t too late after all.

  “Sorry to show up like this, but I wanted to apologize.” Charlie knew she was grinning like an idiot, but she didn’t care. “I never should have–”

  “Jason, who is it?” The screen door opened behind him and Jason closed his eyes. A woman came out wearing one of his shirts and not much more. She stood next to him and looked down at Charlie. Jason gave her a horrified look but Charlie scarcely noticed. The woman could have modeled for Victoria’s Secret. Tall, slender and beautiful even in her tousled state, she was everything that Charlie wasn’t.

  Charlie tore her eyes away from the woman and looked at Jason. “I’m so sorry,” she said, fumbling for the ignition of the ATV. “I never should have come without calling.”

  “Charlie!” Jason called after her, but she didn’t hear him; she’d already pulled away and was roaring down the trail, mindless of the tears blurring her vision. She’d never been so mortified in her life.

  * * *

  Jason watched Charlie drive away and then turned to Christine. “Why did you do that?”

  “Do what?” she asked, wide-eyed and innocent.

  “Don’t give me that!” he said, turning and walking through the living room, into the kitchen. She followed him and he turned to face her. “You did that on purpose Christine, and I don’t appreciate it.”

  “I’m sorry Jason, but like I said last night, I was hoping we could try again.” She laid a hand on his bare chest and he jumped back.

  “No, Christine. That’s not going to happen.” He busied himself with making coffee. “I thought I made that clear.” He strode into the living room and started to fold the blankets on the couch. “I want you to go back today. One night sleeping here on this couch is one night too many.” He turned to her, trying to contain his growing anger. “It’s over, Christine. Believe me, there’s no future for us.”

  * * *

  Janelle was in the kitchen when Charlie got back. “Did I hear you drive off on the ATV?” she said hopefully.

  Charlie sighed. “Yes.” I woke up this morning and decided that I owe Jason an apology.” She accepted a mug of coffee. “So I drove up to his place.”

  “Good idea.”

  Charlie shook her head. “Not a good idea.”

  “Not a good idea?” Janelle frowned.

  “He had a woman there.” Charlie looked up. “I think it was his old girlfriend. Whoever it was, she’s absolutely gorgeous. He had no shirt on and she came out in next to nothing.”

  “Ouch.”

  “No kidding. I don’t think I’ve ever been so humiliated, but it was my own fault.” She thought back to the scene on the verandah. “The odd thing is that when he first came out he seemed pleased to see me. But I didn’t imagine what I saw.”

  Janelle took a sip of coffee, looked out into the yard. “It seems awfully quick, doesn’t it? Wasn’t it just yesterday afternoon that you two had a fight?”

  Charlie nodded. “It didn’t take him long, did it?” She stood up, picked up her mug. “I don’t want to be around here when he comes this morning to take care of the chickens. I think I’ll head into town and finish up with the cleaning.”

  “Good idea. See you later.”

  * * *

  “I’m back.” Charlie stood impatiently beside the carousel pole waiting for Harm to appear. She had so much to tell him, plus she hoped that he would be able to give her some clues. She spread her hands. “It’s just me.” Her voice sounded hollow in the large space.

  “Come on, Harm. I need to talk to you.” Really, did he want her help or not? She turned slowly, searching the far corners of the room. It was unnecessary…she knew she was alone.

  She shrugged. “All right then, I’ll finish my cleaning.” Her voice cracked. “Why should I care?” she said aloud, sorting through the cupboard for cleaning supplies. “I should be glad you’re not here. Maybe now I can get my life back.” None too gently she loaded cleaning supplies onto the table of the first booth. “And while I’m at it, maybe I should stop talking to myself out loud.”

  “Hello, Charlie.” He sounded anxious, tentative.

  Her anger dissolved at the sound of his voice. She greeted him eagerly. “Guess what? I found Charlotte’s journal.”

  His eyes lit up. “She kept a journal? I didn’t know that.”

  “Well she did. It was all about you.” She took a step toward him. “She loved you a lot, but then I guess you know that.”

  He nodded, and Charlie looked aside as he struggled to control his emotions.

  Her tone turned brisk. “Anyway, I learned some things. She wrote about the ring, and how she wore it on a chain around her neck, like you told me. But when she heard about…you know, about you being killed, she threw it away.”

  “The ring? She threw it away?” He looked around the dance hall as though expecting to find the answer. “Why?”

  “I don’t believe it was something she planned to do. I got the impression that it happened in a moment of despair.” She paused. “According to the family story, she stayed in the attic for several days when she first got the news. It must have been after that.” She flashed him a sympathetic glance. “I’m sorry Harm, but it was only a ring. And trust me, she never stopped loving you. Every word of the journal confirms that.”

  “But the ring!” He looked down at his hand, his expression bleak. “The rings were our touchstones.” He raised his head, his eyes pained. “They were our link. I swear, when I wasn’t with her, I could touch my ring and almost feel her heart beating.” He lowered his eyes. “And she said the same thing.”

  “Wait a minute.” Charlie held up a hand. “Help me to think this through. You both had rings and you felt the same way about them. Then sometime before the first full moon after your death, she threw hers away.”

  He stilled, watching her intently.

  “And at the first full moon, did you see her at the dance hall?”

  “Yes.”

  “But she couldn’t see you.”

  “No.”

  “That’s it!” Her gaze rested on one of the carousel horses without really seeing it. “That’s the key. You have your ring, and you can see her. But she doesn’t have her ring, and she can’t see you. Do you see what I mean?”

  Comprehension flooded his face with hope and his voice with determination. “Now all we have to do is find her ring.”

  “We?” Charlie laughed. “I like the way you say that.”

  Harm grinned. “And I like the way you laugh. It makes me think anything’s possible.”

  Charlie’s thoughts turned to Jason. Was it true? Was anything possible? She recalled the way he’d spoken this morning, the way he’d looked at her with eyes so blue they made her heart ache. With a supreme effort she refocused as Harm spoke.

  “Do you think we have a chance?” He’d turned serious again.

  “Well…” Charlie hated to offer false hope. “There are a couple of pages left in the journal that I haven’t read yet. Maybe there’s a hint in there about where she threw it.” She frowned. “Although she probably would have looked for it herself.”

  “Even so.” His smile had returned. “It’s something.”

  “Yes, it’s something.” Charlie gestured to her cleaning supplies. “I have to get this done before I can get back and see if there’s anything else.”

&nbs
p; “I understand.” He placed his Stetson on his head; she couldn’t see his eyes. “And even if you don’t find anything, I want to thank you for trying.”

  “It’s the least I can do” she said, moved by his words. “And I haven’t given up yet.”

  Chapter Ten

  Charlie kept glancing toward the horizon as she drove home. Thunderclouds boiled up, dark and menacing. By now, she’d learned that here in Saskatchewan clouds didn’t necessarily mean that rain was imminent. But today they looked different and she drove a little faster, relieved when she saw the driveway on the left.

  “Jason asked about you.” Janelle was at the drafting table when Charlie walked in.

  “What did he say?”

  “He just asked if you were around. I told him you’d gone to finish cleaning and I didn’t know how long you’d be. Was that the right thing to say?”

  Charlie’s mood lightened. “That’s good, and besides, it’s the truth.” She pointed out the window. “Look at that. Look at the way the rain is falling out of those clouds.”

  “Some farmer will be happy.” Janelle cocked her head. “Do you hear that?”

  “No, I don’t hear anything.”

  “Exactly. There are no birds singing. They can sense a change in the weather.”

  Her aunt was right. Even the weeping willow was still. Not a breath of air moved the leaves.

  “I’ll go and close up the barn. I left the windows open earlier. Would you check all the windows in the house and look for Thomas while you’re at it? If we get thunder, he’ll be scared stiff.” Janelle headed for the barn.

  The first clap of thunder sounded in the distance. Then Charlie heard something else. Faint at first, the sound grew louder as it came on hard and fast. She recognized the sound of Jason’s ATV as he came tearing around the corner of the barn.

  “Charlie! I’m so glad to see you.” He paused to catch his breath. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. He looked over his shoulder at the approaching clouds.

  “We’re okay” she said coolly. “Janelle is closing up the barn and I was just about to check the windows in the house.”