My father appeared behind my mother, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “You might be getting up there in years, but you still can't sass your mother, son. Nana D helped her sew on the numbers, and I went to the store to buy the fabric. The whole family pitched in to get you this gift.”
“I'm gonna resemble a giant exploding pumpkin from the eighties. Not a good look.”
Emma held up the dog costume she'd mentioned earlier. “And Baxter will match you too.”
I closed my eyes, debating if the other surprise was just as awful. Then, I heard the voice.
“Hey, Kel-baby. Happy Birthday, old man.” My brother Hampton smiled facetiously at me from the front doorway. “Even I got corralled into helping this morning. Natasha and the kids are getting dressed. Now that I see your costume, we should all go trick-or-treating together later.”
A few colorful and improper phrases formed in my mind, but luckily, I had enough sense, and a quick cup of coffee, not to shout them out in rapid-fire. “I couldn't have planned a better birthday myself. Thank you.” Truthfully, I genuinely meant all the sentiments behind the words too.
Several hours later, every last belonging was relocated to the new house. Luckily, my grandmother and Nicky had the forethought to expedite the certificate of occupancy that was needed before moving into the place. Nana D organized the kitchen, which meant I'd find nothing. My parents set up the furniture in the living room, arguing about how to best achieve feng shui. Gabriel unpacked my clothes and toiletries and made up my bed; how did he make it look like a magazine cover in such quick time? Was there anything he couldn't do? Eleanor helped Ulan and Emma, who were singing and dancing about setting up a tent in the backyard the following night, arrange their bedrooms.
By midafternoon, we'd accomplished most of what was necessary to quit working. I could finish the rest the next day. As I relaxed, the house's new name brusquely hit me: Garzenwyck. Somehow the combination of Madam Zenya and the Garibaldi and Ayrwick names felt like the best way to honor its inhabitants. Either that or I'd have a poll to let my friends and blog followers pick the new name.
Halloween had arrived, and I had a dinner date with April for my birthday. Maggie called to wish me well, then mentioned she'd won the jack-o'-lantern carving contest. Unfortunately, the drama propelled her sisters to nominate her as the victim who'd be dunked in the giant water vat at the Fall Festival. Connor was the first person who threw the ball and hit the target, and he was already regretting it, at least according to a disgruntled Maggie. Ulan left with Augie to attend an event at the high school aimed at keeping teenagers from causing trouble on the streets. While Wharton County was mostly a crime-free town, ignoring the occasional murder or two or ten, Halloween was a holiday for pranksters. Sometimes, the rascals couldn't help themselves, so the school was as proactive as possible.
Belinda Grey had proposed and arranged the event, but sadly, she wouldn't be able to see it come to fruition. Connor called to wish me a happy birthday and verified the woman had been formally arrested for both murders and attempted murder on Hiram Grey. He explained that Belinda was somber and reflective during the entire time he'd been booking her the night before. Belinda had even suggested that had I not bought the Garibaldi-Grey house, she might've gotten away with murder.
In theory, it was a correct assumption. If there were no house, I wouldn't have dealt with a hypothetical ghost and wouldn't have known about the disappearance of Prudence Grey. I would've still attended the Memorial Library demolition but wouldn't have gone on such a dedicated search for the truth about what'd happened fifty years ago. Connor indicated that Belinda's brother, Lloyd, sat with her while she confessed everything and promised to do his best to help her during the trial. He walked a fine line, knowing that Belinda had killed Ian, Minnie's husband. He must've been excruciatingly torn between supporting his sister and his girlfriend.
Connor also updated me about how the key to my basement door had split into two. Prudence carried it around with her all the time, as she wanted no one to know about the tunnels beneath the house. It had been a family secret, but when Lloyd had locked her in the library, she'd dropped it on the floor. Ian O'Malley had found the key and used it to defend himself against Belinda after she first attacked him. During the struggle, Belinda slammed the solid orb holding the key together into Ian's head, and that's when the key had broken apart. Belinda only found half of the key after she'd knocked out Ian, then left with it. Knowing it belonged to Prudence, she cleaned it and snuck it back into the Garibaldi house.
Belinda had also forged the letter from Prudence about leaving town, ensuring enough doubt around Braxton that she'd never died in the library fire. Not even Hiram had known Belinda wrote the message. When Hiram moved out, his staff found the key among Prudence's effects and tossed it in a box. It wound up in Hiram's study, as part of his collection, but he'd never known what it had belonged to. After escaping the room in the library, when Prudence pushed Ian's body into the nearby hole, the half-key had fallen with Ian into the hole and had been partially buried with his remains.
Like a good and loyal son, something I'd been saying way too often lately, I donned the costume and happily escorted Emma through the new neighborhood to collect candy. When we arrived at our last house, I realized it was the place that Hope had rented while she was teaching at Braxton.
She excitedly opened the door. “Happy Halloween, Kellan. Is this your daughter?” Then, she laughed at my costume: a giant, round pumpkin with my age tattooed on my you-know-where.
Emma pointed to my rear and giggled. “It's his birthday too.” A black cat curled around Hope's feet, purring and meowing at my daughter.
“That's our kitty, Dustball. He's always sneaking into things, coming out with tons of dust.”
“That's because you're too busy working to ever lift a finger to clean your house, Hope, my child,” Raelynn replied and introduced herself to Emma. Raelynn offered to bring Emma inside the house for a glass of cider, allowing Hope and me a few minutes to speak alone.
“I'll see my father today,” Hope replied, a tear rolling down her cheek. She explained that Damien had contacted her early that morning to confirm they would bring Hiram out of his coma in the afternoon. “I hope he'll want to meet me and see my mother again.”
“If he put you in the will, I think it's a safe bet. Will you stay in Braxton after this semester?”
Hope and I chatted for a few minutes. She expressed her joy and concern about becoming part of such a huge and explosive family like the Greys. While Damien technically wasn't Hiram's son, she still wanted to establish a relationship with him, as Damien would always be in Hiram's life. She and Damien had also spoken about Damien's discovery that Father Elijah was his biological father.
“I know what it's like to have a father that surprisingly becomes your stepfather,” Hope replied wistfully, citing that her mother wanted to move back to Braxton too. “If I get the permanent role at the college, I think we'll try to swing the relocation.”
“Hope, I don't mean to pry, but you once mentioned your father, I guess your stepfather, had died of an accident while your mother was pregnant. What happened to him?” It'd been fifty years ago, and she'd never encountered the man, so I felt comfortable asking.
“My mother met him on a bus to New Orleans when she moved away from Braxton. He was a sailor and had taken a few months off between jobs. The day before I was born, he'd gotten a new job and had gone down to the docks to fill out the paperwork.” Hope explained that he'd received a call from her mother that she was in early labor and had tried to reach the hospital. In the rush, he'd slipped on something at the dock and hit his head against a stone pillar that was used to tie up small boats so they wouldn't float away. “He died in the ambulance within minutes of me being born.”
“And that's why I named her Hope,” Raelynn whispered with heavy tears in her eyes. “It's also why I kept coming back to Wharton to see if Hiram had ever changed. My husband was such a w
onderful man to agree to raise my daughter as his own. When I lost him, I knew I had to protect Hope from the truth. Too many people had been getting hurt around me.”
Hope and Raelynn embraced, sharing a warm moment. “I'm glad you're talking about the past.”
“I didn't want to die without you knowing. Your auntie was your stepfather's sister, so you two don't share blood. Once my Alzheimer's began settling in, you needed to learn about the Greys. Take your time getting to know them, my child.”
Emma thanked Raelynn for the cider and candy, then we headed back home to our new place. Nana D's chauffer escorted her to collect Emma and Ulan, since they would spend the evening at Danby Landing while April and I embarked on our first official date.
“I just saw Minnie and Father Elijah.” Nana D stopped me after I buckled Emma into the backseat. “Father Elijah will meet his son, Damien, tomorrow.”
“That's good news. I hope he's not too upset with me for what happened last night.” I'd felt bad but wasn't sure whom I could trust until all the details of the crazy drama had surfaced.
“He understands, brilliant one. In fact, I think the only issue he has with you right now is that you made him sit through a séance and get a little close to the devil again.” Nana D laughed raucously and pushed me up the pathway. “I've got to visit Jane O'Malley and talk some sense into that girl.”
“What's she done?”
“Apparently, Jane was smitten with Hiram. She was secretly dating him the last few months. He's more than twice her age. And a son-of-a—”
Luckily, Nana D's cell phone rang as she piled into the front seat next to the driver, preventing her from finishing her thought. While she chatted, I processed her news. How could someone as smart and caring as Jane fall for someone like Hiram Grey? Hopefully, she'd expeditiously realize how awful the man was, especially if he went to prison for the crimes he'd committed years ago against the Garibaldis. I also couldn't shake the feeling that something more permanent would happen to the man.
While I waited for Nana D to end her phone conversation, a man dressed in a suit and tie walked up the pathway. “Are you Kellan Michael Ayrwick?”
“Yes.”
“Consider yourself served,” he said abruptly, then walked away after accepting my signature.
I anxiously tore open the envelope and read the contents. Just as I finished, Nana D interrupted. “Yoo-hoo, brilliant one. Where did you go?”
“Sorry, I was… I just can't believe it, that's all.” I slapped my forehead in disbelief.
“You'll never guess who that was on the phone,” Nana D gleefully shared. “Don't bother guessing. I'm late as it is. Your Aunt Deirdre and her new husband wanted me to be the first to know….”
In my shock, I had only partially heard my grandmother talking to me. “Say that again?”
“Pish! Don't ignore me. I said your aunt was at the doctor's office with Timothy's sister for a check-up. Jennifer went into early labor and is at the hospital having the baby.”
“Oh, that's great news. I'm thrilled for Arthur and Jennifer.” I couldn't wait to find out if his mother, Fern Terry, knew she was about to become a grandmother. Eustacia's knitting would be of beneficial use now that the cool weather had stuck around.
“That's not all. Deirdre passed out, and after the doctor ran a few tests, she discovered she's pregnant too. I'm gonna be a grandmother again.” Nana D directed the driver to hit the road, forgetting to ask about my news. I'd have to tell her in the future, but definitely not today.
I was thrilled for the baby and the pregnancy, but as new life was starting for someone else, I would say goodbye to something in mine. Francesca had formally served me with separation papers. She'd gotten her death certificate revoked and was officially considered alive again. In her first order of business, she filed for divorce. While the decision was what we'd agreed would be best going forward, it still hit me like a ton of bricks. After almost ten years of marriage, even though I thought she was dead for a few of them, we would be nothing more than ex-spouses to one another now.
After processing the news, I was due to meet April for our first official date. Given the information I'd just received, on my birthday no less, it would be quite an interesting conversation. While showering, I heard my phone beep a few times notifying me I had a new text message. After stepping out of the shower and dripping all over the floor, I cursed my brother's timing.
Hampton: I can't believe I'm doing this, but I need your help. I've been going through some of my father-in-law's reports on the new oil well he dug. There is a ton of money missing, and next to all the transfers and signatures, they list my name as the owner and responsible party. Are you there?
Hampton: Don't ignore me. It looks like I stole the money. I had nothing to do with it. You can't tell anyone, but I need your assistance to determine what's going on. As much as it kills me to ask you, will you investigate this mystery? Call me back ASAP, brother. This isn't funny. I'll stop calling you Kel-baby.
Although he was family, and I loved my nuisance of a brother, I let him sit it out longer. For all the years he'd tortured me, he deserved to wait on painful pins and sharp needles. I had an important date to pursue, and nothing would stop me from it. After parking, I strolled into the lobby of Simply Stoddard. The hostess led me to their best table with a gorgeous view of the lighthouse on the Finnulia River. April entered the room a few seconds later, wearing a phenomenal little black dress, and glided over to our table. I kissed her cheek, pulled out her chair, and ravenously smiled.
Before I could compliment her, she tossed me a small box. “It's not much, but I wanted to give you something for your birthday.” Her eyes sparkled as she coyly rested a hand against mine.
“What is it?” I was about to open the gift when a more pressing thought pinged inside my head. “By the way, when are you going to answer my question about any previous husbands popping up?”
April huffed. “You have remarkable timing. I hadn't wanted to say anything tonight, but my trip to Buffalo left me with one open thread to snip from the spool of my former life.”
The last time we'd had this conversation, April was reluctant to discuss her past. I knew only of the fiancé who'd been slain in a revenge-style killing. “Is there someone else I should know about?”
“Yes. When I was eighteen, I foolishly married a guy who promised me things he couldn't deliver. After I returned to Buffalo last month for my father's funeral, my ex-husband showed up to express his condolences. Only, he's technically not my ex-husband because—”
April couldn't finish her explanation once Constance Garibaldi sashayed over to us and propelled both of her shaky hands on the table. For the first time in public, she no longer wore the monstrous headdress. “Kellan, I'm so glad I ran into you here. I've just had a premonition, and you need to know about it.” Constance's mouth hung ajar, and the table wobbled from the intensity of her nervous grip.
Angered by the interruption, April turned to Constance. “What's going on?”
“There is a life-altering, disastrous blizzard that will plague Wharton County this winter. I don't know exactly when, but the course of your future will change forever. It'll be unbelievably horrendous. There will be more death.” She screamed with a loud, piercing pitch and fell to the floor in convulsions.
“Are you okay?” I immediately jumped up to catch her, then noticed a furry black spider crawl out from her purse. It looked just like the one who'd abandoned its web on my front porch.
Constance grabbed my shoulder with one hand and thrust the other against her neck. “I'll be fine, but your family won't be. I saw something, Kellan. Something about the past and the future colliding for the Danby and Ayrwick families. It will be tragic, and there's nothing you can do to stop it.”
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Sneak Peek at #6 – Title Coming Soon!
A winter blizzard unlike any other descends upon Wharton County. Everyone's so busy preparing for the four towns to shut down that they don't realize Nana D has gone missing until it's too late. Madam Zenya predicted the raging storm would change the course of Kellan's life, but the famed psychic never could've prepared him for this level of massive damages. Once a dead body turns up beneath the snowbanks, Kellan must turn to April to face his worst fear of all. What tragedy has befallen his beloved grandmother? Meanwhile, Kellan's brother Hampton learns essential life lessons the hard way after his father-in-law accuses him of embezzlement. While trying to prove his innocence, Hampton digs himself a deeper hole that might lead to prison. April wants to save him, but she receives the shock of her life as the past hurtles forward with an unremitting vengeance. Between helping Kellan locate Nana D and solving the scandalous murder of a prominent Braxton citizen, April's world explodes with more turmoil than she can handle. Too bad neither one of them knows what to do about Madam Zenya's latest premonition—the suspicious deaths happening around town aren't ending anytime soon.
If you haven't read the first four books in the series…
Academic Curveball (#1)
When Kellan Ayrwick, a thirty-two-year-old single father, is forced to return home for his father's retirement from Braxton College, he finds the dead body of a professor in Diamond Hall's stairwell. Unfortunately, Kellan has a connection to the victim, and so do several members of his family. Could one of them be guilty of murder? Then he finds a second body after discovering mysterious donations to the college's athletic program, a nasty blog denouncing his father, and a criminal attempting to change student grades so the star baseball pitcher isn't expelled. Someone is playing games on campus, but none of the facts add up. With the help of his eccentric and trouble-making nana weeding through the clues, Kellan tries to stay out of the sheriff's way. Fate has other plans. Kellan is close to discovering the killer's identity just as someone he loves is put in grave danger of becoming victim number three. And if that's not enough to wreak havoc on his family, everything comes crashing to a halt when his own past comes spiraling back to change his life forever. In this debut novel in the Braxton Campus Mystery Series, readers discover a cozy, secluded Pennsylvania village full of quirky, sarcastic, and nosy residents. Among the daily workings of Braxton College and the charming Ayrwick family, Kellan weighs his investigative talents against an opportunity to achieve a much sought-after dream. When this first book ends, the drama is set for the next adventure in Kellan's future… and it's one you won't want to miss.
Haunted House Ghost: Death At The Fall Festival (Braxton Campus Mysteries Book 5) Page 29
