A few hours into the tour, their guide led the group into The Stanhope Hotel and to a certain section of the building. As the guide gave the history of the hotel and told of some of the people who’d been killed over the years, Bailey linked her arm with Nicole’s and scooted close to her.
This place made Nicole nervous. There had been many ghost tales of this hotel, and since Nicole had already seen a ghost, would she see others as well? It comforted her to know Nolan would be with her. He always eased her mind and her stress.
“This is one of the suites,” the guide said as the hotel porter opened the door to one of the rooms on the third floor, “where guests have reported abnormal activities. Guests have complained about their clothes being moved and some of their dresser drawers being emptied. There were reports of the adjoining bathroom door slamming when nobody was in the bathroom. But most of all,” he paused lowering his voice, “guests reported to the hotel management of the drastic temperature change that happened suddenly from time to time.”
Everyone gathered in the room, as the group grew silent, Nicole’s heartbeat thudded wildly. What was the foolish guide waiting for? Did he think they would have a ghost sighting now?
A light murmur started from one end of the room and going through the group all the way to Nicole. People were whispering about a feeling they had. Nolan moved closer to her, and she quickly slipped her hand in his. He leaned toward her ear.
“Do you feel the change in the atmosphere?” he asked.
Nodding, she looked into his eyes and kept her voice low. “The air feels... heavy. It’s hard for me to breathe.”
“I feel that there was a lot of sadness and anger in this room.” Nolan’s gaze moved around the suite. “I am glad we didn’t pick this hotel to stay in.”
“Have you ever been in a room and seen somethin’ move?” Nicole asked him.
Nolan laughed. “Not from a real ghost, just from my friend when he was a pretend ghost.”
She squeezed his hand. “You really need to tell me that story.”
“I will, I promise.”
Nicole studied the pictures hanging on the walls. Some were historical scenes or people, but nothing really looked out of place. “You don’t think they are trickin’ us now?”
“Not that I can tell. I don’t see anything weird, I just feel weird,” he said quietly.
Bailey made a small snorting sound and she leaned into them. “I think you’re both weird, cuz I don’t see or feel anything different.”
Nicole rolled her eyes. Why did she have to bring her cousin? She should have tried harder to convince Bailey to stay at the B&B. Nicole could have been in Nolan’s arms right now as they moved from room to room and he would have taken her mind off her ghostly problems.
When the guide led everyone out of the suite, Nicole nearly sighed with relief. Whatever happened to those ghosts really created an evil feeling. Growing up, she’d heard stories about evil ghosts, but she never believed it. After all, if they were evil, wouldn’t they have gone to hell as soon as they died? Maybe the ghosts weren’t evil at all. They could have just been angry or confused about their deaths.
Victoria was different. Although Nicole had seen her dead ancestor, Victoria was never evil. The ghost was sad, and she had every right to be for falling down the stairs and dying right before her wedding. It had been scary for Nicole, only because she had realized she was actually seeing a ghost. But now that she knew Victoria wouldn’t hurt her in any way, maybe it was time to have a long talk with the ghost so that Nicole could help her pass over.
The last room seemed to give Nicole the same stifling feeling, and she was very relieved when they left and finally exited the hotel. Out in the fresh air, she could breathe much better now.
“You seem to be feeling better now.” Nolan softly caressed her cheek.
“I am now that we’re out of that horrible place.” She glanced back at the three-story hotel that was as long as a football field. “That place gave me the creeps.”
“Finally!” Bailey sighed dramatically. “I’m happy to know that you finally agree with me.” She pouted. “Can we go home to Texas now?”
Nicole shook her head. “No, because we still have three more days left of the tour, and I’m only relieved to be out of The Stanhope Hotel.”
Huffing, Bailey folded her arms and marched back to the bus.
“There’s no livin’ with her now.” Nicole shook her head.
“What we need to do,” he slipped his arm around Nicole’s shoulders, pulling her against his side, “is to convince her that she should go home without you.” He wagged his eyebrows. “I’d love nothing more than to have you all to myself.”
Nicole sighed happily and wrapped both arms around his waist. “That sounds heavenly. But if you have any great ideas, I’m open for suggestions. I’ve tried everythin’ I could think of to make her leave me here by myself.”
Nolan’s footsteps slowed as his gaze locked with Nicole’s. “Hmm... I wonder how we can bribe her.”
Nicole’s thoughts screeched to a halt. Why hadn’t I thought of that? She knew her cousin well. The two most important things to Bailey were men and shopping... and sometimes, not necessarily in that order. Nicole should be able to think of something that her money could buy to get her cousin out of her hair for the rest of this trip.
Slowly, a grin tugged on her mouth. “That is definitely a possibility.”
NOLAN COULDN’T BELIEVE how relieved he was when Bailey suggested going back to the club to look for the good-looking bartender she’d met last night. It surprised him that she didn’t even want to go with him and Nicole out for dinner. Then again, he didn’t mention anything about having a date with Nicole, and he didn’t think she’d hinted about it to her cousin, either.
They parted ways with Bailey once the tour bus took them back to the old jailhouse. Nicole came with him back to the hotel. Holding hands during the drive, they talked about everything they’d learned during the tour, and especially the eerie feelings they both had.
Nolan had dated some girls who absolutely didn’t believe in ghosts – and never would. Their attitudes were similar to Bailey’s. He’d also dated women who pretended to believe in ghosts just so he’d continue to spend money on them. However, with Nicole, he could tell she was unlike any woman he’d gone out with. They had similar thoughts and ideas. They both laughed at the same jokes, and she loved to tease him just as much as he loved teasing her.
He drove the jeep into a parking spot and stopped, killing the engine. He glanced at Nicole and smiled. She was so adorable wearing a white sweater with a red leather jacket. Her lower half looked really good in those tight black jeans, too. Her cowgirl boots would have been perfect with this outfit but not practical. Thankfully, she wore her sneakers. Her feet probably felt better after all the walking they’d done today.
“I suppose I should have asked you where you wanted to go for dinner,” he said, caressing her fingers in his palm.
“Actually, why don’t you let me arrange our meal tonight?” Her pretty amber eyes twinkled.
“Absolutely not.” Nolan shook his head stubbornly. “How am I supposed to impress a woman if I can’t buy her dinner?”
She laughed. “You’ve already done that – last night, remember? Now it’s my turn to impress a guy.”
His heart burst as the growing feeling he’d been having since they first met grew in size. He doubted it was love and yet, what else could it be? He’d never felt this way about a woman before. “I wonder if the B&B has room service.”
Her nose crinkled as she made a funny face. “I can do better than that.”
Laughing, he climbed out of the vehicle and walked around to her side to let her out. Hand in hand, they walked into the bed and breakfast. They neared the elevator, and her steps slowed near the wide steps. She stopped at the end, looking up. The laughter that had danced in her expression was gone, and in its place was despondency.
He stood in back
of her, sliding his arms around her waist. He leaned closer and pressed his cheek against hers. “Hey? What’s wrong?”
She sighed. “That’s an awful lot of stairs to tumble down.”
He frowned. She was thinking of Victoria. But then, since they were now back at the bed and breakfast, it was easier to think of the woman who’d died here. “I know. It’s heartbreaking.”
She was silent for a few more moments. “It’s odd that I would think this, but... it’s hard to imagine that she would fall all the way down by just trippin’ on her weddin’ gown.”
He pulled back slightly and looked at her. “What are you thinking?”
“What if,” she turned in his arms, resting her hands on his chest as she gazed up in his eyes, “Victoria was pushed instead? If someone pushed her from behind, that would have given her more speed as she fell down the stairs.”
He smiled at her as he stroked her cheek. Apparently, Nicole loved a good mystery. No wonder he liked her so much. “That could happen, I guess.”
She shrugged. “I’m sorry. My mouth is runnin’ with my thoughts again.”
He slid his hand a little lower on her face. He brushed the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip. “I happen to like this mouth no matter where it’s running.”
A blush filled her cheeks. “Oh, really?”
He nodded.
She glanced at the elevator. “Then I suggest we move to some place a little more private.”
His heartbeat skipped happily. “That’s the best idea yet.”
When they reached the elevator, another couple was just leaving, which gave Nolan the privacy he needed at the moment. Once the doors were closed, he gathered Nicole in his arms and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held his head as she responded enthusiastically. The kiss was wild, and yet in a gentle way. He tried showing her how much he’d missed her this morning and early afternoon, and she was definitely proving to him that her feelings were mutual.
The elevator came to their floor, and just as it had always done, it hesitated before the doors opened. They quickly broke apart, but held each other as they walked out and then toward their rooms. Her steps seemed slower for some reason, as though she was hesitating. The closer they came to her room, the tighter she held onto him.
“Nicole? What’s wrong?”
“I... I don’t know.”
They stopped in front of her room and he turned to face her. He took her cold hands in his and lifted them to his mouth. Slowly, he kissed her knuckles as his gaze locked with hers.
“Please tell me. You know you’re safe with me.”
Her shoulders relaxed slightly. “I know, but... what happens when I’m not with you?”
His mind replayed last night and how scared she’d been. “Well, I suppose you could... stay in my room if you want.”
She laughed lightly. “Mr. Ricks! I barely know you.”
“True, however sometimes I feel like I’ve known you much longer.”
She nodded. “I feel that way, too.”
He held her loosely in his arms. “Do you need to go in your room to change or anything?”
“No.”
He shrugged. “Then we can go in my room... that is until we figure out what we’re doing for dinner.”
“No, we’ll go in your room until I figure out what we’re doin’ for dinner.”
He laughed. “Deal.”
He turned and unlocked his door. Just as he opened it, something white flew toward them quickly. His heart dropped. She screamed in terror.
SIXTEEN
Nicole’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest. At first, she wasn’t sure what had come toward them, but when Nolan’s hand reached in front of her and snatched the white cloth, she was able to breathe slower and force her mind to work properly.
“What in the...” Nolan’s face turned an angry red as he examined the cloth. “A hand towel?”
As she stepped into the room, a light breeze blew across her face. She looked up at the ceiling fan that was going high speed. “It must have been the fan that blew the hand towel at us.”
As he closed the door behind them, he clicked off the switch on the wall. “I thought I’d turned it off before I left this morning.” He tossed the cloth on the nearest counter. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She placed her hand on her chest and breathed slower. “I’m sorry I screamed. I’m really not someone who gets frightened easily.”
“I don’t get scared easily, either, but I’ll admit to jumping.” He smiled and gathered her in his arms. “So, what if we comfort each other tonight?”
Her heart softened and she smiled. “I like that idea. But first, let me see about dinner.” She pulled away from him and, using her phone, searched for a place in town or even in Colorado Springs, that could cater them. “What do you like to eat?”
“I like pretty much everything... but I don’t like sushi.”
“I’m with you on that one. I’ve tried, but I just can’t like that particular type of food.”
It took her a few minutes of searching before she found what she was looking for. Crane’s Catering in Texas – which she’d used many times – also had several other businesses all over the United States. She was happy to see a location in Colorado Springs.
“I’m going to step out in the hall to make this call,” she told Nolan as she opened the door and stepped out.
She walked far enough away so that he couldn’t hear her telling the person on the phone who she was and what she wanted for dinner. She even told them they’d all get a huge tip if they could have the meal delivered to the Hanover House within the hour. If she could have her jet fly them here, that would be even better.
As soon as the thought jumped in her head, she pushed it out. Here in Colorado, she was not a billionaire. She was a regular person with regular tastes in food... even if she had to bribe the catering business a little to get the food here faster.
She slid her phone back in the pocket of her jeans and realized she was near the grand stairs. Taking small steps, she moved to the maroon carpet-coated steps leading down into the lobby. She frowned. This was where Victoria had been when she fell. Where she died.
A cool breeze touched her arms, and she rubbed her skin. She’d heard there were drafts in these old buildings.
Nicole...
Sucking in a quick breath, she glanced up the hallway. Who was calling her name? But it was a woman’s voice, not Nolan’s. “Bailey?”
Nicole...
She spun around toward the sound in back of her that seemed to be getting closer. Nobody was there, but as she stared at one of the walls, the figure of a woman materialized until Victoria stood in front of her.
Nicole tried to breathe normally, even though there was a ghost looking at her. She just prayed that Nolan didn’t come out of the room and witness her talking to the walls.
“Victoria,” she said softly.
The ghost nodded. “This is where I died.”
Victoria moved closer to the stairs. The sadness on her face tugged on Nicole’s heart.
“Yes, I know. My friend, Nolan, found an article written about your death.”
She turned her face back to Victoria. It was the oddest feeling knowing that she was talking to one of her ancestors, especially because they were about the same age and they resembled each other quite a bit.
“Tell me what the article said.”
Nicole took a quick peek up the hall, grateful that Nolan hadn’t come out of his room yet. She looked back at Victoria. “The article said you had just left your room and were on the way to your weddin’, but you tripped on your gown and tumbled down the stairs. The fall broke your neck, which is what killed you.”
Victoria stared at the stairs as a deeper frown creased on her face. “I didn’t trip on my gown.” She looked at Nicole. “My gown didn’t reach the floor. I had purchased a newer style from Paris. It was the first time someone in Colorado had worn
such a gown. It only reached my ankles.”
“Do... Do you remember anythin’ about that day?” Nicole wondered, still speaking in hushed tones.
Victoria nodded and her attention returned to the stairs. “It seemed everything was going wrong. All my servants were messing things up for me, and try as I might, I couldn’t stop their actions from upsetting me. My stomach had been twisting in anxiousness all day because of my excitement, and of course, because of the stress that my servants were putting me through. I fear I snapped at them more than I should have. But then finally, my maids had me ready and I walked out of my room. The guests were waiting for me outside in the large gazebo, and my William...” She sighed. “He was there waiting for me to join him in matrimony.” Her eyes clouded with tears. “I don’t know what happened. I took my first step down the stairs – stairs that I’d been walking on since I was a baby and took my first steps. I thought I felt someone push me, but I didn’t think anyone was behind me close enough to do that. Halfway down the stairs, everything turned black.” She inhaled a shaky breath. “The next thing I knew I was standing over my twisted body. But this time, my family knelt beside me and my dear, dear William sobbed fitfully as his friends consoled him. My servants cried along with everyone else. I knew I was dead, but...” She met Nicole’s stare again. “I don’t know how or why.”
Nicole’s stomach twisted. What a horrible way to die. “Why didn’t you go into the light?”
Victoria shrugged. “There was no light. I kept waiting for an angel to come get me and take me to Heaven, but no one came.”
Nicole glanced up the hallway again. Thankfully, Nolan was still in his room. “So, Victoria,” Nicole looked back at the ghost, “if you don’t think your death was an accident, who would hate you enough to want you dead?”
“I wasn’t a very nice person.” Victoria frowned. “I was very mean to people and treated those who were beneath my station in life as if they were parasites. Since my death, I’ve thought about what a rotten person I was. To put it bluntly, I was a rich snob and I thought I was better than everyone else.”
The Billionaire's Setup Page 11
