Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes_A Cozy Paranormal Mystery

by Michelle M. Pillow

  Polly tried to say something, but Lily ignored her aunt.

  “I am so sorry,” Lily whispered. “I had no idea. I only learned I had another sister after I found out I was inheriting the estate.”

  “Am I the only one concerned by the fact that this woman just tried to kill Lily?” Nolan demanded. “We should—”

  Lily frowned at him, cutting off his words.

  “Mom couldn’t lock me away from the ghosts. They could always find me.” Mara rocked back and forth on her feet.

  “You have to close the door, pickle,” Polly stated.

  “I could never beat them at hide-and-seek,” Mara continued. “Especially when they hid inside me. At first, I would sleep, and they would play. Then I didn’t need to sleep to let them in, thanks to my father.”

  “Who is your father?” Lily inched closer. Maybe the shape of Mara’s eyes was like Marigold’s. No, it wasn’t that. They held the same wildness.

  “A specter from Old Lucky Valley possessed a traveler and seduced our mother with spells and magic, and from that ill-fated union, I was born. The dead aren’t supposed to have children with the living, and I’m the supernatural byproduct.”

  “Whatever our mother told you, it’s wrong,” Lily said. “And whatever happened to her was not your doing. Our mother was sick.”

  “No, Mara’s right,” Polly inserted. “The dead are not supposed to have children with the living. It’s like tigers having babies with penguins.”

  “Polly,” Lily scolded. She was doing her best not to antagonize Mara and keep the woman calm.

  “Gee, thanks, I’m a tiguin,” Mara drawled, “or a penger.”

  “Penger’s cute,” Polly said. “I like you much better like this, penger pickle, without all that extra baggage floating inside you. Your intentions are much easier to read now.”

  “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t press charges? Make me understand, Mara,” Lily said.

  “Do what you have to.” Mara crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Oh, stop acting all tough.” Polly waved a hand in dismissal. She turned her attention to Lily. “The vessel is empty. As long as it stays that way, she’s harmless. Angsty and as annoying as a teenager, but harmless.”

  “I’m twenty,” Mara said.

  “You act like you’re fifteen,” Polly scolded. “I should have a potion to seal that door.”

  “We will take it back,” Lily said.

  “What?” Mara frowned at her.

  “That’s what you said. ‘This is our land. We bled for it. We paid for it with bone. We will take it back.’” Lily finally began to put the pieces together. “You spoke for them, the ghosts. They bled. They died in those mines, not you. You’re very much alive. It’s like Polly said. You’re some kind of vessel they use to... what? Feel human? Walk around in?”

  Mara looked at the ground. “It’s my purpose.”

  “No.” Lily shook her head. “It’s your burden. There was something about you I recognized the second we met, even though Nolan and Polly didn’t trust you. I thought it was because I felt sorry for you since you reminded me of when I was your age—hungry and defensive. But now they no longer hide inside of you, I see that it’s more than that. You’re... broken.”

  Mara opened her mouth in defiance, but nothing came out. Instead, she licked her lips and stared at the barn.

  “Marigold broke you, too.” Lily took a deep breath. “It’s like an invisible marker drawn all over your face.”

  “What’s going on, and why was I in the backseat of a police car? Did I do something to get arrested? Was I streaking through a football game again?” Dante held his head as he leaned against the corner of the scorched house. His eyes were a little glassy. “Wait, no, the last thing I remember was a knock and a creepy woman at the door. She made me all tingly when she touched me.” He took a wobbly step forward and bumped a gnome. “Whoa, where did all of these come from? I swear they’re multiplying.”

  Polly went toward Dante and sniffed him. She touched his chest and drew her hand quickly away. She shook her head in disapproval. “You opened the door to that knocker. She put all of her gracious hostess mojo on... oh, tingly.” Polly wobbled on her feet and looked at her hand. She balled it into a fist and released it, not finishing her statement. A small smile came over her features. “It tickles.”

  “Man, seriously, you never open the door to a knocker,” Mara said. “I can see she oozed her gunk all over your aura.”

  “Who are you?” Dante closed his eyes briefly and seemed to be struggling to remain upright.

  “Our half-sister,” Lily said.

  “Another one?” Dante frowned, squinting at everyone in turn. “How many kids did Marigold have?”

  “No, same one, only not completely dead,” Lily answered.

  “Amaryllis?” Dante asked in surprise. He pushed away from the house and strode to where Mara stood. Before she could defend herself, he hugged her. “I’m so happy to meet you. We only just learned about you and thought you were dead.”

  “What are you doing?” Mara struggled weakly, but he didn’t let her go. Lily had the same question. What was her brother doing? Dante didn’t hug strangers. Dante barely hugged her.

  “You’re a welcome addition to our—” Dante began.

  “Seriously, why are you touching me?” Mara dropped her shoulders and knees, trying to become dead weight, but it didn’t work. “Sally’s ectoplasm doesn’t work on me. Get off, freak.”

  “Please tell me we have a brother, too,” Dante begged. “I’m already the Y chromosome swimming in a sea of X’s.”

  “Group hug!” Polly went and wrapped her arms around the two. “Lily, get over here.”

  Lily stayed beside Nolan. “Okay, Polly’s always a little off. But, what the hell is wrong with Dante?”

  “Sally appears to be highly contagious and spread by touch,” Nolan said. “You should stay away from them.”

  The deputy scratched her head. “So, am I arresting anyone?”

  “No,” Polly said.

  Deputy Herczeg looked at Lily expectantly.

  “I guess not,” Lily muttered.

  “Is that a question?” The deputy held her bandaged wrist, the fist around it straining as it applied pressure.

  “Yes, arrest these two.” Mara groaned. “Get them off me.”

  “Lily, we have another sister,” Dante exclaimed. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “Yes. Arrest Dante and put him in the drunk tank or something until whatever this is goes away,” Lily said. “Dante, get off—”

  “No.” Nolan held up his hand to stop Lily from going to her brother. “He let the knocker in. He’s contagious. Don’t touch him.”

  At the sound of Nolan’s voice, Dante let go of Mara. Polly tried to hold on, but the girl flailed until she was free. It was clear by her expression, Mara was not used to being touched. Dante went to Nolan. He went to shake Nolan’s hand, but Nolan drew away from his reach. “You’ll make a fine brother. What do you say? Marry my sister and help me out with this handful of women?”

  Lily gasped as her brother tried to marry her off.

  “Well, I, ah—” Nolan stuttered.

  “Oh my god, Dante, you are never allowed to answer the door again,” Lily interrupted.

  “Oh, a wedding, beautiful idea, Florus!” Polly clapped her hands. “The stars all say that next Tuesday is a perfect day for the joining of—”

  “Stop,” Lily cried, throwing her hands in the air. There were too many things happening, and she needed them all to be quiet and slow down so she could think. “All of you. Just stop it. I’m not getting married next Tuesday.”

  “I guess Thursday might work,” Polly said.

  Dante nodded to indicate he thought it was a good idea.

  Lily paced away from Nolan and the others, putting distance between them. “No one is getting married on Thursday.”

  “Well, that’s probably not technically true,” Dante said.

/>   “Florus has a point,” Polly added.

  “Are they always like this?” Mara also took a step back. “Because this seems extreme, even for a knocker, unless he was smeared with a massive dose.”

  “Polly yes, Dante no.” Lily pushed wayward strands of hair out of her face.

  “Lily, we need to go. We can’t trust this woman.” Nolan waved his hand toward Mara. “After everything she’s done.”

  Lily glared at him. “According to everything I’ve learned about this town, I should be able to trust her more than I trusted you. She’s a Crawford. That means, regardless of what she’s done, she’s family. This is where she belongs, problems and all. With us. Her family.” Even as she said the words, Lily knew they weren’t completely reasonable, but she was angry and hurt. “I can’t believe I’m saying this sentence out loud, but I believe the ghosts made her do it.”

  “They did,” Polly answered. “She’s a butter pickle now. We’ll shut her door tight, so the ghosts can’t sneak back inside.”

  “Besides,” Lily gave Mara a pointed look, “if she gets out of line, I’ll whammy her again with my powers.”

  There was no way Lily could back that threat up. She had no way of knowing how to control her powers, but Mara didn’t need to know that.

  “How do you know I don’t have powers to whammy you back?” Mara glanced to where Polly and Dante were discussing floral wedding arrangements to match the siblings’ names. “Just because we’re talking doesn’t mean anything has changed.”

  “I know because you wouldn’t have tried to stop the angry miners from hurting me.” Lily lifted her hand like she was carrying an invisible ball. “Now, are you going to behave, or do I subdue you?”

  Thankfully, Mara didn’t call her on the threat.

  Mara kicked her feet. “I didn’t want you hurt. I wanted to scare you off. It’s safer if you leave.”

  “Scare me off? You and everyone else in this town. Take a number.” Lily arched a brow at Nolan and pursed her lips in irritation.

  “You need to let me explain what happened,” Nolan insisted. “Please, can’t we go somewhere and talk?”

  “That’s so cool,” Dante declared. “Look. The deputy is turning a pretty shade of green.”

  It was then that Lily realized the deputy had stopped talking and merely stood in place. Green scales tipped with yellow covered half her face, moved down under her shirt and reappeared on her hand.

  “Crap,” Nolan swore, rushing to Herczeg. “She came to ask for help. Echidna bit her last night. I didn’t know it was this bad.”

  “Wow. Snake lady came out of her cave?” Mara said. “I haven’t heard of her appearing since I was a kid. Her venom has to be potent after all this time.”

  “Polly, do you know of a spell or potion that can help?” Nolan asked.

  “Dig a hole and bury her,” Polly said without hesitation. “Nothing else to be done.”

  The deputy mumbled, but the words were incoherent.

  Nolan ran his hands through his hair and turned pleading eyes to Lily. “I know she might not deserve it. She hasn’t been the most helpful when it comes to what’s been happening around here but—”

  “She’s dying?” Lily strode to the deputy’s side. “We should get her to the hospital.”

  “They can’t help. The nurse at the hospital sent her here to seek out magical assistance,” Nolan said.

  Lily touched the deputy’s hand that was still flesh colored. “She’s freezing cold.”

  “Reptiles are cold-blooded,” Mara said. “Makes sense, I guess.”

  “We have to do something.” Lily didn’t know what that would be though.

  “Blankets would work just as well, if they were thick,” Mara said.

  Lily looked at her in question.

  Mara shrugged. “What? I literally grew up listening to ghost stories. The old spirits have been around awhile and know a lot.”

  “Blankets,” Lily repeated.

  “I mean, burying was the old way, but you always risk dirt in the lungs. Blankets work just as well. The sunlight is what’s causing the venom to react. She needs to be enclosed in darkness and warmth until she sheds this new skin.” Mara genuinely looked like she wanted to help. “I’m not sure how long it will take. Could be days. Could be weeks.”

  Lily nodded. “We can do blankets.”

  Lily attempted to get the deputy to walk with her, but the woman was frozen in her place.

  “I got her.” Nolan swept the deputy’s stiff body into his arms. “Where?”

  “My room,” Lily said. “It’s the closest with blankets.”

  Nolan rushed in front of her. His foot bumped a gnome with a short body and particularly tall red hat.

  “Thimble,” Polly cried, going to pick him up. “Please don’t get angry. It was an accident. That big scary wolf didn’t mean to.”

  “Let it go, Polly.” Lily pulled the kitchen door open for Nolan as he carried the deputy inside. “No one is buying it. The great gnome army didn’t do anything.”

  “Sure they did. They brought you luck.” Polly set Thimble on his feet and adjusted him so he turned forward like his friends. “Gnomes are cute to look at. They make people smile. That happiness sends out energy that produces good luck. See, the gnome army clearly won this battle for you.”

  “So you admit they’re just statues.” Lily hurried after Nolan, letting the door slam behind her.

  “Yes,” Polly yelled after her. “Mostly.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Lily tucked the blankets firmly around the deputy’s body as Nolan nailed canvas tarps over the windows to block out the light. When she finished, she studied at the mummy figure on her bed. “I hope this works.”

  “It will.” Mara stood in the doorway. “I give you my word.”

  “Your word isn’t—” Nolan began.

  “Nolan.” Lily held up her hand. “Stop. Unless you want me to start judging you for going all monster on the full moon, you can’t judge Mara for going all possessed when the ghosts used her.”

  He sighed. “I apologize.”

  “Come on.” Lily reached for Mara, who shrugged back out of the way.

  “Where?”

  “To pick out a bedroom for you. This one is obviously taken for the time being.” Lily glanced to the room Nolan had been staying in. She knew she should kick him out but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She gestured to the empty one. “That one is free. Or there are two upstairs. Polly and Dante stay on the third floor.”

  “Why would you do this after all I’ve done?” Mara clearly had a hard time trusting anyone. Lily couldn’t blame her. “How do you know I won’t... you know... again?”

  “Because I’m going to make sure we do everything we can to stop that from happening again. What you went through as a child…” Lily felt tears come to her eyes. “That should never have happened. I wish more than anything I had known about you. I would have found a way to come here and get you away from her. Everything our mother told you…” Lily shook her head in denial and swiped the moisture as it trailed down her cheeks. “Mom was sick. I don’t know if something happened to her, and that led her to do drugs. Or if the drugs caused her to be mentally unwell. Or if she was sick to begin with. I do know that, the way this town acts around anyone with our last name, if people saw the signs, they didn’t think to help her.”

  She took a deep breath. This was hard to talk about.

  “Or it was me.” Mara hugged her arms to her chest. “You don’t know that it wasn’t because of me.”

  “Actually, I do. You’re twenty. She showed signs before she was pregnant with you. So you see, her illness wasn’t because you were evil and sucked the life out of her. You, Mara, are one of us whether you want to be or not. Welcome to the I Had Marigold Crawford Goode as a Mother club. Once you’re in, you can never get out.”

  Lily smiled, trying to make a joke.

  “Funny,” Mara answered wryly.

  “So I’m
guessing Mara is short for Amaryllis, but why Edison? Are you married?”

  Mara chuckled. “Far from it. Not really a lot of options when the only people you talk to are ghosts. I borrowed it from a childhood friend, Luther Edison III. He used to work in the mines. He’s been kind of like a strange father figure to me. You might know him by his nickname, Stan.”

  “Stan?” Lily couldn’t hide her surprise.

  “Yeah, well, he grows on you. He was always the nicest to me. All he ever wanted me to do was help him look for his shoe. We never found it though.” She glanced toward Lily’s bedroom, where the sounds of Nolan hammering canvas came from within. “You know that man in there is madly in love with you, right? I saw it the day we met. Whatever you’re fighting about, you should forgive him. He would walk through fire for you.”

  Lily glanced back. She didn’t dare show how much those words gave her joy. “Do you think?”

  Mara chuckled. “I’ll take the room down here. I’m not sure I can handle being next to Polly.” She started to walk to the room, only to stop. “Are you sure she’s a relative?”

  “Yep. You’re related to her.” Lily nodded. “She’s a Crawford. She was mom’s twelfth cousin’s sister’s daughter once removed and then unremoved’s mother’s aunt’s granddaughter.”

  Mara frowned. “What’s unremoved mean?”

  “No clue.” Lily laughed before saying seriously, “I’m glad you’re here, Mara. We’ll figure it all out. I promise. You’re safe.”

  “Pickle, darling,” Polly called.

  Mara’s eyes widened, and she quickly shut the bedroom door to hide.

  “Pickle, we need to talk. You’re giving Crawford witches a bad name. We have to get started with your reeducation immediately. I will not let you out of my sight until…” Polly paused at the top of the stairs. “Oh, Lily, before I forget. I’m pretty sure that feral black cat hanging around is your familiar. You should work on taming it. It peed on Winks.”