The Hauntings Of Sugar Hill: The Complete Series

by M. L. Bullock

  Circling the garden a few times with my investigator hat on seemed like an appropriate way to start my search. It kept me from feeling hopeless. Believing that I could navigate my way back to Dominick’s side was the only way I kept it all together. “Dominick?” I called as if I would find him hiding behind a tree. Or perhaps he would discover a hidden portal that would lead me back to his 19th-century world.

  What if this is all in my head?

  Maybe I had imagined at all. It was quite possible. We floated that idea around quite a bit on the set of My Haunted Plantation. People could be very influenced by their surroundings, and what better place to feel a romantic influence than a grand old house like Sugar Hill? Maybe I was seeing him because I wanted to.

  But that didn’t explain the way I felt about him. You didn’t develop feelings like this for a figment of your imagination. My imagination wasn’t that good. No, this was something altogether different. It was like Mike said, “Sometimes you just have to go with your gut, Jessica. Follow your feelings and trust yourself.” And that’s what I planned to do now.

  “Dominick? Dominick?” There was no reply, and it was quiet in the garden except for a few animal visitors. A busy squirrel skittered across the pavement in search of tasty acorns. I stood still for a moment, hoping to detect an anomaly that would lead me to a thin place in the veil. How could I step back into the past when I didn’t know how it had happened in the first place?

  “Jessica? What are you doing here?”

  Summer appeared on the stony path, looking beautiful in her fitted pantsuit.

  “Walking and looking.”

  She eyed me suspiciously. The worry on her face was apparent, and I quickly tried to relieve her concern. “I’m fine, Summer, really.”

  “Did you call Mike?”

  “I’m getting around to it. It’s on my agenda for today,” I promised with a sunny smile. “Anything I can help you with? I know you have a lot on your plate with Pepper’s final arrangements and the ball this weekend.”

  She smiled back and said, “I’ve got it all handled, with Robin’s help. It’s kind of you to offer. You’re my guest, Jessica. But if you wouldn’t mind, I could use your help for a few minutes.”

  I thought I heard a sound behind me. I spun around just in time to see that busy squirrel run back across the sidewalk. Man, I was a bundle of nerves!

  “Jessica, maybe you should go home. This place will be a beehive of business until the big event. Like I said yesterday, I should never have brought you here since this place consumes you at times. Trust me, I know.”

  “Oh, please. Don’t feel that way. Don’t send me away. I really need to finish this…project. How can I walk away without trying to help him? I haven’t told you everything. I guess it’s time I come clean.”

  Summer nodded, and we walked to a cast-iron bench under a shady magnolia tree. It was a beautiful spot with a nice view of purple flower beds and a whimsical water fountain featuring a fish spouting a slender stream of water. How had I missed that before?

  “I fell in love, Summer. I love Dominick, and he is in danger. Champion is going to kill him if I can’t prevent it. I’ve done the research, so I know what I’m talking about.”

  “What do you mean, you fell in love?”

  “You think I’ve only been gone a few hours, but I was gone for almost a week. I was with him. I was in his time, and time moves differently when I’m with Dominick.”

  Summer leaned back, and I tried to pretend I didn’t see her sympathetic expression. “How many times have you done this, Jessica?”

  “Just once, in the garden. You guys found me in the ballroom afterward. I don’t pretend to understand it, but you have to trust me. I love him, and I can’t just sit by and let him die. Even if I can’t be with him, I want him to live and have a happy life. Surely you understand that. You have to believe me.”

  Summer was on her feet, pacing in front of me. She tapped her forehead a few times as if she were trying to warm up a brain freeze. “How is that possible? How can you go back in time like that? You can’t! Something else must have happened. You hit your head, or you experienced a psychic event.”

  “I didn’t. I was with Dominick.”

  She crossed her arms. I could tell she wasn’t happy with this line of thinking, but I didn’t know how else to explain it. She couldn’t ask me to leave Sugar Hill. I needed to explore. “You don’t think that if I could go back and change what happened to Jamie, I would? But I can’t go back, and you can’t either, Jessica. It’s as simple as this: you went into a trance and saw something that made you think you were there.”

  “No! Dominick knows me. He loves me, and I love him.” I was on my feet now, my desperation rising by the second.

  “Dominick Dufresne was married to Ophelia Delchamps Dufresne. He was not married to Jessica Chesterfield. What are you going to do? Go back in time and take her place? This is ridiculous, Jessica. I think you should leave it alone. Pack your things and go home before something awful happens to you. Ambrose is gone, but that doesn’t mean this place is safe for a sensitive like you. I see that now.”

  “You can’t do this, Summer. You can’t. You have more heart than that. You know I’m telling you the truth. So many things are possible, so many things we don’t understand. Especially here at Sugar Hill. This place has a certain magic to it. A power. Whether it’s good or bad, it’s here. And if I can get back, I want to. I don’t want to live life without him.” I didn’t want to cry in front of her, but the tears came anyway.

  Summer took a deep breath, and her shoulders sank a little. “On one condition, Jessica. You have to stay close to me. No more wandering off to do whatever it is you think you’re doing. You stay close. I would die if something happened to you, not to mention Avery would kill me. No more exploring alone, and I don’t want to find you passed out somewhere else. Please. I can’t lose another person. I just can’t.”

  I ran to her and hugged her, even though I knew she wasn’t one to go in for that sort of thing. She didn’t fight me. In fact, she hugged me back, and I smiled over her shoulder. “Well, we have a ball to attend soon. What are you going to wear?”

  Summer released me and smiled that easy smile of hers. “I don’t think you’d fit into anything I have since you’re a little taller than I am. I suppose we could go shopping and find something.”

  “No, I have a better idea. When I was doing my research yesterday, I came across some trunks full of lovely old gowns. Would it be okay if I wore one of those? I mean, if I found one that was suitable?”

  “I guess so, but if you can’t find anything, please let me know. I’m sure between my closet and Talbot’s, we can find something perfect for you.”

  I spent the next few hours tagging along with Summer, pretending I wasn’t secretly searching for a way back. With cheerfulness I didn’t feel, I helped her make a few last-minute phone calls and made polite small talk with Dufresnes who continued to arrive to pay their respects to Pepper. Summer had arranged a beautiful memorial for her in one of the parlors. She didn’t offer much in the way of hors d’oeuvres, which was clearly a disappointment to some, but there was plenty to drink. She whispered to me that she didn’t want to overtax the kitchen staff, considering they had a ball to prepare for, but she also wasn’t looking forward to spending the rest of the day hanging out and crying. Pepper would have hated that, she said. The minister said a lovely prayer, and the family discreetly excused themselves after one or two drinks.

  Summer, Robin, and I went over the final details for the ball, and Summer practiced her speech several times. She confessed that Avery had written it, but she had tweaked it to suit her personality. While I listened to her rehearse, I couldn’t help but stare out the window, as if Dominick would step out of the hedge and wave at me.

  “That’s great, Summer. I think I’ll head up to the attic and examine those trunks now if you don’t need anything else.”

  “Sure, but no wandering around t
he garden. I’m not your mom or anything, but I do care what happens to you.”

  “You’ve got a deal,” I said with a sigh of relief. I wasn’t lying to her. I was going to the attic to check out those trunks, but first, I needed to go to my room. I set up the camera and pointed it toward me as I sat on the edge of the bed. Best to document all this. Yes, that made sense. It was what Mike would do, and what I had to do. In case I went missing again.

  Struggling with my thoughts, I hit the record button. “I went to the garden today but couldn’t recreate whatever it was I did the last time. But I have to figure it out, Summer. Mike. Avery. I have to sort this out. If I can find a way to go back, I’m going. Mom, Dad, I know you won’t understand this, but I don’t belong here. I love you, I love all of you, but I want to be with Dominick.” My voice shook, but that was to be expected. I was talking about leaving forever if Time would allow me to step back again. “I think I need to search the ballroom. That’s where the door last opened for me.” After another minute of staring out the window behind the camera, I added, “I think this is why I’m so comfortable with the past. I belong there. I am connected to this place, to Dominick. I couldn’t see it before because of Ambrose. I know this sounds crazy, but he’s not been defeated in Dominick’s time. He’s still up to his old tricks. He’s influencing Champion in an evil way.”

  I chewed my lip for a second and then continued, “With all that’s planned in the ballroom this weekend, supernatural activity is sure to ramp up. I’m going to look through some old dresses for something to wear to the ball, and I hope it will work as a trigger object.” I squeezed my hands together nervously and confessed to the camera, “I know this may seem like a stretch, a long shot, even crazy talk to all of you. You’ve tolerated me through so much already, Mom, but I know what I’m doing. And this is what I want. I want to be with Dominick. I’m going to find a way.” I didn’t cry. I felt relieved, just talking about my plan. More than that, I was excited about it.

  “I’ll find a way to let you know that I’m okay. Promise.” With a smile, I turned off the recording and left the camera behind.

  My excitement grew by the second. I had to find the right dress. It had to be perfect.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Annalee Dufresne

  Ophelia’s fingers tapped on the piano keys ever so lightly. I’d seen women play the piano before, but none so elegantly as my sister-in-law. Her back straight, her long arms moving over the instrument as proficiently as any master of music, she was a sight to behold. Dominick’s face reflected the love he felt for his wife. How proud he was of her, and of course, it only made sense that this pride and love should be celebrated at her birthday party. The tune she played was a sentimental one, but that was no surprise. Ophelia was a sentimental lady with a soft heart and a loving manner. I had to admit the change in her attitude toward baby Ida made me love her more, and I was happy to see my brother so well-loved finally.

  As Ophelia finished her song, I wiped a tear from my eye and saw that others were doing the same. Yes, her music had spoken to our hearts tonight. She rose from the piano bench as applause filled the ballroom. With an embarrassed flush, Ophelia politely smiled and gave a tiny curtsy to the gathering. When Dominick had begun to plan Ophelia’s birthday celebration, I’d had my reservations. I wasn’t one to socialize beyond my immediate household, but it was refreshing to hear music in the house again. All those long years of Mother pining for her lost husband, all the ghosts of Sugar Hill, the place had been awash in sadness. But now it seemed as if that sadness had finally left. Olive arrived with a beautifully dressed baby Ida, and I proudly carried her around and introduced her to our many guests. No one dared mention Livy or ask questions about the child’s parentage. True, Ida was the daughter of a left-hand wife, but she was a Dufresne all the same, and local society would be wise to remember it. Dominick wasn’t just a gentleman and a kind soul but also a good businessman, and we’d become very wealthy in recent years. I didn’t bother myself with the details of his business, but I was glad for his success. Our success.

  The baby delighted her sea of admirers with her dark curls and wide smile, but I didn’t let her linger for long. “Past your bedtime, little one.” I kissed her plump cheek and handed her back to Olive, who smiled proudly at her. I think Olive loved Ida as much as I did. She’d healed us both.

  “Miss Dufresne,” Emilio greeted me with a smile. He was incredibly tall, taller even than Champion, although he had not much in the way of a handsome face or charm.

  “It’s just Annalee to you, my friend. I’m so happy you could attend tonight’s festivities.” Strangely enough, I meant every word of it.

  “I’m delighted to be here, Annalee. Perhaps later, if you aren’t too busy, you might consider taking a walk with me or sharing a dance?”

  “Yes. I would be happy to, Emilio.” With pink cheeks, I bowed my head slightly and headed toward Ingrid. She was fussing with one of the new house servants, probably about something minor. “Excuse me. Ingrid is up in arms about something.” By the time I had it sorted out and went to look for Emilio, the place was silent. Everything stopped except the music. With a sudden rush of warmth, I cast my eye around the room to detect the source of the trouble.

  Champion and his wife were here, and I had no intention of greeting them. Who had invited them? I certainly hadn’t, and I knew my brother would do no such thing. Unsure of what I was going to do, I was headed toward them when I felt Dominick’s hand on my shoulder. He calmly whispered in my ear, “Leave it for now, sister. What can he do to us?”

  “Why is he here?” I whispered back like a freight train passing through a tunnel.

  “Because I invited him, Annalee. It’s time to lay this to rest, sister. Time to move on. Champion is a Dufresne, just as we are. Let’s turn the page tonight.”

  Fury rose within me. How dare Dominick do such a thing! Say such a thing! I jerked away from him and fled to the opposite side of the room. How could my own dear brother shame me this way?

  “Come now, Annalee. This fool girl got the punch mixed up,” Ingrid said, reminding me we were not alone. At least people were talking now, presumably about me, the Dufresne girl who tried to seduce her brother. The punch was a foolish thing to worry about, but Ingrid’s true intent was clear to me. Anything that would distract me from the current situation was a welcome diversion. I helped settle the matter quickly and with a heavy heart, turned to rejoin the party. Why would Dominick invite Champion? It made no sense. Just recently, the two of them were fighting like stags in our garden, and now he wanted to be his friend? It was completely out of character for my brother. Something was wrong here. Dominick was hiding the truth from me, but what was the truth? I chewed on my nail as I slipped out of the ballroom. I needed some fresh air, away from the watchful eyes of Belle Fontaine society. Oh, the irony! I’d been the one who’d suffered, yet mine was the name on everyone’s lips.

  I walked up the hall and heard a voice hissing at me, “Aren’t you something? Sashaying around here like you’re the queen of England. You ain’t nobody special, Annalee Dufresne. Hell, you ain’t even a Dufresne. You’re no better’n me. Less than me, if the truth be told.”

  And what did my eyes behold but a drunken Livy propped against the hallway table, a small bottle of some evil liquid in her hand? Her hair was half-unbound, unbrushed and dirty. I was so surprised to see her here, I struggled for the words to say to her. I finally said in a steely voice, “How did you get in here, Livy? You have no business here anymore. You’ve been paid your money. Should I call the sheriff in here? He’s just in the other room.” I threatened her with mock confidence. Did I really want to cause more of a stir tonight? Yes, this night would be an event to remember.

  “You go on and get that sheriff. I have a few things I would like to tell him, ’specially about your brother’s business.” She took a deep pull of her bottle and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “He’s got plenty, you should know that, id
iot girl. Or do you suppose gold just falls out of the sky? You think only women can make deals with the devil? That he’s got some kind of magical touch that makes money appear when he wants? You are a fool. You are no better than me, Annalee. Easily sold for a few dollars. Just ask Champion what price he paid for you.” She snorted through a drunken hiccup. “You think your darling brother is so innocent.”

  When I found my voice, I commanded her, “Keep your voice down!” I grabbed her by the elbow and forced her to a quiet parlor down the hall from the ballroom. We rarely used this parlor because the chimney smoked and the room had a perpetual draft. I didn’t like it much, and I was sure I would like it even less after this. “What do you mean? Are you insinuating that Dominick had something to do with what happened to me?”

  She smiled and sipped. “I don’t have to insinuate anything. You know the truth already, don’t you?” Livy strolled around the room, swinging her bottle and laughing. “Poor Annalee. Poor sweet, no-longer-innocent Annalee. I know so many things. What else should I tell you? I don’t think you could stand to know what I know.”

  “How dare you come here making all these slanderous accusations? What did you think it would benefit you? You are nothing to me, not a sister-in-law and not a friend. And how dare you slander my brother after you left your child for a bag of coins!”

  To my complete surprise, Livy sobbed and took an awkward swing at me with her open hand, but I easily moved out of the way. I delivered her a slap for her trouble, and being drunk and off-kilter, she fell to the ground, her bottle spilling its vile contents all over her dress. She swore like a sinner, but I didn’t move to help her up. I didn’t think she really could get up.