The Hauntings Of Sugar Hill: The Complete Series

by M. L. Bullock

  But this time was different. Arnold Lee hadn’t been invited as a party guest. He was here for a different reason now. Arnold Lee belonged here. This was home. It would always be home.

  “Daddy, are we going to live here now?” he asked hopefully as he unpacked his overnight bag and obediently placed his clothes neatly in the open dresser drawer. He liked this room because it was purple. No, make that lavender, like his favorite crayon.

  “No, Arnold Lee, We’re not going to live here. We’re just spending the night. Is that okay with you? Why would you think we were moving in?” Arnold Lee’s father chuckled as he put their slippers under the bed.

  “I was just wondering.” His father sat on the edge of the bed and patted it. Arnold Lee hopped up and sat beside him. He could see his reflection in the big mirror across the room. Yep. They looked alike, just like his mother always said.

  “I thought you understood why we are here. We’ve come to help Avery find Jessica. Have you forgotten already?”

  Arnold Lee frowned. He hadn’t forgotten, he just wanted to talk about it. “Is she lost in the house? There are a lot of rooms here.”

  His father shrugged. “I’m not really sure. What do you think?”

  “I think she is lost. I think she is hurt real bad too.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I’m working on a new picture. Would you like to see it?”

  His father furrowed his brows and studied his face like Arnold Lee was hiding some secret. He smiled back at him, hoping to reassure his father that everything was a-okay. He didn’t believe he was successful because Daddy’s frown didn’t disappear.

  “Why don’t we take a walk first? I thought I might show you around if you’re up to it. Then you can show me your picture.”

  “Yes! I would love that. Should I bring a compass, so we don’t get lost?”

  “If you like, but I’m pretty sure we won’t get lost.”

  They walked around the second floor, and Arnold Lee could not help but be amazed. There were indeed many rooms, almost as many as his school had. The rooms they were able to open were all painted different colors, mostly soft pastels like spring flowers. That was what he needed to add to his picture! As his father talked about different things, like who was in that painting and where this and that came from, he tried to listen, but the music in his head grew louder and louder. Oh, yes, the lady sang in his head now.

  Sometime during the night, the lady began to sing a different song. He didn’t like this song very much. It felt sad and kind of scary. He fought the urge to sing along and smiled up at his father as if he heard every word he was saying.

  Sunday is gloomy

  My hours are slumberless.

  Dearest, the shadows

  I live with are numberless.

  “This way, son. Let’s go outside and take a walk by the pond. It’s a beautiful day.”

  Arnold Lee felt more upset by the second. No, he didn’t like this song at all. What did she mean, singing about shadows? Was she trying to tell Arnold Lee that there were dangerous shadows here? Yeah, he knew that. He could feel the shadows huddling close together like they wanted to pounce on him.

  And now he didn’t like this house so much either. He wanted to go outside with every fiber of his being, go outside and step into the sunshine just for a few minutes, but he couldn’t leave. Not yet. Not without Jessie. That was why he was here, right? The lady was singing so loud it almost made his head hurt.

  Little white flowers

  Will never awaken you.

  Not where the black coach

  Of sorrow has taken you.

  Angels have no thoughts

  Of ever returning you.

  Would they be angry

  If I thought of joining you?

  Gloomy Sunday

  “Daddy? Why are Sundays gloomy?” he asked as they walked out the door. He had to ask that question, he just had to.

  Suddenly, Daddy was on his knees in front of Arnold Lee. “What do you mean? Are you talking about the song? Is the lady singing, Arnold Lee? Can you hear her?”

  He was reluctant to answer because whenever he told the truth about her, it never ended well. Never.

  “Maybe,” he said without looking into his father’s searching brown eyes. He couldn’t lie to him. “Yes, sir. She’s singing about Sundays being gloomy and all. And shadows. The shadows are around. That’s what she is singing about. I don’t like this song. It makes me sad, and it’s scary.”

  Lucas smiled at him, but it wasn’t the kind of smile that went all the way to his eyes. He was worried about Arnold Lee. Not angry, just worried. “Sing me the song, son. Can you do that?” Arnold Lee tried to breathe, and he felt sad now. He should have kept this to himself. Why had he ruined this very pleasant day here at Sugar Hill? They could have gone fishing or something fun like that. Arnold Lee’s skin crawled. He had what his grandfather would call the willies.

  “Please try, son.”

  Gloomy is Sunday.

  With shadows I spend it all.

  My heart and I

  Have decided to end it all.

  Soon there’ll be candles

  And prayers that are said, I know.

  Let them not weep.

  Let them know that I’m glad to go.

  Death is no dream,

  For in death I’m caressin’ you.

  With the last breath of my soul,

  I’ll be blessin’ you.

  Arnold Lee did as he was told and sang the words the lady sang to him. He was surprised to hear Daddy singing along with him. “You hear her too, Daddy?”

  “Sometimes, but not like you, Arnold Lee. Not near as good.”

  “What does it mean? Why is she singing this song? I don’t like it very much.” He shivered in the purple shadows of the mansion. They’d forgotten all about their walk by the pond.

  “Let’s go back inside. I think I know what to do. You hungry?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m very hungry.”

  He took Daddy’s hand, and together they walked back in the house. The back door stood open as if the house wanted them to return. Yep, he believed that. It was like this house had a heart and a soul, but what kind?

  Then he saw her. It wasn’t Jessie but a woman in a long blue dress, the old-fashioned kind. She had a plain face, and her hair was curly, and right by her side was a little boy. As quickly as he saw the two of them, they disappeared in a flash of light. Were they stuck here too? Arnold Lee caught his breath and looked up at Daddy.

  Nope. Daddy didn’t see them, but Arnold Lee did, and he knew he would see them again.

  Chapter Nine

  Avery Dufresne

  Since Danforth’s paranormal powers relied on handling items, I decided to check out the room where Jessica last stayed in hopes of finding something he could use to make contact with her. Maybe a hair tie or a toothbrush, any forgotten item? I couldn’t believe some of the stories Reed told me about Danforth’s past performances. Why did I not know about this? Our family was so secretive, and since I was not raised as part of the family, this was all new to me. Reed said that since Danforth’s wife’s death, he had clammed up about his abilities. Or powers. How did Danforth refer to them? I guessed I’d find out later.

  Wobbling around on crutches was not my idea of a good time, but my wheelchair was still in the elevator. Teach me to fall asleep without my husband around. By the time I made it inside the guest room, my arms were burning. I was more out of shape than I realized. I rummaged through a few empty drawers and checked out the closet but didn’t find anything that belonged to Jessica. All her personal effects had been claimed by her family, so those items were out of reach, and the police had confiscated her strange video recording. The original, at least. I had secretly made a copy. I sat on the bed and tapped my finger on my lips thoughtfully as I scanned the floor for any item Robin might have missed. There was nothing to see.

  “Shoot,” I said to myself. I should have asked Reed t
o help me before he left for Thorn Hill. He had gone to pack a few things for us and set the house in order while we were gone for the weekend. Where else might Jessica have visited? From what Summer told me, the garden, the ballroom, and the attic. But there was no question that I wasn’t going to make it to any of those places, not by myself. Not with these crutches and certainly not with a wheelchair.

  But maybe someone else could.

  With renewed determination, I clumsily returned to the master bedroom and flopped into the chair by the door. I pressed the button on the intercom and asked Robin to find Dolly Jane for me. She had to be here somewhere. The good-natured young woman did as I asked, but I noticed she didn’t query me further. After being involved with previous supernatural goings-on, I think Robin was a bit shy of getting involved in this family’s paranormal tendencies. And that was okay, a few years ago I would never have dreamed I would be involved in such things either.

  About a half-hour later, Dolly Jane tapped on my door, and I invited her to the mini living room in my bedroom suite. “How is your mom, Dolly Jane? Is she okay with staying a little longer?”

  “Anything we can do to help our family and our Matrone.” Dolly Jane had changed her clothes since I’d seen her earlier. She now wore an oversized t-shirt with rolled-up sleeves, dark blue tights, and ballet flats. I wasn’t familiar with the band logo emblazoned on her shirt, but then again, I wasn’t too hip with the music scene since my ill-fated romance with Jonah Blight.

  “I need your help, Dolly Jane. These blasted crutches have slowed me down. There are places I need to go but can’t get to, like the attic, and I really believe we need to find something that belongs to Jessica. Something Danforth can touch. From what Reed tells me, that’s how he operates. By touching an item, he can connect with whoever it belonged to. All of Jessica’s personal items are gone, but there might be something up there.”

  “You really love her, don’t you?” she asked, her light eyes piercing mine. “I mean like a little sister. That’s what I hear.”

  “Yes. Um, that’s right. She’s like the little sister I never had.”

  “I can understand that. I always wanted a sister. I used to pretend that Aunt Summer was my big sister. Kind of silly, huh?” She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Had she been crying? “I guess I’ll never have that.”

  “Not silly at all. You favor Summer. You could pass as her little sister. And who knows what the future holds.”

  “You think I favor Summer?” For the first time since she got here, I saw her smile. She liked the idea of favoring Summer.

  “Yes, I do,” I said with a genuine smile. I was telling the honest-to-God truth. She did look like a younger Summer, especially when she cocked her eyebrow at me. And like Summer, she did not smile very often. She was guarded, also like our cousin, and not so willing to let people in without keeping them at arm’s length for some time.

  “I wonder why she hasn’t called me back. I keep trying.”

  What to say to that? “She will, I promise. I tell you what, I’ll call her again. We’ll just harass her until she answers us. Knowing Summer, she’s rock climbing or doing something even crazier. That girl is an adventurer at heart. I have never met someone so brave.”

  “You’re pretty brave too, Avery. If you do talk to her, tell her she has to call me. It’s really important.” Dolly Jane chewed her lip and stared out the window for a few seconds. Whatever was on her mind, she wasn’t going to tell me about it, and I wasn’t going to pry. “What would you like me to do, Avery?”

  “Like I said, Jessica spent some time in the attic before she disappeared. I think it’s possible that she left something of hers up there. Would you go have a look around? If you see anything unusual, anything that doesn’t belong, bring it to me.”

  “Sure, I can do that,” she said as she brushed her tights off. Where had all that dust come from?

  “Thank you. By the way, what would you like for dinner?”

  “Uh, pizza?”

  “Pizza sounds good. Invite your mom too.”

  Dolly Jane made a sputtering sound with her lips. “Look. Please don’t ask me about her. She’s not here, so it’s just me.”

  “Um, okay. But if you need to talk, I’m here. If you’d rather talk to Reed, he will probably be back by dinner.” She didn’t answer me but tucked a stubborn strand of hair behind her ear. “Arnold Lee and Lucas are on the way if they aren’t already here.” Dolly Jane hopped up, eager to take on her task. “Hey, be careful up there,” I added. She smiled and gave me a thumbs-up before she left me alone.

  She was gone for a while, but I was determined to stay awake. This pain medication is kicking my behind. About twenty minutes later, I heard a light tapping on my door. “Come in,” I said, setting my Starlight Foundation paperwork to the side. I really didn’t have the mindset for these decisions today, but it felt good to pretend.

  Dolly Jane proudly smiled. “Hey. I’ve got something, I think.”

  “Really?” I said hopefully. “What is it?”

  My younger cousin placed a tarnished pocket watch in front of me. “That looks old.”

  I picked it up and turned it over in my hands. I didn’t see anything that would indicate Jessica had handled this antique. “I don’t understand, Dolly Jane. How could this help us?”

  “Open it,” she said as she sat on the couch. I tinkered with the clasp until it opened. Inside was a tiny painting. Even though it was small, the colors were as bright as if this treasure had been painted yesterday.

  I gasped at seeing Jessica’s face smiling back at me. “How can this be?”

  “She made it back, Avery. Check out the engraving. I’m telling you that Jessica made it back. She’s not lost, she’s just in another time. She’s alive, but back then. She made it to Dominick.”

  “What?” Turning on the lamp, I read the faint engraving. To Dominick with All My Love. “There has to be another explanation.”

  “There isn’t. Just look at that painting. How on earth did they manage to get such an exact image in such a small painting? I wonder how old this watch is? It must be at least a hundred years old.”

  My investigative reporter’s brain kicked in. I knew a little something about antique jewelry, thanks to Vertie. She was a big fan of old pieces, even costume jewelry. This was certainly not costume jewelry. Heavy, some brass, some gold. The latch worked perfectly.

  Oh, Jessie! Why aren’t you coming back? You have to know that staying isn’t right.

  Coming back from my thoughts, I was aware of Dolly Jane watching me intently. “Let me know when you order pizza. I’m going to go call Summer again. Are you going to be all right? Should I find Reed?” I sniffed back a tear, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the portrait. What could this mean? Was Dolly Jane right, and Jessica was alive in another time?

  “Five o’clock is dinner. Will you tell the others?”

  “Sure, Aunt Avery.” She’d never called me that before, and despite the tears in my eyes, I couldn’t help but smile at her.

  “I’ll call Summer. I haven’t forgotten my promise.”

  “Thank you.”

  As she headed back out, I called after her, “Dolly Jane? How did you know where to find this? It must have been lost in that attic for at least a century.”

  She smiled cryptically and said, “I just asked. See you for dinner.” She eased the door closed and left me staring after her.

  Chapter Ten

  Avery Dufresne

  Robin made our pizza dinner special by tossing a red and white checkered tablecloth on the informal dining room table and even took the time to add extras like red napkins and candles. The Italian music and white china were a nice touch too. Everyone loved our tasty picnic, especially the younger two people in our group, and it felt good to have my family around, laughing, joking and acting like a normal family and not a family of weirdos about to embark on a paranormal experiment. Even Danforth smiled a few times at Arnold Lee’s anti
cs. Lucas laughed, which was almost as rare as a Summer Dufresne smile. How long had it been since he’d been happy?

  Between bites, I announced, “I talked to Summer earlier. I don’t think she’s coming home anytime soon. Apparently, she’s really made a connection with Eric Richards.” I avoided meeting Dolly Jane’s sad eyes. I forced myself to sound peppy and upbeat about it.

  Danforth snorted as he dabbed pizza sauce from his chin. “She’s a Matrone. She has to come home sooner or later.” It was like because he said so, it had to be true.

  “Be that as it may, I don’t think she’s in a hurry to race back here. And being Matrone does not come with the restrictions it had before,” I added. “There are two Matrones now, Danforth.” I didn’t get into specifics, not in front of Arnold Lee and Dolly Jane. They didn’t need to know about the Lovely Man and the pact that previous Matrones had with him. It hadn’t been the Matrones’ fault, and I didn’t even blame Susanna. She was a victim of chance and a spell, and nothing else. There used to be a time that the ring would draw the wearer back to Sugar Hill, a time when Ambrose claimed the Matrone for himself, but that was no more.

  So why did I feel a sense of loss?

  If Summer had found joy elsewhere, I wished her nothing but happiness, but I missed her too. Jamie’s death had devastated her. I realized later that she had fallen in love with the troubled police detective, which wasn’t easy for my independent cousin. Summer was the kind of woman that when she set her mind on something or someone, she was going to have it, or him. I hoped that her affection for Eric wasn’t merely an expression of her desire to finish what she started with Jamie. Dolly Jane didn’t look happy—that is, until her phone rang. “It’s Summer!” she announced as she held up the phone and left the room so she could talk privately. I smiled, thankful that my cousin had kept her promise to me.