The conversation caused Lacy to think about Dylan and the passion she felt when he kissed her. For the first time in her life she felt lust for someone. Fact was she had nothing in common with Dylan. He was worldly and unpredictable while she had to analyze every decision she made. She was a realist. Nothing would come of the attraction she felt for him.
Lacy sat up and propped her chin on her knees. “You’re beginning to sound like me. Stop analyzing the relationship and take a chance.”
“That’s just it. I fear I’ll fall in love with Tommy and he’ll break my heart.”
After Michelle’s relationship ended with her high school boyfriend, Hugh, she was devastated. He didn’t want a long-distance relationship. Michelle wanted an education, but her boyfriend didn’t see the need when he expected her to marry him and help run his family’s ranch. The breakup was very ugly. She didn’t eat, her grades dropped. It had been a difficult time for her. Lacy had been her shoulder to cry on during the tragedy. Lacy felt she was over Hugh and ready to love again.
“Maybe it is time for me to get back on the horse.”
Lacy leaned over and clasped her hands. “It is time to move on and forget Hugh. It just didn’t work out. He is selfish and doesn’t see things the way you do. Anyway, I can’t imagine you feeding cows the rest of your life. You would be bored out of your mind. Forget him. Besides, Tommy is better suited for you.”
“Enough talk about Tommy. Let’s get some sleep. We both have to get up early in the morning for class.” She squeezed Lacy’s hand. “Thank you for being my friend. You’re the best.” She switched off the light and padded back to bed.
Lacy lay listening to the clock tick on the nightstand. She was blowing things out of proportion with Dylan. A kiss didn’t mean anything to him. He had probably kissed hundreds of women. Her first kiss and she feared she was falling in love. Problem was Dylan wasn’t her type. She was much too timid for someone with his background.
****
Josh had finally located Billy Graves. He was residing in an assisted living home in Charlotte. Lacy leaned back in the seat and dozed as Michelle drove her silver Jeep Grand Cherokee. It had been her twentieth birthday gift from Grant and Nina.
Every time she woke, she peered at the ruby and diamond ring on her finger. The same ring Hilda, her ghost had once owned. The same ring Billy Graves sold to a consignment store in Raleigh. She planned to ask him how he came to have the ring that belonged to a young girl that lived over one hundred years earlier.
Beth had been drawn to the ring when she went to the consignment store to buy her a birthday gift. Said she couldn’t explain why, but she walked directly to the glass case and it seemed to scream, Buy me.
Lacy’s heart was pounding by the time Michelle pulled into the parking lot of Shady Acres Assisted Living Home. She opened the door and stretched her back. The two hour drive from Twelve Oaks had her body feeling tight. She had not related the real reason for her desire to see Mr. Graves to Michelle. Enough people knew she was haunted by a ghost. She didn’t care for her best friend to know why she was seeking out Mr. Graves. She related to Michelle that he was a family friend.
Michelle placed her hands on the front of the car hood and stretched her legs as her eyes scanned the landscape and building. “Nice place.”
“It is isn’t it?” Lacy admired the beautiful pink, red, and white azalea bushes in the center garden of the circle drive. Pansies with bright purple and yellow faces lined the drive. A large red brick building with several wings sprawled over the land. It looked warm and inviting.
Side by side they followed the sidewalk to the front entrance. Michelle opened the squeaky metal door and waited for Lacy to step through. Lacy felt guilty because Michelle gave up her Saturday to go with her to the Assisted Living Facility. She told her she didn’t need a chaperone, but she insisted. She still felt responsible for what happened to her at the party. Time after time she explained to Michelle she didn’t hold her responsible, but she couldn’t convince her everything was okay.
“I didn’t call to let them know we were coming. I hope they’ll let me see Mr. Graves. They may have rules that only family members can visit.”
“I imagine they appreciate any visitors their residents get.”
A huge round desk stood in the center of the foyer. A nurse dressed in white sat in a chair behind the desk. “How can I help you?”
“We’d like to see Billy Graves.”
“Are you family?” The nurse peered at them over her tortoise shell glasses.
“No, he is a family friend.”
She handed them a clipboard and a pen. “Please sign in.” Lacy placed the clipboard on the desk after she signed. “He is outside in the courtyard.” She stood and pointed at the ceiling. “Follow the blue line.”
With a nod, Lacy replied, “Thank you.” She would have to do a lot of praying for forgiveness. Lately she had told several lies.
Lacy and Michelle followed the corridor. Some of the doors were open and Lacy felt knots in her stomach. Some of the patients were so old they could do no more than lay in bed. It had to be a miserable life. It was obvious the wing was for the patients who needed round the clock care.
The smell of urine had her pressing her fingers to her nose. One elderly lady sat in a wheelchair against the wall with her head almost touching her lap as she dozed. The position looked very uncomfortable.
Michelle whispered, “Looks like one of the nurses would put her to bed. The poor lady’s going to have a cramp in her neck.”
Lacy quickened her steps because it was just too painful to see the residents knowing many of them were at death’s door. She hoped she never had to live in a rest home. It was extremely depressing.
The moment Lacy stepped outside in the sunshine, she took a deep cleansing breath of fresh air.
Michelle whispered, “I don’t think I can handle going back inside. I don’t think I could ever put my parents in a rest home. The stench is worse than my grandma’s outhouse.”
“When we leave, we’ll walk around the building. I don’t care to see those poor souls again either.”
A nurse wearing a pristine white uniform placed a quilt on the lap of a female patient. She was so tiny she was nothing but a bag of bones. Michelle stood back while Lacy approached the nurse and asked, “Excuse me, where is Billy Graves?”
She pointed at the gray haired man sitting in the sun in front of a beautiful flowing birdbath. Birds chirped and bathed in the gurgling water. Even though it was a peaceful scene, he looked melancholy.
Michelle replied, “I’m going to take a walk.” She crossed her arms and strolled toward a crop of trees in the distance.
Lacy stepped into his line of vision and smiled. A weathered old man with dull green eyes peered at her. Huge earlobes hung from his ears. She had heard somewhere that a man’s earlobes never stopped growing. Age spots covered his face and hands and were visible through his thinning hair. She couldn’t tell about the rest of his body because it was covered with clothes. He stood to his full height of approximately six foot. His shoulders slumped so at one time in his life he was a very tall man.
“Hello, my name is Lacy Reynolds.”
Color drained from his already pale face. He stuttered, “Wh-at do y-ou want?” There was nothing friendly in his demeanor. His voice was cold and hard. Was he upset because of her last name or was it because the owner of the consignment store contacted him to warn him she had been asking questions about the ring and ivory cameo? Something had his eyes widening in alarm.
So much for pleasantries. “Some information.” She touched her fingers to the ivory cameo pinned to the lapel of her button up shirt. The same cameo she found at the consignment store where Beth had bought the ruby and diamond ring. The storeowner said Mr. Graves had also sold her the cameo. His eyes narrowed when they stopped on the cameo.
“Could you please tell me how you came into possession of the ring and cameo?” She held out her finger for him to see the ring she wore
on her right hand.
“I didn’t steal them.” The muscle in his jaw locked.
Lacy smiled trying to gain his trust. She wouldn’t get any information from him if he didn’t trust her. She sat on the bench and patted the place beside her. Seconds passed before he sat back down.
“I’m not accusing you of stealing. The young girl that once owned the jewelry was my ancestor. Her name was Hilda Reynolds and she died over one hundred years ago.”
By his expression she surmised he knew of Hilda. “How the hell am I supposed to know something about a girl that lived that long ago?”
Lacy bit her bottom lip to stay calm. “As I’ve already explained the ring and cameo once belonged to her.”
“How do you know that?”
Lacy lied. “I have pictures of her wearing the jewelry.”
“That doesn’t prove anything.” His angular cheeks puffed out in anger. “If you’re here to accuse me of doing something illegal, you can leave.” He waved his hand toward the back entrance.
“As I said already, I’m not accusing you of any wrong doing. In fact I don’t care if you did steal the jewelry. I’m very curious about my family history.” She placed her hand over his. Deep veins cut through his skin and she almost jerked her hand back. Instead she squeezed. “All I want to know is where you got Hilda’s things.” Silence followed as he thought about her request. She felt him relenting so she added, “If you know anything about her, I need to know.”
She couldn’t miss the sudden change in his demeanor. “Why do you want to know? What is so important about a young woman that lived so long ago?”
“It sounds crazy but I feel a connection to her. I want to know how she died.”
His shoulders stiffened. So he did know something about Hilda. His expression turned sad. His breath was slow and ragged. She’d never forgive herself if he died of a heart attack because she brought up bad memories. Her questions were upsetting him. His face was dead white. She released his clammy hand. For several minutes she sat there not talking waiting for him to calm down. When his breathing slowed, she asked, “Please, if you know anything I would appreciate you telling me. I mean you no harm.”
“I’m sure a looker like you thinks all you have to do is smile and get what you want. Just because I’m a lonely old man doesn’t mean you can fool me. You overestimate your powers of persuasion. I’ve seen your type. I’m not confessing to anything.”
A little baffled by his reaction, she stood. “I swear I’m not trying to get you to confess to stealing the jewelry. All I want to know is where you got the ring and cameo. I’m not an informant or anything of that nature. I mean you no ill will.”
He began gasping for breath. “The woman at the consignment store called and accused me of stealing the jewelry. She said the FBI was asking questions.” His face reddened as he tried to catch his breath.
“My brother-in-law works for the FBI. He was with me when I went to the consignment store. It was just a coincidence he was with me. I promise you no one suspects you of wrong doing.” She placed her hand on his arm and replied, “I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to upset you. Please forgive me.” She rummaged through her purse for a pen and something to write on. “Think about our conversation. If you can shed some light on what happened to Hilda, please call me.” She jotted her cell number onto the piece of paper and held it out to him. Mr. Graves refused to take the paper. Lacy placed the paper beside him on the brick wall, turned and walked away. Maybe he would contact her. That was the best she could hope for.
“Are you ready to go?”
Michelle hurried to match her stride as they followed the sidewalk that led to the parking lot. “What’s got your panties in a wad?” When Lacy ignored her question, she asked, “I take it your conversation with Mr. Graves didn’t go well.”
“No.”
“Stop pussy footing around and tell me the real reason you wanted to speak with Mr. Graves. You’ve got a secret and I’m dying to know what it is.”
Lacy plopped down on a bench placed in the center of the circle garden. Michelle took the place next to her. “You’ll think I’m crazy.”
“Try me. You know all my secrets. Tell me yours.”
“I am being haunted by a ghost. Her name was Hilda Reynolds.” Lacy scrubbed her hands over her tired eyes. “Something tragic happened to her and I’m trying to find out what. She whispers for me to help her. This ring and cameo once belonged to her and Mr. Graves is the person who sold them to the consignment store.” She let out a long exhausted sigh. “I was hoping he knew something about Hilda.”
Lacy waited for Michelle to burst out laughing. When she didn’t, she looked at her to see if she could gauge her reaction. “Well, don’t you have something to say? You of all people should have a smart remark.”
“You’re not the only person who has seen a ghost. People see them all the time.”
A smile split Lacy’s face. “You believe me.”
“Yes. My Great-Grandma Mazy saw her dead husband all the time. I’d walk in the house and she’d be having a conversation with him as if he was sitting on the sofa with her.”
The questions began. Michelle asked them so quickly Lacy had a hard time keeping up. For half an hour they sat on the bench in the garden discussing Hilda. It was like therapy to divulge her secret to someone besides family. A huge weight was lifted off her shoulders as Michelle accepted every sentence as the truth.
Chapter Six
For the second time Lacy checked her watch. Tommy told Michelle he would pick them up at seven thirty in front of their dorm.
“It’s eight o’clock. Sorry Tommy’s late. He never gets anywhere on time. I could spit fire about now.”
“It’s okay, Michelle.” Lacy really didn’t want to go to the Sports Bar, but Michelle and Malory had insisted she go out and socialize. She knew they meant well, but in reality they were making things worse. After what happened with Bret, she didn’t care to be around people. After a week, most of the taunts had ceased, but on occasion one of Bret’s friends would verbally attack her. She preferred staying in her dorm room catching up on some reading instead of chancing an uncomfortable situation.
But even that sense of safety and peace ended when she received a bouquet of pale white roses that morning. Someone like her didn’t receive roses from men. The moment they were delivered she knew they were from Bret. The world spun for seconds as she placed them on the counter and could do no more than stare at them. Panic skidded along her spine as she wondered what kind of game he was playing. There was no card attached, but still she knew they were from him.
Immediately, she called several flower shops near campus, but no one had filled an order for a dozen white roses. Before Michelle could see the flowers, she rushed outside to the dumpster behind their building and threw them away. She could still hear the sound of the beautiful cut glass vase breaking into a thousand pieces when she slammed the vase against the side. Looking over her shoulder, she wondered if he was watching her. Was he hiding somewhere watching her reaction? What did he gain by sending her roses?
A hand on her arm had her gasping in fright. “Is something wrong? You have been on edge all day.”
Lacy peered into Michelle’s concerned face. “No, I’m fine.”
Thankfully, Malory interrupted before Michelle could press the matter. “I can’t wait to see the game. I love soccer.” As usual she had a huge purse swinging from her arm. Today it was black to match her outfit. Her short black skirt barely covered her ass. A white see through blouse showed an ample amount of her creamy breasts. She oozed sex appeal.
Malory feigned an interest in all sports just so she could gain the attention of men. In reality she could care less if the American Soccer Team won the championships.
Michelle gritted her teeth in frustration. “We are going to miss the beginning of the game. We’ll be lucky if we can even find a table. I don’t want to stand up the whole time.”
Michelle loved ever
ything about Tommy but his problem with schedules. At least that seemed to be his worst flaw. He had been late for several dates and that infuriated Michelle. “Finally!”
Tommy pulled to the curb in his black Edge and the passenger side door swung open. Dylan jumped out and opened the back door. His gaze fixed on Lacy causing her heart rate to quicken. “Hello, ladies. Don’t you look lovely tonight.”
No one said anything about him joining them at the Sports Bar. A fact Michelle conveniently neglected to tell her. Maybe Tommy invited him. She was having enough trouble with nerves after the incident with the roses. Now she would really be jumpy. She took a deep breath to calm down. She hated he had that affect on her.
“Hello, Dylan.” Michelle shifted her eyes toward Tommy and her face flushed furiously. “Do you know how rude it is to keep ladies waiting?” Instead of climbing into the front seat so she could sit beside Tommy, she slid into the backseat.
Tommy placed his arm on the back of the seat, turned, and looked at Michelle. “Hey, baby, don’t you want to sit up here with me?”
Chin in the air, she snapped, “No, I’d rather lick a cow patty.”
His hoot of laughter filled the car. “Come on, Michelle. Your legs are so much prettier that Dylan’s.” His eyes moved to her legs since she was wearing a skirt. He had no idea how much time Michelle had spent on her appearance. Lacy could have bathed an elephant in the time she had spent getting ready for her date. She had been so excited about seeing Tommy she could hardly contain herself.
“Shut up, Tommy. Don’t deny me my anger.” Michelle’s temper was going to be a problem for their relationship. She didn’t allow anyone to run over her. Not even people she loved.
Lacy climbed into the back seat and slid all the way against Michelle to make room for Malory. Her breath caught when Malory placed her hand on Dylan’s arm and purred, “It’s so crowded in the backseat. Can I sit up front with you?” Always ready to flirt, she gave him a sultry look.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Sure.” He closed the door and dropped into the front seat. Malory sat in his lap. Lacy slid against the window. There was plenty of room in the backseat. There was nothing shy about Malory. She always got what she wanted. It was very clear she wanted Dylan. Lacy didn’t understand why that bothered her, but it did.
Secrets of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Book 3) Page 7
