“I love you,” he mumbled.
“I know,” she answered before hanging up.
Relieved that Ray hadn’t been more combative, she headed downstairs, trailing her hand with reverence across the railing, admiring the intricate woodwork. Whoever built this house did so with great attention to detail. They created a comfortable home for a family to grow and prosper, constructed to withstand the ravages of time. She hated to see the house in this neglected state and hoped to remedy that soon.
From somewhere in the stillness, a soft breeze brushed across her neck, followed by a faint whisper in her ear. “Lacey...”
A trickle of fear ran down her spine as she gave a furtive glance over her shoulder and around the room. She was alone, wasn’t she? Were there vagrants in the area? Afraid, she called out, “Hello? Is anyone here?”
No reply. Irrational terror seized control. She ran at breakneck speed down the stairs, pressing through the door and across the veranda until reaching the safety of the open air. Adrenaline pumping through her veins, she stood beside the car and gulped in short, shaky breaths. The constant bang of the shutters overshadowed an eerie, malevolent snicker coming from the house.
She pushed the terror away. “I’m afraid of a house? That’s pure nonsense,” she said with a forced chuckle. “Pull yourself together. It’s only the wind howling.”
With a shrug, she climbed back into the driver’s seat. The car bounced over the gravel driveway as she backtracked to the main highway, determined to reach Madison before nightfall.
As the house was almost out of sight, she peered into the rearview mirror for one last look. “Don’t be silly. There’s nothing evil in that house. I’m tired and cold, that’s all.”
Despite the warmth emanating from the heater, she shivered.
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Acknowledgments
To say that writing a book is a labor of love is not always accurate. It sometimes involves frustration and occasional disdain, especially when what you envision refuses to be conveyed into words.
I have to thank my family for keeping me sane throughout the writing process. They have not only been my guinea pigs, reading my rough drafts, but have provided much-needed feedback. Let me restate that—much-needed harassment to finish the book so they will know how it ends. When I threatened to quit, they encouraged me to keep going.
I also want to thank my readers for your continued support. I hope you enjoy this new story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
About the Author
D. L. Merritt was born and raised in Southern California and currently resides in south Florida. At a young age, she experienced paranormal events that she couldn’t explain. These events followed her wherever she lived, from South Africa to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. With a love of history and old houses, she decided to bring her experiences to life in her stories, blending history, romance, mystery, and a touch of the paranormal. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her rowdy family. She loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her at:
Thedlmerritt.com/
D.L. Merritt on Facebook
Still, Forever, Promise Page 31
