by Sharon Hays
Hours later, Joan woke with a new perspective on life. She dialed Steve. “Hi Joan, I’ve been waiting for your call,” Steve said. “I hope you’re not changing our date.”
“No! I am just calling to let you in on the good news. We finally cleared the house of all the supernatural activity. If everything turns out like it appears, Maryanne may be the next owner of the Valencia Manor. It’s the best news we’ve had for weeks.”
“Yes, it is. I am glad you finally broke loose from your busy schedule at the Valencia. This means we can spend some time together.”
“Yes, that’s the main reason I called. How would you like to have breakfast at my place? I know its quick notice, but I am a whiz in the kitchen, and I can have it ready by the time you arrive.”
“Give me twenty-five minutes, and I’ll be knocking at your door.”
He arrived at her doorstep within twenty minutes, a record for Steve. He was either famished or in love. Frankly, Joan thought the latter and she felt quite the same about Steve.
“Hello, my sweet lady.” He gave her a huge hug, lifted her off the ground and sat her down. “You’re light as a feather. You’d better start eating more now that you’ll have some extra time.” He grinned widely. “I am joking! You look wonderful. Don’t change a thing. Something smells good! What’s for breakfast?”
“Pancakes, bacon and eggs. It’s ready, and I’ll bring you a plate in a sec.” She returned shortly and placed the mouth-watering breakfast in front of him.
“You know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, don’t you?” He looked up at her with that irresistible grin.
“I’ve heard that. Let me know if it works.” She sat down, laughing.
After breakfast and coffee, they relaxed in the living room, chatting and catching up. She filled him in on the adventures at the Valencia on the previous evening. When breakfast was finished, he gave her the most amazing kiss she had ever experienced. They didn’t stop there.
He carried her into the bedroom, and the rest was an erotic adventure that took up the rest of the morning.
“This has been the most amazing sex I have ever had, Steve.” They lay next to each other, bodies glistening in sweat. Sunlight from the window fell across them as they held each other, satisfied and exhausted from their passionate encounter. I think I’m falling in love with you, Steve. I really didn’t expect this to happen, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you from the minute we met. Be careful, I may never let you go.” He pulled her close to him and cradled her in his arms.
“Actually, I have wanted to tell you that for some time, but I am a little shy, as you’ve probably noticed and just couldn’t get the words to come out right. I think we can make a go of it together, Joan. It’s what I want and I hope you know how I feel about you. If you don’t by now, you should.”
“Yes, I think I do. I have strong feelings for you, too. And then Steve gave her a kiss on the cheek and she got up. “However, today is half gone and I do have some work to finish today, so we’ll continue this later.” She looked at him with a promising smile. “Call me when you get off work and we’ll discuss things further.”
He got up, dressed, went to the kitchen and took out the orange juice, drank a quick glass and returned to the bedroom with a glass for Joan.
“You are a darling, thanks for being you.”
“I’ll be thinking of you all day. Call you soon. Love you.” He kissed her, put on his ball cap, and was out the door.
Joan’s face flushed, smiling as he left. Did he just say the L word? Oh, my God! I think he’s in love with me! Her thoughts were spinning. She felt relieved and scared at the same time. It had been years since she had feelings like this for another man. She was feeling positive and hopeful it would not turn out like the last two. Bad luck with prior relationships had given her caution and wisdom, so her attitude had changed substantially from when she’d had careless flings that seemed to go nowhere. Those days were gone, and her new attitude about life seemed to be creating a future she could depend on.
Joan had a busy day planned, as usual. Maryanne would be on the top of the list. She was eager to hear the entire story of her abduction and escape, but she would wait until Maryanne felt like talking about it. Maryanne would need some time to get over the trauma she had suffered for the past two weeks.
Joan’s first appointment was on time, and she was looking forward to learning a little more about the family from Italy to complete the history of the Valencia Manor. He was due any minute, so she made a quick call to confirm a later appointment. Then he walked into her office. He was definitely of Italian decent. You couldn’t miss his beautiful complexion and brown eyes for anything but Italian, she was thinking. She was quite taken with his looks.
“Hello, I’m Lawrence Bonicelli.”
“I’m very glad to meet you, Mr. Bonicelli. Joan Bishop.”
“Please… call me Larry. I feel comfortable on first name basis, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, then Larry it is. Please feel free to do the same. Can I pour you a cup of coffee or a cocktail?”
“Coffee is fine, Joan.”
“So what are you looking for in a property?”
“I would prefer townhouse or villa. Something in two-hundred-sixty-thousand-dollar price.
Joan was running through some of the listings she had collected. “I have a large number of townhouses at great prices right now. I’ll print a few up, and we can talk about locations, and then check a few out if you want.”
“Very well, we can get started.” He seemed eager to begin his search.
Joan was very up to date on her listings and had several already in mind. She printed a list for him to check out. “Here are a few we can discuss, and if you are interested in any of them, we can take a look.”
She compiled the list he chose, after careful research, and they went to view the first townhouse on Linden Avenue. On the way, she couldn’t wait any longer to ask the questions she had been dying to know about the Valencia’s construction and the family who owned it.
“I remember you said when you called, that you were a relative of the Bonicelli family, who constructed the Valencia Manor. I have done a great deal of research on the old Manor and wanted to pick your brain on the subject, if I may.”
“I know a lot about family in Italy, since that’s where I lived until last year. Then I was back and forth from Italy to United States. I had thought to come to Florida at first. I didn’t like the idea of no mountains, and I like Colorado. It is fine for me. I knew most of Bonicelli family except for older ones who die when I was very young. A long story with Gerald and Ida Bonicelli, the owners,” he said. “Gerald’s father was very rich man in Sicily. He was furniture maker, very good with woodcraft and leather. He had reputation of being perfect in his trade and respected. He had two sons: Gerald, owner of Valencia, and Augustine, my Grandfather. Augustine had one son, my father Bruno, and I was only child. My father die when he was fifty-six and left my Mother and me alone. She was forty-two, and I was ten. My Mother die at fifty-three. She was nine years younger than my father. I was educated in Italy. I think he was twenty-five when they married in Italy. She was sixteen.
“Gerald inherit all of wealth and property when his father die. You see, Augustine die in accident on farm. My Grandfather and Father not rich, but they left good memory for me. Gerald and Ida inherit the Manor, since my father die. They always dream of coming to United States and they come in eighteen eighty-nine. That is when they build Valencia Manor. Gerald was ambitious, like father. He was successful and hard worker. The money didn’t change him. His father taught him to work hard for everything he get. That’s how I am connect to Bonicelli family, and now I am here. I hope you understand. Sometimes, I no speak too clear, but manage most of time to do fine.”
“Joan answered, “You speak perfectly. I have no problem whatsoever in understanding you. You speak excellent English.”
“I came to United States sever
al times before, but live in Italy until a few months ago, when I decide to find place to live in United States. When I come to Boulder, I fall in love with it. The mountains are so beautiful here, and I love seasons. This is perfect place for me. I can start new career. I have law degree and will soon be accepted to Colorado Bar Association; First, I work in practice with group of attorneys.
My special work is Real Estate and Property Law. Then I study probate, trusts and estates. I can help Italians and Hispanic with their problems here, too when they cannot understand. I interpret for them. I think it will be good business. I have interview with large firm in Boulder and they want me to start work, soon. When I get experience, I start my own business. Now I want to find nice place to call home and start family. My fiancé is in Italy and will join me when I find nice place to live and settle here in Boulder. I fly back to Italy, and we have small wedding, then move here and start family.” He smiled at her.
“You are very ambitious. You take after the Bonicelli family for sure. That’s very interesting, Larry. I hope to learn more about the family in the future and hope to get to know you better too. I am looking forward to meeting your fiancé’ as well. Hopefully, we’ll find you a villa or townhouse here in Boulder that you will love, so you can make Boulder your permanent address. I will take you to see the Valencia Manor one day soon, so you can get a firsthand view of the inside. It is quite spectacular, even though it needs renovating. We have some photos of the Bonicelli family from when they first moved here. Hopefully, I can show them to you soon. I know you will enjoy them. I will have some printed up for you.”
Joan took Lawrence to four properties in different parts of town. He had originally wanted to be on the outskirts in a better and more secluded part of town, but he decided against that when he realized the prices were not affordable. He was especially interested in one on Pearl Street. After they had spent three hours looking, they decided to quit for the day. She would find four more for him to look at later in the week. Joan enjoyed meeting Lawrence and looked forward to their next meeting. She planned to show him the photos on his next visit.
The day had come to a close. Joan finished up in her office and called Steve. They were planning a weekend get-a-way in a few weeks. After a romantic conversation and setting the date for their vacation, Joan looked forward to a quiet evening at home. She prepared for bed, showering, brushing her hair, and other womanly rituals, and then she took one last look into the mirror.
She was startled to see the reflection of a young child where her face should be. Moving away from the mirror, she watched as the face smiled at her with an enchanting and calming beauty, which seemed to take away any fear, and then quickly disappeared. Joan took a small towel and wiped the mirror to look closer. There was nothing there but her own face, shiny and refreshed when she looked again, at her reflection. The apparition didn’t bother her, and she was not as terrified as in the past. It was as if she knew the ghost was friendly and harmless, trying to communicate that to her. She climbed into bed, covering herself with a soft comforter and drifted away.
Morning came too soon, she thought. Joan had slept so well, and hardly moved in her bed. She wrapped a robe around her and walked out onto the back yard patio, where her wind-chimes were making quiet music in the soft breeze. She loved the sound and often sat there in the evenings before bed-time, while reflecting on the day’s work. The lawn-chair was comfortable, while watching clouds sneak in over the tops of mountains where the sun had come over the horizon. It felt good to feel love and have someone in her life again. Joan had never married, but had two relationships that turned out badly. She protected herself by not getting involved with anyone seriously, for several years. She had lived with a man from New York for a few months and it was not good. He started drinking heavily and that was all she needed to end it. Although, he did love her, she got out of the relationship before things got too heavy. The other affair was not worth thinking about, and she seldom did.
Time to get going, she whispered and went back into the house to shower and prepare for work. Posing into some body stretches and a quick fifteen minutes on her elliptical would energize her for the day. It was time to get back into an exercise regime and eat well. She wanted to feel and look as good as she could. Funny what love will do for a person, she thought.
43
The first thing on her agenda was Maryanne, and so she poured her usual cup of coffee while at the kitchen bar and was about to dial, when her phone rang.
“Hello, Maryanne. I have had you on my mind since last night. Was going to call, but realized it was too late, and I waited until now. I knew you needed some rest, but I can see you beat me to it.”
“I guess some of that supernatural stuff is rubbing off on us. Actually, I’m feeling quite well and energized this morning. After being in captivity, I really have had a lot of time to think. It makes me appreciate what I have a whole lot more. The hospital stay helped me to recuperate, and recover quickly. When I look back on it, it all seems like a bad dream. I wish it had been a dream, but nonetheless I will never forget the experience. In many ways it has made me think a lot about my future. I am planning to write a book about it, sometime soon. Maryanne sounded well and seemed to be recuperating quickly.
“We must get together, maybe for dinner and chat. Things have been going well for me. Busy as ever. I’m getting listings and selling property. I am so glad you’re feeling better. Is there anything I can do for you? Pick up something: food, groceries?”
“Thank you, Joan,” Maryanne said gratefully. “I do appreciate your offer, but I am quite well-stocked, and I am just about to go for a long walk. I really need some exercise. Glad to hear you’re doing well. Nice talking to you. Call me on Friday morning, and we can make plans for early next week.”
Joan didn’t tell her about the recent interlude at the Valencia, or that she wanted to visit with the psychic again. She planned on telling her Friday when she called. Joan had one more call to make a plan for the final visit. This time it was for a live person and not a ghost.
“Marshall, Joan here.”
“Hello dear. Nice of you to call. What’s on your mind?”
“Would you like to go into the Valencia tonight? No one will be there, and Vivian said she may be able to help locate the person who abducted Maryanne and Mario. Do you think Vivian would be up to it? I know we have to do it soon, as Vivian said she would be busy for quite awhile after this weekend.”
“Sure! I’ll call her right away and get back to you. Be in touch.” Marshall hung up to make the arrangements with Vivian Gilbreth and set up the time with Joan.
44
Night fell upon the quiet neighborhood as Joan was leaving for the final visit. The sky was dark and sullen, the moon hidden behind clouds and no stars visible.
She parked in her usual spot next to the Manor and kept time to “Ridin’ the Storm Out” as it reverberated from her speakers. A sudden knock on her window startled her, and then she turned the music down. Her heart skipped a beat when Marshall’s face appeared outside her window.
“Didn’t mean to scare you. I could see you were really into it. I could hear music before I even reached the car. You must have had it blasting in here. I’m ready to ride this storm out, for sure,” He chuckled.
“I know, sorry, it’s one of my favorite rock songs as you can tell. It takes me back some years.”
“Let’s get the show on the road and find the mystery guest, once and for all. Vivian’s here, looking forward to her mission.”
Vivian stood behind Marshall, holding her bag of tricks, as Joan referred to them (in a positive way).
The trio went to the entry and the door unlocked easily. Marshall entered first, then Vivian and Joan. They were a bit less afraid and much more confident this time. Vivian felt an immediate presence in the room as she entered. It was a warm, kind feeling. There was no animosity in the house.
“Everyone be very quiet while I try to make contact with this
entity.” Vivian sat in the chair that had not been moved since their last visit. She lit the candle and held it in front of her.
“Marshall, would you please bring me that small stand by the wall.” He moved the wooden table in front of Vivian, and she placed the candle on it. She took two more candles from her bag and placed them on each side of the larger one. The room became very cold, and a sweet smell permeated the air. Vivian explained that spirits sometimes appear after a sweet aroma becomes apparent.
“It is Ida Bonicelli, and she wants to know how to find her daughter. She has been ridden with guilt and wants to see her, hopefully to be forgiven for her error. She accidentally pushed her when she had become very depressed and angry, causing her to fall to her death. This is primarily what Francine Angelica had told us when she materialized here.”
The candle flickered and went out. A cold draft fell upon the room. A cloudy, white, ethereal mist began to gather and swirl around. Slowly, it materialized, and her mother stood in the foggy cloud. She looked stunning, wearing a long, blue chiffon dress like her daughter had seen her wear when they were a family years ago.
“Where is my daughter, Francine? I want to see her and apologize to her.”
“Your daughter has crossed over to the other side and already forgives you. We spoke to her recently and she conveyed great love for you,” Vivian replied. There at the end of the room, a white light appeared, that Vivian could see and Ida looked into it and saw her daughter Francine, waving and calling to her. She turned and began walking toward the light. Her mother’s eyes welled with tears, and a glow came over her, unlike when she first appeared. She transformed into a pure, beautiful spirit and approached Francine Angelica. They held each other, and then disappeared into the light they had both wanted and deserved for so many years.
