The Good, The Bad and The Ghostly ((Paranromal Western Romance))

by Keta Diablo

  "The Rincon Mountains. We’ve got five mountain ranges around Tucson. There’s the Santa Catalina, the Santa Rita, the...."

  The look on her face stopped him. She had raised her face to the sky. "The sky. I’ve never seen colors like that before."

  "Yeah, we get sundowns nothing can beat. Well, maybe the sunrises can beat them."

  He blushed, thinking what that implied. They’d wake up together tomorrow. He looked up at the sky to hide his embarrassment.

  A flock of swallows moved across the rose-colored sky. When the birds neared the house, they parted into two streams over the gray tin roof. They joined back into one fluid stream again once they were past it, leaving a gaping hole in the sky above his home.

  Abbott pushed his hat back. "That’s odd."

  Erline knitted her brows. "Maybe the reflection off the roof confused the birds."

  The windmill in the yard creaked as it turned, moved by the light breeze. Then as if the hand of God reached out of the sky and took hold of it, the windmill stopped spinning with an unnatural abruptness.

  Before he could think on that, the door flew open and a woman stepped onto the porch. "Amy, the housekeeper," he said.

  A yellow dog of indeterminate breed flew out past the housekeeper’s skirts and came running at them.

  "Corky. I hope you like affectionate dogs," said Abbott. Abbott hopped out of the wagon and knelt down to receive the dog. The dog moved at a fast pace. He didn’t slow down as he neared him, and Abbott prepared to be knocked on his behind. But when the dog got to him, he raced right past him.

  Abbott stood up and took his hat off, turning to watch the dog disappear into the desert. "Why, I’ll be. What’s gotten into that mutt?" He stuck his fingers in his mouth and let out a loud whistle.

  "He’s been acting real strange all day," said Amy, crossing the dirt yard to the wagon. "He’ll come back when he’s hungry. Hi, I’m Amy Buck."

  Erline touched the older woman’s hand with a brief graze of her fingers. "Erline Pr...Erline Foster, that is! That’s going to take some getting used to."

  "I hope it don’t take too long," said Abbott, in a cheery tone. "Let’s get you settled. You must be tired of the inside of that hotel room."

  "It was ever so comfortable. Thank you for putting me up there before the preacher could marry us."

  "That man right wore my patience thin. Having one emergency after another. I thought we’d never tie the knot," Abbot said, dropping the back gate of the wagon.

  He pulled out the medium sized gray leather travel case and the matching hatbox. He marveled again at the good quality. He didn’t think she’d be able to afford a nice set like this given her circumstances. Other than the carpetbag she’d been clutching in her lap the entire ride from town, this luggage was all she had. Poor thing left a penniless orphan. "Follow me," said Amy. "It’ll be a welcome sight to have another woman around again."

  Abbott winced. Putting the thought in his new bride’s pretty head that there’d been a woman in her place before her wasn’t one he’d choose to plant first thing before she even stepped inside the door. The big man followed the ladies into the house and deposited the luggage inside the door.

  Erline spun around slowly, taking it all in. Her satin skirt hissing as she moved. The whitewashed plaster walls, which normally seemed cheerful to Abbott, now made the room feel cold. A shiver ran through his body.

  It was an odd assortment of furnishings, which he and his first wife, Cora, had brought with them from Texas when they moved to the Arizona Territory. There was an ornately carved velvet settee, and next to it, the table Abbott had fashioned out of longhorn cattle horns for the base. Two heavy rocking chairs faced each other in front to the stone fireplace.

  Erline’s eyes lingered on the Henry repeating rifle mounted above the fireplace. "Is that for show?"

  Abbott looked down at the bare wood floor. "I don’t want to scare you on your first day, but I have to be prepared to defend my ranch. We get some predators here. Cougars. Coyotes. Bear. That’s the main thing. But there are cattle rustlers and such."

  Amy clicked her tongue. "Savages, he means."

  "Now, Amy, let’s not alarm poor Erline. The army has the Apache under control, but there are the stray attacks from renegade Indians."

  He looked up from the floor, expecting to see fear in his new wife’s eyes. But the look on her face wasn’t fear. Excitement sparkled in her eyes.

  "Will I be allowed to make some changes?" she asked, looking down at his beloved cowhide rug.

  Abbott swallowed hard. "Of course, this is your home too."

  "Oh, I don’t mean many! This room is lovely—really. But, maybe I’d be permitted to add some of my own touches." She inclined her head and batted her eyelashes in the most charming manner.

  "Your touches would be most welcome."

  For a moment their eyes locked. Her lips curled up in a tight grin.

  Amy broke the silence. "I got dinner ready. That is, if you’re hungry. You might want to rest up first."

  Abbott was surprised to see Amy frowning. When she saw him looking at her, she replaced the frown with a smile.

  "I’m famished. Thank you, Amy, I would like to eat first," said Erline, taking off her bonnet.

  Her golden ringlets caught the light from the oil lights on the wall. She dangled the straw bonnet decorated with cloth flowers by its broad set of ribbons hanging from the brim.

  "Let me take your things, dear. Abbott will show you to the dining room," said, Amy, taking the bonnet and gloves.

  Abbott put his hand on her elbow and steered Erline out of the main room and into the dining room, pleased to show her the long mahogany table, gleaming and set with the good china that had belonging to his Mama. He was grateful Amy thought to put it out tonight. It never would’ve occurred to him to do that. That’s why the place needed a woman in residence again.

  He pulled out a chair for Erline and then took a seat across from her, so he could admire her freely. They both sat in silence for a moment until she grinned at him. He grinned back and soon they were laughing.

  "You know, I didn’t want to say this earlier, but now we’re man and wife...." She looked down at her hands. "I’m pleased to see you look even handsomer than your picture. Oh! I hope I’m not being too forward."

  "You can speak freely to me, Erline. And, can I say, you’re the prettiest little thing I’ve ever seen."

  He fixed his gaze on his bride. On the wall behind her hung one of the few paintings in the house—the Arizona desert with mountains in the background. He studied her, framed in the picture and thought she looked fine as part of the scenery. Suddenly the painting shuddered. As he watched, it seemed to hop off the wall. Erline jumped in her seat.

  Amy came in then carrying a serving dish. Abbott almost laughed. Of course, that heavy-footed woman had shaken the house. She put the dish on the table and bent down to pick up the picture.

  "Not this again. I told you, Abbott, you got to put a longer nail in the wall or one day this painting is going to get damaged."

  Painting back on the wall, the older woman turned to Erline. "What would you like to drink, honey? We’ve got some nice port wine."

  Erline put her fingertips to her lips. "Oh, I never imbibe spirits. Do you have milk?"

  "’Course we do. I’ll get you a glass," said Amy.

  Abbott turned to Amy. "I’ll have some port, please."

  "You know where we keep it," said Amy, departing the room.

  Abbott laughed. "I thought I’d be getting more miles out of this since it’s my wedding day. Don’t laugh, she’ll be bossing you around soon same as me. Just joshing," he added when a cloud drifted over her face.

  He stood up and went to the sideboard where he pulled out a decanter and glass. Before he poured out a drink, he looked over his shoulder at Erline. "You don’t mind if I imbibe spirits, do you?"

  "Of course not. I don’t mind my husband enjoying a drink at the end of the day. I encour
age it. You work hard. This is where you come to rest."

  "Come to rest. I like that."

  Amy returned with a glass and put it next to Erline.

  "Why, thank you, ever so much," said Erline, raising the glass to her lips. She made a face and spit into her napkin. "This milk is sour!"

  Abbott put his hands on his hips and looked at Amy who was sputtering in confusion.

  "It’s fresh as can be. Let me see that."

  They all peered into the glass. The liquid seemed to curdle before their eyes.

  "I...I don’t know how that happened. Would you like another glass?" Amy asked.

  Erline looked up at Amy, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. "I don’t believe I will, thank you."

  Later, with his belly full of ham and cornbread, Abbott sat Erline down in one of the rocking chairs before the fire. She sat as still as a fence post. He figured she was as nervous as he was. Heck, probably more nervous with it being her first time and all.

  Abbott put another stick of pinyon pine in the grate and poked the fire with the poker, releasing the sweet smell. "I can’t seem to get warm tonight."

  She turned her gaze to him, her big blue eyes full of concern. "Could be you’re getting ill."

  "Me? I’m as healthy as a horse. I never get sick."

  "Oh." She lowered her eyes to her lap, a little pout on her lips.

  The sound of heavy footsteps preceded Amy into the room. "All cleaned up now so I’ll be headed home."

  "You don’t live here?"

  "No, no! I live in my own house up a ways. My husband, Tom, is here to fetch me in the wagon now."

  "So, we’ll be alone in the house at night?" Erline asked.

  There was such an odd edge to her voice, Abbott felt the need to reassure her and put his hand on her shoulder. "That’s right, darlin’ but don’t worry. I don’t bite."

  "Speaking of biting, Tom brought your dog back. Corky ran over to our place. Had a heck of a time getting him to come back, but I shut him up in the kitchen. He’s awful jumpy."

  "Maybe he got bit by a spider or a snake. I’ll have to check him over later."

  "Well, I’ll get out of the newlyweds’ way. Good evening."

  "Good night, Amy, thank you for the nice meal," said Abbott.

  Both he and Amy looked to Erline, but to his surprise Erline remained motionless and silent, staring at the other woman. She must be nervous as a cat. I’ll have to be gentle with her, thought Abbott.

  * * *

  Abbott waited in the hall until he thought his bride had enough time to ready herself for bed— not that this would be a nightly routine, but he did have sympathy for her being with a man for the first time—a man who was practically a stranger. They’d exchanged letters, of course, but he’d never been a man good at putting his thoughts down on paper.

  Her letters had been charming. So full of life, he felt he’d come to know her. She came across different in person than he’d expected, but she probably wasn’t herself just yet. She was a beauty, though. Just sitting across the table from her tonight had caused a little tightening below the belt.

  There had been little on his mind this evening other than this moment. Funny, now the moment had come, sadness crept over him. Abbott couldn’t place the source of the strange mood. Melancholy seeped out of the floorboards and walls and flowed into his body. He shook himself and rapped on the door before turning the knob.

  When he poked his head in the room, Erline was already in the big bed under the covers wearing a gown that covered her up to the chin. She sat there very prim with her hands in her lap. Except her hair, down and loose, beckoned to him as if it were a living thing. His excitement built despite the sadness lodged in his heart. Abbott started taking off his clothes, not daring to look at her.

  "I will avert my eyes until you are under the covers," said Erline, in a way that made him smile.

  Good lord, she’s such an innocent.

  "Can I ask you something?"

  Oh, no, I had hoped her mama had at least filled her in on the basics. What in the world does she expect me to explain? "Sure you can."

  "Were they close?"

  Abbott stopped his hand on his trouser buttons, confused. "Were who close, darlin’?"

  "Your first wife and Amy."

  "Well, I reckon they were. They didn’t disagree anyway as far as I could tell. It can get lonely out here without female company. Of course, Amy was only a neighbor then. She came on as a housekeeper after...Why do you ask?"

  She looked up and her eyes lit on his unbuttoned fly. Flustered, she lowered her gaze to the hands resting in her lap. "It’s nothing."

  Abbott shed the remainder of his clothes, pausing at his union suit—wondering. Checking to see Erline was still looking down, he drew off the suit in one quick move and put it on the chair with his other clothes. He crossed the room to the bed, surprised how icy the floor felt under his feet. His body was trembling with shivers. Must be nerves.

  She didn’t raise her eyes until he lifted the covers and slid in next to her. He stopped when she turned her eyes, wide with expectation, on him, her mouth set in a tight line. The heat generated by her body dared draw him closer. He was so chilled.

  When his arm touched hers she drew away by a fraction. "We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to tonight. No harm in taking things slow and getting to know each other first."

  God, I’m as hard as a branding iron.

  She slid her body down so her head now rested on the pillow, covers pulled up under her chin. "I mean to be your wife in the true sense tonight. I’ve never done this before. I don’t know what to do," she said, staring up at the ceiling.

  "It’s all right. I do. It might hurt at first. I’ll be gentle."

  She scrunched her eyes shut tight in a way, which hardly gave him the go-ahead, but Abbott pulled the covers away from her anyway. The sight of the twin mounds under the thin nightgown had him throbbing with agony, demanding release.

  He undid the buttons holding the garment closed over her chest. "You’re so beautiful," he moaned into her ear before nuzzling aside the fabric over her breast with his lips.

  Abbott felt so aroused that when she parted her legs under the quilt he almost burst. He resolved to be gentle but he had a terrible need.

  Her hands, which had been resting immobile around her waist, went under the covers. He helped her pull up the hem of her gown. Hungry to feel a woman under him again, Abbott rolled on top of his bride. He kissed her on the lips with the gentlest touch, though he had to still the impulse to crush them. She gasped when his erection pressed against her thigh. Trying to manage his passion, Abbott, let his hand ride down the length of her body to the spot between her legs. Her readiness surprised him.

  Emboldened by her body’s reaction, he took his member in his hand and began to move into her. A fetid odor filled his nostrils. Startled, Abbott looked up to Erline’s face. She didn’t seem to register the smell, and he didn’t want to insult her by asking what on earth that smell was?

  The more he tried to enter her, the stronger the odor became. The smell triggered a memory. The dead flowers. After the funeral, and after everyone left, he’d gone away for a few days. He needed to clear the sorrow out of his heart by being by himself in nature, sleeping under the stars. When he got home and opened the front door, a rancid smell hit him. Sitting in stinking water in the vases set around the parlor, the flowers from Cora’s funeral had been left to rot.

  His member softened. Holding himself between Erline’s legs, he tried to rouse himself back into working order. But he couldn’t get that damn smell out of his nose. Where was that god-awful smell coming from?

  As he tried to pump the life back into his shaft, the back of his hand brushed against the springy hair between her legs. She pushed her hips against his hand.

  He looked up to find the source of the rank odor when something moved in the periphery of his vision. He turned his head away from Erline. In the corner of the room the
air shimmered in the moonlight.

  Abbott blinked hard a few times, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. The rippling air darkened and drew together. It became denser, darker, forming itself into a definite shape—a human shape. The black shadow hovered over the ground with arms outstretched and glided toward the bed.

  He jumped back off of Erline and pressed his back against the headboard.

  "Did you do it? Am I your wife now?" Erline asked, excitement in her voice.

  Terror clawed at his guts. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, which was as dry as desert sand. The figure closed in on him. He couldn’t take his eyes off it. From somewhere in the house a rattling noise started up.

  Erline went on talking. "It didn’t hurt at all like I thought it would. I don’t feel any different."

  The smell of rot came on so strong now, the gorge rose at the back of his throat. The air had gone cold. The rattling increased in intensity, becoming a banging.

  "I was thinking we don’t need Amy to come by anymore. Now I’m here to take care of you."

  The black shadow reached the bed. So close Abbott could reach out and touch it if he weren’t paralyzed by the menace emanating off the creature. The banging hit a frantic pitch, accompanied now by a loud scratching sound.

  "I can manage the house on my own. Maybe once we have children I’ll need the extra help."

  One dark shimmering arm picked itself out of the mass and moved in a slow arc until it was level with Abbott’s face. Ice-cold fear stopped the breath in his lungs as a long, sharp claw pointed at him.

  "What is that noise?"

  She heard it too. It wasn’t all in his head. With a sickening awareness, Abbott recognized the sound of his dog trying to dig his way out of the house—through the walls.

  Chapter Two

  Healy Harrison picked at the wayward lock of hair plastered to her damp neck and tucked it back into the simple chignon at the back of her head. St. Louis was so humid in the summer.

  The elderly woman across the table looked at the piece of paper in front of her and plucked with nervous fingers at the lace collar of her dress.