The House on Serpent Lake (Ghost, Romance, Fantasy)

by Brenda Hill

  “You promised you’d give me a chance,” she reminded him. He muttered something, a curse probably, but he began to dig with her.

  After some time, her muscles screaming, sweat running from both their faces, she wondered if she truly were insane. They’d been digging for quite some time and had found nothing. Were they at the right place? She had been sure, but obviously she was wrong.

  “Lindsay,” Eric said, thrusting the edge of the blade into the ground so the shovel stood upright. He propped an elbow on the handle. “This is madness.”

  “Please, Eric, don’t stop now. It’s got to be here. Try a little to your right.” She dug almost frantically now. Her future depended on it.

  “It’s late, I’m exhausted, and—”

  Just then her shovel clanked against something metal. Thank God! Eric looked in astonishment at her, then helped dig out the object.

  About seven inches long and five wide, the metal chest was so heavily corroded from dirt and weather they couldn’t even tell what kind of metal it was. Even without the greenish tint, she knew it was brass.

  Lindsay placed it on the ground and wiped it the best she could. An old-fashioned lock secured the latch.

  She sat back on the grass. “Do you acknowledge this box has been buried for a long time? Long before you and I moved here?”

  “That ground hasn’t been disturbed in a lot of years,” Eric concurred. “Maybe since my grandparents lived here.”

  “If I can tell you what’s in it, would you then believe my story?”

  He shrugged. “That’s a lot to ask. Maybe I told you at some point—”

  “How could you have told me? You didn’t even remember it was here.”

  He nodded. “Guess you’ve got me there. Okay, what’s in it?”

  Before she answered, she paused a moment, scanned the night sky, then faced him. “Do you remember the summer your father passed away,” she said, her voice gentle, “and your mother brought you here to stay with Frida and Berina while she worked? You were six.”

  “Jesus, Lindsay, that was a long time ago.”

  “Try to remember. It’s important.”

  He shrugged. “I remember some of it.”

  “You missed your father terribly and was so sad. Berina had lost someone she loved too, so you and she used to talk, to dream about a wonderful future where you’d both be happy again.”

  “Now you’re getting too weird. I could’ve told you I talked to Berina a lot.”

  “But did you tell me about the night after everyone was asleep, Berina woke you, and the two of you performed a little ceremony right here by the pine trees?”

  Frowning, he said nothing.

  Lindsay continued. “I asked you to select a favorite photograph of your father, and I chose one of Galen, and we wrote on the backs of the pictures about how much we loved and missed them, how we hoped one day we would be with them again.”

  “Lindsay …” he trailed off, his voice ragged.

  “We dated them, Eric. And in a little ceromony meant as a symbol to bury grief and sorrow, we put them inside of my favorite jewelry box. And we buried it. You and I, right here when you were six.”

  He stared at her a few moments, realization dawning on his face.

  “My God …”

  Lindsay smiled and handed him the box. The lock was so rusted and packed with dirt that he had to use the shovel edge to break it open.

  Inside, neatly wrapped in a light blue silk handkerchief, were two faded photographs, both of men from a long ago era. On the backs of each were words of love and loss—one from a woman who had lost the love of her life; the other from a small boy who wept for his father.

  Chapter Thiry-Six

  At nine the next morning, they were sitting in the attorney’s office. Eric had little to say except to answer Mathews’ questions about the proceedings.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Mathews asked again. “Just a short while ago, you two were excited about moving into the house. Now you want to divorce?” He looked from Eric to Lindsay.

  “Yes,” Eric said shortly. “Let’s get it started. And I want her to have the house.”

  Lindsay still couldn’t believe Eric could be so generous. After a sleepless night spent in the kitchen during which Eric said very little, he’d informed her of his decision.

  “After all, it’s more your house than mine. It should belong to you.” All he wanted, he’d said, was to get away, that it was too much for him to handle.

  Lindsay understood. After all, it had taken her nearly a lifetime. She wished she could help him, but she knew he’d have to process it all on his own.

  Once the papers were signed, they descended the narrow stairway to the sidewalk.

  The summer day was glorious. White puffy clouds floated in a azure sky, and the sun brightened the town with a promising day. Residents strolled the busy streets, stopping to greet each other with friendly smiles.

  Crosby, Lindsay thought. Home.

  She still couldn’t quite believe Eric had signed everything over to her. No longer would she have to worry about leaving the house—and Galen. She pushed away the thought that he might leave her.

  She and Eric stood silently on the sidewalk, undecided as to the next step. Should they return to the house together? That would be awkward, but she couldn’t be so cruel as to suggest he stay at a motel. After all, if it hadn’t been for him, she would never feel such happiness.

  “Want something to eat?” she asked. “It was a long night.” For the first time, she felt awkward with him. Maybe because he wouldn’t look at her directly or say anything beyond what was necessary.

  “Look,” he said, his gaze bouncing from one direction to the other. “Let’s don’t drag this out. I believe you, I believe everything, but I don’t need to be in the middle of it. I’ll pick up my things and head for the airport. I told Mark I wouldn’t be gone long anyway.”

  “Eric,” she began, emotion choking her.

  “It’s all right, Lindsay.” For the first time, he looked into her eyes. And smiled. “It’s been an experience, hasn’t it? No one could say our life together was boring. But now I need some time to … to put my world together again. I know you’ll understand. That’s one of the special things about you—you always understand.”

  After Lindsay took Eric to Brainerd’s airport for the final time, she pulled into the driveway and just sat for a moment.

  Her home, hers and Galen’s.

  She didn’t care how long her life was or how short—as long as she could spend it with him.

  As soon as she entered the foyer, she detected Bay Rum. Thank goodness Galen was there. Did he know everything that had happened, that she was free now to love him?

  He sat on the sofa waiting for her, and as soon as she entered, he stood. She ran to his open arms and stood blissfully silent, basking in joy of feeling his arms around her, of the miracle of finally having him with her.

  “We’re free, my darling,” she finally said, holding him close. “Free to love each other without worry.”

  Finally, he broke the embrace. “Please sit down. I have something to tell you.”

  Something in his voice caused her heart to skip. Her breath caught. She looked up at him, searching his eyes for the love she knew was there.

  She found what she wanted. His love shone through to her, warming her as the sun warms the earth. So what could be so dire?

  She sat, bewildered at his expression, at the tone of his words. Was something happening in his world to cause a problem for them? It couldn’t be, not now, not when she was free to be with him.

  “What is it?” She could barely speak with the dread crushing her, closing her throat, breaking her voice. “What’s wrong?”

  He sat beside her and took her into his arms. “I was here when the medium spoke, and I listened to her words.”

  “Galen,” Lindsay began, the dread squeezing tighter. She was so attuned to him that she could guess what he w
as about to say, and she couldn’t bear it.

  “As much as it hurts,” he went on, “I feel she was right. I have to leave.”

  Lindsay struggled for air. Immediate tears sprang. “No, Galen, you don’t,” she managed, the panic just below the surface. She couldn’t get hysterical now, she had to sound reasonable. “If it’s my health, you’re concerned about, I don’t care. Listen to me. I don’t care if my life is cut short again as long as we can be together. We have to have a life together.”

  “Berina—”

  “No! I won’t hear of it. I can’t lose you now, Galen. I’ve waited too long.” The panic burst free. “Please Galen, don’t do this to me. Don’t leave me again.” She clutched him to her. “I can’t bear it.” She burst into tears.

  He held her and they sat quietly together until the tears stopped. She grew quiet.

  “Don’t you see?” he said. “If I stay, I’ll be killing you just as surely as if I … shot you. I can’t do that. I can’t live with the guilt of destroying you.”

  “Galen—”

  “If the medium was right, I’ll find you again and we’ll have that life with each other. Life, Berina, with you alive and well. Not dying because I’m draining your life source.”

  “No,” she said, but she studied his face and she knew.

  “I have decided. Let me go, for your sake and mine.”

  For your sake and mine. With those words, Lindsay knew it was over. She had to do what he asked. Even though it would tear her apart, she didn’t want to condemn him to stay and suffer more guilt over a perceived wrong.

  “All I ask is that you help me.” He touched her cheek and gently wiped away a tear. “I can’t do it alone.”

  Her eyes shimmering, she asked, “When?”

  “Now, before I weaken.”

  “Now? That’s too soon,” she said desperately. “Stay with me today, please Galen. Give me one last time in your arms.”

  Silently, he picked her up and carried her upstairs in his arms.

  An hour later, they lay together, spent from making love. Lindsay’s ecstasy was tempered with the heartrending knowledge that he would leave her soon. If only she could delay it, if only—

  “It’s time,” he said, his eyes full of love and sadness. “Help me, Berina.”

  Even though she couldn’t bear his leaving, Lindsay knew she had to do as he asked. She cradled him, much like she’d done when he lay dying from the gunshot. She closed her eyes. What could she do? How could she help him?

  “Linda talked about the light,” she said, praying for guidance, “and I’ve heard we all see it. So think about it, Galen. Open your heart and mind. Picture rising above us, above the house, and above the earth. The light will be in front of you, waiting for you, a place of infinite peace and love—”

  “I see it! Oh my darling, I don’t know how it’s happening, but it’s coming closer. I’m drawn to it. I want to go.” He paused. “It’s so bright … and,” his voice dropped to an awed whisper, his face radiant, “it’s beautiful. I didn’t know it would be like this.” He went silent, then in a joyous voice, “My mother … she’s there. She’s by the light, waiting, welcoming me.”

  Fresh tears flowed from her to him. She tenderly wiped his cheek. “Go to her, Galen,” she managed, holding him as his image faded.

  He reached up to her. “Just one last kiss to take me to eternity.”

  She tenderly brushed his lips with hers, then he was gone.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Too numb to cry, Lindsay sat as if in a daze after Galen disappeared. All that remained was the faint scent of Bay Rum, but that was fading as well. Soon there would be nothing left but memories and a fervent hope that Linda was right, that one day they would meet again. She could only trust the medium’s words and believe they were destined to be together.

  She gazed through the window to blue sky beyond the treetops. Was Galen all right? Would he find the forgiveness and peace he’d longed for? She wished she could have a sign, anything, to know he would be all right.

  She closed her eyes. Day turned to night then back to day again. Still she sat. It was as if her body fell into hibernation, waiting.

  She dozed.

  The doorbell woke her. She tried to ignore it, but it persisted. Irritated, she got up and stumbled to the door.

  Squinting at the bright morning sunshine, she scowled at the man standing on the porch. In his late fifties, early sixties with graying sandy-blond hair, he stood a little under six feet. His deep blue polo had a Crosby Police logo above the left pocket.

  Police department? What would they want with her? His friendly smile assured her he wasn’t about to haul her away.

  Suddenly she was aware she hadn’t had a shower or even moved from the sofa in … how many days?

  “What day is this?” she asked abruptly, wishing she could drop through the floor.

  “Why, it’s Friday. Are you Mrs. Peterson?”

  Friday. Three days after Galen left. “I’m Lindsay Peterson.”

  “Pardon me, but are you well?” he asked. “Do you need a doctor?”

  “What I need a doctor can’t provide.”

  “Ma’am?”

  “I’m sorry, I’m being rude. What is it you want?”

  “I’m Mike Midthun, evidence tech for the police departent, and Mathews asked me to drop this off on my way to City Hall.” He handed her a yellowed business-size envelope.

  “Is it a summons about my divorce?”

  “Oh no, Mrs. Peterson. It’s from the nursing home where your husband’s aunt lived.”

  “Forgive my rudeness. You’re right. I haven’t been well, but I’m okay.” She opened the door. “Please come in.”

  “Oh that’s not necessary. If you’re all right, I’ll just be on my way.” He turned to leave.

  “Please,” Lindsay said. “I’d like to hear about the nursing home.”

  “I haven’t been in this old place in quite a few years,” he said entering the parlor. “I love how you and your husband fixed it up. Looks really nice.”

  Lindsay nodded. “If you’ll pardon me for a few moments …” She didn’t wait for a reply before she dashed upstairs to the bathroom for a quick repair.

  A few moments later, her teeth brushed, hair combed, and wearing a fresh blouse, she prepared coffee and set the tray on the coffee table.

  “Midthun?” Lindsay asked. “That sounds familiar.”

  “You met my wife, Karen,” he said with a smile. “She’s the librarian.”

  “Oh yes, of course. Now. You were trying to tell me about the nursing home.”

  “Let me explain. Mrs. Simar, the administrator of the nursing home where your husband’s aunt lived, dropped the envelope at the police department last night, said an aide found it in the safe. Somehow it was overlooked in Miss Peterson’s effects. I took it to Mathews’ office this morning, but he asked that I drop it off to you. He said it’s Mr. Peterson’s property. Will you see that he gets it?”

  An hour later, after calling Eric about the letter, during which he told her to open it and send it to him if she felt it necessary, she began reading.

  “My God,” she whispered after skimming the first two lines. She sat on the nearest chair and reread from the beginning:

  Dear Sister, I’m at the end of my life and I don’t want to face my maker with what I’m about to reveal on my conscience. I’ve felt Galen in our home, so if there is life after death, I hope you’ll one day read these words.

  I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done to cause you pain. I’m sure I’ll have to face the consequences for the sorrow my selfishness has caused.

  You see, Galen came to me as the honorable gentleman I knew him to be and confessed he could not continue to see me and certainly could not marry me because he was in love with you. I cried and stormed about, convincing him that it was his duty to marry me. I wanted him desperately, so I lied, you see, and told him I was carrying his child. To my eternal shame, I k
new he had fallen in love with you, but during a dance at The Lodge, I carried out an age-old plan to keep him forever. I ordered the drinks and made sure his grew progressively stronger. After he was intoxicated, I led him to his car and kissed him several times.

  He passed out very quickly and I drove us home. He slept in his car in our driveway. Papa was extremely upset, and since Galen didn’t remember anything of that night, he believed me when I told him we’d gone all the way. That’s why he did not break our engagement.

  When I shot him, it truly was an accident. I thought someone had broken into our home and was assaulting you. I tried to make up to you the best I could, but of course I could never succeed.

  I loved you, and I wish I had been a better person and sister. I wish many things had been different.

  Please forgive me.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  That afternoon, after a shower and the rest of the soup from Shirley’s care package, Lindsay went for a walk. She had to be outside, close to nature, see the sky.

  Walking the rutted road toward City Park, breathing in the familiar scents of pine from the forest, the slightly rotted vegetation from around the lake, and feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin, her heart overflowed with love and wonder. She gazed at the endless sky, in awe of the vast universe beyond.

  In spite of her, Berina’s, wishes, Galen had been honest with Frida, had been a gentleman after all. Even though Linda had said Infinite Spirit does not judge, Lindsay felt at peace knowing Galen would face eternity with a pure soul.

  She cut to the shoreline behind City Hall, moving past the fishing dock and strolled west toward the swimming beach, listening to the sound of water gently lapping the sand. She smiled at the squawking seagulls overhead, and heard the children laughing and shouting from the play area.

  Life. How it all seemed so wonderful now. No matter how long of time one was on the earth, that lifetime was beautiful. Miraculous.

  She sat on the grass overlooking the water and watched swimmers and boaters enjoying the day. From behind, she heard the clatter of a large diesel pull into the RV parking section. A motor home, she thought without turning to look.