Hargrove House: The Haunted Book One

by Allie Harrison

She looked out at the rain. “I could call someone to come and get me or you could perhaps take me home.”

  “You’re blocking the garage, so I can’t get my car out.”

  “Oh, that’s right.”

  “And it would be a stupid, thoughtless idea for someone else to come out in the rain and take a chance on getting stuck or sliding in the mud, right?”

  “I think so, yes.”

  He grinned at her before he turned the heat off. “Of course, if you want to invite a few friends over to fall and hurt their ankles, go ahead. I’ve got a new refrigerator and the ice maker works wonderfully. Besides, it would show me just how far your friends are willing to go for you.”

  She chuckled again. “No, thanks.”

  He came closer and reached out and touched her hand, growing serious. “Please stay. There are plenty of places you can sleep. And if you’re concerned about your reputation, don’t be. I won’t tell a soul.”

  Torrie laughed. “I don’t care what the people in this town think of me.”

  “Well, you should be. You have a business to run in this town.”

  “And my business is just fine.” It didn’t quite sound like a lie. Her business was fine now that she’d started on the Hargrove House. Jane had informed her just that day she had three more potential clients waiting to work with her. “I was more concerned about your children and what they might think.”

  He smiled warmly at her. “They love you. They don’t ever want you to leave, either. So ease your mind. You aren’t intruding. I need to eat anyway. Alice already fed the children. And I hate to eat alone.” He poured the steaming soup into two waiting bowls and brought them to the table with spoons. “We all love eating over here in what Eleanor calls the circle room. It’s a lot less formal than the dining room. Have I told you how much I like this small dinette set you picked out for this, by the way?”

  “I’m glad you like it. It does fit well in this little tower room area. Do you have anything special in the tower room of the master bedroom?”

  “I do. I have a wing chair with an ottoman so I can sit and look out or read or do business. It’s a great view.”

  “I’ll bet.” She noticed that he didn’t offer for her to see it. She guessed she might be invited to stay but not in the master bedroom.

  “I’ll be right back. Let me go see if I can find that aspirin.”

  While he was gone, Torrie watched as rain pelted against the three windows of the ‘tower’ and lightning struck. Thunder rumbled as the storm took hold. Mother Nature might be cooling and beating things down outside, but inside was warm and comforting. And she didn’t get the hot tea or the bubble bath again, but she did get a hot shower and soup. It turned out to be just as good.

  He returned, got her a glass of water and set the bottle of aspirin near her bowl.

  “Thanks.” She smiled. “I doubt I could have gotten better care had I gone to the hospital.”

  “I don’t know if that’s true. I can’t offer an X-ray. And from the way your ankle is swelling and turning purple, you should probably have one.”

  “I’ll plan to get it tomorrow. Besides, if it’s broken, they won’t cast it while it’s swelling anyway.”

  “I’ll take you tomorrow.”

  Torrie offered him a small smile. “You don’t have to take me. It’s my left foot. I can drive without it. If you could just help me get my car unstuck…”

  The hard look on his face told her any argument was futile, and she let the rest of her argument slip away. “All right. You can take me to the hospital for an X-ray tomorrow.”

  Will took a spoonful. “I like when you agree and I’m right. Let me know how you like the soup.”

  It turned out Will was right—the soup was just what she needed. The aspirin only helped a little.

  “Here, sit by the fire.” Will absently fluffed a pillow for her before the huge fire in the parlor fireplace once they finished their soup. With her held close to his side like a crutch, he helped her sit and moved more pillows so she could elevate her injured foot.

  “You really don’t have to do this for me. I hate to be a burden. And I’m sure you had other things to do tonight than entertain me.”

  “That’s right—I’d planned to make a fire and make the children some cocoa while I enjoy a glass of wine. Do you want cocoa or wine?”

  “Now, that’s a dilemma,” she let out.

  “Well, while you’re considering the choice, let me go get Eleanor and Alexander. They’re both dying to get in here with you.” He leaned close and whispered. “In fact, I think they’re sitting on the stairs, scooting down closer and closer each minute.”

  Torrie smiled at the thought. “I wish I could see them.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  He left her alone, and Torrie stared at the fire he’d started. The only thing that would be better would be sitting down on the floor closer to it. Ray Hartford had done a wonderful job on the mantel. She should send him a special note letting him know how wonderful it looked lit by a fire.

  Eleanor and Alexander burst in the room.

  “Are you all right? Papa told us you were hurt. I saw him carry you across the yard. I told Alexander to stay away until Papa told us it was all right to come close, but he wouldn’t listen. He hardly ever listens.” Eleanor spoke with so much excitement, she could hardly catch a breath.

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine, I just twisted my ankle.”

  “Do you think it’s broken? I know you broke—”

  “Eleanor,” Will interrupted. “Don’t be so excited. You’ll have trouble sleeping.”

  “You know I broke what?” Torrie asked.

  Eleanor looked at Miss Velvet in her arms as if Miss Velvet suddenly developed something more intriguing. “Nothing,” she finished.

  “May I sit by you,” Alexander asked, his voice sounding so small, anxious and apprehensive.

  “Of course, dear. Here, sit here.” Torrie patted the place beside her.

  Alexander came and sat beside her. “Does it hurt much?” he asked.

  “It hardly hurts at all, especially since your dad gave me some ice to put on it and fed me some warm soup.”

  “Alice makes the best soup, doesn’t she?”

  “I think so, yes,” Torrie replied.

  Will stood near the hearth. With his ankles and arms crossed, he looked completely more at ease than Torrie had ever seen him. “So what did you decide?”

  “I think I’ll have cocoa, too,” Torrie said.

  “Papa makes the best cocoa. Alice tries sometimes when Papa doesn’t have the time, but she doesn’t get it as right as Papa does,” Eleanor said, looking more at ease, too, at least she was no longer avoiding Torrie by looking intently at her doll. Eleanor moved to the hearth near her father.

  “You’re just trying to make me feel good, Eleanor,” he said. “But thank you.” Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her and hugged her lightly to him.

  “Oh, no, it’s true, Papa. Your cocoa is the best.” Then she sat down before the fire and rearranged Miss Velvet’s bonnet as she straightened the doll’s curly hair.

  She’s warming up to him, Torrie thought. Will looked at her and Torrie thought he understood what she was thinking. They shared a smile.

  “I’m surprised you don’t have a television,” Torrie said.

  “A television?”

  To her surprise, Will sounded as if he’d never heard of a television. “Yes, you know? One of those stupid tubes that shows the news, talk shows, reality shows, cooking shows, children’s shows, and cartoons? You never requested I order one, and I see you never bought one, much less have a place to put it.”

  He looked at her thoughtfully. “When you describe it that way, it sounds awful. I doubt we need one.”

  Torrie chuckled. “You may be right. Maybe you don’t need one.”

  “I’d rather read anyway,” Eleanor said. “Or play Chinese checkers. I can beat Papa almost all the time. And I c
an beat Alexander every time.”

  “I’d rather listen to her read,” Alexander added. “And some day when I’m bigger, I’ll be able to beat Eleanor at Chinese checkers. I’d rather play with my train set, anyway. Tomorrow will you come see my train set, Miss Torrie?”

  “I’d love to,” she replied, not mentioning she would probably have to crawl up the stairs on her hands and knees considering her foot was still throbbing despite the ice and the aspirin. She forced a smile. “And about your room—I put two beds in there.”

  “It’s all right, I like having two beds in there. And you never know, I might need the other one someday,” Alexander said.

  “You might, huh?” Torrie couldn’t help but ask. She imagined a boy’s sleepover, but couldn’t imagine anybody really needing to sleep in a bed. She imagined boys in a sleepover would fall asleep anywhere they were comfortable.

  “Why don’t you two keep Miss Torrie entertained while I go make our cocoa?” Will interrupted Torrie’s thoughts about sleepovers.

  “Do you like to play games, Miss Torrie,” Alexander asked.

  “Yes, very much.”

  He looked at her longingly. “Will you play games with us?”

  “Yes, when my foot is better. Right now I think I should just sit here and relax it.”

  “And you’ll come for tea in my room, too, won’t you?” Eleanor asked.

  “Yes.” Torrie nearly laughed. She didn’t tell them that playing in the room just as they asked her to do was what she’d considered as she planned those rooms.

  “What do you plan for the third room?” Eleanor asked.

  “I’m not sure yet,” Torrie replied thoughtfully. “I know it sounds silly, but nothing has come to me yet. When I stood in your room, I could easily see it as it is now. It was easy to plan. And the same thing happened when I stepped into your room, Alexander. But nothing sounds right for that third room. I mentioned to your father about just making it into a guest room. He said that would be boring.”

  “He’s right. That room needs color, too,” Eleanor replied. “That beige color the men painted on the walls is very boring. I don’t think anyone who stays in there will like that.”

  “Yes, it needs lots of color,” Alexander added. “Purple color, maybe.

  Torrie smiled at the constant way he agreed with his sister.

  “Alexander,” Eleanor scolded, “let her come up with her own color—but please,” she looked at Torrie, “make it different than that beige color.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  A moment later, Will returned with a tray holding a pot and four cups. He set the tray on the coffee table and poured a cup of steaming cocoa and handed it to her.

  “We’ll have wine later,” Will whispered as his hand brushed against hers.

  “Thank you,” she said, feeling heat come to her cheeks. She suddenly felt like Eleanor needing to avoid eye contact with anyone, but she didn’t have a Miss Velvet to look at intently.

  It was a short time after four empty cups sat on the tray that Will said, “All right, children, you need to head upstairs and get ready for bed.”

  There was the expected chorus of, “Oh, do we have to?”

  “Yes, you must,” he insisted. “Miss Torrie needs her rest, too, so her foot heels.”

  “Can she come up, too, and tuck us in good night?” Alexander asked.

  Torrie tried to smile genuinely. “I don’t think I can do that tonight. I’m sorry Alexander. But I’m sure I’ll be able to another night.”

  “How about if you get ready for bed, Son, and then you and your sister can come back down to tuck Miss Torrie in good night?” Will offered.

  Alexander’s eyes grew wide, and Eleanor giggled. “Could we, really, Papa?” he asked.

  “Yes, but only if you go right now and don’t argue anymore.”

  Together Alexander and Eleanor raced out of the room.

  Torrie kept her smile at bay until they were gone. “They’re wonderful children.”

  “I’m probably partial, but I’d have to agree with you. I hope you don’t mind my offer to have them come and tuck you in.”

  “Of course not.” She settled back slightly on the sofa. “I haven’t been tucked in for years.”

  “Well, let me go get another pillow and a few blankets, so we can make it official.”

  He left her alone, and while he was gone, Torrie listened to the rain and thunder that continued while she watched the flames in the fireplace. Truth be told there wasn’t any place else she’d rather be right then, even if her ankle did throb still. This was fate confirming she needed to give up the ridiculous argument of not being with Will because he was her boss.

  The three Daltons made a huge production about tucking her in. Alexander carefully placed a blanket over her with Will’s help while Eleanor fluffed a pillow and stuffed it behind her. All the while, Will instructed them. Torrie easily heard laughter in his voice.

  In their night shirts, they looked small and frail, yet the two kids worked to tuck the blankets around her.

  “Good night, Miss Torrie,” Eleanor leaned over without hesitation and kissed Torrie’s cheek.

  “Good night, Eleanor. Thank you for the wonderful job of tucking me in.”

  Eleanor stepped aside so Alexander could close in. “Good night, M…Miss Torrie.”

  “Good night, Alexander. You did a great job with the blanket.”

  He smiled broadly at her compliment. “Can you have cocoa with us every night?”

  “We’ll see,” she replied, not wanting to burst his bubble and ruin the moment. “But I’ll do my best to make it up the stairs and check out the train set tomorrow.”

  Again he smiled.

  “If you’re coming up to see his train, then you have to have tea with me,” Eleanor insisted.

  “I’ll do that, too,” Torrie promised, “provided I can make it up the stairs.”

  “Papa can help you up the stairs like he helped you in here,” Eleanor put in.

  “Papa’s strong enough, he can carry you all the way up the stairs,” Alexander added.

  “Up to bed, now children,” Will said. There was still laughter in his voice.

  It took another few minutes before he had them ushered out of the room. And Torrie heard their protests all the way up the stairs. While he was gone, Torrie tested out her foot by flexing her muscles and moving her toes, both of which sent shoots of pain up her leg. Damn, she hoped her leg wasn’t broken.

  She took a deep breath, watched the flames and relaxed, feeling suddenly sleepy. And the fire just looked so inviting. Despite the way the children had just tucked her in, she needed to be closer to it. Carefully, she climbed off the sofa. Taking a blanket and one pillow, she moved to the large rug before the fire.

  Yes, this was warmer and cozier and this was everything she’d envisioned when Will mentioned wine in front of the fire. Now, all she needed was Will and wine.

  Suddenly Will was there, sitting on the floor beside her. “You decided to move down here?”

  “I hope the kids don’t come back. I’d hate for them to see all their hard work tucking me in was for nothing. The fire was just so inviting. I needed to be closer to it.”

  “I would never say their tucking you in was for nothing. I think all of us enjoyed it.”

  “That’s true,” she let out as she took a deep breath. The room was quiet for a long moment as together they watched the flames.

  Then Will moved closer behind her. “Here, lean back against me and stretch your sore foot out.”

  She did as he instructed. “You’re always trying to get me closer to you,” she pointed out.

  “Isn’t that where you want to be? Don’t lie.” Absently, he placed a soft kiss to her temple.

  “All right, I won’t lie. Yes, it is. I just have to finish the house, too.”

  “I have no doubt you’ll finish the house and still be close to me,” he said.

  “I’m glad you’re confident. I’
ve never before allowed myself to be so emotionally attached to a job,” she informed him before a huge yawn filled her.

  “I don’t know about that, but I do know being emotionally attached to this job hasn’t hindered you in any way. You’re progressing with the house at a rate anyone would think unimaginable.” Gently, he fingered her hair as he studied it in the firelight.

  “I can’t argue that. It still scares me how quickly everything has fallen into place. It should be finished in plenty of time for your party the first week of December. Have you made any plans or arrangements for the party?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “What would you like for the party?”

  “It’s not my party.”

  “It’s your birthday.”

  Torrie turned to him sharply. The sudden movement with the feeling of fatigue that ate at her left her slightly dizzy. “How did you know you were having a party the same day as my birthday?”

  He smiled sweetly at her. “A little bird told me.”

  “No, really, how did you know?”

  “I told you there were things I know about you, remember?”

  “But how did you—”

  Before she could finish the thought or the question, he leaned her back and brought his lips to hers. More than the fire warmed her. Heat shivered through her in all directions. Torrie closed her eyes and felt as if she floated on an ocean of something as soft as rose petals. “The children…” she let out beneath moans as he kissed her.

  His kisses trailed down her jaw to her throat. “I locked the door. Even if they venture out of bed and back down here, they can’t get in,” he said between kisses.

  The sweatshirt he’d given her was overly large. He pulled on the large neck and stretched it further to touch his lips to the soft, warm flesh beneath. Torrie forced in a breath and let it out as a moan. His hands, his fingers were warm on her face. He held her as if he feared she’d disappear if he let her go.

  Torrie ran her hands over his back. Beneath the soft, cotton of his shirt, the leathery heat of his skin moved right into her fingers and up her arms. His muscles rippled beneath her touch.

  Slowly, Torrie unbuttoned his shirt. Only when she finished did he move, getting rid of it. His chest was warm, almost hot beneath her hands. The dusting of the hair on his chest was like down to her palms. He groaned at her touch. He kissed her like he couldn’t get enough of her.