The Haunting Of Larkspur Farm (Ghosts and Haunted Houses): A Haunting In Kingston (The Hauntings of Kingston Book 4)

by Michelle Dorey

  Julian held the canister in both hands, bending and watching the line of white crystals fall onto the floor. When he finished, he straightened up and there was a small smile on his lips. “It feels a little better already, Aunt Paige.”

  The front door banged open and footsteps thudded quickly across the dining room. Amanda burst into the kitchen and stood, holding her hands on each side of her face. “Oh God, Paige! Josh is in trouble at work! The company he hired to supply the asphalt for that big project screwed up! They used recycled oil in the mix. The pavement is ruined and everything has to be re-done!”

  “So? How is that his fault?”

  “He’s the guy in charge of quality control! It was his fault!”

  Paige’s mouth fell open and her stomach felt like someone had sucker punched her. “Oh my God. Did they fire him?”

  Amanda took a deep breath and now her fingers fisted in her hair. “Not yet. He barely convinced his boss to give him another chance. He’s not going to be home for another week. Oh my God, what if he loses this job? We’re sunk. All our money is tied up in this place and from the sounds of it, we’ll never be able to sell it—not the way it is!”

  She sank down onto the stool and tears rolled down her cheeks. “Even last night...when we were so scared. I thought we’d be okay. If worse came to worst we could move back to Toronto, rent an apartment or something and just let this place sit. But if he loses his job, we can’t carry two places! We’re trapped here!” Her shoulders racked with sobs and she covered her face with her hands. “What a fool I was. Thinking it would be a new start, my dream home! It’s a disaster!”

  Now Avril was openly crying as well, slipping off the stool and clambering over to her mother.

  Paige blinked a few times feeling suddenly dizzy. It was all an unreal nightmare...first the feeling of dread coming into the house...and now knowing that her sister and her family were indeed trapped here if Josh couldn’t make amends with the situation at work.

  When she looked over at Amanda, the tears streaming down her cheeks and the slumped shoulders, Paige’s heart broke. She walked slowly over to her. “We’ll fix this, Sis. That’s why Barbara and Matt are coming over here. We’re all going to fix this.” She set the bowl and sage on the counter and hugged her sister. “This is a setback. But have faith. Josh will be okay. They won’t fire him. It was the contractor’s fault. They’ll see that. Have faith. We need you, okay?” Her eyes welled with tears holding her sister who was still sobbing softly. How much could one person endure before they went stark raving mad?

  She looked around at the kitchen...at Julian standing with slumped shoulders, on the verge of tears...at the very walls of the house where two families had died. How much had Cora taken before she snapped and killed everyone?

  Amanda sat crying, ignoring the small hands that tugged on her shirt...lost in a world of desperation.

  Her blood ran cold at her next thought. How much could Amanda take?

  Chapter 25

  At the soft thud of the front door closing, Paige spun around facing the dining room. Her heartbeat spiked for a moment before she heard Barbara’s voice calling out from the front of the house.

  “Hello?”

  When Paige sprinted across the room, she felt the knot in her neck loosen, seeing Barbara and Matt. A large floral tapestry bag hung from the old woman’s forearm while her fingers clutched a thick, dark book. The smile fell from her lips and her gaze flickered past Paige into the kitchen. She handed the bag to Matt and stepped quickly past Paige.

  Matt’s eyes locked with hers. “What’s wrong? I mean aside from the obvious.” His hand rose and rested lightly on her shoulder, his eyes dark and intent looking at her.

  The concerned look and his kindness threatened to turn her inner resolve into a molten puddle of tears. She couldn’t do that—not yet. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders. “It’s Josh, Amanda’s husband. There’s a problem at work that we just learned about. He might lose his job.”

  His eyes closed slowly and he shook his head. “Ah shit. You guys don’t need that. Not right now.” He pulled her in to his chest and rubbed her back. Without a thought, she wrapped her arms around his waist and they stood in silence for a moment.

  Her eyes opened wide in surprise at how much a comfort it was to be in his arms. So soon? She stiffened a little.

  Matt sensed it or something, because he put his hands on her shoulders and when she looked up said, “C’mon. Let’s go see what we can do to help.”

  When they entered the kitchen Barbara was handing a glass of water to Amanda. Julian and Avril stood next to their mother, looking up at the old woman.

  “Everything will work out, dear. Drink this and try not to worry. It’s hard but remember, the darkest hour is just before dawn.” Barbara’s head turned and she nodded for Paige and Matt to join them. “Matt, I’d like you to stay in the kitchen with Amanda and Avril.” When Barney stepped over and nuzzled her hand, she smiled down at him. “And of course you stay here too. Good boy.”

  Her gaze turned to Paige and Julian and her eyebrows rose high. “I see you started without me.”

  “I poured the salt! Is it gonna work?” Julian’s chin dropped and he looked down at the floor.

  “Have faith, dear.” Barbara rustled his curls with her bony hand and looked over at Paige. Her grey eyes never wavered and Paige felt calming strength emanate from the old woman. Barbara had taken control, settling Amanda and getting things underway—years of teaching, taking charge, still showed through.

  She looked down at Julian and lifted his chin with her finger. “Since you did such a good job with that, why don’t you continue? You’re a brave boy.”

  She took the tapestry bag from Matt and rummaged in it, “Paige, you’ll look after the sage smudge.” She pulled out one quart glass jar that had cross etched on the side. “Here we go! The Holy Water.”

  Paige looked at the sage in her hand and back to Barbara. “Holy Water?” When Barbara nodded, she said, “We’re not a religious family. You can burn sage and use Holy Water at the same time?”

  Barbara nodded.

  “Don’t worry, Paige,” Matt said with a grin. “Aunt Barb’s religious enough for all of us.” He bobbed his eyebrows at his aunt. “Isn’t that right? Even if you don’t go to Mass that much anymore?” When Barbara just smiled, he continued. “She was in a convent for a while back in the early ‘60’s.”

  Paige’s jaw dropped. “Like for nuns?” When she saw Barbara nod, she asked, “Why’d you leave? Did you lose your faith or something?”

  Barbara dropped her gaze. “No. Not at all.” Raising her head, she looked between Paige and Matt. “I fell in love.”

  “What!” Matt said. “This is news to me! Who? What happened?”

  “The who isn’t important; he’s long since passed away.” Her eyes teared up. “He was in the Seminary. We were the dearest of friends, and when it began to…” her voice faltered and she waved her hands. “At any rate, he made his decision, and transferred far away.” She looked to Paige. “My faith? It’s never been stronger, dear. But…” she held up a finger. “I’ve learned in my life that the Universe and the mind of God are far too vast for one faith to hold all its truths.” She gestured at the salt, the sage and to her jar of Holy Water. “We’ll take our Blessings where we can, and trust.”

  The room was silent until Amanda stood up. “I don’t want Julian doing anything with this. He was knocked unconscious yesterday. He’s just a boy...” She looked to each of the others. “I’ll take his place.” She reached for the canister of salt that was on the counter.

  Barbara’s hand shot out and gripped Amanda’s arm. “No. I’m sorry but in this, he’s the stronger one. You need to stay here, where it’s peaceful.”

  BOOM!

  The loud noise came from the upstairs above them. It banged again, hard enough to shake the walls. Paige froze. Her heart raced and she felt like she was going to be sick. There was no doubt that the
noise had come from her bedroom.

  “Holy shit.” The pupils of Matt’s dark eyes were rimmed with white staring at the ceiling above him. “That’s her, right?” His voice was barely above a whisper. He turned to his aunt. “You can’t do this Aunt Barbara. What if you get hurt or...”

  She smiled. “Then you’ll be the proud owner of four cats, won’t you?”

  “Seriously, Aunt Barb. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I’m young and strong.”

  “Yes. But I’m wise.” She patted his arm and then turned to Paige. “I’ll lead the way. We must go into every room. I will bless the walls with the holy water while you wave the smudge.” She looked down at Julian. “You will pour the salt along the door opening when I tell you.” Her gaze shot from Paige and then back to Julian. “We’re clear?”

  Julian nodded while Amanda squeezed his shoulder and bent to kiss his cheek. “Stay close to Paige, Babe.” Her eyes were filled with tears when she turned to pick up Avril.

  Paige took a fresh bundle of dried sage from the package. There was a tremble in her hands when she lit the coarse sticks and leaves and blew the flame out, watching the embers glow hot orange. She took a deep breath, willing her heart to slow. Oh God. She had to be strong.

  BOOM!

  Her chest clamped tight. She peered up at the ceiling. Cora didn’t like what was about to happen.

  Chapter 26

  November, 1968

  Cora Slipp floated onto the school bus after the best day she'd ever had. As she glided down the aisle between the rows of seats, she could feel the other kids’ eyes on her. The word had gotten around about how Greg Armitrage (her Greg, thank you very much) had held her hand during lunch hour. The coolest guy in the eighth grade had made her—Cora Slipp, seventh grade loser—his girlfriend!

  She held her book bag to her chest as she navigated her way down the bus. She didn’t want to take a chance and break the treasure Gregg had given her at the end of the day. It was buried in the bottom of her bag and she didn’t want to bump it.

  She took a seat by herself and went beside the window to wave at Greg. He lived in town and took a different bus. He was standing there, handsome as James Bond waving at her. When he blew her a kiss, she heard three of the girls on the bus all go ‘Awww…’ at once.

  As soon as the bus pulled out, she opened the front pocket of her book bag and took out the package of Kleenex. She had to make sure that she got her eye makeup and lipstick off before the bus did the high school pickup. If Sean caught her, he’d fink her out to Mother in a flash. And enjoy every minute of her troubles.

  She had everything off by the time the bus pulled into the high school.

  Sean came aboard with the other five high school kids that took this bus out to the countryside. They made eye contact as soon as he got on board, and as usual, his face took on the disdainful expression. Before coming down the aisle, one of the kids from her school grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear. His head shot up and his expression of disdain had been replaced by outright contempt. He flopped into a vacant seat across from her.

  “So, Cora Slut, I hear you got a boyfriend,” he said with a sneer.

  “Shut up!”

  He leaned across to her. “Look at you. You have your skirt rolled up almost to your butt.” He shook his head slowly and sat back on his seat. “What a mini-skirted slut. Mother is going to be sooo interested.”

  Oh no! She was so distracted by Greg’s gift and the makeup she forgot to roll her skirt back down! Her face flamed red as she dropped her head. There was no point in begging Sean to keep his mouth shut. He'd hated her all her life, and was going to relish the trouble he was going to get her in.

  Cora stepped down from the school bus into another world. She scowled watching her brother race ahead, down the long dirt driveway. It was like Cinderella leaving the ball and coming home to drudgery. But it wasn’t just the chores—she could do them standing on her head and spitting nickels. No, it was the constant criticism. Anything she did or said, if it didn’t have to do with the church then it was the work of the devil.

  She stepped in behind the tall spruce tree and slipped her book bag off her shoulder setting it gently on the ground beside her. Her fingers curled under the light white sweater and rolled the waistband of her skirt. She tugged at the fabric covering her hips until the hemline dropped back down, well below her knees. There! Now her mother couldn’t say anything.

  She peeked inside the book bag, lifting the gym shorts away from the inlaid wooden box. A slow smile spread on her cheeks and her heart floated in her chest. Greg Armitage. He did love her. Why else would he give her such a romantic gift! She would listen to it when she went to bed and dream of the time when they’d be married! Her eyes closed and she almost squealed remembering the feel of his lips on hers at recess, the two of them sitting behind the oak tree out of sight from the rest of the kids.

  “Cora!” Her mother’s high pitched call from the front door of the house broke the spell.

  The twelve year old girl huffed a sigh. Back to reality, such as it was. “Coming!” She stepped out from behind the tree, sliding the strap of the bag over her shoulder.

  Walking up the driveway she felt the dread descend. Thank goodness it was a full moon tomorrow night. She’d show off her treasure to her Mr. Pooka. Since she was little, anything good that happened at school pleased him. And what was in the bottom of her book bag was the grooviest thing ever!

  Uh oh. Mother was waiting on the veranda for her, arms akimbo, fists buried in her waist. Sean had scrambled ahead of her to get to the house first, and from the look on her face he wasted no time blabbing. The thin line of her lips told Cora that she was in for it.

  Again. She sighed inwardly. She wasn’t afraid anymore, just weary of the woman. Nothing ever pleased Mother. Nor Father. Unless it had to do with Sean. Her older brother was the apple of her parents’ eye and she was reminded of that every darn day.

  Mother’s gray eyes were chips of limestone as she stared silently while Cora climbed the few steps to the veranda. Her severity was completed by the tight bun of hair that was knotted tightly at the back of her head. Cora noticed for the first time the woman was going gray.

  “Cora Slipp, I’m ashamed of you.”

  What now? What was it going to be this time? She ran through a checklist in her head. No, she made sure the dishes from breakfast had been dried and put away. Oh no! Did she get all the silverware? She stopped before the woman. “What did I do, Mother?” She already knew the answer. Thanks big brother. He really did hate her.

  Mother’s hand lashed out and hooked onto the waistband of her skirt and pulled the girl to her. “Ah-ha!” she said as she eyed the top of Cora’s skirt. “Look at these creases that go all the way around!” As the girl stood there, her mother began folding them over, her eyes peering down at Cora’s hemline as it rose higher and higher. “You’re such a little tramp!” she said when Cora’s hem was well above her knees. “Such a disgusting, loathsome tramp.” Shaking her head slowly, she said in her fake, sad voice, “Your brother told me you had your skirt too high when he got on the bus. I told him he must be wrong. ‘What pure Christian girl would do such a thing, Sean?’ I said to him.”

  “All the girls do it, Mother!”

  Mother’s eyes widened in shock. “They do it?” she said, her voice almost a whisper. She eyed Cora up and down. “To attract boys you disgusting wretch!”

  Cora’s chin trembled as she stood silently.

  She released the girl from her grip and pointed to the lilac bushes with her chin. “Go bring me a switch, Cora.”

  “Mother! No! I’m sorry! Not the switch! I’ve been so good!”

  “Now. Before I bring your father from the barn.”

  Oh no. Father would use his belt. Silently, she turned and walked to the lilac bushes. She knew from long and painful experience that were she to pick out one too green, Mother would summon Father. She would also summon him if she picked out one too thin.
She found one that she knew would suit Mother’s purpose and with trembling hands broke off a length longer than her forearm. She stood with her back to her mother as tears of fear and anger flowed while she stripped off the leaves. With a sigh more forlorn and resigned than fearful now, she returned to the veranda.

  “Cora, I don’t do this for pleasure,” Mother lied as she took it in hand. Her eyes glimmered as she held it up for examination. “I do this for your own good. Spare the rod…” she shot Cora a look.

  With an practiced adroitness borne of repetition, Cora bowed her head and said softly “… spoil the child, Mother.”

  “Turn away and lean against the porch railing.”

  Her skirt was still hiked up. She knew what was coming, and she knew it was gonna hurt a LOT. Even so, the searing agony of the first blow was an excruciating strip of pain across both of her thighs. She yelped.

  Taking a deep breath, Mother said, “You want to show off your legs to boys, eh?” She leaned into the next lash, the second stroke crossing the first to create a red X on the back of the girl’s leg.

  Cora was able to keep her mouth closed until Mother went to work on her other leg, repeated lashes building into a crescendo of torment until a shriek, followed by a series of wails exploded out from the girl. The last two searing strokes were behind her knees and she collapsed to the floor, crying in pain.

  “There!” said Mother, snapping the switch in half and tossing it over the porch railing. “Go to your room and stay there! Pray for forgiveness, and I’ll see you in the morning.” She turned to the door. “I’ll have to manage on my own preparing supper for the family,” she said with a tired voice.

  ***

  At school the next day, she kept to herself. Her legs were aflame, the angry welts covered up by her longest skirt and knee highs. When Greg Armitrage approached her during recess, she flinched when he sat beside her.

  “Cora, what’s wrong?” he asked. His eyebrows formed a straight line of worry over his deep set brown eyes.