by Karen Kelley
“For an old woman she sure can move fast,” he muttered and turned to go back inside.
Quiet surrounded him, chilling him to the bone. Was Selena upstairs? More than likely she was in her room curled on her bed with one of her books. Either that or plotting a way to kill him.
He sat down in the nearest chair, crossing his arms in front of him. Something was going on. But what? The more he thought about it, the more he knew Selena was playing him for a fool. But why would she try to convince him that she was crazy? He hadn’t done a thing to her. At least, nothing new.
He’d probably been staring at the black notebook for a good two minutes before he realized it was his black notebook in the middle of a stack of books.
It came to him in a flash. Writing in his book, then Tye wanting him to look around outside for those stupid bones. He’d slid the notebook between the books.
She wouldn’t stoop so low as to read what he’d written. Would she? He opened the book, could almost smell her perfume wafting up to him. There was a smudge on a page—no big deal. A fold on another that shouldn’t be there. A corner where she might have unknowingly worried it with her fingernail.
He closed the book. It had all been an act to scare the crap out of him because she was pissed. It had worked. She had given him more than a twinge of uneasiness.
But now he had a problem. His gaze moved to the staircase. She wouldn’t believe that he wasn’t going to write the exposé. Why would she? She’d read his notes. Hell, his musings, his observations, all of it condemned him.
He closed the book, setting it down, thinking about their time together. His gut told him that she wasn’t conning the public. He’d bet his life on it. He couldn’t say for sure how he knew, but he knew. Maybe her head wasn’t screwed on perfectly straight, but he kind of liked it that way.
Somehow, someway, they would work everything out. Including this stupid challenge. He came to his feet and went in search of her.
Not upstairs.
When had she slipped past him? He traipsed back down the stairs.
Not in the kitchen, either.
He went back to the foyer. Where else could she be? What if she was lying hurt somewhere? The hotel was old. Anything could’ve happened. A faulty step giving away, a loose board.
The blood in his veins ran cold.
He strode toward the other side of the hotel.
“Selena!”
“You’re seeking me out?”
Her sultry voice floated to him from the library. Even as relief washed over him, so did desire. She had a soft Southern drawl, but it didn’t make him think of church socials. No, it made him think of things that would make a hooker blush.
And as soon as they had their little talk, he planned to make Selena’s body blush—every inch of it. Just the thought started an ache deep inside him.
He walked into the dark room, but came to an abrupt halt.
What the hell is she doing now?
A heavy odor clung to the air. He sniffed. Grape incense? He’d never cared for incense, and this scent didn’t change his mind.
The candles were lit again, too, only four so the light was dim at best. Selena wore a long flowing gown in wild colors and some kind of turban on her head that was slightly askew. Every time she moved her hands the bangles on her wrists jingled and the rings on her fingers flashed.
She was up to something, but only one thought ran through his mind: was she wearing anything under the robes?
The silky material would caress her skin just the way he wanted to. Damned if he wasn’t jealous of a piece of material.
“Listen, Selena, we have to talk.”
“Sit.” She waved her hand toward a card table that had been set up.
“I know why you’re doing this... ”
“Sit.” She floated over to the table and gracefully sat in one of the chairs, then looked at him expectantly.
Fine, he’d humor her. Then they would have a talk, and after that they’d have sex. He took a seat across from her. “What exactly are we doing?”
Selena cast a quick glance in his direction. Trent didn’t look a bit worried. Amused maybe, but not worried. He didn’t know what was about to happen, either. Revenge could be sweet.
He suddenly looked at her and their gazes locked. A flash of heat swept over her. For a moment she couldn’t move, couldn’t think, couldn’t remember what she was doing.
So not fair!
With a supreme effort, she forced herself to look away and returned her attention to the glitter she was sprinkling on the table. Why did he have to look so good when she was about to scare the hell out of him? He wanted proof? Okay, she’d show him a ghost!
Sure, she knew Dixie and Wesley wouldn’t cooperate. She didn’t really care. She was out for revenge.
“We’re having a séance,” she told him.
“A séance?”
“To call the ghosts so that you will believe,” she droned much like her mother did when she was trying for a certain effect.
Wesley looked at Dixie. “We’re already here,” he whispered. “Can’t she see us?”
Selena glared at Wesley, who sat on top of a stack of books.
“Of course she can see us,” Dixie explained with a smile. “She’s just really mad at Trent.”
“I hope they don’t get shot like we did.”
Dixie rolled her eyes. “And just who would shoot them?”
“They might not get shot, but I’d bet my bottom dollar nothing good is goin’ to come from all this.”
“You never had a dollar to your name, cowboy.”
His slow grin had Dixie glowing bright blue. “That’s because I spent it on a pretty little gal who worked in a saloon.”
“Silence,” Selena commanded.
“I didn’t say anything,” Trent told her.
Damned ghosts. For them not wanting to communicate with Trent, they sure talked a lot. She was frowning when she looked across the table, but her irritation disappeared when she saw the way Trent looked at her—as if he wanted to devour her.
Stay strong!
Deep breath. Gio. No, not Gio.
Oh, Lord, his gaze moved to her breasts. Good thing she was wearing a bra, because her nipples were really hard right now.
“Did they freeze?” Wesley asked. “Saw a frozen rabbit once looked kind of like they do right now.”
Selena snapped out of her daze. Revenge. She had to remember why she was here.
“I was just telling you that we’ll need complete silence if I’m to prove ghosts exist.” She only hoped Paige’s mirrors, lights and flashing pictures worked. It wasn’t anything elaborate, and Paige was hidden in a corner with all the controls. She’d sneaked everything in earlier, and they’d quickly set all of it up, praying the whole time Trent wouldn’t decide to come into the library.
She would soon see his reaction. Show time!
“Spirits from beyond, I call you forth,” she intoned.
Dixie chuckled. “This is better than that traveling show them actors put on. Remember that?”
“Yeah, and afterward, too, when I slipped into your bed and under your covers.”
Great. Not only did she have two ghosts talking, but now they were talking about sex. The stupid grape incense didn’t help. It only made her hungry for a fruit salad. She’d asked Paige why she couldn’t have brought a more intense incense, but she’d only shrugged and told Selena she’d been trying to hurry.
But grape? Yuck. The air had shifted, and the grape scent blocked the more sensuous smell of Trent’s Gio.
But maybe that was a good thing?
She closed her eyes and began to sway. “Show us a sign,” she droned. When she peeked from one eye she saw the corners of Trent’s mouth twitching right before he straightened in his chair and his expression turned serious.
Laugh at me, will you?
“Show us a sign,” she repeated, then inhaled and almost choked. Apparently, Paige had sprayed the musty perfume
that she’d concocted for Halloween night at the school, but she’d sprayed it a little too many times. It was really gross mixed with the grape incense.
“What is that—” Trent began.
“They’re here,” she interrupted, her voice low. If she wasn’t so pissed at him, this might be fun. “It’s the smell of death.”
“Excuse me,” Dixie began, planting her hands on her hips. “I don’t think I smell that bad.”
“Of course you don’t, darlin’.”
God help me, Selena thought to herself.
“Spirits of the hotel, why do you haunt us?”
“Technically, they haven’t been haunting me,” Trent supplied.
She glared at him, wanting to wipe that smirk off his face. And she would. She’d give him a con like he’d never seen.
“Can you feel them?” she asked.
“No.”
“Be very still.” Okay, what was Paige doing? The mists should’ve appeared by now. What was she supposed to do now? Dance on the table? Oh, yeah, Trent would probably like that. Come on, Paige, don’t fail me now.
In the corner, a green cloud began to form. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“There,” she said, raising a hand and pointing.
He turned slightly in his chair, stilled.
“The hotel is haunted!” Dixie screamed and flew closer to Wesley.
He chuckled. “By us, darlin’, by us. Remember Doc Wells and his magic tricks? It’s the same thing. Selena’s just foolin’ Trent. She’s pretty good, too.”
“I don’t think it’s a bit funny.” Dixie pouted. “She scared me.”
“That’s okay. I like you scared.” For a second their spirits blended.
“Oh, Wesley,” Dixie sighed.
“Oh, brother,” Selena muttered, then quickly covered her words with a cough when Trent looked at her.
“Is that your ghost?” he asked with a cocked eyebrow, nodding toward the cloud.
There was a loud rumble.
She jumped. Then it dawned on her what it was. Cool. Paige had brought sound effects.
“Did I upset your ghost?” Trent folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the back of his chair.
Dixie frowned. “He’s starting to make me angry.”
Good, Selena thought, that was exactly what she wanted. She wanted them angry enough to reveal themselves to Trent. She only hoped her Plan B worked. If it didn’t, there was always Plan C.
She began to sway again. “Show yourselves to the unbeliever,” she crooned.
“I’ll never believe, Selena,” Trent quietly told her, reaching across the table and taking her hand in his.
For just a second, she let his warmth envelop her. Then she pulled her hand away. It wouldn’t do to get caught up in the moment. She had to make him see the truth. Even if she scared the hell out of him.
The thunder sounded again.
“That’s not convincing me,” he said in a loud voice. “Whoever is helping Selena might as well stop. Ghosts do not exist.”
“Are you sure?” Dixie perched on the desk close to Trent.
He jumped.
Finally! Selena barely stopped herself from clapping her hands.
Trent looked at Selena. “You’re really good.”
“That’s Dixie,” she whispered.
He chuckled. “Sure.” He stood and strode to the light switch.
She blinked several times when he hit the switch and light flooded the room. When she could focus, she quickly looked around. Dixie was gone.
No! No! No!
Trent strode to the desk and peered over it. “Hello, Paige.”
Paige stood. “Hi, Trent. Seen any ghosts lately?”
“No, and I don’t plan on seeing any.”
“Dixie was real!” Selena stomped her foot.
“I wasn’t born yesterday.”
“I only concocted this so Dixie or Wesley would get mad at you and appear... and Dixie did show herself.” And yes, revenge, but she wouldn’t mention that little detail.
Oh, Lord, he looked at her with pity in his eyes. The last thing she wanted was pity. She wasn’t sure which was worse, that he felt sorry for her or that he thought she was conning the public.
“You saw Dixie, didn’t you?” she asked Paige.
Her cousin shook her head. “I thought I heard a strange woman’s voice, but I was having trouble with the green smoke machine.”
“See! I told you it was all an elaborate setup.”
Paige wiggled out from behind the desk. “Uh, I think I’ll... uh... remove myself from the line of fire. Sorry, cuz. I thought this would work, too. I guess it backfired.” She scooted out the door.
Selena clamped her lips together and socked her hands on her hips. “Dixie was the real thing. I wanted to draw her out, and I did. What you saw was a ghost. Not mirrors or something we concocted.”
“I don’t care. It doesn’t matter anymore.” He waved his arm in front of him. “All this doesn’t matter. I don’t care what you were trying to do. But I’ve come to realize I care about you. We’ll figure out something so we can end this stupid challenge, but I refuse to let what we have between us end.”
“Don’t you see? It does matter to me. There can never be an us if you don’t believe.” She sniffed.
Oh, God, she was going to cry. She couldn’t let him see her cry. She ran from the room, through the kitchen and out the backdoor, letting it slam behind her.
She heard Paige’s attempt to start her Jeep that she refused to trade in, swearing that the heap of metal was like an old friend.
Selena knew she could stay the night with her cousin. That wasn’t what she wanted to do, but she didn’t want to go back inside and face Trent, either. Not until she had a chance to bring her emotions under control.
Damn him for being so hard headed! And for wanting to write a stupid book about her.
The Jeep sputtered to life.
Selena didn’t move as she listened to Paige leave. She looked behind her at the hotel. Was he gloating? Scribbling more lies into his black notebook? She should’ve burned it!
The light from the kitchen cast all but a narrow strip of the backyard in shadow. She kicked at a small rock and began walking down the yard.
Why couldn’t she make him see?
Trent should’ve figured out that Paige might be good with the mirrors and sound, but she wasn’t that good. Dixie had finally appeared, and he couldn’t see her for what she was.
Her plan had worked only to backfire. Damn and double damn. She stepped onto a boarded platform. Lord, she had to have the rottenest luck with men.
There was a crack beneath her. She looked down just as the bottom fell from beneath her. She gasped as the air whooshed past her. She landed with a thud, banging her head.
“What happened?” she mumbled as she tried to stand. She reached out and came back with a handful of damp earth. When she moved her head to look around, a sharp pain shot through it.
“Ow.”
She touched the tender area. It came away wet. Blood? She couldn’t see. The world began to spin. “Oh... hell.”
Everything closed in on her, and she knew she was going to pass out.
“Trent. Help... ”
Chapter 25
Trent flinched when he heard Paige’s vehicle start and pull away. Just as he’d flinched when he heard Selena slam out the back door.
She was gone.
Why the hell did he have to believe in ghosts to have a relationship with her? He was willing to accept she was... was...
Was what?
Someone who was ripping off the public? Having any kind of relationship with her would go against everything he believed in. But he still didn’t think she was conning people.
Maybe unknowingly?
Who was he kidding?
He walked around the library. The mirrors were there, the recorder for the sounds—even a damn smoke machine. Although he had to admit she’d done a bang-up job bring
ing Dixie to life... or death, according to how you looked at it.
It still didn’t change what she was doing or make it right. He should just admit he’d been duped again. Selena was a carbon copy of Celeste, and he was old enough to have known better.
He cut off the light as he left the room.
A beer right now would be nice. Alcohol might numb the emptiness inside him. But rather than walk toward the kitchen, he went in the opposite direction.
Sleep. He’d lose himself in sleep and hopefully not dream of Selena tonight. Or maybe he would. It seemed they got along better in slumber.
“Trent,” someone called as he passed by the front door.
He hesitated, wondering if he’d actually heard his name being called. He went to the door and listened. Nothing. Rather than go to his room, he went outside. A welcome breeze caressed his face. Then he saw her.
“Matilda, you’re up late tonight.” He noted her worried frown. “Nothing wrong, is there?”
“You have to help her.” She twisted her apron in her hands.
A cold feeling of dread washed over him. “Who?”
“Why, the girl, of course.”
“Selena? She left with her cousin.”
Matilda shook her head. “No, no. She fell.”
The air left his body, and for a second he couldn’t breathe. “Where is she, Matilda?”
She pointed behind the house.
The well. Damn, he’d meant to warn Selena, but he hadn’t thought she’d explore the backyard and certainly not at night. What if she were... He swallowed past the lump in his throat.
“I have to get help.” He turned back toward the house.
“No time. You have to get her out now.”
He didn’t know what was going on, but he had a feeling it wasn’t just fear talking. He ran to the back of the house, calling over his shoulder, “Be careful. You might want to stay in the light.”
As he hurried to the well, sweat beaded his forehead, and it was all he could do to draw air into his lungs. It was as if he had a band around his chest that tightened the closer he got to the well.
“Selena!”
Silence.
He could see the hole where she’d fallen through. He got down on the ground and peered into the well. Oh, God, please let her be okay, he silently prayed.
