Sam wasn’t sure what to do next, but she knew exactly what that prickling feeling was at the back of her neck. People didn’t just pop up like that; she was seeing a spirit, a ghost. Creepy. Totally creepy, but still the coolest thing ever.
Estelle hadn’t been a resident of the hereafter for very long, so sometimes she unintentionally appeared in front of people. Usually they couldn’t see her anyway, so it was no big deal. However, when she’d heard the bell-like sound of a young girl’s voice in the gazebo, she’d become curious, and the next thing she knew, she was facing Sam’s wide-eyed gaze of astonishment. She should have remembered children were more sensitive.
“Who are you?” To her credit, Sam remained calm. A million questions flew into her head but, for once, she only asked the most important one.
“I’m Estelle. Julie is my granddaughter and this used to be my house. Don’t be frightened. I mean you no harm.”
“Oh, I’m not scared, not really. You look like a nice ghost. I just wasn’t expecting you to pop up like that. It only freaked me out for a second. I’m not some kind of wimp. My name’s Samantha but everyone calls me Sam. My dad’s here to see about fixing the roof on your old house and I think he has a crush on Miss Gustavia.”
Estelle smiled at the information dump. “Well, that’s very nice. And what do you think of Miss Gustavia?”
“She’s the best. I love her books and the last one—my idea—well, sort of my idea. She dresses kind of funny sometimes, but I think she looks like a princess. Princess Gustavia. Did you know her when you lived here? Does she know you are still here? Can she see you?” No longer startled, Sam’s usual spate of questions began to flow again.
“Indeed, I did. She was Julie’s roommate in college and then became part of our family. She is a very special person.”
“I think so, too. Can I ask you something?” Sam’s face took on a serious expression, eyes reflecting the troubled sadness that she always carried with her since the loss of her mother.
“You can ask me anything, but there are some questions I am not allowed to answer.” Sam nodded her head as though this made perfect sense.
“Does everyone who dies become a ghost? My mom died, and if she is a ghost like you, why hasn’t she come to see me?”
Estelle desperately wanted to say the right thing so she chose her words carefully. “I stayed here in order to help Julie with a task that she needed to complete but soon, I will move on. Go into the light.”
“Most people go there right away and I bet your mommy did, too.”
Sam said nothing but her crestfallen look spoke volumes.
“I know you wish she could have stayed, even in spirit form, to watch you grow up and help you as much as she could; but I think you know that would have been the wrong thing to do. How sad would it be for her to see you but not be able to hug you when you need comfort or to kiss your cheeks? By moving on, she made space in your life for someone else to do those things, for someone else to love you. Not to take her place, but just to add more to your life. She must have known that, if she had stayed, you might not be as open to that and I can tell that you had a very wise and loving mommy.”
“I don’t want to forget her.” Sam’s tone echoed misery and loss.
“No, of course you don’t and you shouldn’t. But the best way you can remember her is by having a happy and loving life that becomes a tribute. Do you know what a tribute is?”
“I think I understand. It’s like when Ember honored his mother in the story. Okay, but when you go to the light, if you see her, can you tell her I miss her?”
Estelle, overcome by emotion, could only nod as she faded out of sight. Samantha sat quietly, petting Lola and pondering. Julie’s grandmother was a nice ghost and her words had been comforting. If it was really okay to find another mommy, then Sam knew just the person for the job. Miss Gustavia.
Chapter Eight
Slathering his secret homemade barbecue sauce on several racks of ribs, Tyler hovered over the grill like a mother tending her baby while the girls put the rest of the meal together. Finn could see that this was not the first cookout the group had enjoyed; they were a well-oiled team who laughed and teased their way through each task. It was obvious that they were as close knit as most families, yet he also felt the group’s willingness to include him and the welcome that they extended to his daughter.
Lila had always been the social one, most of their friends started out as her friends first. Losing her had created enough of a disconnect for them to just naturally drift away leaving him isolated.
Gustavia set a platter piled high with corn in front of Kat who was sitting at the end of the table, then leaned down to quietly say, “There’s a dozen ears, trash can’s on your left, everything else is on your right.” Kat smiled as she grabbed the first ear then turned toward Finn to explain, “They always stick me with the corn because I’m the only one who will pull off all the silk,” before pulling back the husks to remove the offending strands.
When each ear was picked clean, she slathered it with softened butter then rolled it in a blend of spices before pulling the husks back into place and securing each one with a length of wet cooking twine. These were the next thing to hit the grill, and now that everything else was almost ready, Tyler dropped a few slices of tofu beside the ribs and sauced them liberally as well.
Before he could stop her, Sam spoke up, “Is it because all of your other senses got stronger? We read about that in school.”
“Sam, it’s not appropriate to ask such personal questions. I’m sorry, she often speaks without thinking.”
“It’s fine.” Kat turned in his direction. “Really, it is. Most of the time, people ignore my blindness because they’re scared to ask questions. They think it will make me uncomfortable, but those unasked questions eventually become a wall: One that makes it easier for people to start seeing me as less than instead of just different from them.”
She turned back to the girl. “No, Samantha, my other senses are the same as before, but I do rely on them more since I lost my vision, and most of the time, that’s a good thing.” She smiled. “Like right now, I can tell you Amethyst made the potato salad because she uses just a pinch of celery salt in hers and I can smell it.” She raised her voice, “And Tyler, the tofu is starting to scorch.”
“That’s so cool, it’s like you have a super power.” Just like that, she had put Sam at ease.
Finn frowned when Gustavia stifled a snort at Sam’s comment. There was something going on here. Something they were keeping from him. Nothing malicious, he just found it annoying to not be included.
He grabbed a soft drink from the cooler and poured Sam a cup of lemonade from the pitcher on the picnic table then, settling back into a deck chair, leveled a look at Gustavia.
“Spill it.” He said pulling some folded papers from his shirt pocket and passing them to Julie. “This is my estimate. Just so you know, it’s going to be lower than any you’ll get because I want to work on your house, and if it isn’t, I’ll go lower until you give me the job. I figure since that’s the case and y’all seem so close, we’re probably going to be spending some time together. So, you might as well tell me the story.”
“What story?” Gustavia asked innocently.
“Whatever story you’ve been hinting at this whole time.” He sat back waiting.
His pronouncement was greeted with a moment of silence before Amethyst said, “Every freaking time,” and pulling a ten dollar bill from her pocket, handed it over to Kat. “You’d think I’d learn but I’m such a sucker.”
Screams of laughter erupted around the table as Tyler also pulled out a ten and handed it to Julie. It was a long-standing tradition that Ammie couldn’t resist making them, but never won a bet with Kat and, as a lark, Julie had bet Tyler that money would change hands before the end of the day.
“What was it this time?”
“Five on whether Finn would get the job and the other five on whether we’d be
telling him the story today.” Amethyst mumbled.
Julie passed out plates with a pretty pattern of spring flowers while the others began piling the rest of the food on platters. In a few short minutes, everyone was seated at the picnic table ready to eat.
Gesturing with his fork, Finn said, “Well, get on with it. What’s going on? What’s the big secret?”
“You ever see something that defies explanation?” Gustavia really wasn’t expecting much.
“That’s a pretty broad question. I’ve seen the sun set over the Grand canyon and I watched Sam come into this world, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what you’re asking. Be easier if you just say it right out. Speak plain.”
Amethyst pushed a lock of lavender hair behind her ear, took a deep breath and jumped into the conversation. “I’m an aura reader; Kat’s a psychic; Julie’s been visited by the spirits of her grandmother and great grandfather; and, a month ago, we used the clues they gave us to find a key that led to a panel in her library where some of her family fortune had been hidden for years. That’s how she can afford to repair the roof you’re going to be working on. Any questions?”
Her gaze never wavered from his and she laid it out for him, her deep smoky voice taking on a bored tone. “No? There’s more. Julie’s ex, Logan, is a psychopathic con man with a deep hatred for both her and Gustavia. There are three more keys to find that we assume will lead to three more treasures and we never know when Logan will show up again.” Still she maintained eye contact, “That plain enough?” There was no rancor in her tone, but she was curious to see what his reaction would be. He’d asked for plain speaking and that’s exactly what she’d given him.
At first Gustavia thought he’d been rendered speechless by the revelation and she fully expected him to take back his estimate and leave. She was doomed to disappointment.
For several moments, the only noises to be heard were the sweet and persistent singing of birds in concert with the buzz and chirp of insects while the entire table waited for him to speak.
Finn blinked several times, cleared his throat and said, “Treasure hunt? You had an actual treasure hunt?”
“Leave it to a guy to pick up on that part of it.” Julie’s dry tone was accompanied by a knowing smile. “And the rest of the story? Your thoughts?”
He wasn’t about to tell them his thoughts since he was pretty sure saying it was a cockamamie story probably wouldn’t land him the job, and ghosts or no, he still wanted to be the one to bring this place back to glory. The roof was only the beginning. “Is it okay if I reserve judgment on that?”
Shrugs and grins were the only response he was going to get. If Gustavia chose not to act on her attraction, he’d probably finish the roof and stay uninvolved with the rest. Otherwise, he’d meet the ghosts eventually and see for himself. It was bound to happen since they tended to pop in without thinking. Unless he was one of those closed-off people who could never see them. That would be the test.
“Now, tell me more about the hidden panel in the library. You have to show it to me. How does it work?”
Sitting quietly for once, Samantha struggled with whether or not she should mention meeting Estelle in the gazebo. It probably wasn’t the best time to bring it up because she wasn’t sure how her dad would take the news, but she knew the others were telling the truth.
***
“He’s not sure what to believe but I think he’ll do. He’s got potential.” They all turned to see Estelle standing behind them as they watched Finn pull away down the drive.
“Potential for what?” Gustavia may have decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, but she was still a bit annoyed with the man. He was inconsistent. Infuriating.
Estelle tilted her head and pinned the younger woman with a look. “This isn’t the time to play coy. You know what I mean. There’s a spark between you; you felt it and so did he.”
“Maybe. But what if I want to throw water on the spark? Put it out before it starts a fire and burns down the town. Ever think of that?” It wasn’t like Gustavia to sass Grams, but her thoughts toward Finn were conflicted.
He was attractive, no doubt about that. He was gentle and loving with his daughter, she couldn’t fault him there. But then there was that side of him that just made her want to chew nails. The one she thought couldn’t or wouldn’t see past her exterior to the woman inside.
Wisely Estelle continued on, “The girl, she’s very sweet and I should probably tell you that she can see me. It took me by surprise, too. We had a conversation in the gazebo.”
“He’ll probably blame that on me, too.” Gustavia grumbled under her breath.
Estelle shot her another look. One that had Gustavia ducking her head and shuffling her feet.
Amethyst nudged Kat and whispered, “Ten?”
“Deal.”
“Enough with this for now, but be sure we will revisit the topic.” Rarely had Estelle needed to resort to sternness. She’d raised Julie with much love and affection; but, when the occasion demanded, she could be formidable.
“Now, update me. Any contact from Logan?”
“It’s been a month; I bet he’s halfway across the country and over it by now. Probably decided to cut his losses and move on. Forget all about us.” Tyler said. “Can’t Julius sense him anymore?”
Julius, just now appearing, answered the question with a troubled look on his face. “There’s some kind of block or shield. I’ve been trying to find him, but it’s like he’s become a black space.”
Gustavia was thankful for the change of subject. She hated being on the receiving end of Estelle’s displeasure but Finn came off as more than a little moody and she wasn’t quite ready to trust him yet. He wasn’t spiking her jerk meter the way Logan Ellis had done, but he was messing with her senses. Until she had him pegged, she was keeping a bit of distance. Shame really, since he did have his moments and he came with a ready-made family. Something she longed to have for herself.
Hearing the mention of her brother’s name pulled her focus back to the conversation.
“Zack keeps us informed, but there have been no reported sightings for the past couple weeks. Zack figures he’s gone to ground somewhere. Changed his name, probably his appearance, too. Current theory is that he will probably resurface at some point. Somewhere far away from here, though”
“The man is well on his way to being insane; I’m worried about you. Promise me you will all be vigilant. I still have a bad feeling about him.”
A scowling Julius intoned, “Best thing all around is to continue on to the next step. I have a theory it’s all tied together, your hunt and that young man’s sanity.”
“Are you allowed to tell us anything helpful this time?” Tyler asked.
He thought for a minute then his scowl deepened.
“You already have the key but I can’t tell you what it is.”
“Cryptic as always.”
Chapter Nine
Tyler was only partly right; Logan was halfway across the country, but he hadn’t forgotten the humiliation handed to him when Gustavia nearly caught him in her little booby trap. A month later and he was still seething. He’d managed to pull himself together enough to move on to the next con, but this one wasn’t going well, either. Defeat had robbed him of his edge, his ability to blend into the corporate crowd. It had left a visible stain on him. He was tainted with it and he blamed Gustavia. She was the one. She had poisoned Julie against him and then, even worse, set her cop brother on his tail.
Now he couldn’t seem to fit back into his old life, the one where he’d been suave enough, believable enough, to sell anything to anyone.
When he looked in the mirror, he still saw that man, the ultimate actor, the con artist. He didn’t see the dangerous light in his own eyes, the barely restrained fury or the condescending attitude that visibly labeled everyone around him a mark.
Caught in the web of self-denial, he didn’t understand that his arrogance and disdain was written all over him
. It was there in the way he carried himself, in the way he spoke. There was nothing left in him of the patience required for running another long con. He’d give himself another week to make some headway, and unless he saw some progress, he’d be forced to turn his attention toward revenge. They would pay, every one of them and Gustavia most of all.
Satisfied his decision was the best one, Logan finished shaving, got dressed and left the hotel. He hadn’t seen any reason to rent a condo this time; he was only planning to be in town for a week or so before the next stage of the plan either saw him relocating entirely or returning to Oakville.
***
The sun shone from an impossibly blue sky, throwing heat shimmers off the roof as bare-chested men with bunching muscles hammered new sheathing in place. Gustavia, Julie and Amethyst watched with growing appreciation as heat-teased sweat made masculine bodies glimmer and shine.
“It’s nice here in the gazebo.” Gustavia fanned herself lazily, lips quirked in appreciation at the view.
“Think we’re participating in some sort of reverse objectification ritual? Like when construction workers yell sexual slurs at passing women?” Amethyst idly wondered aloud.
“We haven’t yelled any sexual slurs…yet.” Julie waggled her eyebrows.
“Oh look, that one dropped his hammer—that’s right, bend over, pick it up—and there it is.”
“Hey, we were just congratulating ourselves for not stooping.”
“Well, I didn’t yell it, did I? Don’t I get a little credit for a sotto voce violation of the sexual objectification code?” Gustavia grinned then repeated. “It’s nice here in the gazebo.”
“I believe this moment needs immortalizing.” Julie levered out of her chair and sauntered back toward the house returning minutes later with her camera. She fitted it with a nice long lens and sat back, aiming and snapping away.
Bells On Her Toes (The Psychic Seasons Series Book 2) Page 6
