The Lodge at Whispering Pines

by Melissa R. L. Simonin

  “Thank you,” I said, kissing him over and over. “I can’t even tell you how much I was dreading this semester, until you gave me an alternative.”

  “I know, Anika. You’ve done a good job hiding it, but you don’t need to do that. I want to protect you, and according to Trix, that’s my responsibility. I’m glad I realized you needed a break. From now on, be upfront with me about what you need. I can do a better job taking care of you, if you do that.”

  “Okay. I will,” I said. “Thank you. For everything.”

  “You’re welcome,” Miles said. He hugged me a second more and kissed me, then held me back. “Your breakfast is getting cold.”

  I laughed.

  “It’s strawberries and whipped cream pancakes, some of it’s supposed to be cold.”

  “Okay, well… you should probably eat anyway,” he smiled.

  I returned to my seat and picked up my fork, and we focused our attention on our meals for a few minutes.

  “You were going to tell me about the Lodge being for sale,” I said, suddenly remembering.

  “Yes, right,” said Miles. “It’s kind of an interesting story, actually.”

  “It is? That it was for sale?”

  “Why it was for sale,” said Miles. “If… I tell you this and it concerns you, then I’ll buy you another inn or lodge somewhere else. But this could be kind of interesting, and with our backgrounds and everything, then who better to own the place and look into these claims?”

  “What on earth are you talking about?” I asked, completely perplexed.

  “I wanted the Lodge because of the memories we’ve made there, and I knew you would too,” said Miles. “I think it’ll be worth it whatever we find out, and we can handle it, whatever it is.”

  “You better spit it out,” I said a little sharply. “What are you being so cryptic about!”

  “I do have my abilities, which I’ve perfected, if I do say so myself. I’m not concerned like I was when we thought there was paranormal activity at the estate when we were engaged.”

  “Oh my goodness, what are you saying?” I asked.

  “Well, the reason the Lodge at Whispering Pines was so suddenly placed for sale, and the reason the sale is going through so quickly, is because the owner is convinced it’s haunted.”

  I dropped my fork.

  Chapter 2

  “I don’t believe it’s haunted,” said Miles, as he stopped my falling fork in midair, and floated it back into my hand.

  I stared at him as I processed what he just said.

  “Do you have details about this alleged haunting?” I asked.

  “Some,” said Miles. “Remember the Lodge’s restaurant, Elizabeth’s? It’s said to be named after an Elizabeth that once lived and died in the mansion that eventually became the Lodge, and who still wanders its halls. I researched this before I made our first dinner reservation there. It’s a beautiful place, and I knew you’d love it, but if the rumors of ghostly activity could be supported, then I didn’t want to take you there. What I discovered though, is that no one named Elizabeth either lived or died at the mansion.”

  “Hm. That’s interesting,” I said, as I started to eat again.

  “Yes. What’s even more interesting is that the rumor of Elizabeth’s ghostly presence at the Lodge at Whispering Pines was invented by the guy who purchased the mansion and converted it into a lodge.”

  “No way!” I said.

  “Yes, that’s exactly what happened,” said Miles. “He thought that would attract visitors, and it probably did to some extent.”

  “Sarah’s family did the same thing, they started the rumors that Katharine’s ghost haunted Stonecastle Inn,” I said. “And Alfred wanted to do that too, when he tried to take over as trustee for the House of Bannerman estate.”

  “I remember,” said Miles. “That would have been torture if he accomplished turning the estate into a resort, and marketed it using the lies that were told about me. Thank you for not letting that happen.”

  “You’re more than welcome,” I said, squeezing his hand. “No way would I let him do that to you. You were such a good man, then and now, and—my blood stills boils when I think about what he wanted to do!”

  “If it makes you feel any better, Trix and I would have convinced him he wasn’t welcome there,” Miles smiled.

  I laughed, remembering some of the things Miles and Trixie did to make Alfred’s visits to the estate both memorable and exciting.

  “So then, what paranormal activity is being attributed to the fictitious Elizabeth?” I asked. I finished the last of my pancakes while Miles responded.

  “There have been numerous claims that the ghostly figure of a woman in white appears out of nowhere, and then vanishes into thin air. The previous owner wasn’t forthcoming about this, of course.”

  “Hm. Afraid no one would buy the Lodge?” I asked.

  “That’s very possible,” said Miles. “Elizabeth sounded like a great idea to the guy at one point, but he didn’t like it so much once it looked as though she moved in.”

  “How did you find out about all this, since the owner wasn’t upfront about it?”

  “Online reviews from some of the recent guests to the Lodge, and online comments from a couple of the employees.”

  “Okay, so… that could be similar to what happened at Stonecastle Inn, the previous owner wanted guests to believe there was a ghost, and then some of the guests began making up stories about seeing one.”

  “It could, absolutely. However, remember that this was a marketing scheme the owner came up with. He knew there was no Elizabeth. But something changed his mind.”

  “Okay, so… did someone trick the owner into believing the Lodge is haunted?” I wondered. “Or is there really someone there, someone other than Elizabeth? I’ve wondered before if there were other semi-transparent people out there.”

  “I’ve wondered the same thing,” said Miles. “If there are others in a semi-transparent state, there would have to be a reason for it. In my situation we know now, thanks to Trix’s enlightenment, that I was waiting for you so that you could free me, and I could protect you and help you to accomplish what you’re capable of.”

  “You proved over the years that you can handle the abilities that you have and that you won’t misuse them,” I said. “You proved that you love me, and will put me first… you’ve done that practically since the day we met.”

  “I’ve loved you practically since the day we met,” said Miles. “Not the way I do now, but when you sat there and said you didn’t believe I killed my brother, there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you from that moment on.”

  “Really?” I said, as Miles took my hand and led me away from the table.

  “Absolutely,” he said. “Of course if I hadn’t been semi-transparent, I would have been in love with you.”

  “You’re just teasing, now,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “I am not,” Miles protested, as I sat on the couch and he built a fire in the fireplace. “Not only were you beautiful, you were also brave, and really funny. Smart, too. You noticed things I hadn’t, and I had about a hundred and forty years more than you did to think things over. You were loyal, and so much fun to talk to.”

  Miles lit the newspaper that was wadded up in the fireplace, then joined me on the couch. We watched the flames as they traveled from one piece of paper to the other, and the kindling began to burn. Soon the logs would begin to catch fire also. Miles was good at starting fires.

  “You were beautiful, too, did I mention that?” Miles asked, putting his arm around me. He was good at starting more than one kind of fire.

  “You did mention that,” I said, turning so I could rest my cheek against his shoulder. “Don’t let that stop you, though.”

  Miles laughed, and hugged me.

  “You were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.”

  “You’re telling the truth,” I said, and smiled. I liked hearing that. “Those words mel
t just as well as one of your looks.”

  Miles tilted my chin and gave me one of those looks, and I melted on cue as he kissed me.

  Operating under the assumption that we were snowed in, which we didn’t bother to validate one way or the other, it just made sense to stay at the Inn longer than we originally planned. So instead of returning to Cedar Oaks Saturday afternoon, we decided to stay until Tuesday. We hardly left our suite, other than a trip to the Inn’s boutiques. They have the most amazing fudge in all sorts of varieties, and clothes, jewelry—not that I need any more of that—and other locally made wares. Besides that minor shopping excursion, we stayed in. After all, if I didn’t see any other people… I couldn’t possibly encounter anyone covered in darkness.

  “This weekend is exactly what I needed,” I said, as I pinned up my hair. “Every time we finish up a case, I vote for spending at least the following weekend in total isolation.”

  “This ability to sense darkness is enough to make you feel like becoming a recluse, isn’t it,” said Miles sympathetically. He relaxed in one of the suite’s comfortable chairs as he waited for me to finish getting ready for dinner.

  “It is, if I don’t intentionally give myself breaks from it,” I said. “I didn’t realize what a difference it would make to have one, until now. I’m feeling much more energized, and able to take on whatever comes next.”

  “We’ll make this a habit then,” said Miles. “At the end of each investigation we’ll go away by ourselves for a few days, or however long you need, so that you can be sure of some time off.”

  “Perfect. I feel even better, having come to that agreement,” I said. “I’m glad you were able to work everything out for my internship today. It’s amazing what you’re able to accomplish, and in so little time.”

  “It has a lot to do with the Foundation, and the support they continue to provide to the University,” said Miles.

  “Well… you are the Foundation, dear, so it has everything to do with you,” I said. “Thank you for taking care of that. We’d have to be back in Glen Haven right now getting ready for classes to start this week, otherwise. I’m much more excited about getting to know our new lodge, instead of going to class and studying for exams. How did you manage to push the sale through so fast?”

  “I paid cash. Amazing the red tape that cuts through. The owner was thrilled to sign, and that was that.”

  I put on my earrings, and fastened my necklace. I took one last look in the mirror, then stood and turned around.

  “What do you think?” I asked.

  “Absolutely beautiful,” said Miles, and I spun in a circle. “Oh, you mean the dress?”

  I laughed, rolled my eyes, and Miles smiled.

  “Yes, I mean the dress!”

  “It’s beautiful too, it looks as though it was made for you,” said Miles admiringly. “I’m glad we took that trip to the boutique.”

  “It’s a good thing I brought my highest heels, it almost brushes the floor as it is,” I said, looking down at the long ivory skirt. “Your mother’s gold locket is perfect with this.”

  I looked in the mirror and admired the locket, which lay against the lacy top that went with the skirt.

  “I agree,” said Miles, standing and holding out his hand. I smiled and put my hand in his, then we walked out into the main room of the suite.

  “I’m looking forward to having dinner with Morgan and Sarah,” I said, as Miles closed the door to the suite behind us. I tucked my hand in Miles’ arm and we walked together down the short hallway to the elevator. Our suite was in the tower, and I didn’t want to try navigating all of those stairs with this long skirt, and these high heels.

  “It’s nice that we have the opportunity tonight, since we’ll be leaving tomorrow,” said Miles.

  “Kind of nice too that Morgan’s family was here until this afternoon, so we didn’t seem rude staying in our suite and avoiding everyone else until now,” I said.

  “Morgan and Sarah haven’t been married long either. I doubt they would have noticed our absence very much,” said Miles.

  “You’re probably right,” I said.

  The elevator doors opened, and Miles and I stepped out into the lobby. A fire burned brightly in the large fireplace that stood in the center of the room, and a few guests were gathered, laughing and chatting, around a couple of its many sides. The comfortable seating areas were all but empty, this time of evening.

  We walked through the lobby, and looking to the left, I saw Morgan and Sarah. I squeezed Miles’ arm, as I smiled and waved to our friends.

  “Hi guys,” said Morgan, as he and Sarah met us by the double doors leading to Katharine’s.

  “Good to see you,” said Miles, as they shook hands.

  Sarah and I hugged each other, and she smiled.

  “I’m so glad we can have dinner together before you head back to school tomorrow,” she said.

  “Me too,” I replied, as Miles and Morgan each opened a door for us, and we walked into the Inn’s upscale restaurant. “We’re not going back to school, though.”

  “You’re not?” asked Sarah, in surprise.

  “No, as a matter of fact we’re not,” said Miles. “We’ll tell you all about it at dinner.”

  “I can’t wait,” said Morgan, as the maître de summoned a waiter, who then led us through the main dining room, on the way to Morgan and Sarah’s favorite semi-private dining area.

  Light from the flickering candles at the center of each table played softly over the heavy white tablecloths, the red and white carnation centerpieces, and the shining cutlery and crystal at each place setting. Music flowed from the grand piano in the center of the room, and outside, snowflakes fell past the large windows that lined one wall.

  “It’s absolutely beautiful,” I said, as we reached our table and Miles pulled out my chair for me, and Morgan did the same for Sarah. “I love your Inn.”

  “Thank you,” smiled Sarah. “It was wonderful before, but not like it has been ever since Morgan came.”

  “It’s all her, really, I just let her do what she wanted to all along,” Morgan smiled.

  “You’ve done so much more than that,” Sarah said. “For someone so confident, it’s amazing how modest you manage to be.”

  It was easy to see how much they loved each other, and that made me glad. My truth ability wasn’t all about putting away murderers. The first truth I gained through it, was that Morgan was hopelessly in love with Sarah. The poor guy didn’t realize that was what he’d been feeling, and was well on the way to driving himself crazy. He didn’t want her to be with any other guy, but felt like he shouldn’t be attracted to her because she was his best friend… he needed straightening out, and when I realized the truth, Miles was able to talk sense into him. It felt good to know we had a part in bringing about the happiness I saw in their eyes.

  “So what’s up with you two?” asked Morgan, turning the conversation our direction. “What’s this about not going back to college?”

  “Is it because of what happened last semester?” asked Sarah.

  Everyone knew about Rob Westin, the guy at the center of our first murder investigation. We managed with the help of our PI to stay low profile for every murderer we investigated since.

  “A little, yes, I guess,” I said. It was so much more than that, but that is what started it all off.

  “It’s crazy what the detectives got on that guy once they started looking into his past,” said Morgan.

  “Yes, it is,” agreed Miles.

  “He was a psychopath,” I said. “It’s a shame he didn’t live to stand trial for all of the crimes he committed, but… the world’s a safer place without him in it.”

  “I can’t imagine how that would feel, knowing this guy was targeting you as his next victim,” said Sarah, a look of concern in her eyes.

  “Well, it was insulting, that’s for sure,” I said. “But I have good friends, and my faith, and my extremely amazing husband, who stood up for me.
The guy didn’t stand a chance.”

  I had some pretty amazing abilities too, and so did Miles, but Morgan and Sarah didn’t know about those.

  “Are you dealing with any post-traumatic stress after that, on top of everything else you’ve been through in the last couple of years?” asked Morgan. “You’d have to be.”

  I looked at Miles, and he answered.

  “We’re working through it, but I can’t say we haven’t been affected. I feel a lot more comfortable when I’m with Anika, because then I know she’s alright. I do worry about her when we’re not together.”

  “If only we were majoring in the same thing,” I said.

  “Is that why you’re not going back to school?” asked Sarah.

  “We’re doing things differently this semester,” said Miles. “Anika will do what amounts to an internship at a lodge, and I’ll do my classes online, so we can spend the most time together.”

  “It’s a lodge that Miles just bought,” I said enthusiastically. “It’s in Glen Haven where we go to school, and have an apartment.”

  “We’ll live at the Lodge though,” said Miles, looking at me as he said it. I smiled, but managed to refrain from clapping. I love that idea!

  “So you found a place after all,” said Morgan. “Did you decide not to convert your estate?”

  “That’s still a future possibility,” Miles said. “Anika and I talk about it now and then. It’s a big decision, and one we aren’t likely to make until after we graduate.”

  “This semester is going to be so much fun,” I said. “I can’t wait to get started! I’m not sure how this is going to work… we own the Lodge at Whispering Pines, after all. I don’t know that they had an internship program in place, did they? Do you know, Miles?”

  “Plans were in the works, but for some reason or other it never worked out,” Miles said. Then he smiled, and squeezed my hand. “Until now.”

  Our server arrived and took our drink orders, and left behind a basket of rolls. I took a few seconds to study the menu.