Whispering Pines

by Mavis Applewater

  Faith mulled over Althea’s words. What could she say? Althea had a really good point. “I get it,” she said. “I’ve made my living by claiming there’s no such thing as ghosts. I can’t very well expect to be taken seriously after Whispering Pines. I guess it’s time for another career change.”

  “I’m truly sorry.” Althea sighed. “I wish there were someway I could send you on assignment.”

  “Don’t be.” Faith chuckled. “Losing the job pales in comparison to what I’ve gained. Speaking of which, I’m going to be late. Shawn and I are having dinner at this new restaurant in the Village.”

  “I can’t believe the two of you are still together,” Althea said.

  “Why not?” Faith gasped with mock indignation. “I’m quite the catch.”

  Althea laughed. “So is she.”

  “I know that.” Faith grabbed her coat. “Like I said, being unemployed isn’t that much of a hardship. Knowing that she’s in my life means everything. The only downside is it gets a little creepy at times.”

  “How so?”

  “Dead people.” Faith shivered. “They follow her everywhere. Even her apartment’s haunted. I have to go. Traffic’s going to be a bitch.”

  * * *

  When Faith arrived at the restaurant, she apologized for being late and then proceeded to recount the details of her meeting with Althea.

  “They fired you?” Shawn gaped at her.

  “Technically, no, since, like you, I’m contracted gig to gig,” Faith said. “They just aren’t going to hire me again.”

  “And the difference is?”

  “Look at it from their standpoint. I’m a skeptic who isn’t skeptical. You know Althea is making the right call. If we weren’t talking about me, you’d agree with this.”

  “But we are talking about you.” Shawn took her lover’s hand.

  “I’m going to be fine. We have a book to write, which should keep me out of trouble until I find a new career. Do you mind if I keep tagging along on your gigs?”

  “Are you kidding? I love it. Especially since you dream about sex almost every night. Makes my sleep time really enjoyable.”

  “I do?” Faith choked, and her cheeks turned red.

  “Yes.” Shawn smirked.

  “Glad to know that I’m so entertaining.” Faith chuckled. “Shawn, I’ve enjoyed traveling with you. I’d like to keep doing it. Well, until I get a job. Where are you off to next? Someplace warm and tropical, I hope.”

  “You can always hope.” Shawn couldn’t stop smiling. It amazed her that she and Faith were still going strong. She had half expected the passion to fizzle quickly, given the way the two of them constantly bickered. Funny thing about her gift. She knew other people’s deepest, darkest secrets, and yet the inner workings of her own life remained elusive. “Vermont is our next destination.”

  “Skiing!” Faith clapped her hands. “Maybe some snowboarding?”

  “Oh, sure, go hit the slopes while I’m locked up with things that go bump in the night.” Shawn feigned jealousy.

  “I meant that we can hit the slopes,” Faith said with a dazzling smile. “We could head up early or stay on after you wrap up. Early is probably best. You get some mighty nasty headaches chatting with dead people.”

  “Occupational hazard.” Shawn grimaced. “Sometimes what I see and feel is so painful. I feel that pain.”

  “I’ve noticed,” Faith said quietly. “After Whispering Pines, I thought you’d never bounce back.”

  “That place was a trip,” Shawn admitted with a hard swallow.

  “No kidding.” Faith shivered. “I read your first book. You were just a kid when you found that body. How did you deal with it?”

  “Finding her was an affirmation. I finally understood why my imaginary friend poked and pinched me constantly. She wasn’t imaginary. She was real. And when her remains were finally placed in a proper grave, she left. Knowing that I helped make that possible made my gift bearable. Totally freaked out my parents. In time they came to understand that I was given a gift that should be used, not hidden.”

  “I can kind of understand their apprehension,” Faith said. “Can you imagine your little baby girl dragging you to an abandoned well and finding a body?”

  “If I’m ever blessed with a child,” Shawn said reluctantly, “there’s a better chance of something just like that happening than not. This sort of thing tends to be genetic.”

  Faith raised her eyebrows. “Then why were your parents so surprised about you?”

  Shawn snickered. “Did you read my book or just skim through it?”

  “I read it,” Faith said. “Well, most of it.”

  “My writing style has improved greatly since my first book.” Shawn sighed. “I’m adopted.”

  “Oh?” Faith looked surprised and opened her mouth to speak.

  “Yes, yes, no, no, and because I no longer want to,” Shawn said, already knowing what her overly-inquisitive lover was going to ask.

  “Huh?” Faith gaped at her. “Did you just tap into my head?”

  “No, but I’ve heard the questions before,” Shawn said. “Yes, I’ve wondered about my birth parents. Yes, I’ve tried to find them. No, I didn’t find them. No, I’m not still looking for them. Because I’m no longer interested in knowing. My parents are the people who raised me.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Faith, I’m serious.” Shawn could see the wheels spinning in Faith’s mind. “I know that look. The reporter in you is just itching to find the truth. If they were interested, either of my biological parents could have found me. After all, at least one of them must be gifted. Ergo, finding the child they gave up shouldn’t be that difficult. As far as I’m concerned, my parents are Daria and Albert Williams. They raised me and loved me unconditionally. End of story. Speaking of parents, how are yours?”

  “Good.” Faith shrugged with a bored look on her face.

  For the life of her, Shawn couldn’t grasp just what was amiss between Faith and her parents. They seemed to be a very warm and loving family. Still, there was something lingering just beneath the surface. Something that kept Faith away and distant from her parents. Since she had just lectured Faith about not prying into her family matters, she thought it would be for the best if she, too, respected Faith’s privacy.

  “Ready to order?” she said casually, looking forward to a nice dinner before relaxing at home. Based on the look Faith gave in response, she understood her lover was seeking the same.

  Chapter 6

  Stewart, Massachusetts

  Late September 1912

  In the few weeks since she had arrived at Whispering Pines, Catherine came to realize that her mother had indeed been correct. It truly was far worse being a married Stratton woman than an unmarried Stratton woman. Growing up in frigid surroundings with only the joy of boarding school keeping her away from the family home, she had failed to understand that staying behind in the home was a horrible fate.

  After reaching a proper age and managing to avoid the institution of marriage, Catherine led a fanciful life. She had completed finishing school, which had relentlessly drilled her into becoming a proper young lady. When she had concluded her so-called studies, she bolted for Europe where she proceeded to lead her life in a highly improper manner. She returned to the United States on only two occasions. Both times were for the funeral of one of her parents. Each time, she paid the proper respects, collected her inheritance, and, much to her boorish brothers’ joy, instantly disappeared. She held no doubt that she received her inheritance very quickly because the family was glad to be rid of her. Unmarried and outspoken, Catherine Stratton was an embarrassment.

  Catherine was more than happy to hightail it out of the country; she found life abroad far more interesting and freeing. In the end, however, she had learned some very harsh lessons. The money wasn’t never-ending, and love wasn’t always the everlasting bliss she had mistakenly believed it was.

  Her purse was quickly emptie
d by a charming, silver-tongued viper with smoldering eyes. Catherine had foolishly believed that the love she felt was reciprocated. She returned home penniless, much wiser, and determined not to turn to her family for help. She was flailing in dark waters when her brother Sebastian found her. He dragged her kicking and screaming back into the fold.

  It had been one thing when they could hide her on another continent, but for her to have the bad manners to return without a penny to her name was unthinkable. Sebastian had mistakenly assumed that she would do her duty and marry the first suitor he brought home. When it became painfully clear that she would not yield, he paid Horatio to take her off his hands.

  She thought life under Sebastian’s roof had been insufferable. It was a paradise compared to the internment she was enduring at Whispering Pines. If not for Anna, dear sweet Anna, Catherine would have fled that first night, but if there was to be a prison break, she refused to leave poor Anna behind, alone with Horatio.

  Now, she was spending her evening sitting on the front porch with Mr. Riley Van de Meer. When Horatio brought poor Mr. Van de Meer home for dinner, Catherine almost burst into laughter. Apparently, Horatio was unaware of the fact that Sebastian had already tried to wed her to the quiet man. Riley wasn’t as insufferable as many of the others. Still, he wasn’t what she was seeking, a fact that he readily accepted. Catherine suspected she was far too outspoken for his tastes.

  Apparently Riley considered himself to be progressive simply because he agreed that when it came to marriage a woman knows her heart. “Two people should only be wed if they truly love one another,” he had said. Other than that, though, he was as narrow-minded as most men she knew. He truly subscribed to the school of thought that a woman’s place should be limited to the kitchen and nursery, since that was what all women desired from life. Silly twit, she silently snarled while pretending to listen to his boring commentary.

  “I’m boring you,” he echoed her thoughts.

  “Not at all.” She made a slight effort to look interested.

  “Miss Stratton,” he said with a light laugh, “I’m fully aware that you and I view the world differently. Pity that your brothers don’t communicate very well. I tried to explain to the captain that I had already paid you a visit, and that you and I aren’t suited for one another.”

  “Both my brothers seem to be hard of hearing.” She wearily sighed. If we absconded with the buggy, I wonder how far away Anna and I would be before Horatio realized we had fled? She pondered yet another scheme. She contemplated the possibilities of escaping almost every moment of the day. “Don’t misunderstand me, Mr. Van de Meer. I find you quite pleasant company. Yet as you’ve said, we aren’t compatible.”

  “Trust me, I do understand, Miss Stratton.” He smiled politely. “I wish to marry a woman who loves me just as deeply as I love her, and who respects the role God had placed her in. Not a woman who is off fighting for the frivolous right to vote or some other useless cause.”

  “Useless?” Catherine slowly repeated, then pursed her lips. “I do agree that marrying for love is vital. You may have noticed that in our social standing in the world, that is often the last consideration. Women are not given a voice. If you doubt me, take a good look at my dear sister-in-law.”

  “My heart aches at the sight of such a young woman being trapped in an obviously loveless marriage,” Riley agreed.

  “Young is right,” Catherine sneered, her anger getting the best of her. “She’s young enough to be his daughter. The way he treats her is positively shameful.”

  Riley expelled a sigh as he stood and brushed out his suit jacket. “I must concur,” he whispered solemnly, “although I’m not shocked. I learned a long time ago that the captain fails to hold the sanctity of marriage in high regard. Seeing the sadness in Mrs. Stratton’s eyes gives me pause. I’ll take my leave and not force you to endure this charade any longer. I just need to bid the captain a good evening and thank him.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Van de Meer.” She smiled up at him.

  “Have a pleasant evening, and good luck,” he added with a wink before entering the house.

  After Mr. Van de Meer departed, Catherine suffered a lengthy lecture from her brother. “Dear Brother,” she finally interrupted, exhausted from the evening’s events. “I’m not what Mr. Van de Meer is seeking in a bride. He has courted me before, and neither of us holds a spark for the other.”

  “A spark?” Horatio sneered maliciously. “Rubbish.”

  “Be that as it may,” she curtly said, “he won’t be asking for my hand. I’m certain he has already conveyed that sentiment to you. There will be no need to invite him to supper in the future.”

  “You will do as I say,” Horatio spat out.

  “Brother.” She fought to keep her emotions in check. “I can’t stop you from inviting gentlemen callers to your home. That doesn’t mean your feeble attempts will succeed.”

  “Are you forgetting whose roof you sleep under?” Horatio growled. Catherine flinched when he raised his hand to strike her. She reached deep inside herself, bolstering her courage. Her eyes darkened, and with a sneer, she challenged him to hit her.

  “Do it. Give me solid ground to thoroughly shame you. A nice welt on my face will certainly be fodder for the good people of Stewart. Better still, turn me out. I shall gladly take my leave.”

  “Conniving bitch,” he hissed, lowering his hand.

  “Probably,” she responded dryly and donned a bored expression. “Dear Brother, you are not master of all you survey. Push me hard enough, and I’ll prove that you aren’t a god. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I wish to retire. Unless you prefer that I pack my bags now?”

  “You’ll not win,” Horatio said. “I’ll have my dowry. I just need to find the perfect fool who will take in a loathsome wretch such as yourself.”

  “Good evening.” Catherine rolled her eyes, not missing the way her brother’s fist clenched. She hiked up the hem of her skirt and made her exit before she pushed him too far. She was playing a very dangerous game, and she knew it. If not for Anna, she would take very drastic measures and flee. I can’t leave her behind. Some way, somehow, I will free us.

  Chapter 7

  New York City

  June 2003

  Not for the first time, Shawn realized that just being a psychic didn’t mean she understood her own life. She certainly hadn’t seen this one coming. She had seen Faith’s growing despair, the walls going up as Faith grew increasingly displeased with her new role in life. Shawn didn’t need the gift of ESP to see that Faith was tired of following her around. A blind man could see her restlessness.

  Shawn had done everything she could to make Faith feel a part of things. In the beginning, when they were working on the book, Faith seemed content. Now that the book was heading to print, there wasn’t anything left for her to do.

  Shawn was unable to fathom what had happened. Faith had left to run a quick errand and returned a few hours later, happily announcing that she was leaving the country for an indefinite period of time. “What?” Shawn finally blurted out, overcome with fear.

  “I said that I got a job,” Faith slowly repeated, “with CNN.”

  “In Afghanistan or Iraq? Correct me if I’m wrong,” Shawn said slowly, fighting the urge to freak out, “but aren’t we in the middle of war in those areas?”

  “That would be why they’re sending me.” Faith shook her head, as though failing to see the problem.

  “I don’t begrudge you the opportunity.” Shawn chose her words carefully. Internally, she was on the verge of screaming. “When were you going to tell me?”

  “Right now.”

  “Sweetie, weren’t you going to discuss this with me? I discuss my assignments with you.” Shawn hoped that by pointing out that she valued Faith’s input, she would somehow enlighten her. That’s what couples do, she silently added.

  “Why?” Faith asked.

  Faith’s question made it painfully obvious that she didn’t view thei
r relationship in the same light Shawn did. The conversation quickly turned into a full-fledged blowout. Shawn reached the breaking point when Faith made it clear that Shawn’s feelings were not a consideration.

  Furious, Shawn stormed out of the little café. She knew that she had gone from being concerned to being completely unreasonable in the blink of an eye. She couldn’t help it. Faith had managed to break her heart in record time.

  She failed to calm down when she returned to her apartment. Seeing Faith’s belongings strewn about just opened another wound. “I can’t deal with this.” She sniffed, knowing that Faith would be arriving soon to either talk or collect her things. For one of the few times in her life, Shawn opted to take the coward’s way out. If Faith was leaving, she knew that watching her leave was something she couldn’t handle. She left before Faith arrived.

  Shawn headed towards the first car rental agency she could find. She rented a sedan and headed upstate. “Running home. Could I be a bigger crybaby?” she berated herself when she was about halfway home. By the time she pulled up the gravel driveway, she felt completely despondent. Her parents were pleased by her impromptu visit, until they realized that something was wrong. They gave her three days before they cornered her.

  “Shawn,” her father greeted her on the front porch.

  “Dad.” She furrowed her brow as she looked up at him. Once again, she didn’t need to be gifted to know that something was up. She sipped her coffee and turned her gaze towards the vineyard her parents owned.

  “Shawn?” He sat down next to her. “Not that we’re unhappy to see you, but do you mind telling me why you’re here?”

  “I missed you.”

  “You lie like a rug,” he said. “Must be a biggie if you’re fibbing to your old man.”

  She sat in silence for a moment, contemplating whether or not she was ready to talk about her troubles. The determined look in her father’s dark brown eyes gave her the answer. “Faith and I broke up,” she muttered. Saying it out loud drove another dagger into her fragile heart.