Nothing Hidden Ever Stays

by HR Mason

  Aubrey moved on. She recalled things she could feel. She had felt the prick of the thorn from the rose that was beside her bed when she’d awakened that morning—the rose that hadn’t been there when she’d fallen asleep. That was also real. She had the cut on her thumb to prove it. She’d tasted the blood.

  She’d heard the keening wails from someone in the attic. She’d heard a woman’s voice speaking to her when she’d arrived. Those things had been as real as the sound of Spectre’s purr. But what did that mean? The sounds had all happened when there was no one in the house besides her. She also took into account the smell of smoke that was pungent enough to knock her out and powerful enough to cause her to call for help.

  One by one, she moved through her senses, trying to find one on which she could focus. She couldn’t do it. She had seen, felt, heard, smelled, and tasted things that had no logical explanations. Grounding techniques had taught Aubrey that she could rely on her senses to tell her what was real. But her senses were telling her things she didn’t want to believe.

  Angry, Aubrey grabbed the shovel and stalked outside to the shed, opening the door and throwing the tool inside. It was time to face the fact that she’d had some sort of breakdown. That was easier than believing Desolate Ridge was haunted, as Hank seemed to think.

  The thought of Hank caused Aubrey’s mind to jump back to the night before. She’d been desperate and terrified, and she’d let down her guard with him. That wouldn’t do. Aubrey could tell from the way Hank looked at her that he was interested in more than friendship, and she couldn’t go down that road. It was a dead-end street.

  Aubrey didn’t do relationships. Yet in a moment of weakness, she’d agreed to some sort of date with Hank. That was a problem she needed to rectify immediately.

  As she thought of his kind face, she felt a moment of guilt. Before it could settle in, she pushed it away. Hank was a nice guy, but maybe he was working some sort of angle. Maybe he wanted something from her. Or maybe he was the crazy one. After all, he’d told her he believed Desolate Ridge was haunted. Aubrey knew that couldn’t be true. She didn’t believe in ghosts.

  It would be nice to have Rebecca for a friend, but she couldn’t allow herself to get close to Hank. She wouldn’t let it happen. She had to put an end to the possibility. Aubrey grabbed her phone from her pocket and dialed his number. He answered on the third ring.

  “Hey, Aubrey,” he said casually.

  “Hello. You don’t need to pick me up tonight. I’ve changed my mind. I’ll drive myself,” she blurted.

  “I really don’t mind. I was looking forward to it, in fact.”

  His voice reminded her of the safety she’d felt with him. She hesitated for a moment. Maybe she was being hasty. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal to let him drive her to dinner. Maybe they could just be friends. As soon as the thoughts entered her mind, though, she chased them away. She had enough baggage in her life without adding to it.

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I can drive myself.”

  “All right. If that’s what you want, Aubrey.”

  She heard the disappointment through the phone line. She reminded herself it didn’t matter. There could be nothing between them.

  “This is what I want.”

  “I’ll see you later, then. Drive safely.”

  “Goodbye.”

  She hung up quickly before she could change her mind. Her hands shook as she dropped the phone back into her pocket. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she couldn’t let him get attached. She could tell from a mile away that Hank was the sort of man who cared deeply about people. That just didn’t work for her. It was better to stop things before they started.

  If she hadn’t wanted the information the Metzgers might provide, she wouldn’t even go to the dinner. But Rebecca said her family had been in Rossdale for hundreds of years. Hank had told her his family had some sort of connection to hers. No one besides the Metzgers wanted to tell her anything. Aubrey needed to talk to them. Family dinner seemed to be a necessary evil if she wanted to find out more about Desolate Ridge.

  20

  Aubrey sat in the driveway of Rebecca’s house, trying to catch her breath. She hadn’t expected to have a panic attack in the car, yet that’s exactly what happened when she arrived. She should have known it was a mistake to go.

  As she rocked back and forth in the driver seat, trying to calm herself with the repetitive rhythm, Aubrey wondered again why she’d believed she should go to Rebecca’s house. She stared through the large windows into a room filled with people she’d never seen. They were laughing and talking, so comfortable with one another that it made her heart ache.

  Aubrey wondered what that kind of connection might feel like. She’d never been close to anyone. She didn’t belong in a room like that. She didn’t belong anywhere. Her loneliness consumed her, nearly drowning her in its vastness. She wished things were different, but being by herself was reality.

  She wanted the information the Metzgers might be able to provide, but that didn’t matter. She couldn’t bring herself to get out of her car and go inside. She didn’t know how to talk to people. She had no idea how to function in what appeared to be a picture-perfect family environment. Aubrey wasn’t cut out for such things, and it would be best if she just went home.

  Turning the key in the ignition, she started the car once again. As she did, she was startled by a knock on the window. She turned her head to see Rebecca standing there, a wide smile on her friendly face. Aubrey slowly rolled down her window.

  “Hey there. You’re not leaving already, are you?”

  The wide grin on Rebecca’s face disappeared quickly when she saw the look of anguish on Aubrey’s.

  “Yeah, I am. I can’t do this,” Aubrey answered as her eyes filled with tears.

  “You don’t have to do anything. Just come inside,” Rebecca gently coaxed.

  “You don’t understand. It’s just… I don’t know how… to do… family things.”

  “Look, Aubrey, I could lie and say I understand, but the truth is I don’t. But I like you. Let me be your friend.”

  “It sounds so simple when you say it,” Aubrey grumbled.

  “But it’s not simple for you at all, is it?”

  “Rebecca, socializing is such a complex idea that I can’t even wrap my brain around what it means. I’ve been alone my whole life, and no one has ever cared. The thought of walking into your house and talking to your family seems like an insurmountable obstacle to me. I’m sure that sounds silly to you.”

  “It doesn’t sound silly. And I’m sorry that being alone has been your reality. I’d like to help change that.”

  Rebecca took one giant step away from the car, giving Aubrey the space to make what was clearly a difficult decision.

  “But I don’t know how to talk to people. I always say stupid things,” Aubrey explained.

  “You don’t have to say anything at all. Or you can talk for an hour without coming up for air if you want to. There are no judgments or expectations here. Will you come inside?”

  Rebecca extended her hand. Aubrey hesitated. It would be so much easier to turn the car around and drive home.

  Aubrey looked through the large window of Rebecca’s house once again. Everyone was crowded around the television in the living room, looking comfortable and at ease with one another. Something tugged at Aubrey’s heart, a sense of longing she couldn’t explain.

  What if?

  “All right.”

  “You mean you’ll come in?”

  “I’ll come in. But I’m warning you that I’m the most socially awkward person in the world, Rebecca, and you’re going to immediately regret having me here.”

  “That’s not even a possibility.”

  Aubrey rolled up the window, turned off the ignition, and slowly climbed out of the vehicle. Rebecca reached out and grabbed her hand, grasping it tightly inside her own.

  “You shouldn’t have to do hard things alone, Aubrey. My family is loud a
nd annoying, but they’re excited to meet you.”

  Aubrey apprehensively followed Rebecca into the family room, steeling herself for the same cold reaction she’d received from the other people in Rossdale. She couldn’t have been more wrong. One by one, Rebecca introduced Aubrey to each member of the Metzger family. Each one smiled kindly, welcoming her with open arms. She’d never before experienced such a level of complete and total acceptance.

  Aubrey met George and Helen, who were Hank and Rebecca’s parents, as well as Hank Sr. and Sharlene, their grandparents. She made the official acquaintance of Jake, Rebecca’s husband and the cook from the restaurant. Aubrey congratulated him on making the best french toast she’d ever tasted.

  “I hope you’ll enjoy dinner just as much,” Jake said with a laugh. “I’ve made my famous pot roast.”

  “It sounds delicious.”

  “It is,” Jake replied with a grin and a shrug.

  Aubrey noticed Hank sitting on the couch and her stomach flipped. She felt terrible about the epic brush-off she’d given him, but it couldn’t be helped. Rather than treating her as she probably deserved, he stood and welcomed her with a smile.

  “Hey, Aubrey. I see you found your way.”

  “I did.”

  She could have said more, but it was best to leave things alone. Hank brought up far too many conflicting emotions that she didn’t understand.

  “Now that we’re all here, let’s go eat. My pot roast is waiting,” Jake announced.

  She followed the Metzgers into the dining room and hesitated as they all took their seats. She wasn’t sure where she was supposed to sit.

  “Your spot is right here, between me and Hank,” Rebecca instructed as she patted the seat next to her.

  Aubrey nodded and took her seat, glancing around the table at the faces before her. She’d expected to feel anxious, but instead she felt calm. She didn’t know what sort of magic ran through the Metzger DNA, but whatever it was, she liked it.

  They plated up Jake’s delicious food, and the conversation never lagged. Aubrey didn’t join in; she simply observed and listened while the family talked. No one pestered her with awkward small talk, and no one put her on the spot with invasive questions. They seemed to understand and respect her unspoken boundaries.

  When Jake passed out the dessert, strawberry cheesecake, Aubrey finally worked up the nerve to speak. After all, that was why she’d come. She directed her question to George, Helen, Sharlene, and Hank Sr.

  “So, Hank and Rebecca have told me you might have some information about Desolate Ridge. I’ve questioned everyone I can think of, and no one will talk.”

  “What do you know already?” Sharlene asked gently.

  “Not much. I arrived in Rossdale right after finding out I’d inherited the house. I’ve tried asking the housekeepers, the driver, and the attorney, but no one will tell me anything. The moment I mention my family, everyone either clams up or runs away,” Aubrey answered.

  “I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough go of it, dear. That sounds quite frustrating,” Helen answered sympathetically.

  “To say the least,” Aubrey agreed. “That’s why I’m here. When Rebecca said you might know something about my family, I had to find out.”

  “I went to school with your mother. I have to say you look just like her. The resemblance is uncanny, actually,” Helen said with a smile.

  “You knew her?”

  “I knew Anna in passing. We didn’t really run in the same circles. Then she quit school and was tutored at home after you were born,” Helen explained.

  “Did you know my father too?”

  Aubrey had no idea if anyone knew who her father was, but she was willing to try.

  “There were rumors, but I really don’t know,” Helen answered.

  “What were the rumors?”

  “Your grandparents were unreasonably strict. Anna wasn’t allowed to associate with anyone from school. She certainly wasn’t allowed to date. Her parents didn’t think anyone was good enough for her. I always heard they didn’t approve of your father, so they forbade her from seeing him, even after you were born. Evidently he wasn’t up to your grandparents’ standards, not that anyone was. Eventually Anna ran away. I never heard what happened to her. I always wondered if she left because of her parents.”

  “My mother abandoned me at a hospital in Seattle when I was three. She killed herself not long after that. That’s the extent of what I know about her,” Aubrey answered quietly.

  Hank gasped, and Rebecca leaned over and put her arm around Aubrey’s shoulder.

  “Oh, honey, I had no idea,” Helen replied kindly.

  “It’s water under the bridge now. Please don’t feel sorry for me,” Aubrey said stiffly.

  There was nothing worse than hearing pity in another person’s voice. That was one thing she couldn’t endure.

  “It’s not pity, Aubrey. It’s sadness for what you’ve experienced. There’s a difference,” Helen explained. “No child should ever be abandoned.”

  Aubrey didn’t know what to say. She’d never felt such genuine emotion. Yet there she was, surrounded by it. It was a lot to process.

  Uncomfortable with the attention, Aubrey cleared her throat. “Is there anything else you can tell me?”

  “I’ve heard stories about Desolate Ridge and the Ross family for as long as I can remember. I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that most of the tales aren’t happy ones. Dad can probably tell you the most.” George nodded toward his father, Hank Sr.

  “Anything at all would be more than I already know, sir,” Aubrey said to the older man.

  “I’ll tell you what I know, on one condition,” Hank Sr. began.

  “What’s the condition?” Aubrey asked timidly.

  “That you never call me ‘sir’ again. It makes me feel like an old man,” he replied with a hearty laugh.

  Aubrey grinned, surprised by his request. “What should I call you, then?”

  “Well, most folks call me Gramps, so you should too.” He grinned.

  “If you insist,” Aubrey responded.

  “I do.”

  “Wasn’t there some sort of connection between the Rosses and the Metzgers, Gramps?” Hank chimed in.

  “Oh, yes, there certainly was. The Metzgers have crossed paths with the Rosses for generations. Why, the first woman who lived in Desolate Ridge was actually in love with a Metzger.”

  “Do you mean Marie?” Aubrey couldn’t believe she might finally get some information about the woman who incessantly haunted her house, her thoughts, and her dreams.

  “My grandpa used to tell me a story that his grandpa told him. Apparently my fourth-great-grandfather, Henry, was in love with a local girl named Marie Stockton. They intended to marry, but her parents promised her to Marshall Ross instead. Marie didn’t want to marry Marshall. In fact, she was terrified of the man. Marshall’s sister, Eleanor, disappeared mysteriously after their parents died. When she left, Marshall got everything. Marie wasn’t interested in his money, but her parents were. They forced her to go through with the wedding. Both Henry and Marie were heartbroken. Henry later went on to marry someone else, thank goodness, or none of us would be here,” Hank Sr. chuckled.

  “So the first mistress of Desolate Ridge was in love with a Metzger. She didn’t want to marry Marshall Ross at all. That explains why she always looks so sad,” Aubrey said quietly.

  “She always looks sad? You mean you’ve seen her?” Hank asked with a wrinkled brow.

  “Oh… her… portrait. I’ve… seen her picture.”

  Aubrey tried to cover her mistake. She couldn’t have the Metzgers knowing she’d seen a woman who had been dead for two centuries.

  “I have an old painting of Henry. It’s hanging in the sitting room. I’ll show you before you leave,” Rebecca added.

  “I would love to see it,” Aubrey replied. Then she turned to Hank Sr. “Is there anything else you can tell me?”

  “There have always b
een stories that Desolate Ridge is haunted. People in town say it has something to do with Marshall, who built the house. His sister vanished under questionable circumstances, his parents died suspiciously, and Marie was never found either. She just disappeared one day. I always thought it was odd that a woman would leave when she had a small child,” he shared.

  “Yes, that does seem strange. But then again, none of the deaths of the women in my family quite add up,” Aubrey began.

  “What do you mean?” Rebecca asked.

  “I found an old family Bible. It listed all of the births, deaths, and marriages. Other than my grandmother, Elizabeth, every woman in my family has died by the age of twenty-five. I’m not a doctor, but that doesn’t sound like natural causes to me. It also doesn’t bode well for my future, considering I’m twenty-five.” Aubrey laughed nervously.

  “I’m sure you have nothing to worry about,” Rebecca said kindly as she patted Aubrey’s hand.

  “I don’t know. It’s pretty worrisome,” she replied. “I swear it’s like that house will do anything to hold on to its secrets.”

  “Don’t fret, dear. Nothing hidden ever stays,” Sharlene said with a smile.

  “What did you say?”

  Aubrey’s heart nearly stopped as Sharlene repeated the same phrase she’d heard Marie say in her dream.

  “I said that nothing hidden ever stays,” Sharlene repeated.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “I just mean everything is eventually brought to light. Secrets don’t stay hidden forever.”

  “Yes… of course. You’re right.”

  Aubrey tried to hide the fact that she was rattled. It was purely coincidental that Sharlene had spoken the exact words from the dream. Surely it meant nothing.

  “Wasn’t there something about your great-grandpa and Desolate Ridge, Dad?” George asked.

  “Yes, there was, as a matter of fact. My great-grandpa, Howard, was the sheriff of Rossdale. He went missing around 1920. He was sweet on Elsie Willard, who married Clarence Ross. Everyone was surprised when Elsie married Clarence instead of Howard. Anyhow, Howard was out patrolling one day, and no one ever saw him again. His car was found near Desolate Ridge, although none of the Ross family or their servants could recall him being at the house,” Hank Sr. answered.