The air crackled with electricity as the apparition drifted toward the windows. Rain sat frozen in horror. Moonlight bounced off the lake, illuminating long, dark hair that billowed gently in a non-existent breeze. It was Brandy, no question. Just not the flesh and blood version.
Rain was too scared to move or scream. Her terrified mind told her she was still asleep, dreaming. She hung on to that notion as she watched the spectral image disappear through the wall with a whisper of a sigh.
She slowly reached her trembling hand out toward her nightstand and turned on the light. Nothing was there. The cold air dissipated, and although Rain kept her eyes fixed on the wall, everything seemed normal. She had no doubt now that she was awake; every nerve in her body sang with fear. All she wanted was to get out of the room. She wasn’t alone, Jason was still here. She would go find him. An excellent plan.
The weak bedside lamp turned the corners of the room into shadowy hideaways for unspeakable things. Underneath the bed was now a lair for the undead; Rain fully expected a ghostly claw to grab at her ankle when her feet hit the floor.
She stood up shakily, her back still pressed against the wall. The door was her goal, and she kept her eyes on it as she prepared to jump. She took a soaring leap, ran toward the door, flung it open, and flew into the great room.
Jason was sitting on one of the overstuffed chairs, flipping through a magazine. The television was on, the volume muted. His eyes widened with surprise as Rain made her wild entrance, stumbling into the room. He jumped up from the chair, his magazine falling from his lap, and rushed toward her.
Panic and fear radiated from her, and she threw herself into his arms with a sob. Jason instinctively maneuvered her as far away from her bedroom as was possible while keeping his eyes on the door. He couldn’t imagine what would warrant this kind of reaction. He had been sitting down here for at least an hour, unable to sleep. The kitchen clock read 1:20 a.m., he noted quickly, returning his gaze to her bedroom door and the perceived source of danger.
Her nails were digging into the bare skin of his back and her face pressed into his chest. He could feel the warm moisture of her tears as he wrapped his arms around her protectively. “It’s okay,” he murmured comfortingly, hoping this was true. “Did you have another nightmare?”
She lifted her head and looked up at him. “No, I saw something. In my room.”
“What was it?” Jason questioned, his eyes darting back to the open bedroom door. Light reached dimly from the room out into the small hallway.
“I saw...a figure. A figure with dark hair, and I think it was Brandy.” She shuddered and put her forehead back on his chest.
Reluctantly, he moved their bodies apart a bit and scanned her face. He held on to her shoulders and asked calmly, “You saw Brandy? Brandy is here?”
She shook her head. “No, I saw…like…an image of Brandy. I woke up, because it was cold, and I saw something moving. It was Brandy, I’m sure of it, although I didn’t see her face clearly. And then she, um, disappeared.”
“An
image
of Brandy? Are you saying you saw a ghost, Rain?” He was pretty sure she’d had another nightmare, but the way she had flown out of her room gave him the impression it had been an extremely vivid one.
“I know, it sounds ridiculous. But that’s what I saw. And she sort of, well, went through the wall. I’m sure you don’t believe me,” she added miserably, lifting her stormy eyes to his.
He pulled her back into a hug before he could stop himself. “I absolutely believe you. Whether you were awake or asleep, you saw Brandy and that’s scary. I don’t think we can deny that weird things are happening here.”
Jason smoothed her hair and waited patiently for her trembling to subside. If a ghost really was lurking in her bedroom, there wasn’t a whole heck of a lot he could do about that. A rare sense of powerlessness caused his jaw to clench in frustration.
He stopped watching the door and instead focused on the gorgeous woman in his arms. She clung to him, and his body responded to hers with a familiar ache. He knew he was losing the battle to keep his feelings platonic.
It was time to deal with the more immediate problem, though, so he released her gently with a kiss to the top of her head. He guided her to the kitchen, sat her down at the island, and located a battered white tea kettle.
“Are you feeling any better?” he asked. Her face was an alarming shade of white, and her eyes stood out like dark thunderclouds against the paleness of her skin.
“Yes. A little. I don’t want to be scared. If Brandy is…a ghost, then she’s here for a reason. We need to figure out that reason and help end this mystery.”
Jason pulled out a cup and a bag of chamomile tea. “Here’s the thing, Rain. I have to leave in the morning, you know, and you really can’t stay here alone.”
Rain was well aware that he was leaving in the morning. He had a life to get back to, a girlfriend, a family. She, on the other hand, had nowhere to go, and no one waiting for her either. Despair washed over her, momentarily drowning out the fear.
She pressed her lips together stubbornly against the encroaching self-pity. “I’ll be fine, Jason,” she said, forcing a smile. “Besides, I don’t have anywhere to go. Holly’s daughter and family are visiting right now. This is my home for the summer.”
“I don’t think she’d mind if you were there too. I’m sure there’s somewhere you can sleep.”
She shook her head firmly. “Maybe so, but that’s not the point. I’m not going there while her daughter and grandkids are there. I’ve intruded enough, and she’s been so welcoming. It’s not happening.”
Jason frowned. “I just don’t like it. I’ll worry about you the whole time I’m away. I’d stay, but I can’t, we’re having a family get-together tomorrow night for my nephew’s 2nd birthday.”
Rain’s heart gave a little jump at the idea of him worrying about her. All she said, however, was, “Oh, that sounds fun. What a great age.”
The kettle whistled and Jason took it off the stove. Filling her mug, he said absentmindedly, “Are you being serious?” He had struggled to get Cara to agree to attend the party, and he still wasn’t sure she’d keep her promise. It was becoming apparent that she wasn’t a big fan of kids.
“Definitely. I miss so many family events, being the only one in New England now. My younger niece Anna turned 4 last month, I can’t believe she’s so big. Sometimes I think about moving down south as well.”
“You can’t move, you live here,” Jason pointed out quickly, then silently wondered if that sounded as stupid out loud as it did in his head. He didn’t like the twist of panic that shot through him when she mentioned moving. He wasn’t sure how they’d gotten to this topic of conversation, but at least Rain seemed distracted from the whole Brandy’s ghost nightmare. Her color had returned, and she looked at him now with one of her eyebrows raised.
“Yes, well, if I
move
, then I’ll live
there
,” she said patiently, a grin on her face as she sipped her tea.
“What I meant was, your job is here. Your volunteer work is here. And your friends are here. We all just got back together again.” He was annoyed at his emotional response to the idea of her leaving the area. A year ago, he wouldn’t have cared if she moved to Siberia.
But then a year ago, a condescending inner voice reminded him, she was still with Rick. And now she’s not.
Rain gave a heavy sigh. “God, my life sounds pathetic. All I have here is a job, really. I don’t even have a home. I’m thrilled we’ve all reconnected, you know that, but I want what my sister has. A nice husband, and a family. Maybe I need a fresh start to find those things.”
“So you’re not completely opposed to the idea of marriage now?”
“Surprisingly, no.” Rain laughed at herself. “You must think I’m crazy, talking about marriage when I’ve just divorced an adulterer. I am enjoying my independence, don’t get me wrong. I could never have done this reunion if I was still married to Rick. Meanwhile, Brian is so supportive of Allie, he actually told her that she should come here as much as she wanted, so she could relax and unwind. I guess my point is that there
are
nice husbands out there, I just didn’t get one.”
“I’m glad you feel that way—that you’re not going to swear off marriage because of Rick. It’s very optimistic of you.”
“Yeah, that’s one word for it.” She smiled again and rubbed her eyes. “I must be a mess. No time to make yourself presentable when there’s a ghost in your room,” she commented as she ran a hand through her tousled hair.
Jason thought she looked adorable. He resisted the urge to circle around the kitchen island that separated them and put his arms around her again. Despite her brave front, he still didn’t like the idea of her alone in this house. He wished he could invite her to stay with him for a few days, but that was absurd. Even if they had the room, he knew Cara wouldn’t appreciate it, and he wouldn’t blame her. Not to mention that Cara would never let him hear the end of it if he tried to suggest that the lake house might be haunted. There was little he could do, and he didn’t like the helpless feeling that resulted from that fact.
“Maybe Allie could come back a little sooner?” He was grasping at straws, but he wasn’t ready to give up.
“How did we get back to this?” Rain asked, an exasperated smile playing across her lips. “Allie needs time with her family. I’ll be fine, seriously. Even if Brandy is…a ghost, she wouldn’t hurt me. I don’t think she’s even trying to scare me. She probably just wants to be with us.”
“Okay, that doesn’t make me feel any better.”
Rain pushed herself off the stool and carried her mug to the dishwasher. “Look, I’m not going to pretend I’m not a little freaked out. In fact, I don’t want to go back in my room right now. But I’m going to stick it out, for myself, for Brandy, and for Mrs. Pierce. Now, I need to find somewhere else to sleep tonight.”
With me, Jason thought silently, then mentally kicked himself. “Allie’s room?” he suggested.
“I think maybe A.J.’s room would be better. It’s on a different floor, and it has its own bathroom that’s nowhere near my room. You don’t think he’d mind, do you?”
Jason shook his head. “Of course not. And that way you’ll be closer to me. In case you need me, I mean,” he added quickly.
They climbed the stairs, and Rain was suddenly acutely aware that they were alone together in the house. Jason turned to her when they reached the top, reminding her to come get him immediately if anything else happened. Then they went in opposite directions down the open hall.
“I’m going to leave my door open, okay?” Jason called across the way.
She nodded. “I will too.” A closed and locked door wouldn’t make her feel any safer; if Brandy wanted to find her, she’d come right through the wall. Rain tried to suppress a shudder as she gave him a little wave. “Goodnight, Jay.”
“Night.”
Chapter 12
It took a few moments for Rain to figure out where she was when her eyes slowly opened on Thursday morning. Then the events of the night before came rushing back to her, and she sat up quickly.
Her gaze found the clock. A little past 9 a.m. She rolled toward the edge of the king sized bed; she had felt safer in the middle. When she swung her legs out from under the sheets and put her bare feet on the wood floor, a cold wetness made her gasp and recoil.
Tucking her legs back under her, she peered down at the floor. Another puddle of water. A.J.’s room was right above hers, there must be a leak somewhere. She looked for a telltale stain on the ceiling or the wall, but found nothing. How odd. And yet, not really, for this place. She made a mental note to search the web for
ghosts and condensation
when she went to the library next.
She scooted to the other side and got up to use the bathroom. Then she mopped up the spill with a towel and went downstairs. According to Jason’s note, he had gone for a run. She busied herself with breakfast and cleaning.
How would she spend her day? She had eight days to herself until her friends returned a week from tomorrow. Eight days alone with a ghost. Her stomach churned with anxiety as she recalled her terrifying midnight visitor. But if her theory was correct, and Brandy drew energy from them being together, then it would probably be an uneventful week, haunting-wise.
Jason returned, then went right back outside to shower. Disapproval emanated from him as he stalked around, preparing to leave. She reiterated that she would be fine, and reminded him of her premise that one of them alone wouldn’t attract much attention from the spirit world. He didn’t laugh.
He gave her a quick hug and she walked him to the door. “You’ll call if there’s a problem? I’ll try and keep my cell phone on at all times, except during class.”
Rain pictured herself calling him with some nonsense complaint during his welcome-back sex with Cara. She blushed a little, looking down so he wouldn’t notice. “Yes, if it’s important, I’ll call. A.J. said the same thing, I have all his numbers too. And Allie’s, of course.”
“Call me first. I have the most flexible schedule. And be very careful, okay?” He stood next to his open car door, studying her expression.
She collected herself, smiling and projecting what she hoped was a confident demeanor. “Yes, yes. I’ll be fine, though. Now get going already, I have big plans!” She laughed and waved, and watched him drive off.
Shutting the door behind her, she sighed and leaned against it. Which of her big plans to attend to first, she wondered? She decided on a trip to the market and the library. Pushing herself away from the door, she went to get her purse.
At the local grocery store, she put an enormous amount of food on Mrs. Pierce’s tab, a twinge of guilt adding to her melancholy. As she loaded her bags into the car, she suddenly realized that now she had to go straight back to the house. She rolled her eyes in exasperation; she couldn’t wander the stacks at the library and check her email with all the food sitting in the stifling car. Oh, well, she thought, it’s not like I’m busy tomorrow. She changed her plan for the rest of the day to cooking, her idea being to freeze things in preparation for the long 4th of July weekend when her friends would return. It seemed far off, but it would be here before she knew it.