by Lisa Coots
“What?” Ben asked.
“When Claire and Evan have a big event there's always a chance of rain. Or flood,” she teased.
“Oh, yeah. It was raining the night of the party.”
At Evan’s grumble, Serena tried to put his mind at ease. “Look, we'll make provisions for both. Just in case, ok?”
“So if it's outside we shouldn't have to worry about the spooky stuff, right?”
“I think so. Please don't worry.”
He nodded then sighed. “So what's going on with my sister?”
“Shouldn't you ask her?” Surprised at the questioning, she wondered again what had happened while she was away.
“I just meant with the ghost stuff. She hasn't been talking about it much.”
“Probably because of the kids.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Jake seems to be pretty freaked out, too.” Hands in his pockets now, Evan glanced casually around at the purple walls of her room.
“Oh. I haven't seen him in a while so I don't know.”
“Y'all haven't gotten anywhere with that? All the video stuff.” Directed at Ben, Evan’s tone was still casual but his expression was serious.
“We did get a name. Anna.” Ben glanced nervously at Serena, obviously unsure of how much he should say.
“Damn. I shouldn't have asked.” Evan rubbed a hand over his eyes.
“Then why did you?”
“Because I get the feeling something's going on or something happened. Those two..,” he paused to point at Serena, “and you, are always up to something.”
Serena laughed at his accusation even as her suspicions grew. “I assure you. I'm not up to anything.”
“Ok.” Evan nodded at her unconvincingly.
“Except for planning the wedding.” Holding up a catalog for emphasis, she gave Evan an innocent look.
“But if there's something I need to know you'll tell me, right?”
“Absolutely.” She gave him her most reassuring smile.
“Alright, thanks.”
After Evan made his way back through the open door, Ben gave her a questioning look. “You'd really tell him?”
“He said if there's something he needed to know,” she purred at Ben, handing him a catalog. “Now, help me find a dress?”
“For what?”
“Bridesmaid dresses. Faith, Elle and me.”
“Y'all have the same coloring and probably are close to the same size.” He considered, flipping through the catalog intently.
Surprised at his willingness to help, she arched an eyebrow. Ben, always watching and gathering information, knew more than he let on. That picture had popped up not once, but twice. Did he leave it there on purpose?
Her next line of thinking brought her to the question she hated to ask herself. Could he have been the one to sabotage their chance at the ghost hunting show? Why would he? It just didn't fit.
She studied him as he searched the catalog. He was pleasant looking, not hard on the eyes at all. His personality was charming and his timing with a wisecrack was impeccable. No, she sensed no malice or underlying anger. More importantly, he had wanted the TV show more than anyone else. Capturing evidence of real hauntings, ghosts and paranormal activity drove him.
“This one.” His blue eyes shone with excitement as he pointed to a picture of a dress. “This one would look amazing on Elle. I mean, y'all.”
“Wow! I love it, Ben. And I think you're right.” She was still smiling at the slip of Elle's name when she heard the front door open.
“We're in here,” she called wondering if Evan had come back. Then she felt him.
“Mason.” Her hand shook slightly, just a tremor. The real quaking was in her core. Her eyes hungrily watched the doorway for his appearance.
“You guys just amaze me.” Ben stood to shake Mason's hand as he strode through the open book case.
“What have I done now?” Mason flashed a smile, offering his hand in greeting.
“Hey man. Nothing. Just that thing you guys do when you know the other one is around.”
“Rena.” His voice was warm as Mason made his way around the desk to plant a kiss on her forehead.
“Mason.” She grabbed his hand before he could retreat. “I'm glad you're back.”
Ben grinned at them. “I'll let you two catch up. I've got some stuff I need to check on.”
“Ok.” Mason chuckled and squeezed her hand as Ben hurried from the room. “Was that the deputy leaving?”
“Yeah.”
“Everything ok?”
“Yeah.” She got up from the desk to close the door.
“Wow. You are happy to see me.”
“I am, but I think something's going on.” Serena leaned back on the closed door, wrestling with telling Mason of her suspicions about Ben.
“There could be.” Walking towards her slowly, his green gold eyes burned over her body.
“No, that's why Evan was here. Something's going on. I just don't know what.”
“With Ben or Evan?” He paused slightly before reaching for her.
“Evan says Claire and Faith are acting funny.”
Mason stopped her with a kiss so hot and searing it wiped all thought from her mind. The quaking at her core rumbled. Breaking the kiss, he whispered in her ear. “I've missed you, love.”
Closing her eyes, she whispered his name. It was a plea for release.
He pressed his forehead to hers with a sigh. “You're driving me crazy. I told myself I wouldn't do this, but I can't help myself. Rena.” His strong hands were at her waist, squeezing gently.
In answer, she slid her leg up his, wrapping it around his waist and pulled him towards her. Their bodies melding together in the heat of the moment. A groan escaped her lips as she felt his hardness against her.
“We are bound,” she whispered, and surrendered.
CHAPTER 18
“So tell me what you think is going on.” Mason's husky voice brought her gently back to herself. Sunlight streamed through the window of her office highlighting bits of dust floating through the air. Lying next to Mason on the daybed, Serena felt perfectly complete in this moment.
“Mmmm.... I think something happened while we were away.” Snuggling closer to Mason, she laid her head on his shoulder, content.
“To Ben?”
“Ben admitted Faith was here. Evan came by because Claire has been acting funny, too.” Suddenly tired, she stifled a yawn.
“You think they tried a session or something?” Mason’s concern was apparent as his arm tightened around her. Then he answered his own question. “No, Ben wouldn't attempt that.”
“No,” Serena agreed but the nagging thought of the picture that kept popping up made her not so sure of anything.
“What?”
“It's just that where this house is concerned, I can't see. I feel like I'm missing something so obvious.” She ran a hand down his bare chest. Mason grabbed it, holding it over his still pounding heart.
“Love, you know I'll do whatever it takes to help work this out. I know how important this is to you, so it's important to me. I'll stay as long as you need me to, but I warn you. My mother is expecting to see you soon. I wouldn't be surprised if she shows up here.”
“Your mother?”
“Oh, yes. She wanted to know why I hadn't brought you home with me.”
“You went home?” The words made her homesick for a place she knew no longer existed. Her grandmother had been gone for years. Mason's family had been the closest she felt to a home, until Coeur du Bayou.
“I had some things to take care of and I hadn't exactly told anyone where I was going. I told her you were busy planning a wedding. She said you'd make a beautiful bride. Of course, I agreed.” He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it lightly.
“Mason.” She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it to him.
“I know there are things we need to work out, but I won't entertain the idea of you and I not being together.”
“Let's not get into that now, ok?”
“Fair enough. I need to learn when to keep my mouth shut.”
“Yes, you do.” Leaning up, she kissed him on that mouth before climbing out of the daybed.
It was magic. It had to be. She felt his eyes on her as she pulled the sundress over her head and wiggled it down over her hips. Would the magic fade? Or would it be strong enough to endure their emotional tug of war?
“I'm not going anywhere, Rena.” His husky voice washed away the creeping doubts. “Where did you go?”
“Hmm. Oh, wedding stuff.”
Mason nodded, watching her intently. “Have you made any progress on that?”
“Yes, I think Evan is softening to the idea. He'd rather it out on the lawn, but we'll plan for both.”
“We should do another session.” Mason suggested, stretching lazily as he watched her slip her panties on under the dress.
“First, I'd like to find out what we missed.”
“If Ben knows, I'll find out. What about Richie?”
Her muscles tightened at the mention of his name. He'd been oddly quiet which made her suspicious.
“Nothing since I've been home. Why? Do you feel something?” Folding a leg under herself, Serena sat on the edge of the bed anxious for his answer. Mason closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.
“Not in here.”
Relieved, she drank in the sight of him. Sunlight danced across his bare chest giving his tanned skin a warm glow.
“Are you afraid of him Rena?” he asked softly.
“I can't let myself be.” The memory of Richie pushing a battered Claire through her door last Halloween made her angry.
“I wish I would have been here for you. He could have hurt you.” Mason rubbed a hand over her thigh.
Feeling his unease, she threaded her fingers through his to reassure him. “He didn't.”
“But he's still here. Isn't he?”
“I don't know. The house warns me. I wasn't sure at first, but it does. It doesn't want him here, that much I know.”
“The house or Anna?”
“I don't know. It feels like the house to me, but it could be her. She's not very clear to me for some reason. You feel her, right?”
“Mmm, yes. A definite female presence. A lot of sadness.”
“What else?”
“Well, the very angry male figure of course. That one was hard to miss.” Serena felt a shiver pass through him. “The burnt smell. I'm not sure which one it's connected to yet.”
“Mason.” Her heart felt heavy and her eyes watered, remembering a time when they were open and honest with each other. Could it be that way again?
“What is it?”
“I don't want you hurt.”
“Worried about me?” He squeezed her hand with a smile.
“Yes, you know that. I just can't see this.”
“We're going to figure it out. I won't leave you again until this is...”
“Shh...” Leaning forward she kissed him softly. “No promises.”
Mason pulled away and looked into her eyes, a flash of pain and loneliness crossing his face. “No. We can fix this. It can be different.”
He reached for her again, his fingertips brushing the material of her dress as she rose gracefully from the bed. Serena wandered over to sit at her desk. She wanted it to be the way it was before. So much uncertainty surrounded them, she couldn’t see her way out of it.
The daybed groaned as Mason sat up.
“You'll see.” He didn't look at her as he dressed himself, his jaw set in a determined line.
“What are you up to?”
“I'm going to fix this and I'm going to start by finding out what Ben knows.” Finally looking at her, he held out a hand. “You coming?”
They found Ben in his room engrossed in his work. Looking up at them in surprise over his laptop, he asked cautiously, “Hey, you guys ok?”
“Yeah, we're good.” Mason gave him a devilish smile then got right to the point. “Something happened with Faith while we were gone.”
“Yeah,” Ben rolled his eyes. “She came to bake. And yeah...”
“You recorded it?”
“Of course. You know, after it was over. I couldn't see what she did.”
“So you were with her when it happened?” Serena raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, when I realized she was here I figured I better keep an eye on her.” He gulped loudly then began searching nervously for the file on his computer. “I think it's this one.”
Ben clicked the mouse, and Faith's excited voice came from the speaker.
“The rocker. He made the rocker for her and the baby. He knew she was pregnant. He wanted to marry her, to ask for her hand. Her father was away on business. Something about a gambling boat, I don't know. She was happy about the baby, but terrified of what her father would do if he found out. She spends a lot of time at the graveyard.” Faith's voice drifted off.
“No name?” Ben asked.
“I can't remember. I know it. I can feel it when it's happening.”
“What did she show you?”
“The room upstairs. Jake brought the rocker up for me. I sat by the window, rocking.”
“Jake?” Claire’s voice was filled with awe.
Ben fumbled with the mouse to click it off, a little too late.
“Claire was here?” Shocked, Serena’s voice vibrated through the room. That explained the feeling she had, but she knew there was more.
“Yeah, I should have told you. She just showed up. Seriously you have some hard headed friends.” Ben’s eyes never left the computer screen.
“You're lucky no one else showed up. Or did they?” Leaning on the desk to get his attention, Serena asked through clenched teeth.
“No.” Ben looked up at her. “Just Claire and Faith. I told them they shouldn't be here.”
“What did Claire want?”
“To pay me for the pictures, but I told her you had already.” Shaking his head, he looked away again.
“Did you give her that picture?” Pointing her finger in Ben’s face, Serena could feel her blood pressure rising.
“What picture?” Mason asked curiously.
“No, I told you. I gave it to you,” Ben, now indignant, snapped back.
“What picture?” Mason asked again more forcefully.
“Show him. I'm sure you have another copy. They seem to be popping up all over.” Waving her hands in the air for emphasis then crossing her arms, she turned towards the door angrily.
Ben dug through his folders, and handed Mason a picture.
“Is this what y'all saw?” Mason didn’t shock easily, but Serena could hear the dismay in his voice.
“Yes.”
“Incredible.” Mason gasped. “Not enhanced?”
“No, that's the original.” Ben’s excitement was clear as he answered Mason.
“What happened with Claire?” Serena narrowed her eyes on Ben.
“What do you mean?”
“You wouldn't have kept the incident with Faith a secret, unless something else happened with Claire. You didn't want me to know Claire was here.”
“Ok.” Dragging his hand over his face, Ben sighed heavily. “Look, they wanted to help. Claire thought she might be able to talk to Richie. I was going to let Mason listen first. I didn't know if I should even tell you about it.”
“Let Mason listen first?” she repeated furiously. “This is my house.”
“Calm down, please.”
“No, I won't, Reuben. I want to hear it.”
“Rena, it's not pretty and I don't know that you'd want to.”
“Ben, did Faith and Claire hear it?” Mason stepped in between them.
“No way. After Faith's episode they were pretty shook up. They haven't even asked about it. I'm glad because they don't need to hear it. It scared me. They would never come back.”
“It scared you?” Mason asked surprised. Then pointed to the computer. �
�Play it.”
Ben gave an uncertain glance in Serena’s direction.
“Play it,” she ordered.
“Ok, but…,” Ben started to argue.
“Just play it,” Mason said firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Ben clicked the mouse a few more times, then his voice came from the speaker.
“This is Ben Peltier here with Faith....”
“Faith Williams.”
“Claire Hebert.”
“Claire will be asking questions. Claire whenever you are ready.”
A hiss escaped Serena's lips. “You let her ask questions?”
“Rena.” Mason put a hand on her arm, then turned to Ben. “Why?”
“She wanted to. It was her idea. Faith jumped on the bandwagon and there was no talking her out of it. Just listen... If you want,” he added lamely.
“Richie are you here?” Claire sounded scared. A short silence followed.
“Richie, it’s Claire. We don't have your money. The police took it.”
“Questions, Claire, remember?” Ben’s voice was soft but clear.
“Oh yeah,” Claire answered, then in a louder voice, “Richie, why are you here?”
Through the hum of the electronics a hateful voice hissed, “Stupid bitch!”
“Richie, what do you want?”
“My money… Bitch stole my money.”
After a minute of silence, Claire spoke again. “I guess I should have written some questions down.”
“Maybe you should ask him what hell feels like,” Faith’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“I know you came here because of the money, right?” Claire continued. “Did you ever love me?”
“No, no, no.”
“Claire.” Ben’s whisper almost covered the voice.
“I just wondered. I think I know the answer, but I can’t help thinking there was some good in there somewhere. Even if just at the beginning.”
“Never loved you, so stupid.”
“Richie, do you know I'm getting married? I’m so happy. For once I’m actually happy and you are not going to ruin this for me. You need to go!” Claire’s last statement was shouted into the recorder.
“Gut you and your friend like a pig, cunt!” The voice exploded from the speaker.
“Ok, Claire. That's good.” Ben’s voice was calm, but firm. “Faith give me the meter. You two should go. I’ll pick this up.”