by Lisa Coots
“Never leave. You can’t leave.” The voice hissed angrily.
“Oh. Do you think we got something?” Claire’s voice was unsure.
“I won’t know until I go back through it. Besides the EMF meter going off, there’s no evidence. But…” Ben’s voice was interrupted by a slamming door. “Oh, man. Y’all need to go!”
“Faith!” Claire cried out in fear.
“Oh, shit, Faith,” Ben’s voice whispered.
Heavy footsteps sounded followed by a different voice screaming, “No, Poppa. No!”
The moaning and wailing that followed sent chills down Serena’s spine. She reached over to click the mouse. “What did you need a second opinion on? Telling me?”
“I just thought maybe Mace should hear it first. I didn't know if you'd want to hear it.”
Serena at a loss for words turned to Mason, who stared stone-faced at the laptop. “He won't hurt you or anybody else. He can't.”
“So that was Richie?” Ben asked.
“Yes, it's him alright. Just as charming in death as he was when he was alive.” Her jaw clenched in anger. This could ruin everything. “No one else heard this, right?”
“No, I told you. This is crazy. If they hear this, they would never come back.”
“Erase it,” Serena demanded.
“What?” Mason turned to her bewildered.
“No!” Ben shook his head.
“You left those pictures, Ben. I'm not going to have you mess this up.”
“No one else will ever hear this, but I'm not erasing it. This is evidence.” He pulled the mouse protectively towards his body out of Serena’s reach. “I didn't give Claire that picture. Faith must have picked it up.”
“What about the one on my stack?”
“What about it? You saw it. What does that matter?” Ben shrugged over his desk.
“Those were to show potential clients and I showed them to a vender.”
“Oh, sorry.” Ben blinked, then frowned. “I thought you'd go through them first.”
“So it wasn't on purpose?” Mason asked suspiciously, still looming over Ben’s shoulder.
“Of course not.” He eyed them both. “You two are made for each other.”
“I won't argue with that, but this place.....” Mason shook his head then turned to Serena. “I won't have you hurt or in danger.”
“I'm not.”
“It's never been so clear or so strong.... To catch an EVP like this combined with everything else going on here.”
“Ah, you worried about me?” she asked turning his favorite question back on him.
“It's not a joke, Rena,” Mason pleaded with her.
“Look guys, I'm sorry I didn't say anything before, but I did want a second opinion. Listen to the end again.”
CHAPTER 19
Secrets. Serena hated them. Yet they seemed to be everywhere. Finding herself keeping a few of her own made her uncomfortable. She had tried to live her life as openly as possible.
Plans for the wedding were moving along. The day for the dress session had finally arrived. Nothing was going to stop her. This was the dream she had. It was about more than just one wedding. It was her future, with or without Mason. She found herself hoping more and more for 'with'.
He had stayed as promised. Dealing with business over emails and phone calls. They had settled into a comfortable routine and ended each day seeking each other out. She had taken to sleeping with him in his room after he complained about her small daybed.
Ben had stayed as well, doing what he did best, gathering information. Only leaving for a few photo sessions that had been booked months in advance.
Her thoughts turned to their ongoing investigation of the house. The sounds at the end of that recording where horrific, but supported her feeling that Anna was protecting them. Guarding the house.
The upside of secret keeping was that Claire and Faith seemed to be keeping their distance. Probably afraid to spill the beans about their secret session. Today they would all be here together.
Michelle was busy setting up racks of dresses in the big room. Serena had set up full length mirrors and screens for the dressing area.
Not wanting any distractions, she had tried unsuccessfully to get rid of Ben and Mason for the day. Ben had insisted on sticking around to take pictures. Once she considered it, she had to admit it would be a bonus for everyone involved. Claire would have keepsakes from the fitting. Michelle would have promotional pictures, and so would she. She knew Ben had used logic to diffuse any argument she had put up because he was nervous about this.
Richie had been quiet since the night of the EVP recording. She assumed it was too much to hope for that he had simply dissipated. Mason had been on edge since hearing the recording and refused to leave. Serena had grown used to his constant hovering. It felt natural.
Sounds from the kitchen made her smile. Faith had shown up early to make refreshments for after the dresses were safely back in the plastic coverings. The smells brought Ben from his room. He lurked hopefully near the doorway, camera in hand.
Laughter from the porch alerted her to Claire and Elle's arrival. The house was as it should be, full of life and activity. It felt like a home. Her home. She opened the door to greet Elle and the bride to be.
Claire's excitement was obvious, as they continued their happy chatter. Claire had definitely found a home and family with the Bertrands. Serena smiled warmly as she greeted them.
“Hello, ladies. Are we ready to find the dress today?”
“Yes!” Claire squealed, her blue eyes shining with excitement. Her enthusiasm was contagious and spurred a whoop from Elle.
“Why don’t you guys wait in the parlor until Michelle is ready with the dresses? I’ll go find Faith.” Serena left them to chatter and made her way to the kitchen. Ben hovered just outside the door sulking.
“What’s wrong, Faith not letting you sample?” She laughed at him.
“What’s Elle doing here?”
“She’s in the wedding. The bridesmaids have to try on dresses, too.”
“This is weird,” Ben whispered more to himself, then frowned at her.
“You don’t have to stay.”
“No, I’m not going anywhere.” He tapped the EMF meter hooked to his belt.
“Ugh. Do you have to do that today?”
“Yes,” Mason spoke from behind her, “He does. If we have some warning like before maybe we can make sure no one else gets hurt.”
“Ok, take some pictures of Claire and Elle waiting. Then go inside to catch their reaction when they see the dresses. Michelle should be ready soon. I’ll get Faith.”
The smells of the fresh baked cookies lured her into the warm, bright room. Faith stood at her sink scrubbing a baking pan. Her ponytail shook with each pass of her hand.
“Hey, you almost done in here?”
“Oh, yeah. Is it time?”
“They’re all here in the parlor. I’d like a picture of you guys together before we start.”
“Sure, but you should be in the picture, too.”
“It’s ok. I have things to see about, and you guys are family.”
“You are too. You’re in the wedding.” Rinsing the pan, Faith gave her a perturbed look. “You need to be in the picture. We barely got any of you at the engagement party.”
“It’s not about me. Come on.”
Faith wiped her hands with a dishrag, her brows furrowed. “Do you think something will happen?”
The question caught Serena off guard. Everyone had been avoiding all talk of anything paranormal.
“No, I don’t. Everything's fine.” She smiled widely at her friend. “Don’t worry Faith. Let’s just have some fun and think about the wedding.”
“Yeah, ok.”
Serena smiled. She was just a bit excited herself to try on the dresses. Wedding dresses. With her and Mason finally smoothing things out, she dared to hope for her own wedding one day. His mother had surprised her with a ph
one call, and an open invitation to visit her.
“You ok?”
“Yeah, I am. Let’s go try on dresses.”
Mason watched the girls enter the big room. Amid the ooo's and ahh's, he caught a glimpse of Serena’s face. God, she was a sight, but when she was truly happy, not guarded, it was a rare thing indeed. The brightness radiating from her floated around her in a soft haze of gold light. A rush of love flooded over him. He had been surprised to find her waiting for him when he returned. When he had reached for her, he knew she wouldn’t turn him away. Since that day things were as they should be. They were together; a couple, partners. Days were spent working together, and nights resting in each other's arms. Not wanting to mess things up again, he kept a tight grip on his thoughts, and an even tighter one on his mouth.
Stepping in to help things go as smoothly as possible, he was determined to show Serena things could be as before. Being familiar with the hospitality industry, he knew some things, but weddings, not so much. Clearly over his head, with invitations and etiquette, he had watched over the process with interest. Seeing firsthand the work Serena had done to make this day special for her friend showed him that she did indeed belong here. This house was made for this and so was she. Serena had a knack for putting people at ease. She could create an atmosphere with a few simple items and her smile. Just as she danced with her soul, she had poured all of herself into this one day.
Ben quietly snapped pictures of the girls as they inspected the dresses. Michelle cast uneasy glances in Ben’s direction, trying to dodge the camera. He was soon forgotten as Michelle showed Claire a dress and urged her to try it on. Leaving them to continue the search, Mason stepped into the foyer. Testing the air around him, he continued to wander through the downstairs rooms. It was quiet. Not entirely sure what he would do if something did happen, he was thankful for the quiet. Making his way back to the foyer, he stopped at the foot of the staircase. He sighed with relief when he still felt nothing. He stayed alert, remembering the sounds on the audio. He couldn’t see everything, hear everything, or feel everything. Things could be happening around him, and he’d never be the wiser. Mason knew without a doubt if the others heard that audio, they’d never come back. It was better that they couldn’t hear or feel these things.
Hearing a barrage of excited voices from the big room, Mason wandered back over to peek in the doorway. Claire stood before a mirror gazing dreamily at the dress she was wearing. Everyone flitted excitedly around her. Michelle tugged at the back explaining about the train. Ben snapped pictures as Faith held up Claire’s hair to compare the merits of an updo to a half updo.
As Elle stepped from behind a screen, Mason caught Ben’s appreciative expression in the mirror and grinned in agreement. The dreaded bridesmaids’ dresses in this case were quite flattering. A wispy chiffon plum colored gown with a haltered neckline and a layered handkerchief hem skirt, made Elle even more fairy like.
“Oh, Ben, you were right. It’s amazing on her!” Serena exclaimed before disappearing behind a screen.
Horrified, Ben nervously pressed buttons on the camera. “Umm, yeah. With y’alls’ dark coloring I knew it would make a great picture.”
“Well, you’ve got a good eye.” Michelle smiled flirtatiously at him.
Elle turned to see herself in the mirror. Her lip curled as she turned sideways.
“What’s the matter Elle? Don’t you like it?” Claire asked disappointed.
“No, I love it!” Smiling at Claire in the mirror, Elle added with a grumble, “I’ll have to dye my hair to match though.”
“Oh, yeah,” Faith snorted, “Brother dear will love that.”
“Ben.” Elle stomped her bare foot on the wood floor with a smack.
“Hmm?”
“Are you going to take my picture or not?” Huffing impatiently, she turned from the mirror to face him.
“Oh, yeah, sure.” Ben held up the camera and Elle struck a pose.
“Faith, why don’t you go put on your dress, too? Ben can get a picture of you guys together,” Michelle suggested.
Mason assumed Serena was putting on the same dress and waited with anticipation. The dress would be just as stunning on Serena with her dark curls. Faith found her dress and disappeared behind another screen. Moments later, Serena stepped out from behind the screen making the room still. Mason’s knees wanted to buckle. He grabbed the door for support. The white lace gown clung to her dancer's body and sprouted a full skirt well below her hips. The delicate lace flowed off of her tanned shoulders into billowy sleeves.
“Wow! Rena!” Ben frantically snapped the camera in her direction. Serena smiled, then swiveling her hips she turned to look over her shoulder at Ben. The back of her dress, simply wasn’t there. Her bronzed back was bare to the waist, and the lace clung deliciously to her back side before the gathered folds of the skirt.
Claire made a strangled moan before protesting, “No! Mason you shouldn’t be here. It’s bad luck!”
“Claire,” Serena laughed. “It’s your wedding, not mine. I just fell in love with this dress. I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s gorgeous on you!” Michelle grinned, then turned to Mason. “I didn’t know you guys were engaged too.”
“We’re not.” Serena looked down at the dress, smoothing it gently with her hands.
Unable to find his voice, Mason just stared at her still gripping the door. Concerned, Serena hurried towards him whispering, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m her husband!” His words echoed in the big room. Everyone froze, sharing a tense beat, unsure of what was happening.
“I’m fine. It’s gorgeous, love,” he whispered hoarsely to Serena, then slid the door closed.
Oh god, he remembered. No, no. It couldn’t be. Trembling, he made his way to the parlor, grabbing onto a chair back for support. The memories came flooding back. Her and him, as always. They were bound. Their love burned and consumed him. She danced before him in a white dress, her face radiated love and happiness. Dancing. She was always dancing. Then there was someone else in the dark with her. Dancing with her. The jealousy and anger made him unclear. Everything was a haze of red. She was crying and pleading, but it was lost in the roaring of his mind. Blood on the dress soaked through the lace, dying it a perfect shade of crimson. He had held her, howling like an animal. Darkness swirled as the pain engulfed him. He had killed the only thing he ever loved.
It made sense now. Why he had searched for her. Dreamed of her. He was still howling on the inside. It also explained the jealousy and mistrust. He had to fix this. This time he would.
Confused at Mason’s reaction, Serena stared at the door he had shut in her face. She could feel his pain, but didn’t understand what had happened. Turning to Ben, she gave him a questioning look. He looked down at the meter then shrugged helplessly.
“You guys go ahead. I’ll be right back.” She gave them a smile before slipping through the door to find Mason. Standing in the parlor, his back was towards her, head hanging and his hands gripping the chair back.
“Mace, what’s wrong?” she whispered softly.
He turned toward her, his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Mi Amor.”
Serena reached for him, but he held out a hand to stop her.
“Take the dress off please. I can’t stand it.” His voice broke, as he closed his eyes against the threatening tears.
Pulling her hand back, the rejection burned. “What?” she hissed.
“I’ll be upstairs, if you need me.” Walking from the room briskly, he left her standing alone wondering if the magic had finally faded.
CHAPTER 20
His first instinct was to run. Just get away. The long buried memory, now uncovered, wouldn’t leave him. When he was able to sleep, he’d wake in a panic after reliving the rage and horror of his blood soaked hands holding her lifeless body. Most nights Mason would just hold Serena, feeling her breath move through her until he fell asleep. Some nights sleep wouldn’t come
at all. He knew there was nowhere to run from this. The memories would be with him forever.
Hearing laughter from the kitchen, Mason made his way down the service stairs. Serena must not remember. Of course she had been fearless until those last moments. The doubts crept in. Maybe she was right. Maybe their lesson was to live without each other. He didn’t want to think about that.
Another thought crept in. Was his rage the connection to this place? To Richie and the father?
He couldn’t voice these concerns out loud. If Serena didn’t recall the trauma of her death in that past life, he wouldn’t be the one to tell her. Their shared memories of passion were all he wanted her to remember. Not the fear, the rage, or the everlasting guilt he felt.
Mason entered the kitchen to Ben’s voice, sounding appalled, he asked, “What are you talking about?”
“You gave Michelle your number. I heard you,” Faith teased.
“Faith, that was business. Michelle liked his pictures.” Serena wiggled her eyebrows over her coffee cup. Her laughter, joined by Faith’s, filled the kitchen.
“Geesh, if this is what having a sister is like you can keep it. Don’t you have your own siblings to torture?”
“Umm, no I don’t.” Serena smiled at him.
“Speaking of my siblings, what was the crack about Elle wanting to go see Gil?” Faith raised an eyebrow at Ben.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ben put a forkful of food in his mouth, then noticed Mason standing in the doorway.
Following his gaze, Faith asked, “Coffee?”
“Yeah, but I’ll get it. Don’t get up.” He gave her a halfhearted smile as he shuffled to the coffee pot. “I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you actually sitting in this room.”
Serena watched him with concern as he poured the coffee. “Still not sleeping, hun?”
“Got a few hours.” He looked around the room. “What’s next?”