“Hmm,” Kellie murmured. “Claudia never just wants to chat. Something’s up.” She texted her back that she’d stop by the next afternoon. “Now to enjoy my tea and hopefully, start dinner before the girls wake.”
~ * ~
Kellie stopped before walking up the stairs to Claudia’s front porch. Since containing Thomas, life had been peaceful. She wasn’t worried leaving the girls with their sitter or jogging through the park again. Seeing Claudia’s beautiful home brought a feeling of security. She walked up the stairs and knocked on the door.
The door flew open, and a highly animated Claudia invited her in with a wide sweep of her crimson-clad arm. The long flowing sleeve reminded Kellie of a flag, and she smiled at her eccentric friend.
“Come in, quickly, before I freeze,” Claudia said with a twinkle in her eyes. Kellie followed her in and closed the door.
“Tea?” Claudia’s question floated on the air as she made her way to the kitchen.
“Yes, please,” Kellie answered and walked behind her friend.
Kellie sat as she watched Claudia prepare the tea. “I’m glad you asked me over,” she said. “I’ve missed our talks.”
“As have I,” Claudia answered. “Things have been quiet here in town, and I wanted to give you time to enjoy it.” She carried the teapot to the table and poured two cups.
“Is something wrong? Do you need my help?” Kellie asked gripping the mug with her cold hands.
“No, nothing like that dear. I wanted to tell you a few things,” Claudia answered as she took her chair across from Kellie.
“I’m listening,” Kellie smiled and took a cookie from the plate Claudia had set on the table.
“It’s about Lance.” Claudia held up her hand in reaction to the panic in Kellie’s eyes. “He’s okay. He’s doing well. After the battle with Thomas, Lance promised Max not to contact you. Max is apprehensive about you fighting another spirit.”
Kellie raised her eyebrows. “Max never told me that he spoke to Lance. Is Lance in trouble? Does he need my help? My abilities are still strong.”
“No, dear,” Claudia reached over and patted Kellie’s hand. “We were both concerned you might worry about him if he remained out of touch. I wanted to let you know he is well and busy.”
“Busy?” Kellie bit her lip.
Claudia nodded. “Lance’s aunt passed away and left him the apartment building he lives in. His aunt also resided in the building, and Lance was a big help to her. His inheritance of the building allowed him to quit working at the Adderly Hotel and work from home.”
Kellie lifted her cup and took a sip of the hot tea. “I know he was starting a computer consulting business. He can work on what he loves now, but I am sorry to hear about his aunt.”
“Yes,” Claudia replied. “The lady was a lovely soul and ninety-two when she passed. If Lance hadn’t lived in the building and offered her help, she would have had to leave her home for assisted living. He never expected her to leave him the building, but it does give him time to work and pursue strange happenings.”
Kellie nearly choked on her mouthful of tea. “Strange happenings? What strange happenings? I haven’t heard or sensed a thing. Is there trouble? Please tell me.”
“Nothing near here. Lance has been honing his own abilities and helped two confused souls into the light.” Claudia refilled Kellie’s cup.
“That’s wonderful, but why did you need to ask me here to tell me this?”
Claudia looked deeply into Kellie’s eyes. “I needed to see your reaction when I told you Lance was helping spirits. I see it in your eyes. Max may want you to stay away, but you need to help the poor souls. It’s part of who you are.”
Kellie placed her hands on her lap and dropped her head. When she raised it, she looked at Claudia. “You’re right. I love being a mom and wife. I love my girls more than life itself, but…”
“Something’s missing?” Claudia suggested.
Kellie nodded.
“Right now,” Claudia continued, “Lance is doing well on his own the way you did in the beginning. He is helping spirits just lost or confused. I wanted to know if he comes upon something large that he can’t handle alone that you might consider helping.”
“Of course,” Kellie’s shoulders slumped. “It may cause some friction at home or with my uncle, but yes, I’d help. Does he need me now?”
“No,” Claudia assured her. “I will let you know if and when he does. Tell me about this year’s charity ball. I received my invitation and cannot wait to attend. I believe Lance will also attend. Perhaps you’ll be able to have a talk with him then.”
“Perhaps,” Kellie said her mind wandering to what her friends would think if she encountered more spirits. What would Max say? She inwardly shuddered at the thought of another lecture from her Uncle Mike. She lifted her cup and finished her tea.
Claudia sensing the shift in her aura said, “No worrying. It isn’t healthy and those that love you will support you. You have my word.”
Kellie smiled hoping Claudia was right, but she usually was.
~ * ~
The weeks slipped by and the night of the Christmas Charity Ball arrived. Kellie finished dressing while Julie, the babysitter, watched the girls. Max let Rufus out to run through the yard before having him settle down for the night with Julie and the girls.
Kellie walked downstairs in a black formal gown. Silver jewelry accented the gown. Matching hair clips held her blonde hair pulled up at the sides and allowed it to cascade past her shoulders in back. Max turned to look at her, and she took his breath away the way she did many times before. He strode across the room and stopped inches in front of her.
“I want to pull you in my arms and kiss you senseless, but I know what you’ll do to me if I mess up your hair or makeup. Just wait until later,” he winked.
“I can’t wait. You look delicious in that tux,” she whispered and winked back.
They kissed the girls, exchanged a few words with Julie; Max slipped Kellie’s coat over her arms, and they headed for the ball. They needed to arrive before the other guests to help Reginald make sure everything was set up correctly.
Max dropped Kellie at the front door, and she walked up the stairs just as Taylor arrived. She hurried up the stairs to meet Kellie and a young man greeted them and held open the door.
“Thank you,” Kellie said to the young man who smiled and bowed slightly.
Reginald spied them from across the grand salon and rushed over. “I’m happy you’re early. I think everything is set up perfectly. Come and see if you approve of how I’ve set up the donated paintings for the silent auction.”
Kellie and Taylor followed Reginald into the large gallery across from the grand salon. It had been transformed into a springtime paradise. Each floral painting was beautiful on its own, but together they created a lovely, peaceful environment.
“This is more beautiful than I imagined,” Taylor gushed. “We’re going to have the best auction ever.”
“I agree.”
Both young women turned at the sound of a surprised gasp to find Andrea standing in the doorway with her hand over her mouth. “It’s lovely beyond words. This spring floral theme is the best idea. I’d love to take them all home,” Andrea’s eye’s glimmered in the light.
Kellie answered, “Yes, it’s beautiful. We don’t have much time before the guests arrive. I suppose we should check on the food and music. The string quartet was setting up in the grand salon when I arrived.”
Andrea turned and called over her shoulder, “I’ll check on the caterer.”
Taylor smiled, “She has more energy than both of us put together. I’m sure she needs it to keep up with Cole, but I wonder where she finds it.”
“Coffee?” Kellie suggested.
“Maybe,” Taylor agreed. “Let’s check on the string quartet.”
They met the men in the grand salon. Hunter was talking to one of the musicians and Max strolled around the large room. “Wher
e are all the items that usually are on display in this room?”
“Reginald put them all in storage. He’s been working non-stop for days. He’s excited about the auction,” Kellie answered.
~ * ~
The evening passed quickly, and it was nearing the time for the auction. Guests walked around the rooms carrying glasses of champagne and whispering.
Kellie picked up the microphone from the table next to the podium. She was ready to begin announcing the winning bids. The lights flickered off and on three times. The fourth time, the gallery was momentarily plunged into darkness until the emergency lighting turned on. Gasps and murmurings filled the museum and Reginald ran to Kellie’s side.
“Kellie, do something. It must be another ghost. It’ll kill our patrons or burn down the museum or worse.”
Kellie’s eyes widened as she listened to Reginald’s voice boom through the museum. Neither of them knew the microphone in her hand was live. The murmurings turned to panic.
Claudia rushed to Kellie’s side. She whispered, “Tell them it’s not a ghost. It’s an electrical problem. Your voice will calm them.”
Kellie did as Claudia instructed and the guests listened to her. Her reputation as a ghost fighter worked to her advantage this time. A few moments later, the lights came back on.
Kellie blew out a breath and asked Claudia, “Are you sure that wasn’t a spirit or some sort of sign?”
“Positive,” Claudia insisted.
Kellie continued with the auction and guests slowly began to leave. It was nearly midnight, and Lance approached Kellie. “This was a nice evening. I think you raised a lot of money. Nice play settling down all the terrified patrons. I know you plan on retiring, but people will always look at you as someone who will save them from the dark things in the world.”
Kellie laughed. “Do you really think so?”
“Yes, I do. Good luck convincing people otherwise.” He turned and walked toward the other side of the room.
The large crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the grand salon slowly began to swing back and forth. Before anyone realized it, the chandelier broke loose and crashed to the floor barely missing Lance as he walked away.
Kellie stifled a scream. Lance jumped out of the way in time, and Claudia rushed to Kellie’s side.
“That,” Claudia said, “was a sign, actually a warning.”
“What,” Kellie exclaimed. “Who? What? Why? You know details. What type of evil is after me now?”
“I don’t know. It isn’t anything specific. It is a general warning meant to advise caution. It could be meant for tomorrow or next year. Time is fluid in the spiritual world.”
Lance hurried to Kellie and Claudia. “Are you two okay? Something odd is happening. I feel it.”
“Yes, you are right. I was telling Kellie this is a warning,” Claudia repeated.
“Do you know what type of warning?”
Claudia shook her head. “No, none of my spirit connections can tell at this time. You will need to be observant. Something’s coming.”
“Where? Is it coming to Malone Springs?” Kellie asked. “What should I do?”
“Not you, dear,” Claudia reached out and laid her hand on Kellie’s arm. “Lance. The warning is meant for him.”
Lance’s eyebrows shot up. “Me. Okay but if you don’t know what it is, how will I?”
Claudia lifted her index finger and spun it in a circle several times. “Watch. You will know when the time arrives. I must go. Call if you need me.” She rushed across the room toward the exit rainbow colored skirt flowing behind her.
Max had been helping Hunter and Cole package up a few of the smaller paintings that people wished to take home with them immediately when the crash of the chandelier shattered the peace of the museum.
Seeing Claudia hurrying from the grand salon, Max entered to find Lance and Kellie deep in conversation and the chandelier broken on the floor. Reginald was walking in circles around the chandelier picking up pieces of crystal that hadn’t broken in the fall. His red face and mumbling worried Max.
Making a quick decision that Kellie appeared okay but Reginald needed help. He insisted the man sit in a chair. He checked his pulse and made a quick assessment. Telling Reginald to remain seated, he pulled out his phone and called the station for the paramedic van. Returning to Reginald’s side, he did his best to calm the man. The paramedics arrived in record time, but the wait took its toll on Reginald.
He looked at Max and asked, “Are they here for me?”
“Yes, it’s just a precaution.”
Reginald nodded, grabbed his chest with both hands, and fell off the chair. Max moved out of the way to let the paramedics help Reginald and strode to Kellie’s side.
Kellie stood with her hand over her mouth. “Is Reginald okay? I saw him fall off the chair.”
“I don’t know,” Max answered. “His pulse was racing, so I called for the van. I’m glad they got here when they did. Let’s hope it’s just nerves. Now, what happened in here?”
Kellie explained about the chandelier and Claudia’s prediction.
Max stared at Lance. “You’re not dragging Kellie into whatever this is. I won’t allow it.”
“Hey, relax, Max,” Lance retorted. “No one knows what’s going on. The warning is for me alone. It doesn’t involve Kellie. I’m not planning on including her in whatever is coming.” Lance turned and walked out of the room.
“Why did you do that?” Kellie asked. “He’s been a great help.”
“You promised you were done. I just wanted him to understand that.” Max slid up to her side and pulled her close. “The girls and I need you at home not chasing ghosts.”
“I know. It’s where I want to be. I just want to be sure if Lance needs any advice he’s not worried about asking.” She leaned on his shoulder.
Max motioned his head to where Reginald was seated. “It looks as if he’s going to be fine. They’re not going to take him to the hospital.”
“At least, the evening ended well. Let’s check on Reginald and say goodnight.”
Chapter Twelve
Winter’s icy clutches gave way to Spring’s promise of warmth. When Summer pushed the days into the sunshine and blue skies, Kellie and Taylor were deep in conversations about the children’s birthdays. July would soon arrive, and they planned to hold an event that would mirror a royal celebration. After all, it would be a party for three. Ideas poured forth, but the only plan set into motion was that there wouldn’t be a clown. They made Kellie shudder and caused Taylor nightmares. Since the carnival they attended at age four when the clown tripped and knocked both girls to the ground, they avoided clowns at all cost. Each was sure, at the time, that the clown would come back at night and steal them away. A bit of that childhood fear stuck with them as they grew into adults.
Taylor wrote NO CLOWNS in large letters across the top of the yellow legal pad she used to make notes. “We need two birthday cakes. One decorated in blue and one pink. We’ll have enough people to eat two cakes. Should we also order cupcakes?”
“Great idea,” Kellie said. “Two sheet cakes would give us enough cake, but cupcakes are always fun, and people could take them home. The baker could be sure they were different yet complimented each other. We need this to look as if it is two separate parties melded into one. It’ll be great fun.”
Taylor looked up, “Hunter laughed at me when I suggested pony rides.”
“We need pink and blue balloons. Max said no to pony rides either. He said they’re too young to remember, and when they’re older we can take them to his parent’s farm. I guess he’s right. Oh, birthday signs for the front yard, so everyone knows where to come.”
Taylor laughed, “Everyone knows where we live.”
“I know,” Kellie agreed, “but I love those big banners. We can order two with the kid’s names and ponies printed on them.”
“I love them, too,” Taylor jotted more notes on her pad. “Ponies one way or the
other, right? Hunter also said if we let the kids ride on ponies, they’ll try to ride the dogs. Ethan has tried to climb on Penny a few times. Do the girls do that to Rufus?”
“Yes, since they learned to toddle around holding onto the furniture, they follow him and try to drop on him. He runs. It was different when they just crawled. They’d crawl next to him and cuddle. Since they learned to pull themselves up to stand, they try to use him. He doesn’t like his ears getting pulled.”
“Neither does Penny. She tries to hide under Hunter’s desk.” Taylor smiled at the thought of her eleven-month-old son chasing their beautiful lab.
“We can let Rufus and Penny hide in the basement the day of the party. It’ll be more peaceful for them.”
“Good idea, now back to party ideas. Since we’re planning on serving lunch, do you want to cook?”
Kellie’s forehead crinkled and her nose scrunched. “Do you? I thought we’d place an order at the deli.”
“Agreed,” Taylor wrote ‘Deli’ across her paper pad.
“Food, cake, balloons, banners, a small toy for each of the guests, so they don’t have their feelings hurt when Ethan and the girls get gifts, cartoons on the TV in the living room, anything else?”
Taylor shrugged. “I’m sure there’s more. This is a good start.”
Kellie lifted the coffee pot. “Ready for a break from all this hard thinking? I have apple cinnamon muffins.”
Taylor smiled. “Always.”
~ * ~
Kellie kept the birthday plans to herself as she puttered around the kitchen. Max and Hunter were convinced Kellie and Taylor were losing their minds with the plans getting a bit out of control.
Max mumbled, “Kids!” under his breath as Kellie set his coffee cup on the table.
“Kids?” Kellie questioned. “I recognize that tone. What did kids do now old man of nearly thirty?” She leaned her chin on her hand and smiled at him.
He shook his head at her, but his lips barely rose with a returned smile. “A bunch of kids went to a local lake up north two nights ago for skinny dipping and built a small bonfire to make S’mores.”
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