The House on the Hill: A Ghost Story

by Irina Shapiro

  “What?” Sophie asked.

  “First, we will retrieve the wagon and horses from the inn, then go to Eastham.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we no longer need to live like paupers,” he replied. “We have coin enough to build a palace, should we want one.”

  “I’ve no need of a palace, Teddy,” Sophie replied.

  “No, but you need a proper home, and so does our son. And I need access to a waterway.”

  Sophie didn’t argue. Teddy was cleverer than she was. Where she only saw what came next, Teddy was always several steps ahead, assessing the consequences and taking appropriate action. As she watched Teddy row the boat toward Chatham, bags of gold and jewels lying in the bottom of the boat between them, she knew that they’d crossed a line they could never uncross. It was small comfort that they’d crossed it together.

  Chapter 52

  Lauren

  Lauren rose early. Her body and mind were still in turmoil after Tyler’s untimely interruption, a part of her wondering what might have happened had Tyler slept through the night, so she decided to take Billy for a long walk and try to focus on work instead. She was in possession of several random facts about Sophie Holland’s life, but she still had to organize them into a coherent narrative before they could add up to a plot.

  She had a light breakfast of yogurt and fruit, waited for Billy to finish his meal, then put him on a leash and headed out the door. Lauren inhaled the wonderful piney smell of the forest and smiled to herself. A city girl through and through, she’d never thought of herself as someone who would enjoy the peaceful embrace of nature, but these past weeks had brought out a different side of her. She was finally in a place where she was ready to accept her new circumstances and move forward.

  Everything was beginning to come together. Ashley Mann’s book was already with the publisher and Lauren had received the balance of her fee, and according to Della Jackson, her Boston real estate agent there were several parties interested in buying her apartment. And, of course, there was Ryan. There were no guarantees their relationship would progress, or last, but she felt strong enough to take the risk. Ryan was worth it.

  Setting Billy free, Lauren trailed after him, her thoughts returning to Sophie. The new information about Ted Mercer had thrown all her previous theories into disarray, but also presented Lauren with a whole new angle. “The plot thickens,” she said to herself, grinning. Sophie clearly wasn’t the colorless recluse Lauren had first imagined her to be, nor was she a woman who had died with a clear conscience. Things were beginning to fall into place in Lauren’s mind, but there were still a number of unanswered questions. What had become of Sophie’s husband, George Holland, and had he been aware of her relationship with Ted Mercer? Given that the house was called Holland House, it stood to reason that Sophie had never married her lover. Her children had borne the name Holland. Was it possible that Sophie and George had reconciled?

  Lauren paused to consider this theory. Dearest Teddy, Last night I dreamed of you, Sophie’s letter had read. These were not the words of a woman who loved her husband. This was a lament for a lost love. “Is it Teddy you’re waiting for?” Lauren asked out loud, almost wishing Sophie would appear and reply to her. “What happened to him, Sophie?” she continued, safe in the knowledge that no one would hear her talking to herself except possibly the woman she was addressing. “Did he leave you? Did he die?”

  A soft breeze ruffled the canopy of trees above her head, the rustling of the leaves whispering secrets she’d never learn. These trees were old enough to have been here when Sophie had walked these paths and dreamed her dreams. “What happened to you?” Lauren asked again, and then stopped walking. Maybe what had happened to Sophie wasn’t so different from what had happened to Lauren. Perhaps that was why Sophie came to her, because in Lauren she saw someone who’d suffered, a young woman whose well-ordered life had been destroyed, the fabric of her beliefs shredded by the sharp edges of the truth.

  “Did Teddy betray you?” Lauren asked the wind. “Did he break your heart? Is that why you still write letters to him, to work through your pain?”

  Suddenly, Lauren didn’t feel like walking anymore. The sun had disappeared behind a cloud and the morning turned gray and cold. Lauren clipped the leash to Billy’s collar and pulled him back toward the house, eager to be indoors and away from the ominous silence that had settled over the forest. She’d left her cell phone charging in the kitchen and felt vulnerable without it. She knew she was being silly, but she quickened her steps toward home.

  Billy gave her an accusing stare when she pulled him back inside the house but didn’t bother to protest. He trotted toward his water bowl, then retreated to his crate, laying his head down on his paws as if she’d disappointed him and he needed time to recover.

  Lauren squatted next to the pup and laid a hand on his head. “I’m sorry, buddy. I know I promised you a long walk, but I suddenly felt a bit wobbly,” she explained. The dog gazed at her as if he understood. “Silly, I know. We’ll go into town later. Would you like that? I need to get access to Wi-Fi.” Billy turned away from her. “I’ll get you a treat,” she cajoled. This promise was greeted with a forgiving woof. “You are the sweetest puppy in the world,” Lauren said, and kissed him on the nose.

  There were several missed calls on her phone. Lauren listened to a message from Della Jackson first. “Good morning, Lauren. Just wanted to touch base. I ran an open house at your apartment last Sunday, and I’ve received several offers within the past few days, two of which I think you’ll be happy with. Please call me to discuss.”

  Lauren disconnected from voicemail and sighed. This was it. All she had to do was accept one of the offers and her last connection to Zack would be severed. She felt a pang of sadness but shooed it away, annoyed with herself. She’d spent enough time crying into her pillow and nursing the wound Zack had inflicted. The decision had been made, and now she had been presented with an opportunity to follow through on it. It’d be hard to pack up the apartment, especially Zack’s stuff. She’d keep a few mementoes but would donate the rest, she decided. It was time, and she hoped someone else would benefit from the things he’d left behind. Lauren took a deep breath and selected Della’s number.

  Della picked up on the second ring. “Hey, there. You are a hard woman to get hold of,” she joked. “I’m glad you called me back.”

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. I had some things to work through,” Lauren replied.

  “Selling your home is not easy, especially when that was never the plan,” Della said, her tone sympathetic. “I won’t pretend I know what you’re going through, but I understand how hard it must be.”

  “Tell me about the offers,” Lauren invited, uncomfortable with Della’s pity. She was right; she had no idea what Lauren was going through, and she wasn’t about to explain.

  “As I said in the voicemail, there are two offers. One is from an IT executive who’s ready to put down twenty percent. He has a preapproval for a mortgage and a pristine financial background.”

  “And the second offer?”

  “The second offer is from a newly married couple. They’re ready to put down ten percent, but they offered five thousand dollars more. They’re also preapproved, but their credit history is a little spotty.”

  Della named the sum they were offering. It was very close to the asking price. Lauren leaned against the fridge and considered her options. She wanted the sale to go smoothly and close as quickly as possible.

  “I’ll accept the exec’s offer,” she said.

  “Would you like some time to think about it?” Della asked, clearly surprised by Lauren’s decisiveness.

  “No. He’s the one.”

  “Great. I’ll email you the contract. You can sign it electronically and email it back to me.”

  “Actually, I’d prefer to come into the office,” Lauren said. “I don’t have a secure connection here, and there are some things I need to attend to at
home.”

  “Suit yourself,” Della replied. “What day works for you? Obviously, the sooner the better.”

  “How about Monday morning? Say eleven o’clock?”

  “Sure. See you then. And congratulations. I hope you’re pleased.”

  “I am. Thank you, Della.”

  Lauren ended the call but remained where she was. This was it. There was no going back. Lauren dialed Xavier.

  “Hey, Xav. I’m going to be in Boston on Monday. Want to meet for lunch?”

  “Sure. Should I invite Brooke?” he asked carefully.

  “Absolutely. I’d love to see you both. Hopefully, we’ll have reason to celebrate,” Lauren said. “I’ve found a buyer for the apartment.”

  “Lori, are you sure you want to do that? I know that place holds a lot of memories, but where will you go? Real estate prices in Brookline are through the roof. You’ll end up paying double for an apartment of the same size.”

  “I don’t think I want to stay in Boston,” Lauren replied.

  “No? Where, then?”

  “I think I’d like to settle down here, in Orleans,” Lauren said. She hadn’t realized she’d made the decision until she said the words.

  “Are you sure? I know Cape Cod is pretty in the summer, but what are you going to do there in the off season? It’s probably dead.”

  “I don’t mind,” Lauren replied. “I like it here.”

  “Right,” Xavier replied. “Can I tell Mom and Dad?”

  “I’d rather you didn’t. Not yet. I’m not ready to explain.”

  “Lori, what’s going on? Explain what? This isn’t like you,” Xavier said softly, taking on his big brother persona.

  “Look, there are things I’m not ready to talk about. Just trust me on this.”

  “I will support you, whatever you decide,” Xavier said. “See you on Monday?”

  “See you,” Lauren said, and ended the call. She felt better for having told Xavier. Once she had a closing date, she’d tell her parents. She’d come clean.

  Lauren poured herself a glass of orange juice and sat down in her favorite spot in the living room. Butterflies fluttered in her belly as she selected the next message and pressed play. Ryan’s rich baritone spoke softly in her ear. “Don’t make any plans for Saturday. I’ll pick you up around five.”

  Smiling in anticipation, Lauren laid the phone next to her. Saturday couldn’t come fast enough.

  Chapter 53

  Sophie

  September 1728

  Sophie looked around with interest as they approached Eastham. She could see the ocean in the distance, shimmering in the flat silver light of autumn. Its vastness was not quite so intimidating when the waters were calm, stretching toward the horizon like a placid lake. The air was crisp and fragrant with the smell of hay. Now that it was nearly October, the days were noticeably shorter, and the trees lining the road were ablaze with color. She should have been happy, but she longed to be at home with John Theo.

  “This is the place,” Teddy said as he studied his surroundings. He jumped out of the wagon and helped Sophie down before walking up to the top of the hill to look out over the bay, his gaze searching for Hog Island. “Yes, this is it,” he said under his breath.

  A short while later, they arrived at the nearest settlement, which thankfully wasn’t Puritan. The village they’d gone through just before reaching Teddy’s hill reminded her of a crow’s nest, with both men and women clad in black, their demeanor wary and watchful. She could never live among the Puritans; she wouldn’t. The settlement they came across wasn’t large, but there was a pretty white church, a smithy, and a tavern—all important in their own way.

  “Stay with the wagon,” Teddy instructed. He walked into the tavern and returned a few minutes later, looking gratified. “Jacob Hayworth,” he said, taking up the reins. “Two miles north.”

  Sophie nodded. She was tired. They’d slept in the wagon the past few nights, afraid to leave the loot unguarded, but equally wary of bringing it inside an inn for fear of arousing suspicion. Teddy had purchased two large casks of cider and submerged the sacks to hide them from view, but he was still worried. They simply couldn’t take the risk of leaving the treasure unattended.

  “Lie down for a spell,” Teddy said as they reached a fine house situated on rich farmland. The house was the largest in the area, two-storied and solidly built. There were numerous outbuildings, and several horses and cows grazed in a field just beyond the house. Teddy tied the reins to a post in the yard and went to knock on the door while Sophie stretched out in the back of the wagon, her body weary from days on the road. She must have fallen asleep because it was only when Teddy stroked her cheek that she woke. For a moment, she had no idea where she was.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked. “Mrs. Hayworth has invited us to stay for dinner.”

  “Yes, I am,” Sophie said and climbed out of the wagon. She tucked a few stray strands of hair into her cap and shook out her skirts.

  “Sophie, I told them my name is George Holland,” Teddy warned her.

  “Why would you do a thing like that?” Sophie cried.

  “Because Holland is a common name, and as long as they believe us to be a married couple, no one will make the connection should they ever come to hear of George Holland’s wife trouble. Besides, I prefer not to give my own name.”

  Sophie stared at Teddy, her mouth open in surprise. “Whyever not?”

  “Because I mean to buy my own ship, Poppet, and hire my own crew. Why do you think I need access to the Atlantic?”

  Sophie glared at Teddy, furious that she hadn’t realized what he’d been planning, but this wasn’t the time or the place to hash out their differences. She plastered a smile on her face and walked into the house, greeting Mr. and Mrs. Hayworth and complimenting them on their home, which was indeed very nice.

  “Your husband said he wants a house just like this one,” Mr. Hayworth said as he passed Sophie a plate of warm bread rolls while his wife ladled out oyster stew. Sophie’s mouth watered at the promise of a homecooked meal. Besides the stew, there was pork pie and apple fritters for after. “It’s a good thing he came to me now, after the harvest,” the man said. “I’m a builder, but I’m also a farmer. Living out here, we can’t rely on others to provide for us. We must have our own milk and meat, and we grow wheat, barley, and corn as well,” he boasted.

  “How long does it take to build a house this size?” Sophie asked, wondering what Teddy had told the man. Mr. Hayworth didn’t seem suspicious in the least; in fact, he’d been most effusive in his welcome.

  “Normally, it takes about two months, but given that Mr. Holland wishes to build atop a hill, it will take longer since the land needs to be cleared first. I’d say we should be finished by the end of the year. Lucky for him, most men have brought in their harvest already, and there are plenty who’ll be glad of the extra income this undertaking will bring. Without extra workers, it would take six months at the very least.”

  “Mrs. Holland, I pray you take no offense, but you look exhausted,” Mrs. Hayworth said. “Stay the night. We’ve got a spare room and our boy will take care of your horses.”

  “We have five sons,” Mr. Hayworth explained, grinning. “They’re helping our neighbor with the haying at present, but they will be home for supper.”

  “Thank you kindly, but we must be on our way. Our own boy is waiting for us to return,” Teddy replied, disappointing Sophie greatly. She would have liked to sleep in a proper bed and maybe even wash her hair before setting off for home.

  “Why did you refuse?” she asked Teddy once they were on their way again. She felt even more sluggish after the meal, her eyes refusing to stay open.

  “Because there’s no one nosier than a young boy. With five of them snooping around, our secrets wouldn’t stay safe for long.”

  Sophie nodded at the wisdom of this. Teddy was right, as usual. “Did Mr. Hayworth not question your method of payment?” she asked. Teddy had given M
r. Hayworth a large deposit, promising to pay extra if the house was indeed completed by year’s end. Teddy had handed over a dozen gold doubloons, which Mr. Hayworth had pocketed with obvious glee.

  “No man will turn down gold, Poppet,” Teddy replied. “Currencies come and go, but gold is gold.”

  “Did he not ask how you came by it?”

  “He was too afraid to lose the commission. The price we agreed on will keep his family in pork pies for decades, as well as the rest of this community. With winter coming, they’re only too happy to put by a little extra something should their provisions not last till spring.”

  “Will we be able to travel up here in the dead of winter, Teddy?” Sophie asked.

  “We won’t have to. We’ll remain in Sandwich until the end of November, then make our way here before the heavy snows come. Should the house not be ready, we’ll stay with the Hayworths. Jacob and I shook on it.”

  “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?” Sophie said, smiling. She was always impressed with Teddy’s resourcefulness.

  “I always do, Poppet. I always do,” Teddy replied, and wrapped his arm around her. “Just a few more days and then you can sleep for a week, if you like. You do look worn out,” he said, looking at her with concern. “Are you feeling all right?”

  “Just tired,” Sophie replied. Several nights in a proper bed wouldn’t do her any harm.

  “Make yourself comfortable in the back,” Teddy said. “I know how eager you are to get home, so I’ll drive through the night and then you can take over come morning.”

  “Teddy, are you sure?” Sophie asked, her heart lifting at the promise of seeing John Theo sooner than she’d expected.

  “Absolutely. Go on.”

  Sophie climbed into the back of the wagon and was asleep within moments.