by Reid, Terri
Bumpy Roads
Hurrying to the old bridge that crossed Yellow Creek, Courtney stepped to the side as a car came up behind her. The bridge was only wide enough for one car and even foot traffic had to climb up on the narrow ledge for safety. The car slowed and the driver’s side window rolled down. A familiar face greeted Courtney.
“Hey, Courtney, how about a ride?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, thanks, I’m good,” she said. “It’s only a few more blocks.”
The driver looked up to the sky. “You won’t make it before the storm hits,” he argued. “Come on, I’ll feel guilty all night if I leave you here.”
She smiled. “Okay, if you put it that way,” she agreed, jogging over to the passenger side of the car and letting herself in.
The door lock clicked as she buckled her seatbelt and she looked up in surprise. “It does that automatically,” the driver said with an apologetic shrug.
Courtney scooted against the door and grasped the handle. “You know, I think I’ll just walk anyway,” she said, pulling against the handle.
But the door didn’t open. She tried it again, but it was still locked tight.
“Child locks,” the driver said, a smile on his face. “You can’t get out until I let you out.”
She pressed the window button, but it also stayed in place. “Listen, I don’t want to be in this car,” she said firmly. “Now please let me out or I’m going to scream.”
He chuckled softly, leaned forward and placed his hand against her cheek, rubbing it intimately. “If you scream, no one will hear you,” he said, as he slipped his hand down to her neck. “But you can do it if you like. I always love to hear a girl’s scream.”
# # # #
For ten years, young girls have been disappearing from the streets of Freeport and the surrounding towns.
Can Mary solve the mystery before Clarissa is the next victim?
Bumpy Roads
A MARY O’REILLY PARANORMAL MYSTERY
by
Terri Reid
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” - The Adventures of Christopher Robin, A.A. Milne
We all grieve when we lose someone we love, but often it is hard for children who have not only lost their loved one, but also their security. Grief and depression often go hand in hand in children. If you love a child who has lost someone, please be sure to help them through their journey of grief. Allow them to express their feelings and help them to feel safe.
BUMPY ROADS – A MARY O’REILLY PARANORMAL MYSTERY
by Terri Reid
Copyright © 2013 by Terri Reid
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/ use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
The author would like to thank all those who have contributed to the creation of this book: Richard Reid, Sarah Reid, Richard Onines, Virginia Onines, Elise Brubaker and Cyndy Ranzau.
And especially to the wonderful readers who walk with me through Mary and Bradley’s adventures and encourage me along the way. Thank you all!
Prologue
(Eight years ago)
The air was heavy with humidity and dark storm clouds were moving east toward Freeport. Softball practice had run late and four teenage girls, all best friends, stood next to the bleachers picking up their gear and chatting about the upcoming prom. Courtney Rasmussen lifted her long brown hair up, so the wind could reach the back of her neck. “I sure hope the storm cools things down,” she said.
Beth Anne Lloyd whose short curls blew around her face, laughed. “It will probably just get more humid,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You’ve got to love spring in Illinois.”
Courtney stuffed her windbreaker into her backpack before slinging it over her shoulder. “Well, I’m okay with spring because that means summer isn’t too far away. Hey, I’m going shopping on Saturday for my prom dress,” she said. “So, if anyone wants to come along, we’ve got room in the van.”
Ellie Martinson grinned. “Sure, I’ll go,” she said. “And I’ll see if my mom will let me bring her credit card.”
She wagged her eyebrows. “Things could get very interesting,” she said.
The others laughed and, by some unspoken agreement, all started to walk toward the parking lot. “Hey, Courtney,” Beth Anne asked, as she stopped by her car. “Do you want a ride home? It looks like the storm could start any minute.”
Courtney shook her head. “No, that’s okay,” she said. “I’m just on the other side of the park. I’ll make it home before the rain.”
Glancing up to the sky, she realized that she had better hurry or she would be caught in the early spring downpour. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” she called, jogging backward across the parking lot toward the path that led to the back of the park. “Don’t get wet.”
She turned and started to run toward the back entrance of the park. A cold wind blew, scattering the leaves that lay in the gutters alongside the path. Yellow Creek bordered this side of the park, separating it from the wooded residential area tucked into an exclusive area of Freeport. The wide pathways merged into streets bordered by large lawns with small thickets of trees. Most of the homes were pushed back, far away from the road, with large front yards.
Hurrying to the old bridge that crossed Yellow Creek, Courtney stepped to the side as a car came up behind her. The bridge was only wide enough for one car and even foot traffic had to climb up on the narrow ledge for safety. The car slowed and the driver’s side window rolled down. A familiar face greeted Courtney.
“Hey, Courtney, how about a ride?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, thanks, I’m good,” she said. “It’s only a few more blocks.”
The driver looked up to the sky. “You won’t make it before the storm hits,” he argued. “Come on, I’ll feel guilty all night if I leave you here.”
She smiled.
“Okay, if you put it that way,” she agreed, jogging over to the passenger side of the car and letting herself in.
The door lock clicked as she buckled her seatbelt and she looked up in surprise. “It does that automatically,” the driver said with an apologetic shrug.
He shifted the car, but inside of moving smoothly forward, it sputtered and died. Looking over to his passenger, he grinned. “How embarrassing,” he said. “Just give me a minute.”
He pulled the key out of the ignition and put it on the dashboard. “It just has to cool down,” he said. “Then I can start it again.”
Outside, the sky darkened and the beat of fat drops of rain echoed against the roof of the car. The air inside the car seemed stuffy and hot. “I’m so glad you decided to come with me, Courtney,” the driver said. “I would have hated for you to be caught in this deluge.”
He reached over and ran his hand up her arm. “You would have been soaked to the skin,” he whispered softly, his eyes slowly glancing over her body. “Your clothes would have been like a second skin.”
Courtney scooted against the door and grasped the handle. “You know, I think I’ll just walk anyway,” she said, pulling against the handle.
But the door didn’t open. She tried it again, but it was still locked tight.
“Child locks,” the driver said, a smile on his face. “You can’t get out until I let you out.”
She pressed the window button, but it also stayed in place. “Listen, I don’t want to be in this car,” she said firmly. “Now please let me out or I’m going to scream.”
He chuckled softly, leaned forward and placed his hand against her cheek, rubbing it intimately. “If you scream, no one will hear you,” he said, as he slipped his hand down to her neck. “But you can do it if you like. I always love to hear a girl’s scream.”
Chapter One
Bradley pulled the car up into Mary’s driveway and shifted into park. He turned and looked at Mary, his new wife, sitting next to him and smiled. “You know, once I turn the car off and we step outside, the honeymoon is over,” he said.
She shook her head and smiled up at him, her love shining through her eyes. “Bradley, our honeymoon is never going to end.”
He leaned forward and threaded his fingers through her hair, cradling her head. “How did I ever get so lucky?” he murmured, as he bent down for a gentle kiss
She wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned. “You keep this up and you’re really going to get lucky,” she teased.
Breaking off the kiss, he quickly unhooked his seatbelt, got out of the car and opened her door. “Come on,” he said, extending his hand toward her.
“Where?”
“Into the house,” he replied, bending over and pressing a quick kiss on her lips. “So you can show me how lucky a guy can get.”
“But the luggage,” she said.
He reached over and unbuckled her seat belt. “Yeah, it can wait,” he said, taking her hand and helping her out of the car.
She smiled up at him. “How long until Clarissa gets home?” she asked, slipping out of the car and walking toward the house. “I’m still on Scotland time.”
Glancing at his watch, he answered, “We have three hours, plenty of time.”
Sending him a saucy look over her shoulder, she paused for a moment in the front yard. “Maybe, if we hurry.”
The surprised look in his face changed instantly to one of delight as he quickly locked the car doors and hurried after her. With a happy squeal, she ran across the lawn and up the porch stairs. She was nearly to the door, when he caught her, spun her around and kissed her.
“Mmmm,” she purred. “Welcome home.”
He bent down and scooped her into his arms.
“I can walk,” she reminded him.
He kissed her again. “Yes, but I have to carry you over the threshold, it’s my husbandly duty,” he said, punching in the security code and unlocking the door.
Mary winked at him and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. “Well hurry and open the door, so you can put me down and concentrate on more interesting husbandly duties.”
“I’m not putting you down…,” he exclaimed with a smoldering look, as he pushed the door open, “until I drop you on the mattress.”
“SURPRISE!!!!”
Bradley and Mary looked up to find their home filled with their friends.
“Oh, my,” Mary said, biting her lower lip in embarrassment.
“Hey, don’t worry,” Mike said, appearing next to them. “We didn’t hear Bradley say anything about a mattress.”
She buried her head in his shoulder and felt the rise and fall of Bradley’s chest as he began to laugh. He bent down and nuzzled her ear. “Welcome home, darling.”
She looked up at him, saw the tender humor in his eyes and laughed too. “Yes, welcome home.”
An hour later, as they sat together around the kitchen table, Ian tapped his spoon on the side of his teacup to quiet the group.
“What? Do you want us to kiss?” Bradley asked, winking at Mary and sighing. “If I must…”
“I dinna think you need any of my encouragement in that manner,” Ian said. “Aye, according to the staff in Scotland, they nary saw hide nor hair of you for the entire week.”
“Ian,” Gillian reprimanded, a twinkle in her eye, “that wasn’t very nice.”
“I thought the sign of a good staff was discretion,” Bradley teased.
“Well, they know who’s paying their salaries, now don’t they?” Ian replied with a smile. “But, I understand I’m in debt to you.”
“Whatever for?” Mary asked.
“Well, I understand that Headless Hannah is no longer walking the halls of the manor house,” he replied.
“And that’s a wonderful thing,” Gillian added.
“Oh, Hannah,” Mary said. “She was delightful. And she had such a great sense of humor.”
Bradley shrugged. “I don’t know about that,” he said. “She kept winking at me. And let me tell you, it’s disconcerting as hell having a head on a platter winking at you.”
“It’s just that she caught you in…” she paused and sent an apologetic glance to Bradley.
Bradley groaned softly.
“In his what?” Stanley asked.
“Nothing,” Bradley said. “Never mind.”
“In his pajamas?” Rosie asked. “In his bed? In his chair?”
“I think you had just better tell them,” Mary said apologetically.
Sighing, Bradley leaned back in his chair. “In my altogether,” he replied.
“Your altogether what?” Rosie asked.
“He was naked,” Stanley said. “He was trotting around Ian’s castle naked.”
“He wasn’t trotting around naked,” Mary protested. “He was just dancing naked in our room.”
Ian grinned. “Dancing naked?” he snorted. “Why Bradley, there’s more of you than meets the eye.”
“Obviously not Mary’s eye,” Mike quipped.
“Anyway,” Mary interrupted. “If not for your excellent research, we wouldn’t have been able to discern the cause of her death. So, you don’t owe us anything.”
“How did she die?” Rosie asked.
“Part of the south wall of the estate collapsed in the early 1400s,” Mary said.
“Aye, I remember the excavation we did on the grounds,” Ian said. “We found a treasure trove of artifacts.”
“Did you find a lot of old weapons?” Bradley asked.
“As a matter of fact, we did,” Ian said.
“Poor Hannah happened to be standing near a display of treasured armaments when the wall came down,” Mary explained. “Her decapitation was just an accident. No one murdered her. But because her death was so sudden, she had become stuck here on earth.”
Rosie rubbed her neck. “That sounds awful,” she said.
“Didn’t look very pleasant either,” Bradley added, reaching over and taking Mary’s hand. “But it was nice to
watch her find the light and move on.”
Mary turned to him and nodded. “It was, wasn’t it?”
They stared into each other’s eyes for several moments until Ian finally cleared his throat and stood up. “Why, now, look at the time,” he said loudly. “Stanley, Rosie, weren’t you going to show Gillian and meself that thing down at your store?”
Rosie stood up and grinned at Ian. “Oh, thank you for reminding me,” she said. “Of course, we were.”
“What thing?” Stanley asked. “What are you talking about?”
Rosie grabbed Stanley’s shoulder and pulled him out of his chair. “I’ll remind you on the way over to the store,” she said pointedly. “While Bradley and Mary have a little time to get settled.”
“Settled,” Stanley argued. “Mary’s lived here for more than two years. What the hell does she need time to get settled fer?”
“She wasn’t a newlywed,” Rosie said slowly.
Eyes slowly widening, Stanley blushed. “Oh, well, then, why didn’t you say so?” he said. “Iffen these two want to make hay while the sun shines they should of scooted us out of this house a long time ago.”
“Stanley, scoot,” Bradley laughed, while Mary hid her face against his shoulder. “And don’t let the door hit you on your way out.”
When the door finally closed, Mike turned to the newlyweds and smiled. “Remember, this is Tuesday, so you’ve got about an hour before Clarissa gets home,” he said. “I’ll see what I can do to delay the bus a little.”
Once he faded out in front of them, Bradley turned to Mary. “Hopefully that’s the last of our surprises for the day,” he said with a sigh.
Mary stood up and walked toward the staircase. Halfway there, she turned and smiled at him over her shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said with a seductive tone. “There might be another one or two waiting for you upstairs.”
Chapter Two
Clarissa looked out the window of the bus, her stomach clenched with anticipation as they pulled away from the school. Her best friend Maggie, seated next to her, was unaware of her friend’s tension. “It’s so exciting,” she gushed. “Mary and Bradley are probably already home.”