“Oh?” Jenny and I said at the same time.
“Yes…” she blushed. “That was a topic that came up. If we get engaged down the road, and if we get married, it will be after college.”
I was so glad we weren’t waiting that long. I think I’d just die.
“So by then,” Annette continued—
“Way to go, Xander!” Jenny jumped up and whooped.
I looked back at the game. The guys were high-fiving him. He must have done something cool. I’d have to keep one ear on our conversation and my eyes on the game, from now on.
“What were you saying?” Jenny turned back to us.
“Well, we’ll want children not long after that, and we both agree we want a parent at home raising them, and I want to do that. So really, I wouldn’t use my degree for long. I wonder if I’ll regret that.”
I gave that some thought.
“I guess it comes down to you personally. I could see it going either way.”
“Or you could do like Anika said, whatever she majors in, one way or another she’ll use it. How you would do that, would depend on your major, of course,” said Jenny. “There are also seasons in life, my Mom says. You might stop to spend a season raising your kids, then start another and use your degree. And then another, and retire.”
“Huh. Interesting,” said Annette. “Well, at least I have time to think about it.”
I stood and clapped again, and smiled and waved at Miles, as he turned and smiled at me. He’d shot another three-pointer.
While Miles was stuck in the hospital waiting for them to release him, he made friends with one of his physical therapists. He couldn’t really play basketball because of his knee, but shooting baskets was part of the therapy for rehabilitating his shoulder after being shot. So when his PT got off work, he and Miles shot baskets in the hospital employee gym, for fun.
Count on Polly to find a hospital that’s run like a five star hotel.
“Good job, you guys!” I said, clapping, as our guys and the other team shook hands, and then Miles, Xander, and John joined us where we sat on the bleachers.
“You did great!” I said to Miles.
“Thanks,” he smiled, as he picked up his water bottle. “That was a tough workout, the other team was pretty good.”
He was being very modest. Our team had yet to be beaten, and had yet to win without a thirty point lead.
“After you get changed, do you want to go out for a celebratory latte?” I asked.
Xander groaned.
“The idea of drinking something hot right now, is enough to make me spontaneously combust!”
“I have to agree with Xander,” Miles said. “How about ice cream? There’s a parlor near here. They have latte flavored ice cream, so you won’t be entirely deprived.”
“I love that idea,” I said, and so did everyone else.
After the guys changed and we met up at the parlor, the others thought it was such a funny coincidence that the latte flavored ice cream was labeled “Anika’s.”
“I absolutely love the owner of this place,” I said, smiling at Miles, and he smiled back.
“So, are you girls ready for the big game next week?” asked Xander, as he sat down at our table and dug into his bowl.
“Bring it,” said Jenny. “We’re ready.”
Uh, speak for yourself, sister! If these guys don’t go easy on us… Annette and I looked at each other, and had to hold our hands over our mouths to keep from laughing.
“I hope you girls go easy on us,” Miles said. “Especially you.”
He shoulder bumped me.
“Are you saying you’re scared?” I asked, giving him a narrow-eyed look, as I scooped up a spoonful of delectable latte flavored goodness.
“Terrified. You’re unpredictable, some of your unorthodox moves leave me fearing I’ll need physical therapy again.”
I shoulder bumped him hard, but couldn’t help laughing along with everyone else.
I was in the middle of taking notes for an exam, when I was called out of class to the Student Services office. With a backward look at Miles, I followed the student aide who’d come for me.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“You’ve got an emergency phone call,” he said.
“From who?” I asked sharply, as my mind raced frantically. I snatched my phone out of my pocket. No missed calls.
“I don’t know, I was just told to come get you.”
We reached the student services office, at last. The aide pointed out a phone, and I snatched the receiver off the desk.
“Hello?”
“Is this Anika Riley?” asked an unfamiliar voice.
“Yes, what is it?” I snapped. I didn’t appreciate the stress this was causing. My heart was pounding. Was it my sister, was she sick again? In the hospital?
“You need to know something. It isn’t fair otherwise. You seem like a nice girl, and you deserve better.”
“What?” I asked, nonplussed.
“Your fiancé. He’s running around on you. Trust me, I’m telling the truth. You think he was playing basketball with friends Tuesday? He wasn’t. He was out with another girl.”
There was a click, and then a dial tone.
I dropped the phone in its cradle. I stood there lost in thought.
“That’s such a shame,” said a woman.
I looked up, and tried to focus on my surroundings.
“What?” I said.
“It’s just such a shame. I couldn’t help overhearing your call. That’s just how some men are. Best to know now. Isn’t that right?” She looked around at the students waiting in line, and the aides, some of whom I knew. She spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “This poor girl just got news her fiancé is cheating on her.”
I just stared at her for a long moment. I felt disconcerted, as though seeing through a dark haze. She stared back.
I turned and slowly walked out the door, as the other students either stared openly, or looked away.
I made it back to class just as it let out. I grabbed Miles by the arm and dragged him away from the crowd, and around the building and behind a group of flowering shrubs, where we had a reasonable amount of privacy.
“What’s wrong?” Miles asked in concern.
“Something very strange,” I said, and told him about the phone call.
Miles’ eyes flashed with anger.
“Why would someone do that?” he exclaimed.
I wondered the same thing.
“Why would someone do that?”
“Did it sound like Gina?” asked Miles.
I thought about that.
“No… but I suppose she could have had a friend make the call. If she thought there was any chance it would cause problems between us, I don’t have any doubt she’d do it.”
We were both lost in thought for a moment.
“You know, I could have Jenny talk to Gina… to see if she can get any information.”
“That’s a good idea,” Miles said.
“If it isn’t her, I don’t know who would do this, or why.”
“I don’t either,” Miles said. “How did Gina, or whoever this person is, know I play basketball on Tuesday nights? But yet they weren’t observant enough to know you were right there last Tuesday, trying to block every shot I made?”
“Unsuccessfully! If only I were several inches taller.”
“Nice try though, tackling me. That’s definitely a foul in basketball, just so you know. Maybe football’s more your game,” he smiled.
I rolled my eyes, and he tried to look serious.
“Maybe someone saw that, and thought you were coming onto me. I can see how they’d reach that conclusion. If our families had any idea, they’d approve moving up our wedding date.”
I whacked his arm, and he smiled.
“At the very least, your Mom would be having another talk with you,” he said, enjoying this subject way too much.
“Are you done?” I aske
d, raising an eyebrow.
“When you look at me that way, yes ma’am. I’m done,” Miles said with a straight face, but his eyes were filled with laughter.
I rolled my eyes and started to turn away, then turned back and tackled him, like I did at the basketball game. Miles was better prepared this time, and caught me instead of going down.
He laughed, but then grew serious again. He kept his arms around me.
“I’m glad you were there, and know that I was, too. I love you, always you, only you,” Miles said very seriously. “I want nothing to do with anyone else, ever.”
“I know,” I said softly. “Me too.”
“I don’t ever want you to doubt that,” he said.
“I don’t, and I won’t. I know you, best friend, fiancé, honorable guy. I trust you.”
“Good,” Miles said, with a melting look in his eyes.
He leaned down and kissed me.
Several seconds later, we were interrupted.
“Ahem!” Xander said, snapping his fingers. “Break it up, time to move along now. Save it for May.”
So much for privacy!
Miles sighed.
“I think you’re taking this accountability thing a little too seriously, Xander.”
“Me too,” I complained.
Xander just laughed and clapped Miles on the shoulder, then walked away to his next class.
Miles and I made our way toward the Student Center, and lunch.
“Well, I don’t know who made that phone call,” Miles said. “But I do want to figure out who the warped person is that’s trying to mess up what we have.”
“Besides Xander!” I said, and Miles laughed.
Chapter 9
We spent the weekend at the castle again, and both noticed that Polly was even more distracted and nervous than before.
We broached the topic with her again, but she waved us away. Clearly it was a closed subject as far as she was concerned. I asked again if she’d seen anything strange or unusual, like shadows that shouldn’t be there. She said no, and gave me a funny look.
We spoke with Chef Antonio, who worked in the castle almost every day.
“Has Grandma Polly seemed… forgetful, that you can tell?” Miles asked. “We’re concerned she could be suffering from something, dementia, maybe. She seems more distracted and strained every time we see her.”
“No sir, not that I have seen,” the chef said. “I am not an expert, but her memory is very sharp. I have not known her to forget to present a menu every week, or to place the necessary order at the shops in town. I agree that she is under a strain of some kind, however.”
“Okay… thank you,” I said. “If you do notice anything that might explain what’s worrying her, please let us know.”
“Yes, Miss Riley. I shall certainly do so.”
Miles and I took a walk around the grounds, the dogs running in circles, and rolling in the oak leaves that covered the hibernating lawn. The bare oak limbs stretched their fingers into the darkening fall sky, and the full moon glowed softly from above.
It was starting to get really cold in the evenings here on the mountain. I wrapped my jacket tighter around me. Miles put his arm around me, and rubbed my arms, trying to create warmth.
“You’re cold, are you ready to go back in?” he asked.
“No, I’m fine, but keep your arm around me,” I said, as I leaned closer to him, and we continued to walk.
“I don’t know what to do about Grandma Polly,” Miles said. “I can’t make her tell me what’s troubling her.”
“It is very frustrating,” I agreed. “I can’t imagine why she won’t just tell us. What on earth could be upsetting her? She says she hasn’t seen anything, which is a relief. I haven’t either, since right after school started. She’s in good health, she showed you the last report from her doctor visit, though she had no idea why you were asking. She’s extremely comfortable financially. You’re here, we’re engaged, which she so badly wanted… I can’t think what could be wrong.”
“I can’t either,” Miles sighed, shaking his head.
“Never mind what I said before, I am about to freeze!” I shivered, pressing against Miles’ side.
“The let’s go in. I wondered how you could stand it! Hot coffee and sitting in front of the fire in Mission Control, is where I want to be right now.”
“That sounds so good!” I said, as we called the dogs and hurried back to the castle. “Especially if you substitute the coffee, with a latte.”
“You’ve got it,” Miles said, kissing the side of my face. “Anything, for you.”
Later that night, after I said goodnight to Miles and crawled into bed, I lay watching the fire that burned steadily in the fireplace, taking the chill from the air and casting a warm glow over the room.
I was drifting off to sleep when I heard a sound, and froze. Wide awake now, I strained to listen for more, and identify what I heard.
There was a faint scratching, dragging noise coming from the other side of the wall that I shared with Polly. What on earth could she be doing this late at night? Moving furniture? That didn’t seem likely, although… with Polly, if she wants something done, patience isn’t a virtue she adheres to. It was unbelievable the things that little lady could, and would do, when she set her mind to it.
I listened for a few minutes, then the sounds stopped. Almost asleep again, I heard footsteps in the hall.
Really wondering what Polly was up to, I jumped out of bed. I hurried to my door, and threw it open. I looked in the direction of Polly’s and Miles’ rooms. Both doors closed, and no sign of either of them. I looked the other way, and was startled. A dark shape dissolved into the shadows.
The blood drained from my face, and my skin prickled with fear. I didn’t imagine that.
I looked behind me, reassured that Chip was there. He was sound asleep, but he was there.
I grabbed a heavy silver candlestick off the table by the door of my bedroom, and stealthily took a step down the hall where I saw the shape disappear.
I stopped, turned back to my room, and grabbed a flashlight.
I held it out in front of me, casting a bright beam of light on the hallway ahead. I held the candlestick in my other hand, ready to strike.
I searched, but all I found was a tapestry hanging on the wall where the shape disappeared. I lifted it to look at the wall behind, but saw nothing unusual.
Shining the light around me one more time, I listened carefully.
All was silent.
Satisfied there was nothing there, I returned to my room.
I lay in bed watching the flickering firelight once more, mulling everything over.
There was something in the castle. I had to accept that, and quit telling myself it was my imagination.
It dawned on me that I should have let Miles know, before I investigated. He wasn’t going to be very happy with me.
I rolled over and held my head in my hands and groaned, torn between keeping quiet, and telling him.
I snatched up my phone and texted him before I could change my mind.
Heard something in the hall, went to see what it was, saw dark shadow, it disappeared.
Seconds later, there was a tap at my door. I dragged myself out of bed, and opened it.
Miles stood on the other side. He didn’t look very happy with me.
“You shouldn’t be in here,” I commented, as he walked into my room.
He raised an eyebrow at me.
“You—should not be out there!” he said firmly, pointing at the hall.
“I heard sounds coming from Polly’s room, and then footsteps in the hall. I opened the door to see what she was up to. I didn’t see her, but when I turned around, I saw something vanish into the wall.”
“Okay. But then what? You followed it, and investigated—by yourself?”
“It was just down the hall, and every second that passed gave it more time to get away,” I argued. “What was I supposed to do?”
Miles ran his hands through his hair, a sure sign that he was stressed.
“You should stay in here, and call me! What you should do, is stay safe!”
It was the closest I’d ever heard him come to raising his voice.
He covered his face with his hands and took a deep breath, then slowly released it.
“I’m glad you finally got around to texting me, at least,” he said, as if trying very hard to look on the bright side.
I scowled.
Miles dropped into a chair.
“I don’t want to fight,” he said, giving me a steady look, which I returned.
With a sigh, he stood and put his hands on my shoulders.
“I am glad you texted me, even though it was after the fact. It’s progress, anyway.”
I glanced up at him. He half smiled.
“If you can just remember to do that before you go rushing out to investigate mysterious shadows and figures, then perhaps I can cancel that order for an ankle monitor.”
I rolled my eyes, and Miles smiled. He hugged me, and I hugged him back.
“Now, tell me everything from the beginning. What did you see?”
I told him about the footsteps, the shape, and how it seemed to just dissolve into the tapestry. I told him how I searched that area, even behind the tapestry, but saw nothing unusual.
Miles was silent, thinking it over.
“Do you think there’s any chance it’s… a person? Someone that’s solid? I mean, after all, you did hear footsteps.”
“Sometimes what I’ve seen makes me think it is. But other times, like tonight, then no. How could it just vanish like that, otherwise? And, by the way, if it isn’t solid, then it’s not going to make a difference whether I stay locked in my room, or go looking for it. If it wanted to, it could find me wherever I am.”
Miles sighed, and hugged me tighter.
“It doesn’t seem interested in me,” I tried to reassure him. “If anything, it seems to want to avoid me.”
“Okay, well, that’s something…” Miles said, no more reassured than I was. “I wonder if this… whatever it is, is what’s worrying Grandma Polly?”
“She says she hasn’t seen anything, though. Neither has anyone else,” I said ruefully. “I really hope I don’t have a gift for this sort of thing.”
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