Afraid

by Jo Gibson

  Julie nodded. “At first I thought it was a person, but I’m sure I was just overreacting. It could have been a raccoon.”

  “Well . . . maybe.” Ross looked doubtful, even though he’d been the one to tell her about the raccoons. “Do me a favor, Julie. If anything else happens, anything that makes you nervous, tell me about it right away.”

  Julie nodded solemnly. “All right. I’ll tell you. But do you expect anything else to happen?”

  “No. Of course not.” Ross refused to meet her eyes. “Nice talking to you, Julie. See you tomorrow.”

  Ross gave a little wave and headed off toward his room. Julie stared after him with a frown on her face. He did expect something else to happen, and that was why he’d refused to meet her eyes. But what?

  Six

  Julie shivered as she got ready for bed. Her room was cold and there seemed to be an icy draft coming from somewhere, even though the windows were tightly closed. She chided herself for being silly, but it reminded her of the night she’d gone to a seance.

  Julie’s friends had urged her to come along, and Julie had suffered through an evening of flickering candles, dark shadows, and what she’d thought was theatrical nonsense. But there had been one disturbing moment, right after the medium had called for the spirit to come forth. There had been an icy draft, much like the one that was now invading Julie’s room at Saddlepeak Lodge.

  Julie sighed. If there was a draft, something must be causing it. She walked around the room, checking for the source. It seemed to be strongest near the ceiling right over her bed. How strange! Perhaps there was a hairline crack in the plaster and cold air was seeping through from the fifth-floor attic.

  She was about to give up and go to bed anyway when she happened to glance at the balcony doors. They were closed, but she’d forgotten to lock them. As she put the bars in place and fastened them with the thumb screws, Julie felt a bit foolish. She was probably being overly cautious, but she’d sleep better knowing that her room was secure.

  Since she liked to look out at the moon on the snow-covered peaks of the mountains, Julie opened the curtains. Then she flicked off the lights and climbed into bed. It was almost midnight, and her alarm was set for seven. She’d be tired in the morning if she didn’t get right to sleep.

  But sleep was a long time in coming. Julie tried to think of something pleasant, and she smiled as she remembered her encounter with Ross in the elevator. He’d told her to keep the earrings he’d given Vicki. That must mean that he liked her. He’d even told her something personal about his family, and that meant they were becoming friends. Friendship was a good start to a relationship. And a relationship with Ross would be wonderful.

  Julie sighed as she remembered the way Ross’s deep blue eyes had swept over her, taking in every detail. And the way his lips had turned up in a smile when she’d told him that she didn’t bite. She shivered a little as she thought about those lips. How would they feel if he pulled her into his arms and kissed her?

  Ross thought she was attractive, Julie was sure of that. Now all she had to do was arrange some seemingly chance meetings, preferable in romantic spots. The ski slopes would be nice. She could pretend to stumble and he could catch her. She’d figure out some way to end up in his arms or her name wasn’t Julie Forrester!

  But even her warm, pleasant thoughts about Ross didn’t work to chase away the chill in the air. Julie shivered and pulled the covers up to her chin. Perhaps she’d ask Aunt Caroline for an electric blanket. There definitely seemed to be a draft in her room.

  Another few moments, and Julie felt her body begin to relax. The moon cast lovely shadows on the ceiling, but her eyes were too tired to appreciate them. Her eyelids were closing, heavy with the need for sleep. She could hear her own breathing. Slow. Very slow. The rhythm was as deep and peaceful as the lovely darkness that started to claim her.

  But there was the draft again. An icy, frigid breeze. It blew in through the open window of the car she was driving, a red Mustang with the window rolled down. Ice particles clung to her hair, and she wanted to shut her eyes. But she was driving too fast down the mountain road, and she had to see the curves ahead.

  There was a sense of weightlessness as she whipped around the tortuous bends. Her headlights were a golden ribbon piercing the darkness. The ribbon was on a giant spool, and it was unwinding at breathtaking speed.

  But there was something wrong. And now the ribbon was tangled, weaving and veering in a crazy pattern. Danger! There was danger ahead! And she was flying too fast to stop!

  The fence was just ahead, a white fence to stop her, to keep her from danger. The golden ribbon snagged against it, pulling it in, faster, faster. There was a horrible scraping noise, as it bumped along, clumping louder and louder until . . .

  Julie’s eyes flew open and she stared at the moon-swept balcony. Then she screamed, a high, thin sound of terror. A face! There was a disembodied face on her balcony! It looked like a death’s head, and it was grinning a terrible smile!

  She tried to get out of bed, to run, to hide, but her body seemed incapable of movement. The hollow eye sockets seemed to stare at her, pinning her to the bed as securely as a butterfly in a specimen box.

  “Julie! Are you all right, Julie?”

  There was a loud knock on the door, and miraculously the spell dissolved. Julie stumbled from her bed and raced for the door, her fingers fumbling frantically with the lock. It seemed to take forever, but at last she had it open, and she raced into her aunt’s arms. “Aunt Caroline! There was someone on my balcony! I saw him!”

  Aunt Caroline turned toward the balcony, and Julie turned with her. Nothing there. No face. No grinning death’s head. Nothing but the beautiful, peaceful moonlight.

  “Are you sure, Julie?” Aunt Caroline frowned as she walked to the balcony doors and looked out. “There’s no one there now.”

  “The fire escape! Maybe he went down the fie escape!”

  Aunt Caroline loosened the thumbscrews and swung the bars aside. Then she stepped out on the balcony in her robe and slippers and peered down at base of the fire escape. “Put on your boots, honey. And then come out here. I want you to see for yourself.”

  Julie went to her closet and pulled on her boots. Then she stepped out on the balcony, shivering in her blue flannel nightgown. There were no footprints in the snow at the base of the . fire escape, just an unbroken sheet of icy snow.

  “Mrs. Hudson? Is something wrong?” Ross appeared on his balcony, dressed in a bathrobe.

  “No, Ross. Julie just thought she saw someone on her balcony.”

  Ross nodded, but Julie noticed he didn’t look surprised. “Do you want me to check it out, Mrs. Hudson?”

  “Thank you, but there’s no need. If someone climbed up here, he’d have left footsteps.”

  Julie stepped back inside her room, away from Ross’s sympathetic gaze. She was terribly embarrassed. “I’m sorry I woke you, Ross. I guess it was just a nightmare.”

  Aunt Caroline gave one last look and then came back inside Julie’s room. “Go back to bed, honey. And try to sleep. Do you want me to stay for a while?”

  Julie shook her head. “I’m okay, Aunt Caroline. And I’m sorry I caused such a fuss.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Aunt Caroline smiled at her. “Sometimes dreams can be very frightening. And very real. Vicki used to have nightmares, too. That’s why we put these bars on the doors. We thought it might help if she knew that no one could get in.”

  “She thought she saw someone on her balcony?”

  Aunt Caroline nodded. “We sent Ross out to check the grounds the first couple of times, but he didn’t find any evidence of an intruder. Tell me about your dream. You thought you saw a man?”

  “No—at least, not a whole man.” Julie sighed as she remembered the face. “It was only his face. And he was . . . uh . . . grinning at me.”

  “Was there a sound? Something that woke you?”

  “I think I heard a screeching nois
e. Something scraping, like nails on a blackboard.”

  Aunt Caroline sighed. “That’s exactly what Vicki described. There’s got to be a real sound that occurs this time of night. I just wish we could figure out what it was.”

  “Maybe it’s a branch scraping against a window,” Julie suggested.

  “That’s possible. I’ll have Ross check it out tomorrow. Do you think you can go back to sleep?”

  “I think so.” Julie smiled at her aunt. It was clear that Aunt Caroline was worried. “I’m all right, Aunt Caroline . . . really. It was just a dream, that’s all.”

  After Aunt Caroline had left, Julie locked her balcony doors again and climbed back into bed. She was terribly embarrassed. It was bad enough that she’d awakened Aunt Caroline, but now Ross knew about her nightmare, too. That made Julie doubly humiliated. Ross had been friendly when they’d ridden up in the elevator. He’d complimented her on her work, he’d carried her books, and he’d even confided in her about his family. Tonight had been a breakthrough, the first time Ross hadn’t treated her like a child, and Julie was sure he’d been interested in her as a date, not just as his employer’s niece. She’d hoped this would be the start of a new relationship, perhaps even a lasting romance. But now she’d blown it. Two hours after Ross had finally shown some interest in her, she’d awakened him with her silly, childish nightmare!

  Seven

  Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny, a perfect day for skiing. Julie got up refreshed, and she smiled as she dressed in her cousin’s beautiful blue ski outfit. There had been no more nightmares since the one on Sunday night. Perhaps the gruesome death’s head had driven all the lesser nightmares out of her system.

  Julie had established her basic duties earlier in the week, telling her aunt that she’d like to volunteer to work on the ski slopes if Ross thought her skills were adequate. Aunt Caroline had immediately agreed. Just as Julie had hoped, her aunt had asked Ross to take her out on the slopes this morning, to show her the trails and test her skills. Saddlepeak Lodge was opening its ski season tomorrow, and the switchboard had been swamped with calls for reservations.

  Unfortunately, Julie’s skis had arrived damaged by their long overseas trip. They were being repaired in the pro shop, but they wouldn’t be ready in time. Aunt Caroline had dismissed the problem with a wave of her hand. Julie could use Vicki’s skis. Since she was the same size and weight as her cousin, Vicki’s skis would be perfect for her.

  Yesterday afternoon, when she’d come home from school, Julie had found a large box in her room. She’d opened it and gasped as she’d examined the contents. Vicki had owned an expensive, customized pair of compounds by Rossignol. But that was only part of the package. Vicki’s boots had been molded to fit her feet, and the bindings had been especially fashioned to fit the boots.

  Julie’s hands had trembled as she’d pulled on the boots and stood up. If she couldn’t wear Vicki’s boots, she wouldn’t be able to use these marvelous skis. She’d taken a couple of steps, and then she’d smiled happily. Vicki’s boots fit her perfectly!

  Julie had taken Vicki’s skis to the pro shop last night, and watched while they were being waxed. They were in flawless condition, and she was almost glad her skis had been damaged in transit. There was an old saying, “The better the skis, the better the skier,” and Julie hoped it was true. She knew she was a good skier, but she wanted to look like an expert when she went out on the slopes with Ross.

  The thought of Ross sent a flurry of butterflies dancing in her stomach. She wasn’t nervous about her performance. She knew she was good. The anxious fluttering had started only when she’d thought of being alone with Ross.

  As she waited in the pro shop, to pick up her skis, Julie felt a familiar, prickling sensation at the back of her neck. Someone was watching her; she was sure of it. She turned, but there was no one in the hallway outside, and the other shops in the lobby were virtually deserted. Most of their guests would arrive tonight, turn in early, and be out on the slopes for the opening run in the morning.

  Julie was just inspecting her skis when she felt eyes watching her again. She whirled and saw the shape of a man standing across the hallway in her aunt’s office. The miniblinds were half closed and he had turned his back to them, but Julie was sure he’d been watching her only moments before.

  It took just a few minutes to pick up the rest of her equipment. Julie left the pro shop and headed across the hall to her aunt’s office. There was only one way to find out who the man was. She’d confront him face-to-face.

  Julie opened the door and stepped inside. The man turned and greeted her with a smile. Julie’s eyes widened, and then she smiled back rather sheepishly. “Hi, Mr. Stratford.”

  Mr. Stratford smiled back at her. “Please, call me Dick. I wasn’t sure that was you, Julie. You look very professional.”

  “Uh . . . thank you. Does my aunt know you’re here?”

  Dick Stratford nodded. “Caro had to leave for a minute, and I’m waiting for her to get back. That’s a lovely ski outfit, Julie. Is it one of Reneé Clusong’s?”

  Julie nodded, and touched the fabric reverently. Reneé Clu-song’s designer ski outfits were terribly expensive. “It belonged to my cousin, Vicki. Aunt Caroline said I could use it.”

  “I thought I recognized it!” Dick Stratford nodded. “You know, I think it looks even better on you.”

  An alarm went off in Julie’s mind. Dick Stratford must have seen Vicki wearing this outfit. “Did you know Vicki well, Mr. Strat . . . I mean, Dick?”

  “Of course. My son brought her to the house several times. Charming. And beautiful. Just like you, Julie.”

  “Thank you.” Julie felt the color rise to her cheeks. Was Mr. Stratford trying to pick up on her? But that was ridiculous! He was much too old to be interested in someone her age. But he certainly was staring at her. And his eyes were very warm and friendly.

  Julie took a deep breath. Now was the time to ask some questions. Mr. Stratford had claimed to know Vicki well. “Was my cousin dating Ryan?”

  “I believe so. Of course, Ryan never tells me anything about his personal life. I’ve taught him that Stratford men never kiss and tell. I do know that your cousin and Ryan were together quite often, and they were skating partners. But you probably knew that.”

  Julie nodded. “Someone told me they won a trophy.”

  “Yes. And we had a celebration that night. Vicki and Ryan were the guests of honor at one of my house parties.”

  “How nice.” Julie nodded, and tried not to blush! Donna had told her all about Mr. Stratford’s house parties. Sometimes they lasted the whole weekend. “Were Aunt Caroline and Uncle Bob there?”

  Dick Stratford burst into laughter. “Of course not. And I don’t think your little cousin told them she was there, either. Let’s keep that secret, all right?”

  “That’s probably a very good idea.” Julie frowned slightly. “Did you like Vicki, Mr. Stratford?”

  “Tremendously. Such a tragedy. She was just beginning to live her life to the fullest when it was taken away from her.”

  “Yes. That’s true.” Suddenly Julie felt terribly uncomfortable. She had the feeling that Mr. Stratford was playing with her, like a cat with a mouse, and she didn’t like it at all.

  “Shall I invite you to one of my parties, Julie?”

  Dick Stratford smiled, but his smile reminded Julie of a predator, and she quickly shook her head. “No, thanks, Mr. Stratford.”

  “I’m sure you’d have a very good time.”

  “I might. But I think I’d be playing way out of my league.” Julie took a step toward the door. “Sorry, Mr. Stratford. I have to run. I hope Aunt Caroline doesn’t keep you waiting too long.”

  “Oh, I never mind waiting for a beautiful woman.” Dick Stratford smiled again. “If you change your mind, Julie, I’m in the book.”

  Julie turned and walked through the door. Her legs were shaking and she felt almost dizzy as she walked down the hall toward
the lobby. Dick Stratford was very handsome, and he was even more dangerous than his son. Had Vicki really gone to one of his parties? Julie wished she could ask her cousin. It was another question that would never be answered, another mystery that would never be solved.

  “Hi, Julie!” Donna jumped up from the couch as Julie walked through the lobby. She was dressed in bright yellow ski wear and she looked like a plump, round canary. “Are you ready?”

  Julie frowned slightly. “Ready for what?”

  “Skiing. I can hardly wait to get back on the slopes. Paul and I haven’t skied since last winter, and the first day out is always the best.”

  Realization dawned, and Julie felt her spirits sink. “Ross asked you and Paul to come along?”

  “Yes. He told us to meet him here at nine.” Donna pulled up her sleeve and glanced at her watch. “It’s only eight-thirty. Do you want a quick cup of coffee to perk you up?”

  Julie nodded, although she doubted that coffee would do anything to elevate her sinking spirits. It was very clear that Ross hadn’t wanted to be alone with her.

  “Hi, Julie.” Paul came in, dressed in a dark green jacket and matching ski pants.

  Julie smiled and her heart gave a little lurch. Paul was very handsome when he smiled, and he was smiling at her now. Julie smiled back. She was beginning to think she’d been wrong about Paul. He’d been very nice to her lately. But then he noticed her skis and his pleasant expression turned into a glower.

  “What are you doing with those?”

  Paul pointed to her skis, and Julie sighed. She should’ve known Paul would notice. “My skis are being repaired, and Aunt Caroline said I could use these today. They belonged to Vicki.”

  “I know.” Paul nodded, but his expression didn’t lighten. “I’ll go see if I can help Ross.”

  Julie frowned as Paul strode out through the door. Then she turned to Donna. “What’s wrong with him? He practically bit my head off.”

  “It’s the skis.” Donna sighed as she explained her brother’s reaction. “Paul worked for three solid months to earn the money to buy them.”