The Cat Jumped Over the Moon

by Phaedra Weldon

  Melody had closed her eyes. I realized she was doing one of those deep-breathing exercises. Calming her nerves. The only thing that would calm my nerves was a big piece of one of Mavis’s chocolate pies. Which, of course, David would be bringing over tonight!

  So I waited on her to finish her little ritual, putting my hands on my hips. Max did his new trick at that moment, poofing from my feet to my shoulder in a matter of seconds. It wasn’t really teleporting—

  Well, it was, kinda. We’d learned he could do it a couple of weeks ago when he found an old man-made pond in the back of the garden to the side of the house. I’d forgotten it was there, and it was still full of water and all sorts of germs. One minute I heard him cry out in the song of his people, the next, he was on my shoulder, hugging my neck, dripping ice-cold water and the smell of algae.

  Needless to say, he got a bath and then a long, warming nap in front of the fire.

  Melody noticed and blinked at him. “Twinkle doesn’t do that.”

  “Twinkle’s too fat,” Max said, and I suppressed a giggle. I hadn’t seen much of Twinkle since The Book of Ill Deeds incident, but I’d heard the cat’s belly was starting to drag on the ground—according to Max, who traveled with Mama D to the antique store a few times while I watched Mama D’s shop, Lavender, Rosemary, and Rhine.

  “He’s not fat. He’s just…going through some emotional issues.” Melody shook her head. “But that’s not why I’m here.” She abruptly grabbed my hands and held them in front of me. “Ginger, I need your help. Yours and Granny’s.”

  “Uh oh,” Mama D said as she moved pretty fast away from Melody. “I already told you I want nothing to do with that whole debacle.”

  “Please, Granny!” Melody said, squeezing my hands.

  “Ouch. Wait, what’s going on?” I pulled my hands away from Melody’s. “I get the impression you two already had this conversation.”

  “Because we have,” Mama D said, and sat on her stool behind her counter. “Ginger, you know what month it is.”

  “Yeah, it’s October.”

  “And what holiday?”

  “Samhain.”

  She made a face at me.

  “Och…Halloween.” Samhain was the official witch name for October thirty-first. It was the witch’s New Year, the night when the veil between the worlds was thin. And in the middle of that thought, I realized what they were talking about. “You’re talking about the Haunted Delaney House.” I looked at Melody.

  She nodded, clutching her hands in front of her. “I’m in charge of it this year—”

  “I told you that was a bad idea,” Mama D interrupted.

  “—and it’s becoming a nightmare.”

  “Who put you in charge of getting the Haunted Delaney House together?” I asked.

  “She volunteered,” Mama D said.

  “Why would you do that?” I stared at my sister. “I haven’t lived here in years, but I remember how much of a pain it was putting the whole thing together. Don’t you remember how Mom used to work on the committee? Wrangling all the merchants together was a pain in the ass. Not to mention high on stress. Is it still at the old Delaney House?”

  Melody nodded. “First, yes, I remember Mom doing this. That’s one of the reasons I want to. For her. For my memory of her. And yes, it’s at the Delaney House. There isn’t anywhere else it can be, given the Haunted Delaney House is based off the true history of the place.”

  I made a rude noise.

  In Castle Falls, Halloween was a big deal. Especially given its high population of supernaturals, known and unknown. And it was a big deal for the Historical Society because it gave them a chance to show off Castle Falls’ rich and very haunting past.

  If I remembered correctly, the original founder of Castle Falls was a man named Edward W. Castle. He’d been a lawyer before he’d discovered the actual falls and settled the town, marrying a young woman from Westminster and birthing the start of a long line of Castles. In 1876, twin boys were born and given the names Edward and William in homage to their distant relative.

  Ed and Will worked alongside their father and built the town from the ground up, the whole family investing heavily into bringing in businesses. The brothers also fancied the same woman, a Native American whose family allegedly came from the area. Her father was English and created the Delaney Bank & Trust that still stands in the middle of town, next to the town hall, also built by the Delaney name.

  Brigit Delaney was rumored to be a beautiful woman, with raven-colored hair, dark eyes, olive skin and a smile that, according to a quote from Will Castle, “would put that of Helen of Troy’s to shame.”

  The brothers fought for her affection, one of them purchasing the old inn and tavern. He asked her to marry him, promising her the house of her dreams. Ed wasn’t as frugal as his brother, and didn’t have the funds to invest in a house or any property. He’d been more of a gambler until he’d seen Brigit’s face and fallen hopelessly in love.

  It was never really said what Brigit’s thoughts were on the brothers, or how she felt. Both had asked her to marry them. And she never answered either of them.

  Then one night, the brothers decided to have a duel to decide who would have her. But on the morning of the duel, they discovered Brigit was gone. Her things had been packed and her family said she left in the night. They had no idea where she went, or what time she left, or even how.

  Broken-hearted, the brothers worked together on the house. They built it for Brigit, so their love could have a house when she came home. The two brothers eventually married other women and had kids, but the house was finished and left as a monument to Brigit Delaney. After they passed away, the families kept the house in honor of their fathers’ wishes and financed the upkeep.

  Eventually the house fell into disrepair and was donated to the city’s Historical Society. Not long after that, there were rumors of the place being haunted, and the story of Brigit’s return became one of Castle Falls’ oldest ghost stories. The last incarnation I heard of the story was she came back to Castle Falls to take possession of the house and now roamed its halls, regretting her decision to leave and never give the brothers an answer.

  Personally, I thought it was all just a bunch of hooey.

  Melody, of course, thought it was a romantic story.

  What was romantic about broken hearts? Seriously?

  I didn’t know when the idea to run it like a haunted house every October started. They were doing it when I was a kid and I went through it every year. Mostly to see how they fixed it up. It was a beautiful house, even if it was dated. The merchants in town all pitched in to run it for three weeks. It always brought in more money that it needed to run. What they did with the money made was voted on by the merchants, and it was always donated to some sort of charity.

  “So it’s the same story again?” I said, coming out of the memory of the Delaney House.

  “It’s always the same story.” Melody smirked at me. “That doesn’t change. But how we create the experience for Halloween”—she smiled—“that changes every year as technology just gets better and better.” She stepped forward. “And that’s why I need y’all’s help.”

  “I don’t know nothing about no technology,” I grabbed a watering pitcher. It was time to check on the other plants in the place, the ones not affected by mine and Max’s magic.

  “What’s not working?” Mama D asked.

  Melody said, “The merchants wanted something better this year, since attendance last year was less than the year before. But it’s also costing more than we originally budgeted.”

  “You didn’t get a quote?” Max asked from his perch around my neck.

  “Of course we did.” Melody sounded frustrated. “But they’ve had some setbacks and we’re behind schedule. They need another fifteen hundred for something technical to make it work. Apparently the electrical something or other needs upgrading or the house grid won’t be able to handle the machines they’re bringing in. Not to
mention we had them sign contracts saying they wouldn’t mess up the aesthetics of the house.”

  “If you just need a grid upgrade, why not ask Peewee over at Mason’s Repair?” Mama D pointed in the direction of the store.

  Peewee and Jack Mason owned Mason’s Repair. The place was as old as Mama D. Mason opened it before his son, Mason Jr., a.k.a. Peewee, was born. Now the two ran it like a well-oiled machine. They fixed everything, from old tube televisions to ham radios.

  I mean everything. And if they didn’t know how to fix it, they would learn how. Peewee went to school with my older brother Kevin.

  “That’s who wants the fifteen hundred for the upgrade,” Melody said. “And trust me—that’s a bargain compared to what Jameson’s and Petoski’s electricians wanted to charge. I asked him if he could go ahead and do it and bill us, but he needs the money to get the parts. He’s practically giving us the labor.”

  Mama D said, “Maybe. I’ll call Peewee today and work out an arrangement with him. Will that help?”

  “Oh yes, Granny! Yes!” Melody clapped. “I knew I could count on you!”

  But Mama D pointed a thin finger at Melody. “I said maybe. That’s not yes.”

  Melody still looked happy. Yay. Now I just needed to finish watering, grab Max and find a safer place to practice magic.

  “I still need your help, Ginger! Please?”

  Och! I turned back to Melody. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not gainfully employed at the moment. So I don’t know what you think I can do. I mean, wouldn’t my involvement just make things worse? You’re already in charge, and now Mama D’s coming to save the day. Having a third family member might see a bit…” I scrambled for a word. “Nepotismistic?”

  Not sure that was a real word.

  “Oh no. It’s not that.” Her smile actually reached epic proportions. I took a step back. She looked like the Joker.

  “Like that’s not creepy,” Max whispered in my ear, and I knew he meant her smile.

  “I was going to wait to tell everyone, but I think you two need to know first, since they got into town a day ago.” She clasped her hands together in front of her. “Ghost Watchers is going to do a live show a week before the Halloween opening!”

  Ghost Watchers.

  “Are you talking about that weird ghost show on TV?” Max said. He liked watching TV. A lot of TV. “The one where they go in and try and prove there aren’t any ghosts?”

  “Yes!”

  That was when I remembered the show. In fact, I’d done two of the cast members’ taxes while I lived in Los Angeles. I pointed at her. “Don’t you think it’s a little weird to pay to have special effects added to the house for the haunting and then bring in a group of people who make their living off disproving a haunting?” I paused, waiting to see if what I said made sense.

  I could tell by the look on her face that it didn’t. So I tried another angle. “Melody…you’re creating a haunted house for the public to enjoy for Halloween. But you’re also bringing in a bunch of people who disprove ghosts. That’s like charging people to come see the world’s one and only unicorn and then having a myth expert come in and tell everyone it’s a lie.”

  Okay, now she got it. She put a hand to her mouth.

  “Did you tell these guys that you’re adding the effects for the haunted house?” Max asked.

  Again, the look on her face told me she had not.

  I sighed. “You really didn’t think this through, did you?”

  “I hadn’t thought about that at all. I mean, they looked at the house when they got here yesterday, and then I gave them the keys to set up last night.” Melody looked a bit weirded out.

  “So they’re actually doing the show before the special effects are added.” I looked at her and held my right hand out, palm down.

  “Yes,” Melody said. “Wait, that’s good. Right? That means they can take a look at the house raw.”

  “Halloween’s not that far away.” Max shifted on my shoulder. “I hate to sound like a negative kitty, but isn’t that cutting it close with the special effects stuff? How long do they need to set this up?”

  Melody stared at my shoulder. “Peewee said if he can upgrade the grid, he can have it done in less than a week.”

  I actually smacked my palm to my forehead. “Melody, we’re halfway through October. How long are the ghost people here?”

  “A week.”

  “You’ve only got two weeks left before October thirty-first, and the attraction needs to be up and running a week before that. Peewee’s less than a week is going to cut into your opening. The Haunted Delaney House always opens October twentieth. At this rate, you’ll be lucky to get it open by the twenty-fifth. Have you discussed this with the merchants? The town council?”

  But like my sister always did, Melody seemed to just wave it away. “That’s not important right now. It will work out. What’s important right now is I need you to say yes.”

  “To what?”

  She bit her lip. “I promised to have a dinner party to introduce the Ghost Watchers to a few key people. Only—”

  I blinked at her dramatic pause, but it was Max who filled in, “You forgot about it.”

  “Yeah.” She winced. “So I know you know two of them, and since you’re good at cooking—”

  “I am?” I said.

  “She is?” Mama D echoed. I gave her a wretched look.

  “Well, you’re better at it than me. I thought you could have everyone over here tonight. Just make something everyone likes to eat and mingle. I can do all the introductions.”

  Well, that idea stunned everyone in the room. I turned and looked at Mama D. “Did you know about this?”

  She shook her head. “No. But it’s not really a problem. I’ve got everything for more lasagna. If David didn’t have to work, he could help me.” She pursed her lips. “It’ll also give me the opportunity to meet these people.”

  “David’s not invited.” Melody crossed her arms over her chest.

  I pivoted back to her. “Then my answer is no.” She opened her mouth, but I held up a finger. “David and I are a package deal. If he wants to come over tonight, or if he wants to help, that’s up to him. Not you. And you will afford him the kindness and courtesy he deserves.”

  She stared at me a few seconds before saying, “But I didn’t tell Phil about David.”

  I blinked. “Phil?”

  “Phil Boscawen. You know, he’s part of Ghost Watchers. He’s the one that made having dinner with you a term of their agreement to come out here and check out the house.” She smirked at me. “Apparently someone did more than his taxes a year ago?”

  I stared at her and imagined a thousand little birds pooping on Phil’s head for even putting that suggestion in front of Melody.

  Phil Boscawen. That was a name from the not-too-distant past. Yeah, I knew he’d been part of the show, but as far as I’d heard, he’d been more of a consultant and a semi-producer. Phil and I met in a bookstore in San Francisco, while I’d been visiting a friend. We’d reached for the same book. He was older, in his late thirties, with a rugged face and a nice suit. His knowledge of the supernatural had impressed me, and we’d carried on a nice relationship. I’d never told him about my rather magical nature, and family, and it had worked out for the best. By the time I’d decided that accounting wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life, the show had taken off and he was busy.

  I’d never discussed my past relationships with David, and I hadn’t asked about his. In fact, when I thought about it, I really didn’t know that much about David. Nor did he know that much about me.

  Stevie Nicks’ “Stand Back” played in the silence after I stopped talking. It was Melody’s phone. She fished it out of her purse and frowned at the screen, then put it to her ear. “Hi, Billy. What’s up?”

  I watched her face and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  Melody disconnected and clasped her hands together in front of her. “It’
s all set. I’ll make arrangement for all eight of our guests!” she said as she flounced out the door.

  My jaw dropped. “Eight?”

  THREE

  Mama D and I double-checked the pantry. I made a list of the things we needed, then doubled them, including wine. I was going to need a lot of wine. While Max and I went out and picked up groceries, Mama D cleaned the house. I barely recognized it when I got back. She’d gone all out and used a bit of magic to put some sparkle on the place.

  While she organized the kitchen, Max and I did some practicing on the garden. I learned how to bribe some bluebells into growing, coax a batch of Calla lilies and romance some roses by the mailbox. By the time we were finished, the place looked fantastic and picturesque. The lilies and bluebells should not be bloom this time of the year, but hey… Who was going to notice them next to the white, pink and red roses?

  The sign outside the shop door had also been polished, and I was pretty sure Mama D had made a few tweaks to it. That or she’d removed so much dirt that it looked new.

  David texted me midafternoon. He would be free for our evening together, as originally planned. That was when I had to hit him with the change of plans. He figured something was up, especially with Melody visiting that early in the morning. He was fine with helping, and said he’d run home and change before picking up two pies from Mavis’s store.

  With candles out, table set and food all prepped, I took a few hours to get ready. I needed a long, soaking bath, and there wasn’t a better place than in Mama D’s claw-foot tub in her master bath. White tile, accented with forest-green rugs, towels, plants, flowers and candles. Mama D loved her plants, and so do I.

  I brought my phone into the bathroom and locked the door. I thumbed up my track of relaxing music, which of course included a bit of Stevie Nicks (I loved her too, though not as heavily as Melody), but sprinkled in some other artists with smaller followings. Some of them I’d discovered while in California.

  Once I had the bath filled, I dropped a bath bomb in the water and watched it fizz for a few seconds. It was one of Ellie’s recipes. Ellie was Kevin’s wife. She was so talented and so…awesome. The bath bomb included chamomile and lavender for soothing, and a bit of vanilla just because it was my favorite scent, next to cinnamon.