Sarah placed her hands on his shoulders. "Milan, you should rest. Don't push yourself too hard. Take the time you need. I promise it will get better."
Milan swallowed hard, building his confidence to ask her. "Did you know?"
Her eyebrows quirked up. "Know what?"
He put his head down and took a deep breath. "Did you know she was pregnant?"
Sarah gripped his shoulders tighter. Milan listened to her as she inhaled slowly and exhaled slowly before answering. "No, I didn't."
He turned to face her, looking up into her eyes. "Are you sure? You read the test results, right?"
Sarah put her hands to her chest. "I swear I didn't know. She never told me. I knew that you two wanted a baby and I know the trouble she had, but she never mentioned anything about it to me." She sat down in the chair opposite his. "Why would she go to Nashville? Weren't you working with a doctor here?"
Milan didn't have an answer to that question. He'd hoped that she knew why Paulina had chosen a doctor so far away and why she hadn't informed him. The autopsy didn't say anything about her being pregnant. The thought had never crossed his mind. Why was he only learning about this now?
Sarah seemed to be reading his thoughts. "Had the doctor said anything to you about this when he did the autopsy?
"Not a word." Milan answered, feeling the tears fight for release again. "Why wouldn't she tell me?" His shoulders shuddered as the tears gave way and poured out of his eyes.
After a moment, Sarah answered, "I don't know, but there must have been a good reason. You knew her better than anyone, Milan. She loved you."
He scrubbed at the tears on his face. "I thought I did. Now I'm not so sure anymore."
* * *
"WELL, HOW DID it go?" Sarah wiped her brow as Milan stepped inside the house.
"Someone will be coming out to get things going sometime this morning." Looking at the newly cleaned living room, he commented, "Wow. That was fast. It looks great."
Sarah smiled, tossing a wet towel at him. "Now, you can help."
Milan felt a moment of relief. Having Sarah here with him, brought him comfort.
As he looked around the room, he made small talk with Sarah about what her life had been like since he left. She informed him that she volunteered at the women's shelter a few times a week and had done some traveling, but that her life was pretty quiet and that she could never see herself working for another family.
"I was wondering," Milan started, "would you be interested in working for me again?"
She smiled and winked. "I already am."
"Also, I stopped by the employment agency and filled out some paperwork."
Confused, Sarah asked, "You're getting a job?"
He laughed. "No, I placed an ad. I'm going to hire some people to help us out here. It's a big project and it will take us quite some time to get all of this done, so I thought that we should get some help. I'd like you to be there with me to interview the applicants, if you could."
Sarah put her hands on her hips. "Are you sure that's what you want?"
Milan wasn't convinced of what it is he wanted, but if he was going to spend time in the house, he felt it would be in his best interest to have others around. He still wasn't entirely comfortable with that yet and wasn't at all comfortable with inviting strangers into his home, but he didn't feel he had any other options.
"This is what I want." He answered firmly before taking his bag upstairs.
It was only natural that he would head directly to the room he'd inhabited almost all of his life, but he couldn't bring himself to open the door and walk in there yet. Instead, he chose one of the spare rooms down the hall from his former master bedroom.
As he settled, arranging his belongings for his short stint there, he thought he heard the gate squeak. He looked out the window and didn't see anyone. The gate was closed. Again, he heard the squeaking. This time, he called down the stairs to Sarah.
"Is someone outside?"
Sarah didn't respond.
"Sarah?"
No answer.
Fear overcame him. He didn't know why, but every fiber of his being was telling him that something was not right. He looked around at all of the other rooms. Each of their doors were closed.
"Sarah?" He called louder.
The front doors flew open and Sarah rushed in. "Milan!"
Her scream startled him, nearly sending him over the banister.
"Sarah?"
When he reached the bottom of the staircase, Sarah was standing on the landing. "There's someone here to see you."
Milan's eyes went wide. "Who is it?"
"Someone is here from the agency. I asked her to sit in the living room. I thought you wanted to interview people? Well, here's your first candidate." Sarah pointed to the living room.
Milan was struck by what he saw as he looked in the living room. Sarah had taken the time to hang a large photo of Paulina over the mantle above the fireplace. His heart stopped at the sight of it. Staring back at him, smiling brightly was the beautiful woman he'd fallen in love with and lost way too soon. The anger he felt over her keeping secrets from him, brought tears to his eyes, but he couldn't bear to look away.
Sarah prompted him to go into the living room. "She's waiting for you."
Milan thought, Paulina?
"Go in." Sarah urged him. "Her name is Johanna. She's a bit young, but seems like a good candidate."
Taking a deep breath, Milan closed his eyes, telling himself not to look back at the photo of Paulina. It hurt too much to see her face.
Sarah called out to the young woman, who sat with her back to the door. "Johanna? This is Milan Merced. He's the owner."
Milan's knees went weak at the sight of her. He almost collapsed to the ground. Sarah grasped his arm to try to steady him, but it was too late. His head was spinning.
"Are you okay?" Sarah asked.
The young woman stood up, reaching out to help him before he fell to the floor. "Oh my goodness. Are you alright?"
Milan fell into a slump on the floor. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Johanna stood over him, reaching out her hand to ease him back up to his feet.
Sarah bent over him, feeling his forehead. "Don't move. Are you feeling sick?"
Embarrassed, Milan forced himself up, his body trembling. "I'm fine. Excuse me." He rushed out of the room as fast as his trembling limbs would let him. Beads of sweat formed at the nape of his neck and dripped down his back. He felt as if his lungs had closed and he couldn't catch his breath.
Sarah rushed after him. "Milan?"
He ran out the back door, out into the yard. It didn't make sense. He must have been mistaken.
"Milan? Slow down. Where are you going?" Sarah picked up her pace as Milan sped off.
"I can't." Milan called back. "I just can't."
Johanna followed them, terrified by what she was witnessing. She'd been warned by the caseworker at the employment agency that Milan may prove to be strong-willed and troubled, but that it was all due to a horrible loss that he'd suffered. Johanna understood loss. She spent her whole life coping with one loss after another. This was her chance at redemption or glory.
Moving to River's Bend was the best move for her, she thought. She needed a fresh start, away from the family that never ceased to break her heart and the boyfriend that did everything in his power to make Johanna feel everything less than worthy of true love, honor and respect.
In her twenty-seven years of life, Johanna had endured more heartache than anyone she'd ever met before. Although Indianapolis had a lot to offer most people, for Johanna it was the black hole of America. Her mother abandoned her when she was two, leaving her with her father, who never wanted nor saw any purpose for a child in his life.
After several years of being used as the maid in his father's home, Johanna finally left, running into the arms of a string of worthless men, who would treat her as if she didn't matter. When she'd finally managed a place of her own and a jo
b that paid her enough to survive, she thought she'd found the perfect man, but what looked good on the outside, proved to be the worst decision of her life.
Three years and an ocean of pain and sorrow later, she left Indianapolis behind and found herself in River's Bend, looking to begin anew and to build the life she always dreamed of having. It was by pure luck that she happened upon the employment agency and was informed of an opening to work at the manor. Cleaning wasn't a problem for her. She'd spent her whole life becoming an expert on cleaning up someone elses mess. She knew she was more than qualified for the job, even if it was listed as a temporary position.
"Don't you see it?" Milan asked Sarah, his voice shaking.
Sarah thought his grief had taken hold of him. "Milan, come here." She held her arms open to him.
Milan wiped his face, looking back at Johanna. "Sarah, listen to me. Look at her."
Turning back, Sarah looked at Johanna, then, it struck her. She could see what had Milan so upset. The resemblance was shocking.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't even realize..."
"It's like this town is conspiring against me. They want me to go crazy. Who sent her here?" Milan grabbed Sarah and turned her to face him.
"The employment agency did. Do you want me to ask her to leave? Look at her. She's terrified. Do you really think she set you up? She's not even from here. My understanding is that she just moved to River's Bend from out of state. You can't blame her for who she happens to resemble, can you?" Sarah tried to make Milan understand how paranoid he sounded.
"Milan, she's gone. That is Johanna. Don't do this to yourself." Sarah begged Milan to pull himself together.
Looking at her, Milan saw the girl he used to know. Her wavy brown locks just as vibrant as Paulina's had been. The big brown eyes looking innocently back at the world, reminded him of his one true love. From head to toe, Johanna looked like Paulina, but he knew she couldn't have been. It didn't take much time for Milan to imagine what could be going on. This was a set up. He could feel it in his bones. Someone - someone who wanted to hurt him - sent this young woman to his doorstep to mock him, to fill his head with doubts, to shake him to the core.
Milan's eyes narrowed. He suddenly saw Johanna in a new light. She would have to leave and do so now before he said or did something he wasn't so sure he'd regret.
"Who sent you here? Was it Sheriff Acker? Did he ask you to come here and torture me?" Milan moved with a swiftness that he hadn't shown for years.
"What?" Johanna's senses were telling her to run and run now, but her kind heart and her intuitive nature told her that what she was witnessing was another anguished filled episode from a grieving widower. She'd seen it countless times and knew better than most what true pain and immense sorrow looked and felt like. She planted her feet firmly on the ground and braced herself for whatever Milan would do next, telling herself not to let him frighten her off. She needed this job. She needed a change and no one was going to take that opportunity away from her. She deserved a fresh start and thought that Milan did as well.
In her calmest tone, she looked Milan directly in his eyes and said, "Mr. Merced, I told you - the agency sent me and I am here to help you put things back together. I know you've been through a terrible tragedy and I'm not here to add stress to your life. I don't know what or who you are talking about. I'm here to help you. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to start the interview."
Chapter 6
“IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?” Milan didn't wait for Johanna to respond before walking out of the house, leaving Johanna dumbfounded and Sarah frustrated with his antics.
Johanna turned to Sarah for direction. “Now what? Should I leave and come back tomorrow?”
Sarah answered, “No. Stay here. Don't touch anything. I'll be right back.”
Sarah caught up with Milan as he got into the car. She grabbed the door before he slammed it shut.
“I see you've done a lot of growing up.” He sneered at her. “Don't give me attitude. It didn't work when you were growing up and it won't work now.”
Milan leaned back in his seat in frustration. “I let her stay.”
Sarah sighed, leaning on the rental car. “Yes, you did, but that doesn't mean you're allowed to treat her badly. She's here to help. Honestly, I like her and, if you give her a chance, I'm sure you'll like her too.”
Milan closed his eyes. “What do you want from me?”
Sarah leaned down, speaking inches from Milan's face. “Have you forgotten who you're talking to, young man?”
Milan slammed his fist on the steering wheel. Sarah jumped, surprised by his reaction, but not as surprised as she was when Milan's shoulders began to shudder. She reached into the car, touching his head to comfort him.
“I'm sorry that you're hurting. So sorry about all that you've been through, but you can't let it taint every aspect of your life. This girl – Johanna - is not to blame for anything. She had nothing to do with what happened and you can't blame her for any of it. You can't go around beating people up because you are unhappy.”
Milan dried his tears. “I know. Is she still here?”
Sarah looked at the manor. “She is. You should start all over again.”
Milan leaned his head on the steering wheel, willing himself to calm down and listen to reason. Sarah had never steered him wrong before and he didn't honestly believe that she was now. The sight of Johanna frightened him. There was no denying that she was beautiful. Any man could see that, but the fact that she resembled Paulina so much terrified him. Looking at her was like looking at a ghost and, no matter what Sarah said, that fact wasn't going to change, but he was willing to try to see beyond her physical features and get to know her as an individual. If he expected that of anyone else in this town when it came to him, he should expect that of himself.
Slowly, Milan stepped out of the car and walked back to the house. Sarah remained outside, while he went inside the house to apologize. She knew he needed to handle this on his own if he was ever going to make any real strides in his personal life. Like any loving mother would, although she wasn't his mother, she had to let him stand on his own, but she would remain nearby to catch him if he fell. Taking into consideration all that he'd been through, she knew all too well that she'd need to break his fall a few more times before he was completely ready to be out on his own again.
Johanna looked at him, eyes wide, unsure whether or not he'd returned to throw her out or to apologize. He did neither. Instead, he extended his arm to her, saying, “Follow me. I'll show you around the property.”
“I'm sorry, what? I can stay? You're not asking me to leave? You haven't even interviewed me yet.” Johanna didn't understand why Milan had a sudden change of heart.
“Consider this your interview.” Milan escorted Johanna outside to explore the yard, pointing out areas that required attention before he began to fill her in on what ailed him so.
Creaking in the hot, daytime air, the swing swayed back and forth under the old tree, one of the two living beings still remaining after years of deterioration and endless sorrow. Milan looked around, preparing to open up and let Johanna in on what she would be up against by accepting this position.
He took a deep breath and started, "Merced Manor knows sorrow. It carries it within the hollow walls, adorned with discarded family photos and memorabilia from a life lived devoid of eternal happiness." He paused to allow the words to sink in for her. His morbid thoughts shocked her.
Continuing, "I adored this home. In its day, it stood tall at the end of this road, looking down on all of River Bend. It was a sight to be seen. From miles down the narrow dirt road, the town's people could see the columns, lined up like soldiers set to protect a fortress. This home was my family's fortress. It shielded us - my family - from the life my ancestors left behind in Spain."
Milan pointed to the gardens, saying, "You can see that in the yard stands, one lone tree, surrounded by what used to be flowing gardens and the remnants of trees that stood too
tall, blocking the sun's rays during the day when I was growing up."
Johanna closed her eyes, trying to conjure up images of what this mysterious, old home with so many secrets must have looked like not so long ago and trying to prevent herself from staring at the tall, muscular man with dark hair and dark eyes.
"My grandfather was never really fond of any of the trees on the property, so he had most removed eventually. Once they were removed, he could watch the small, quaint town, and its inhabitants as they meandered through town, as if they had no real cares in the world. Back then, most did, but times were different. No one shared their woes, because everyone had troubles of their own. Wars were being waged. Lives were at stake. Times were rough for most everyone." Milan softened his tone as he became more and more nostalgic.
"Now, the neglect has transformed this once stately colonial from a coveted home that people from miles around would marvel at, to a place, filled with tall tales and stories only told at night to elicit fear from the masses." Milan shook his head, pushing back memories of some of the tales that were spun about him and Paulina.
Johanna placed her hand on his arm, saying, "That must be so hard for you. People can be so cruel."
Milan shrugged, pretending that it didn't bother him, but his eyes told a different story. "Regardless of the urban myths that had run wild over the years, this was still my home – the home where I was raised and my family held lavish affairs for everyone."
Looking up at the house, speaking directly to it, he said, "You'll live again soon, old girl. You'll live again."
Johanna's flesh covered in goose bumps as she listened to him speak to the manor as if it were a living, breathing thing. Perhaps for him, it was.
Sarah watched as the two spoke, paying close attention to Milan's body language. She too was struck by the home, as if transfixed on it, thinking about all this home had witnessed over the years.
The once strong bones whistled with the wind, just like it had at the end. Some things never changed. The ever-present hums and creaking, warned of something dark back then, just like it has done now. Milan could feel the change in the air as he looked at the house. Something told him that he and Johanna were being watched. He could feel it in his bones. It wasn't the neighbors or Sarah. It was the house, watching over him, warning him of something, but he didn't yet know what. He didn't believe that there could possibly be anything more devastating than what he'd already endured on this property.
Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More Page 346