Carlton House

by B. Groves

  The skeletal remains of the house were demolished, and the property put up for sale. Lily drove over there about two weeks ago. The gate was wide open from where the fire trucks rushed through. Broken police tape tied to it flapped in the wind. She drove in and parked her car near the fountain. She’d had already seen the charred remains before when she was escorted onto the property to retrieve her belongings from the cottage.

  A cold winter wind blew through her hair as she exited her car. The trees were barren except for the pine trees on the outer rim of the property.

  It broke her heart to not see the house there anymore. All that was left was the damaged foundation, the broken statues, the fountain, and an emptiness inside her.

  She spotted the cottage in the distance and could see the windows boarded up. The property had a “for sale” sign placed near the main road. She wondered if anyone would buy it given its dark history, but she hoped that someone would buy it and breathe life back into this place.

  Lily sat on the edge of the fountain for hours, lost in her memories.

  Francine peaked her head around the corner, bringing Lily back to the present.

  “Lily there’s a man out there who wants to speak with you,” Francine said, her eyes darting around. “He wouldn’t tell me his name and said he only wanted to talk to you.”

  “Is he a cop?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “A reporter?”

  “He denied it.”

  Lily rose from the chair and ventured into the store. A man in an expensive dark blue suit stood by the counter waiting patiently for her to appear.

  He was tall, with light brown hair and deep brown eyes. He nodded in greeting but did not smile. He shook her hand and Lily found his hand

  “What can I do for you?” Lily stood there confused by the man’s arrival and forgot to ask him his name.

  Without a word the man into his bag and removed two large envelopes. He handed her the envelopes without a word.

  “What are these?” Lily asked the man.

  The man never blinked and said, “Someone ordered me to hand these over to you. I know nothing else.”

  The man abruptly turned to leave before Lily could speak further.

  “Have a good day, Miss Evans.”

  The door opened and closed with the man rushing away from the shop.

  Francine ran over to the front window and turned to stare at Lily in awe. “He’s gone.”

  Francine turned away from the window and asked, “What the hell was that?”

  Lily laughed nervously and replied, “I have no idea.”

  Francine walked over to stand beside Lily. “Well, are you going to see what’s inside?”

  “I’m kind of nervous about it.”

  Francine grinned. “Come on. Do it.”

  Lily handed one envelope over to her friend. “How about you open one and I’ll open the other.”

  Both Francine and Lily ripped open the envelopes at the same time. Lily pulled out three pieces of paper from her envelope and so did Francine.

  Lily read over the letter. She placed her hand over her mouth as she absorbed the words. She dropped the letter to her side and tried to take a few deep breaths. She then re-read the letter three more times.

  She wondered if she should laugh or burst into tears.

  “What?” Francine was dancing around in place. The second letter had to be more shocking news, but Lily was still reeling from what she’d read.

  Lily looked up at Francine and smiled through her tears. “Michael found my brothers.”

  Francine screamed and hugged Lily in excitement. “Oh, my God. That’s so exciting! Where are they?”

  Lily looked back over the papers. “They live in Cherry Hill.”

  “That’s not far at all.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  “Do you want more good news?”

  Lily massaged her forehead. “I don’t know if I can handle it.”

  Francine grinned. “Yes, you can.”

  Lily took the other papers from Francine’s hand. She read over the instructions and leaned back against the glass overwhelmed by the news.

  Tears flowed down her face. Francine wrapped her arms around her and said, “Your tuition is fully paid. What more can you ask for?”

  Lily tried to gather herself. She looked over at Francine and said, “I wouldn’t have asked him for any of this. I’d love to thank him in person.”

  Francine smiled sympathetically.

  “I didn’t know him long,” Lily said. “Why would he do this for me?”

  Francine thought about Lily’s question. “I can’t speak for Michael, but I’m guessing that when he said you were his light in the darkness, he meant it.”

  Lily nodded and Francine suggested when they closed for the day that they go celebrate with a few bottles of wine.

  Lily was all for it.

  Chapter 23

  Light Through The Darkness

  Two years later

  Lily kicked her car door closed as she tried to balance her coffee, her bag, and her keys in her hands. She pressed the lock button, and the car beeped in response.

  The sun peaked through the trees as it rose in the east. It would be a hot and humid day today, but Lily had just left her shift at the hospital and all she cared about was a shower and her bed. She needed to remind herself to call her brothers. They wanted to have dinner with her and their adoptive parents before they left for college in North Carolina.

  Lily was so proud of Jack and Jacob. They graduated high school with honors, with Jack winning valedictorian. Both were attending North Carolina with full scholarships and Lily knew she would break down in tears because she had to say goodbye to them soon.

  She walked up the sidewalk to the small house she was renting and smiled. She loved this little house situated in a quaint neighborhood in Egg Harbor. Her landlord was fair with the rent and always showed up to fix something right away.

  Lily walked up the small porch and found an envelope stuck in the front door. She groaned and fumbled with her key to unlock the door.

  The envelope dropped to the porch with a thud making Lily frown.

  Curious, Lily placed all her stuff on the coffee table and went back to the envelope. She picked it up and ran her fingers over it. Her name had been typed on the front in an old-fashioned style font.

  Lily felt a small bump in the envelope.

  Frowning, she closed the door behind her and stared at the envelope.

  She shrugged and ripped the envelope open.

  Lily gasped when the talisman fell out of the envelope into her palm.

  She staggered back and flopped down on the sofa. The little capsule was broken but otherwise, the talisman was still intact.

  Lily reached for the envelope that had dropped to the floor. Her mind reeled from a thousand different thoughts and questions.

  Where did this come from? Who sent it to her? Why?

  She looked inside and pulled out a small card. Written elegant handwriting, Lily read, “You are my light through the darkness.”

  Lily swallowed hard. She recognized the handwriting but refused to believe it.

  She placed a hand over her mouth wondering if this was some kind of sick joke, but the talisman was the one she put in Hannah’s mouth. She would never forget it as long as she lived.

  In parentheses, the words said, “Turn over.”

  Lily did and read the words.

  “Look outside.”

  Lily jumped from the sofa and pulled back her curtains from the front window.

  Someone stood by her car.

  Lily rushed to the front door, flung it open and ran outside to her porch.

  The person standing by her car was none other than Michael Carlton.

  The End

  About the Author

  It has been my passion to write good stories since I was handed my first Nancy Drew book at the age of ten. I’ve been writing stories and imagining othe
r worlds since I read that first book, and I was determined to publish those stories one day.

  I was born in a small town (truth) in southern New Jersey. Where there’s only 1 traffic light, an ice cream shop, and a post office run by an old lady who still thinks I’m twelve when I visit home.

  While in high school, I found a love of historical romance novels. Sneaking them around my teachers and parents. I got caught once and had the book taken away from me for the rest of the day. I was sent home with a note, and my mom shocked me when she said she was happy I was reading and didn’t care what it was.

  I have the greatest husband and supporter in the world. He has a love of books like me, but he would never touch romance. Except! He reads all of my writing giving me critical feedback. How awesome is that?

  I hope you join me on this journey through my personal twilight zone. You never know where you may go. I love writing dark fiction (In real life, I’m a goofball and I do a wicked imitation of Dean Winchester from Supernatural) about the dark side of humanity with paranormal elements, suspense, and romance in the mix. I love strong heroes and even stronger heroines.

  Thanks for stopping by!

  barbara@authorbgroves.com

  Other Works

  Check out my other books while you’re here!

  Mirror In The Forest Book One

  Reflection In The Meadow Book Two

  Image On The Lake Book Three

  Margo’s Lullaby

  House Of The Golden Butterfly

  The Mirror In The Forest Trilogy Box Set

  Shadow Town Excerpt

  Here is an excerpt for my latest work. Shadow Town is due to publish Fall 2018

  Enjoy!

  This is Chapter 3 from the book. I’m a little over halfway done with the novel. It’s been quite a journey of self-discovery on what I want to write.

  Reverend Kyle Ellis glanced down at the buffet table that held fifteen different kinds of casseroles. His stomach lurched while he tried hiding his disgust. He searched the table trying to find a lighter meal, perhaps a salad or some fruit. The thought of eating another greasy casserole didn’t sit well with him today, and he could feel the acid in his stomach making its way up this throat.

  Kyle tugged at his collar wanting to pull off this stupid tie and find some air conditioning. The community hall at the fire station’s air conditioning had tapped out again, and the heat of the dozens of bodies in the room dressed in their Sunday best, a mix of hairspray, overpriced perfume, and cheap cologne was enough to make a man lose his lunch.

  But Reverend Ellis had to have the luncheon here. It was the only place he could book after he closed the community hall at the church. He had a problem near the church and he told everyone some pipes burst and it was closed down for now.

  Luckily, no one questioned him about why he hadn’t called a plumber yet.

  Thank the good Lord the nearest plumber-Dave something or other-didn’t attend his little church in this part of town. Then he’d really be stretching for answers.

  Today was one of those hot and humid days that clung to your skin and clothing. The kind that made you stay inside and out of the sun. The sky was a hazy grayish color, not the usual Carolina blue that residents loved to boast about. If this heat kept up, all the lawns and trees would turn brown by the end of August.

  No storms in the forecast and even the cooler mountain air didn’t provide any relief.

  Mrs. Elderson had to leave early from the potluck. The heat inside the community hall was too overwhelming for the elderly woman. Kyle had hoped others would follow her, but most of his congregation stuck around today wanting the free food.

  If Kyle was one of those pastors he would swear that hell was reigning fire and brimstone onto the town, but he wasn’t one of those pastors.

  Kyle continued his quest for some lighter food while the congregation talked amongst themselves or surrounded their new parishioner.

  Kyle turned his gaze over to Miguel Alvarado who was surrounded by women sticking their nose where it didn’t belong.

  Miguel had been a devoted Catholic until three weeks ago. It was three weeks ago that he lost his beloved wife Luciana. Wolfpine believed the woman suddenly died of natural causes.

  Kyle caught Miguel’s gaze. The man’s haunted look and haggard appearance were not only from his wife’s sudden death but the way she died.

  A death that was now Kyle’s burden to resolve.

  Kyle stepped in front of one of the huge fans cooling the hall. He knew his armpits were stained with sweat, just like all the other people inside the building.

  He could see people starting to leave the hall and was relieved. This would be the shortest potluck they ever hosted. He smirked at the thought.

  Kyle heard a commotion and walked over to the door to investigate. He heard sighs of relief and excited chatter as the local catering company unloaded their cars. Someone had ordered a bunch of cold food and drinks.

  Kyle didn’t care who ordered the food. He was happy someone made the contribution.

  He stepped out of the way as people reentered the hall to fill up their plates. This was a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

  Kyle wasn’t supposed to be aggressive, but he was as desperate as everyone else to cool off. So, he placed himself in line and grabbed a salad.

  He spoke with members of his congregation, his part-time receptionist-Miranda O’Neill-not hiding her displeasure about Kyle’s choice for the potluck.

  Miranda side-eyed him but didn’t further question her boss.

  Kyle quickly gathered his small plate, filled up the plastic cup with ice and water, and sat at a table off in the corner. He wasn’t in the mood to be friendly and engaging today. He sure as hell didn’t want to keep his appointments this week.

  He found someone to contact about the problem he was having and he could only pray that this person would answer his call. He sent three emails over the course of the last week and nothing. No answer. He followed up with his initial contact, and they didn’t answer either.

  He was frustrated and the more he thought it over the more his suspicions worsened that had been bothering him for years.

  “You’re not very sociable today,” a voice said from beside him.

  Kyle looked up to see Chief Markus Carter grabbing a metal folding chair and joining him at the table.

  Kyle crumpled his napkin in his hand and stared at the chief of police.

  The fifty-something man sat patiently waiting for answer knowing what was already bothering Kyle.

  Kyle ran a hand through his chestnut hair and made a disgusted face because it was soaked in sweat.

  He wiped his hand with another napkin. He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and said, “I tried again the other day, but she’s not responding. She sits there and laughs at me. Miguel is getting impatient.”

  “What about that person you said you would contact?”

  Kyle took a bite of salad. He chewed the cold food without tasting it and swallowed. “She hasn’t answered. I don’t think she will. My other contact bailed, too.”

  Markus shook his bald head. His dark brown eyes scanned the crowd. “You don’t know who’s who anymore,” he muttered.

  Markus was right, although Kyle knew some. He knew those he failed to save over the last five years and now he was failing a child.

  “Do you know who brought this food? Most of the time my congregation only knows how to cook meat… more meat and pasta,” Kyle said.

  Markus chuckled taking a big gulp of water. “I have no clue.”

  “We’re not sure either,” another voice said.

  Kyle adjusted his collar when he heard the light female voice to his left. He turned and tried to plant a smile on his face. He didn’t think he’d have to talk to her today, but it was inevitable because of the situation the congregation found themselves in.

  Emma Leavens smiled her flirtatious smile to everyone around her. Her long, flaming red hair fell softly over her bare shou
lders. The woman didn’t sweat, as Kyle discovered some time ago. She looked cooler than a cucumber and prettier than a rose inside this horrible community hall with the old wood paneling and blinding fluorescent lights.

  Her pale skin showed off her freckles and her green sleeveless dress perfectly contrasted her pale skin and lush hair.

  Kyle knew Emma all too well. He knew her intimately. He was lonely and bored after his divorce and Emma was his cure.