Allie had made a new poster for the final night and put it in full view of anyone coming in. It announced there would be a surprise event after the last tour for anyone who stayed around. As the line formed at the door and the crowd gathered, many commented excitedly about the mysterious event and nearly everyone planned to stick around. Plenty of others were still hoping to glimpse an apparition or something paranormal. Allie exchanged places with William who was unanimously voted to lead several tours. He ignored his knee pain and fell into his role with relish. Few returned downstairs unaffected by his masterfully ghoulish storytelling. Phyllis told him to rest after his second one.
“That’s enough of those stairs, William. We have plenty of people here to finish up. There are only two groups left until Brenda does the last free one.”
William readily agreed and sat down in one of the chairs in the sitting room. Phyllis brought him a cup of hot coffee and two finger sandwiches. She needed the excuse to sit for a while and joined him, adjusting her costume around her.
At last it was time to enact Brenda’s scheme. Mac had been hovering around the downstairs rooms during the last few tours. As promised, he had strategically placed officers throughout the grounds and inside the building, including some on the tours. Brenda’s eyes sparkled as she told Mac to join the second to last tour of the night.
“Do I have to wear that costume already?”
She laughed. “You don’t have to wear it yet, but once your tour is over I want to see you in it. You know – for the party! I’ll wait for you at the costume room afterwards. You will look great.”
He headed off on his tour and mumbled something Brenda didn’t understand, but she ignored him for the moment. He had promised her and she knew he would keep his word. Brenda adjusted her cape that flowed over a long black dress that swept to the floor. Her auburn hair was transformed to strands of gray and white in a bun atop her head, and muted grey tones covered her face and hands. When she looked in the hallway mirror to reapply her lipstick, there was no doubt she was one of the ghosts of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast. It was time for the last tour.
Brenda led the excited tourists to the second floor, holding the dim lantern in one hand. She swept the flowing cape around until the garment wrapped tightly around her shoulders, and then allowed it to float down again. In low tones, she began the story of the murdered girls and then went on to the ill woman who experienced the vision of an apparition. They were turning to climb the stairs to the third floor when a dark figure emerged from the opposite end of the passageway. Brenda stopped the entire group. She stretched her arm across the front of the first people following her. Someone over her shoulder gasped.
“Who is there?” she demanded. Silence.
Everyone froze as the looming figure appeared to stumble at first. Most in the crowd were sure they were witnessing some kind of sinister crime right before their eyes, or an apparition had at last come looking for revenge. Jenny Rivers bumped into Brenda’s back, panicking.
“Is that real, Brenda?” she whispered. “Or is it...” Jenny’s voice faltered. “Is it a ghost?”
Brenda held up her hand in answer. Jenny couldn’t take her eyes off the looming figure that came closer in lurching steps, lost in darkness at the far end of the hall. Finally, Brenda spoke in a hushed tone.
“We must go.” She swept the folds of her dark skirt against her side and tried to pull the tour group back, but they were frozen to the spot.
Low moaning escaped the silhouette. It drew closer by degrees until it was easy to see the shadowed figure carried something in his arms. Finally reaching the door of the Captain’s Room, the object was slung over the figure’s shoulder and behind her, Brenda heard Jenny’s strangled cry of terror. The thing was now in full view: a tightly wrapped mummy. A shiver went down Brenda’s spine. In the dim lantern light, the entire scene played out quickly to the spellbound audience. After mere moments, the figure had vanished into the room.
Brenda finally succeeding in moving the group closer to the stairs. A few stayed with her but most of them bolted downstairs and out the front door.
“What was that thing?” cried a young man, his voice quaking as he abandoned the tour, hastily heading down the stairs.
Brenda turned to her few remaining tour guests with the lantern held just below her chin. “That could only be the escaped murderer of Chef Luke Michaels, returning to reenact his hideous crime tonight.” She visibly shuddered for all to see. Her voice was low and distinct. “I think we should return downstairs until the police can inspect the premises.” Her guests’ eyes widened, taking in the reality of what they had seen. They were ready to follow orders.
Just as they turned to hasten back downstairs, a spine-chilling laugh permeated the darkened passageway. The dark, stooping figure emerged from the Captain’s Room and a grating voice greeted them. “Happy Halloween, Brenda.”
“How did you get in here?” Brenda demanded. Her voice broke and the guests looked to her in anguish. “Leave me and my guests alone.”
Suddenly, the hall lights blazed and Detective Bryce Jones stood unmasked in front of them all.
“Oh, no. Bryce, how could you do this to us?” Jenny’s voice was filled with a mix of anger and relief, but she was half crying. She turned to Brenda. “Did you have to make him the murderer? Bryce wouldn’t hurt a flea.”
Bryce hurried to her and wrapped her in his arms. “It’s all right, Jenny.” He kissed her. “Brenda asked me and I couldn’t resist. It was the perfect finish, don’t you think? Everything is fine now.”
Jenny wiped her eyes and finally smiled. “I have to say you were quite the actor. But don’t ever do that to me again.”
Those who had been brave enough to remain applauded the detective turned actor and he took a bow. Once back downstairs, no one could stop talking about the realistic ending to the Halloween tours. It would become the stuff of legend and Brenda knew that guests would definitely be back for more next year.
They all enjoyed refreshments in the dining room as the guests slowly left for the night and the staff’s families and close friends arrived for Brenda’s promised party. But before they started, Brenda invited everyone to the sitting room. William congratulated Brenda, telling her the tours brought in a generous amount of money. Brenda thanked him again for everything he had done to make that happen, and thanked her entire staff for putting in so much effort toward the event.
“Are there any more surprises?” asked one of the young housekeepers. “I’m not sure I can take any more of this haunted stuff.”
Brenda assured her there were no more surprises except for the party itself. “Everyone wait right here. I have one more thing to do and will be right back. Enjoy yourselves.”
She hurried to the costume room and was pleased to see Mac in his outfit. He wore an antique gray suit complete with a long jacket, satin vest and bowtie, with cobwebs draped artfully around his broad shoulders. Allie completed the look with grayish tones of makeup on his face and he braced himself to look in the mirror. Brenda couldn’t help but smile.
“You look great, Mac. We are matching ghosts. Let’s go join the party.”
The detective grinned. He decided that to make things easier, he may as well go along with it all. He didn’t look any more out of place than Bryce did in his murderer’s get-up, Mac mused. When they got to the doorway, Brenda turned out the lights while she and Mac swept into the room. A few jumped at the sudden darkness until their eyes adjusted to the light filtering in from the dining room down the hall. Brenda turned on the orange and white twinkle lights that had been hung especially for the party, and the room was transformed. There was even a miniature mummy lit up in lights in the corner. Everyone laughed and the party began.
A few employees had family members in a band. Four of them set up in the far corner of the large room and began to play. Soon two couples started dancing on the planked floor and others joined them. At midnight, chef Morgan arrived at the party and gave
Brenda the signal, so Brenda announced the food was ready in the dining room and most moved in that direction.
William Pendleton pulled Brenda aside. “It’s been a wonderful night, Brenda. When do you think is the best time for the announcement?”
“As soon as everyone is assembled around the food would be a good time. Did you have other ideas?”
William agreed. “I’ll signal you.”
Just as Brenda turned to go into the dining room, Mac caught her hand and asked her to come out into the hall. “I have something important to ask you about,” he said with a solemn look. She hoped it wasn’t anything more about Thornton Chambers or dead bodies that resembled mummies. He closed the door to the dining room so that only muffled chatter sifted through and they were alone in the hall.
“I want to marry you soon, Brenda. What do you think about having a Christmas wedding?” Words simply couldn’t find their way from her heart to her lips. He was concerned at her silence. “If that’s not a date you want, then I am open to any date. I don’t want to push you, but I know how much you love the Christmas season. I want it to be our season.”
“It’s wonderful, Mac. I’m so happy I just couldn’t express words right away. A Christmas wedding would be perfect.”
He leaned down and kissed her. His lips lingered long until she pulled away, breathless. “Our guests will wonder where we went. I’m not sure any of them trust me now, what with all the shocks they’ve had tonight.”
Mac kissed her again, reluctant to let her go. But he knew he must. “Jenny will be happy to hear the news,” he said. “She’s been hounding me about setting a date for weeks now.”
“You should hear how Phyllis and Allie go on about it all. They’ve already assigned duties to everyone. Hope took me on a wedding gown shopping expedition. It seems they all want us married sooner rather than later.” She took his warm hand. “I suppose we’d better join them all.” He nodded. “Don’t announce it yet, though I do want to before this night is completely over. I think there will be one more surprise before the night is over.”
“This is surely a night I’ll never forget,” Mac said before he kissed her again, deeply, before she could even open the door.
Chapter Ten
Celebrations of a Different Kind
Jenny Rivers took one look at her father and knew he had finally clinched it with Brenda. The pair had entered from the hallway with Mac standing tall and Brenda blushing like – well, like a bride. She expected them to say something but instead they went to the table and started helping themselves to food. Seeing both in ghost costumes, acting as if things were as normal as usual, appeared ludicrous to her. She caught her father’s eye. He smiled at her and resumed spooning potato salad onto his plate. He handed Brenda her silverware and they joined Phyllis and William at a corner table. Jenny shook her head. When were they going to speak up? She was anxious to start planning flowers for their wedding.
William looked around and saw the friends, family, staff and loved ones of the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast gathered happily. He finally nodded to Brenda. She took her knife and tapped it on the side of her crystal glass, the twinkling sound getting everyone’s attention. She stood up beside the table. “Everyone, there is a big announcement tonight.” Phyllis exchanged looks with Allie and then Jenny. All were sure Brenda was getting ready to announce her wedding date at long last. Why else did she and Mac huddle in the hallway? Excitement increased among Brenda’s close friends.
When everyone was quiet, Brenda spoke. “Someone has something very special to say and I want to give the floor to him.” Most eyes were riveted on Mac Rivers. He, in turn, watched William Pendleton stand up.
“Brenda speaks of me. I have something to say to one person in this room though I wish for all of you to be our witnesses.” He bent down on one knee in front of Phyllis and looked into her eyes. He noted a slight mist in them. “My dear Phyllis Lindsey, will you give me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Moisture seeped down her cheeks. “Yes, William, I will. You have been my life apart and now we can share our love together.”
Brenda knew that if any ghosts were nearby, they scurried fast as everyone applauded and cheered so loudly it seemed the roof beams shook with joy. Chef Morgan brought out champagne. David Williams stepped forward to take several and put them in the ice buckets strewn around the room. Toast after toast was lifted in their honor. Corks continued to pop to the sound of cheers, and then Jenny came up to Brenda and Mac.
“If you two don’t announce your own news soon all the champagne will be gone.” The corners of her mouth turned up in a sly grin. “I know what you two were talking about, hiding in that hallway.”
Mac looked at Brenda and she nodded happily. Then they walked over to Phyllis and William.
“Will you think we are stealing your thunder if we make an announcement of our own?” Mac asked.
“It’s about time,” Phyllis said with a fond smile at her best friend Brenda.
William agreed and stood up. He took his knife and rapped several times on a crystal glass until the din ceased again. Everyone focused on the four standing there. Jenny squeezed Bryce’s hand and Molly stood waiting with Pete Graham next to her.
“There is another big announcement tonight,” William said. He bowed to Mac and Brenda who stepped forward.
“I have just reaffirmed my commitment to Brenda. I have asked her to be my wife at a Christmas wedding. Brenda, what do you have to say?”
“I say that is more than fine with me.” There were cheers throughout the room. Then Brenda turned to Phyllis and William. “What about a double wedding at Christmastime?”
“That would be my dream,” Phyllis said. She didn’t wait for William’s opinion. “We can make big plans together.” The cheers grew even louder.
Molly hurried to her mother and gave her a second big hug. “We’ll all pitch in. Your two weddings will be the most beautiful ones Sweetfern Harbor has ever witnessed.”
Pete stood alongside Mac and William. “I doubt you two will have anything to say about it all except ‘I do.’”
The men agreed. It was fine with them both. Neither Mac nor William had any idea how to plan a wedding, but the excitement bubbling among the women was enough to tell them what they needed to know.
The celebrations didn’t end until well after one in the morning. Everyone’s costumes were disheveled from all the revelry of the night. The music finally quieted and their friends began to tiredly troop home under the bright moonlight. Mac stood with Brenda at the door as she waved goodnight to everyone as they left.
“I am ready to get out of these ridiculous clothes,” he said. “I think I’ve done my time.”
Brenda laughed at him. “If you mean wearing the costume, then yes, but you’ll do more time than that from now on. You’re going to get married.”
He grimaced. “You’re right. I’ll be in chains the rest of my life.” He bent and kissed her. “I have a feeling the chains will feel good.” He glanced up the stairs. “How do you feel about your bed and breakfast now? You know it will have the reputation of being haunted from here on out.”
“I don’t really mind at all. It helped me get over being afraid of the possibility of ghosts, knowing it was a criminal. Criminals I can deal with. And if there happen to be any ghosts hovering around, they are as much a part of our Sweetfern Harbor family as all of our visible friends are.” She looked around at the beauty of her inn. “It’s a nice place for all of us.” She laughed at the words she used and hastened to add, “I don’t think they will show up.”
“They may come out of the woodwork every Halloween,” Mac said.
“That would only be fair because that’s their time to have fun. But if they really do exist, they will bless all those who come and go here.”
“They have already blessed both of us, Brenda. They blessed you when Randolph left this special place to you. They blessed me when I met you.” Mac suggested a stroll outside as neither
of them were quite ready to say goodnight.
Brenda realized she was ready for fresh air. “Let’s get our jackets. The night sky is wonderful.”
Mac laughed. “I believe we are into the day after Halloween, but you are right. It is a beautiful night.”
Together they walked across the lawn in the direction of the ocean. Brenda breathed in the soothing smell of salty sea air. They listened to the lapping waves.
“I’m reluctant to go back inside but tomorrow will be as busy as ever around here,” she commented. “Just because we celebrated Halloween in all its gory glory, doesn’t mean things won’t get back to normal again.”
“You do not have a normal business, Brenda, but you do revel in it all. You make me happy seeing how much you love it.”
She looked at the glowing lights of the bed and breakfast in the darkness of the autumn night, and heard the soft hooting of an owl in the distance. Sheffield House was so familiar, and so perfect, and she felt so lucky to be there by Mac’s side. “I’ll always be grateful my uncle left me this beautiful Queen Anne. It is a jewel.”
“It is,” Mac agreed, “but it doesn’t compare with the beauty I see in you, Brenda.”
She felt the warm clasp of his hand around hers. She turned to look up into Mac’s eyes as he bent closer to kiss her. Ghosts, apparitions and anything paranormal receded from her mind. All was right with her world.
Dear Reader,
Hi there. Thank you for reading.
I hope you’ll leave a review and/or rating at the retail website where you purchased it, I appreciate you and your feedback.
Thanks again,
Wendy Meadows
Ghostly Tours (Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Book 4) Page 9