Divining Elise_Granite Lake Romance

by Jody A. Kessler

  “I do, and you’re not strange, you’re magical.”

  “That’s a nice way to put it. And you’re an excellent cook. And I’m not being sarcastic. I thought it was my turn to make dinner and you can cook breakfast tomorrow because it’s your turn.”

  “I like balance in a relationship. Does that mean I get to sleep at your place next time?” Rob wondered if the question would make her squirm or throw up her customary wall.

  Elise didn’t hesitate as she said, “Maybe.” Her smile didn’t falter, either.

  Rob didn’t push, but satisfaction and pleasure warmed his insides. “Can I help with anything?”

  “Yes. Open one of those beers for me, then tell me what ingredients make it taste amazing.”

  “Done and done.” Rob poured the beers in pint glasses and handed one over. “This is a dark Mexican lager. I think you’ll like it because it’s smooth and the carbonation is mellow. The IBUs are low. From what you’ve told me, that’s something you prefer.”

  Elise raised the glass to her lips and took the first drink. Her face went blank and Rob assumed that he’d guessed incorrectly. Elise set the glass down and stared at a package of chicken without speaking.

  “I messed something up? Is it that bad?” he asked.

  She dropped her chin to her chest. Rob watched her take a long, full breath.

  “What is it? This is one of my new favorite recipes. I didn’t think you liked strong hops.”

  “It’s umm... Well, I’m not sure how to put this,” she said, hiding behind a screen of her dark hair.

  “You don’t have to like every beer I make. I thought this batch came out pretty good, but if this one isn’t for you, I’m not offended,” he said.

  Elise turned on her heels slowly. Her hands came to rest on his hips. She rose up on the balls of her feet and leaned in close to his ear. “That may be the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. It only comes in second to your incredible cock.”

  “That’s not what I thought you would say, but a million times better.”

  She backed away as if she didn’t just give him an instant erection and turned back to the chicken. “People who make assumptions about me are often wrong.”

  “I’ll remember that,” he said, and shifted slightly in an attempt to adjust himself and settle his overeager member right the hell down. “So, how can I help?” he asked again.

  “You’ve already helped. If you want to have a seat and drink a beer, I’ll do the rest.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked, more than willing to help in any way he was able.

  “I’m sure.” Her demure smile was often tinged with a challenge and it drove Rob crazy. He never could discern what she wanted or needed. But he heard her and took his beer to the other side of the island and let her have dominion over the kitchen.

  Rob and Colton played multiple rounds of the matching game at the kitchen island as mouth watering scents filled the room. Chicken chimichangas smothered in guacamole and a heaping pile of Spanish rice and spicy black beans sat on a plate in front of Rob a short while later. At some point while inhaling his dinner, Rob made himself stop eating before he was sick.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything this good, except for when you were sitting on my face last week,” he said in her ear. They stood side by side in front of the sink. Elise rinsed a plate and handed it to Rob to put in the dishwasher.

  “Did you just steal my line?” she asked.

  “Maybe,” he said, stealing another one of her go-to responses.

  Elise wiped a hand on the towel, stuck her index finger in her mouth, and then poked it inside his ear. “Get your own dirty comments, plagiarizer.”

  “Yuck.” Rob ducked to the side, laughing and wiping away the wet Willy. “Don’t you worry. I’ll have my own original commentary for you later.”

  “Promise?” she asked, the challenge back in the gleam in her eye.

  He narrowed his gaze and nodded.

  They proceeded to the living room after dinner and played games with Colton until he began to wear out. Elise let him pick a movie and Colton fell asleep about half an hour later. Elise rose from the couch and disappeared from the room. When she returned, she handed a paperback book to Rob.

  “I brought this for you.”

  He looked at the cover front and back. “I haven’t read this author.”

  “He’s pretty new. The first book released about two years ago. It’s one of my favorite sci-fi novels of all time. The newest book in the series came out yesterday.” She held up another book for Rob to see. “The book in your hand is number one in the series. I thought I’d give you a copy and if you like it then I’ll bring you number two when you’re ready.”

  “Are we having a reading date, Elise?”

  “Is it too nerdy for you?”

  “No. I’ve just never read with someone before.”

  “Well then you’re really missing out.”

  “I guess I’ve been missing out on a lot of good things. I’ve never had homemade chimichangas or been whupped at the Memory game by a munchkin, either.”

  “We’re pretty awesome like that.” Elise sat on the couch and placed a gentle hand on Colton’s side. “Don’t tell anyone. I don’t want the word to get around about us.”

  “I wouldn’t let this secret out. It’s too good to share.”

  One eyebrow rose and she opened her book. Rob likewise began reading and to his surprise, he was instantly sucked into the story. After the first few chapters, he realized Maisie needed her nighttime bottle. He set the book on the coffee table to take care of his daughter. The sci-fi author was good. Really good. He could have kept turning pages for hours if he didn’t have responsibilities to take care of. After putting the baby in bed, he lifted Colton from the couch and carried him to the guest room. Elise took care of Colton, then joined him in the living room. The novels were forgotten and all Rob could focus on was Elise.

  She took his hand and led him to his bedroom. Sixty-nine became his new favorite number. Elise was insatiable. Rob couldn’t believe how incredible their chemistry was. There was no ebb to their flow. He only wanted more of her. Between rounds of making love with Elise they talked about everything and anything they didn’t know about one another. While Rob fed Maisie Allison, he learned that their tastes in books and movies were the same. They talked about their favorite authors, bands, foods, appreciation for good coffee and wine. Rob found out that Elise had never been to a hockey game and that she’d never seen the Pacific Ocean—which made him want to take her to all the places she’d never experienced. Rob found talking to her incredibly easy and relaxing, plus, she made him laugh.

  By morning, he was tired and quite possibly delirious. Losing sleep was an inconsequential price to pay to have someone like Elise in his bed—and in his life. He woke to find that she had slipped away to be with Colton. Rob put on flannel pants and managed to make chocolate chip pancakes. He cut strawberries and pulled a can of whipped cream out of the fridge to go with breakfast.

  The pancakes were a hit. Colton ate two large pancakes smothered in strawberries and whipped cream and polished off a helping of bacon. When he finished, he had chocolate smeared on his lips and a dot of cream on his nose. By Rob’s second cup of coffee, he started to come back to life. Elise updated Rob on Colton’s upcoming surgery while they ate.

  “I’d like to be there for you and Colton.”

  “I’d like that, too, but my mom will be here and so will Autumn. Too many people might be somewhat chaotic.”

  “Okay,” Rob said. He brought his plate to the sink and tried not to let her answer make him feel rejected.

  “We’d like it if you stopped by,” she added. “He’ll be there most of the day.”

  “Okay,” Rob said again. “I won’t crowd you, though.”

  “You’re not crowding us,” she said. “I’m sorry if what I said came across that way. I get overwhelmed easily when a lot of people are around in a stressful situatio
n. I want to focus on Colton the day he has the procedure. He’ll have the implants put in first, but they won’t be turned on for at least a month afterward. That’s when he’ll hear for the first time... If everything goes the way it’s supposed to.”

  “Will your family be here again at that time?” Rob asked.

  “I’m not sure yet. My mom is coming for the surgery because I’m nervous about the procedure and the anesthesia. I don’t talk to my dad, so I just have my mom.”

  Rob glanced at Colton, who was busy setting up his trucks and toy motorcycles on the coffee table. “You have me, too. And if you need me for anything, you can call.”

  “You know I never call you.” She smiled in that secretive way that was uniquely Elise.

  “Right,” he said, not nearly as amused as she was with her reply. “But you can always cave and call me when you decide stubbornness isn’t the only answer.”

  “We’ll see.” Elise followed Rob’s lead and brought her empty plate to the sink.

  “You texted me yesterday. I think that means we’re progressing.”

  “That was an accident,” she said.

  It wasn’t an accident. They’d actually had a short conversation via texting. She wouldn’t admit a thing.

  “Uh-huh.” He cleared his throat and changed subjects. Elise was coming around on her own timetable, or so he thought. “I have a hearing scheduled for the custody dispute.”

  “When?” she asked.

  “On the thirtieth.”

  Elise reached out and took his hand. “I know everything’s going to be okay.”

  “You said that before. And you were right about the home inspection. It went flawlessly. The social worker had nothing negative to say. She’s doing her due diligence, but confided in me that she doesn’t think Delaney’s cousin has a leg to stand on. How do you know these things before they happen?”

  She shrugged. “I can’t control my intuition. It’s hard to explain and I can’t handle the pressure of people expecting answers from me.”

  “I don’t expect answers, Elise. I’m only curious about you.”

  Tension rose in her shoulders. “All I can say is, I know things are going to work out the way you need them to. Maisie is going to be fine.”

  “But I still have to defend myself and prove to the state that I am her legal and rightful guardian.”

  “Perhaps. I don’t see how everything happens step by step, just that the outcome is positive.”

  Rob nodded and didn’t push Elise for a more detailed explanation.

  “You were right before, so I’ll just say, thank you for telling me. I feel a little better after what you said and meeting the social worker in person, but this ordeal has shaken me to the core. I don’t admit that lightly.”

  Elise entwined her fingers with his, their palms connected, but she kept her gaze lowered. He could see her becoming defensive by asking a simple question about how her psychic abilities worked. But he still had a difficult time blindly accepting her predictions. “I don’t mean to add more stress to our conversation, but have you had any progress figuring out what to do about our ghost problem?”

  Switching topics seemed to ease the rigidness in her posture and her shoulders relaxed. “Yes. Next week, Colton has a special summer day camp at school. I’d like to meet up with you at the brewery and see if I can do something. It has to be on Thursday or Friday while he’s at camp.”

  Rob’s brows stretched high on his forehead. She was committing to an appointment that involved facing the ghost. “I’ll make sure Shane and Bodie can come. Also, I’ll make sure there’s no contractors there when we deal with this.”

  “That would be good. I’m comfortable with you and your brothers, but I really don’t want a bunch of strangers around since that ghost will probably show himself to me.”

  “You got it,” he said and bent down to kiss her cheek. After he did it, he realized his mistake and glanced quickly toward the living room at Colton.

  “It’s okay. He knows we’re friends,” Elise said, but she let go of his hand. “We have to get going.”

  “I’ll call you after I narrow down a time with my brothers.”

  “We don’t call each other, remember?” she said with a coy smile.

  “I’ll stop in for a coffee, then.”

  “That sounds even better.” She skirted out of the kitchen and helped Colton pack up his toys.

  Nineteen

  “IS SHE GOING TO HOLD a séance? Do I need to get my camera out of the truck?” Shane asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Rob said. “I’m not sure about any of this, to be honest.”

  “Don’t be so skeptical. I’ve seen a lot of weird shit that defies explanation,” Shane said.

  Rob swung his elbow into his brother, effectively jabbing him in the arm. “You defy explanation, dude.”

  “Yeah, I know. And I don’t appreciate the elbow.”

  Rob did it again just because he could. They stood in the parking lot side-by-side, staring across the street at the bookstore. Elise should be heading over any minute now. Shane let a soft fist fly toward Rob’s torso. He jumped out of the way and only caught a glancing blow against his ribs. Bodie chose that moment to pull into the parking lot.

  “Elise’s timing couldn’t be better.” Bodie shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at their building. “I was here yesterday helping install the drywall and the electricity went out. No big deal, right? But then I went to the new electrical panel and it wouldn’t open. It’s a simple slide latch and it would not budge. The electrician happened to be there, so I asked him if I was missing something because for whatever reason, I couldn’t open the door.”

  Rob listened to Bodie’s tale but doubt kept him skeptical.

  “The electrician couldn’t figure it out, either. He decided something must have jammed the latch, so we decided to pry the door open. We had to break it. That’s weird in and of itself, but then there was freaking initials on the inside of the door. The same R.E., but the other initials were different. It creeps me out thinking about it again.”

  “Was it written in blood? That would fit all the cheesy horror movies,” Rob said.

  “Not blood, but I couldn’t really tell. The letters were black and smudged. It looked more like charcoal,” Bodie said.

  “Did you see it, too?” Rob asked Shane.

  “Yep. It’s weird as hell. The electrician couldn’t explain it, either. It was a brand new electrical box.”

  Rob shook his head in disbelief or dismay. He hadn’t witnessed anything Bodie and Shane had seen. Only the incident on the roof with the rock provided him with any proof of the unusual history of their building. “We’ll listen to what Elise has to say. She told me some facts she discovered already, and that’s as much as I’m willing to believe in any of this. The facts and the history.”

  “You’re such an uptight ass,” Shane said. “The face you’re making says it all. You don’t believe there’s a ghost haunting our building.”

  “I can’t. What if one of the subcontractors scribbled the note on the panel as a reminder and then didn’t bother to tell his boss?”

  “Whatever. I’m going to show Elise and ask her what it means,” Bodie said.

  “By all means. Here she comes now.” Rob gestured with his chin toward Elise who was headed their way.

  “Thanks for meeting me,” she said.

  Rob took in her appearance with an all-encompassing glance. The pencil skirt, embroidered blouse, curls in her hair, and flawless makeup gave her professional appeal, but he knew she was a hot mom in anything she wore. Elise’s work clothes distracted him from the current situation and all he could think about was the thong and the lace bra she liked to wear beneath her outfits. Her gaze landed on him like a swat upside the head and he’d swear she knew what he was thinking. Rob blinked and tried to clear his mind from the urge to squeeze her firm round ass.

  “Thanks for coming,” Bodie said when Rob forgot how his mouth work
ed. “We have something to show you. Would you like to go inside?”

  Rob wanted to come inside her. Right now. With that sexy librarian skirt bunched up around her waist. Damn it. What is the matter with me? But the answer was obvious. It had been a week since their last sleepover.

  They moved as a group toward the door.

  “I don’t really want to, but I’m going to anyway,” she said. “I’ve been having more dreams about your visitor. It’s unsettling. I’ve also brought my research so you can take a look at it.”

  “Do you think ghosts are aware of being in the wrong time? Does this guy know he’s dead and everyone he ever knew is gone as well?” Shane asked.

  Rob’s interest switched directions with Shane’s questions.

  “I’m not sure. I’m definitely not an expert in the paranormal. To be honest, I’ve never had anything quite like this happen to me before,” Elise said.

  Rob opened the basement door and held it as his brothers and Elise entered the lower level of the building.

  “Have you ever confronted a ghost before?” Rob asked.

  “Yes, but the situation was entirely different. I wasn’t living across the street from it and I didn’t feel compelled to find answers like I am this time.”

  Bodie led the group to the utility room. “We had an incident yesterday with the electricity.” He pointed at the broken panel. “Our ghost left his initials again along with the letters, V.A.. Rob doesn’t believe the ghost did it, but the situation can’t be explained any other way.”

  Elise stared at the smudged letters. “I know who V.A. is. Look at this.” She opened the book in her hands and studied a sheet of paper she had stuffed inside. Elise pointed at a photocopy of an old portrait. “This is Victoria Albrighton. She was the sister of the mayor of Granite Lake in 1851.”

  Rob, Shane, and Bodie leaned over the page to see the picture.

  “She fell off the roof of this building and died when she was nineteen years old,” Elise said.

  “Is she our ghost?” Bodie asked.

  “I don’t believe so. I’m fairly certain your ghost is a male presence.” Elise glanced over her shoulder as if looking for him. “And I also suspect your ghost is Roger Eyres. He was charged with her murder.”