The Ghosts of Misty Hollow

by Sue Ann Jaffarian

  “Raphael invited us to his villa,” Vanessa said, still looking bored. “That would be Raphael Brindisi.”

  “Yes, the Italian novelist,” Phil said. “I’m well acquainted with his work.”

  “Phil is a voracious reader,” Emma said proudly. “In fact, Gino, he’s a huge fan of your books.”

  “More like a squealing fan-boy,” quipped a ghost, but the sassy remark didn’t come from the young spirit standing patiently with them. Emma glanced over to see the ghost of Ish Reynolds, better known as Granny Apples, the ghost of her great-great-great grandmother, standing off to the side. She shot Granny a quick warning look to behave.

  “What?” the ornery ghost said. “It’s not like anyone can hear me but you and Slim here.” She indicated the young ghost who was now staring at Granny with a slack jaw. “Close your mouth, son, before flies get in there,” Granny said to the other spirit. He snapped his mouth shut.

  “So Kelly has told me.” Gino beamed, continuing the conversation he could hear without any clue about the one he couldn’t. “Speaking of which, I have something for you, Phil. It’s inside, but why don’t we get you two settled first?”

  Just then a man came out of the house. He was tall and angular and dressed in jeans and a hunter green V-neck sweater over a white T-shirt. In his hand was a cell phone. “Gino, Neil’s on the phone.”

  Gino turned to his guests. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to take that. It’s my agent.” He turned back to the man. “Help these folks with their luggage, Leroy, then let’s all meet in the library. I believe it’s almost cocktail time.”

  Taking the phone with him, Gino entered the house through a door off the side porch. All eyes followed him, including those of the friendly young ghost who was politely keeping his distance and keeping his mouth shut. The spirit caught Emma’s eye. “We’ll speak later,” he said and disappeared.

  Emma glanced at Granny and with a slight tilt of her head indicated for her to follow the spirit. It was always a crapshoot with Granny. She might or might not get the subtle request, and even if she did, Granny might or might not agree to do it. Emma was pleased when Granny saluted her and said, “On it, Chief.”

  Leroy turned to Emma and Phil, holding out a courteous hand. “I’m Leroy Larkin, Gino’s assistant,” he told them. They all shook hands politely. He turned to Vanessa. “Which guest room would you like them in, Mrs. Costello?”

  Vanessa had turned back to stare at the lake, her arms hugged tightly across her chest. At Leroy’s question, she turned her head slowly toward them but didn’t really focus. “I think Marta prepared the big blue room, but put them anywhere you like.” Without another word, she headed across the porch and down the far steps toward the lake.

  After she left, another wave of awkwardness fell over the now much smaller group. Leroy plastered a smile on his face and finally said in a forced perky voice, “You’ll love the blue room. It’s one of my favorites.”

  The blue room was indeed blue. The walls were covered with wallpaper of small blue medallions on a powder blue background peppered with blue teardrops and flecks of gold. In addition to the bed, there was a good-sized sitting area with a love seat, wing chair, and tiny coffee table positioned by French doors. The furniture was upholstered in period fabric to match the room.

  Leroy set Emma’s bag down on the quilt-covered four-poster bed. “This is the second largest bedroom in the house,” he explained. “The Costellos are in the largest suite on the other side of the main staircase. There are three other bedrooms on this floor between this room and the other. One is a smaller suite with a private bath, and the other two bedrooms have twin beds and share a bath. They are all empty for now.”

  “For now?” Emma asked.

  Leroy nodded. “At least until Tanisha and Kelly come. I was told they will be here next weekend. They wanted to catch you before you went back to California.”

  Emma beamed with excitement. “I’m so glad the girls are coming,” she said to Phil. “I was worried Kelly wouldn’t be able to make it with school just starting.”

  Phil smiled, pleased with her delight. He put his bag on the bed next to hers. He turned to Leroy. “Where’s your room? Are there more bedrooms downstairs?”

  “There is one roomy bedroom and bath off the kitchen,” Leroy reported. “The people who converted the house into a B&B years ago turned that room into a handicap-accessible room. Smart move on their part.” He pointed toward the window. “There’s also a nice guesthouse in the back, facing the lake. That’s where I’m bunking.” He let out a low snort, his large eyes bulging in humor. “Out of the fray.”

  Before they could make any comment, Leroy continued. “As soon as you like, come on down to the library,” he told them. “It’s the second room to the right of the front door, next to the formal living room. We’re very casual around here. So don’t feel the need to dress up.”

  “I should go down and help Vanessa in the kitchen,” Emma said to Phil.

  Leroy let out another half snort, snagging it by the tail before it was fully birthed. “No need,” he told Emma with a tight smile. “Vanessa flew Marta in for our time here. That’s their cook and housekeeper in Chicago. Marta is staying in the room by the kitchen.” For a few awkward seconds, Leroy hung around, like a bellhop expecting a tip. Finally, he said, “Well, if you folks need anything, just ask.”

  “Thank you,” Phil told him.

  Without another word, Leroy left, closing the painted white door behind him.

  Phil unzipped his bag. “Did you know Kelly was coming?”

  “Last I heard it was iffy,” Emma said. She slipped out of her leather jacket and started unpacking her own bag. “She said she had so much to catch up on after her trip with Quinn this summer and with her final year starting.” Emma plopped down on the wing chair. “I can’t believe my baby is about to graduate from college, Phil.”

  “Well, school’s not out yet,” he said with a laugh. “And she’ll be going to grad school next year, won’t she?”

  “She’s not said a word about it in a long time.” Emma blew out a gust of frustrated air. “Every time I ask her about it, she evades the question or says it’s under control. She won’t even tell me if she’s applied anywhere. I called her father and he said he’s even more in the dark than I am. Grant did say that he offered Kelly a job with his production company if she decides she wants to get into show business.”

  Phil was hanging a shirt in the closet and stopped. “I don’t recall Kelly ever mentioning the entertainment field.”

  “She hasn’t, except to say she’d rather scrub toilets in a prison first.” Emma and Phil exchanged laughs.

  “Now that sounds like our girl,” Phil said, and finished hanging his shirt.

  Emma smiled, pleased at how close Phil and Kelly had become. It had happened naturally over time, with Kelly turning to Phil for fatherly advice and comfort when her own father couldn’t put his narcissism aside. Emma stood back up and pulled clothes from her bag and placed them in the antique dresser, on top of which sat a very modern television. “I talked to her a couple of days ago,” she said to Phil. “I told her if she didn’t make it here this week, then we’d shoot up there for a short visit before we left.”

  “I can’t wait to hear about her adventures with Quinn and his crew,” Phil said.

  Dr. Quinn Keenan was a dashing archeologist who’d once been a guest on Emma’s show and was now a good friend. He traveled the world and had a strong interest in paranormal activities in all cultures, especially ancient ones.

  “Me either,” said Emma with excitement. “She said she had a lot to tell me.”

  Phil slipped into the adjoining bathroom to put away his shaving kit. When he popped back out, he said, “Maybe I should take one of the other bedrooms one night so you two can stay in here all night gabbing.”

  Emma went to him and wr
apped her arms around his waist. “Would you do that for me?”

  He kissed her and patted her bottom gently. “As long as it’s only for one night.”

  “Deal,” Emma said, kissing and patting him back. She pulled away. “In spite of what Leroy said, I’m going to change my top, brush my teeth, and freshen my makeup. I feel grimy from flying all day.”

  “Not a bad idea. I feel road weary, too.” Phil pulled one of his shirts back out of the closet. “Too bad we weren’t in a hotel.” He pulled the jersey he was wearing over his head, removing it. “Then we could order room service and not leave the room until morning.”

  “I feel the exact same way.” Emma took her toiletries into the bathroom. She emerged a minute later holding a toothbrush and toothpaste. “Especially since there seems to be so much tension between the Costellos.” She applied some toothpaste to the brush. “Do you think Vanessa is angry because we’re here?” She stuck the brush into her mouth and started brushing her teeth.

  Phil walked past her and grabbed his own toothbrush out of his kit. He rinsed it under the faucet, then held it out to her. “No,” he said as Emma applied some toothpaste to it. “I’m thinking she’s mad because she’s here instead of in Italy.” He chuckled and stuck the brush into his mouth. Together they brushed their teeth, spit, and rinsed using heavy tumblers set on a small counter above the sink. After, Phil washed his face while Emma touched up her makeup.

  While he was drying off, Phil said, “I don’t think Vanessa is the type who enjoys country vacations, especially six-week ones that might turn longer, no matter how charming her surroundings.”

  “I’m beginning to see why Tanisha hardly mentions her.”

  Emma went back into the bedroom and replaced the heavy sweater she was wearing with another lighter one in pale yellow. Remembering Vanessa was wearing a similar sweater, she then switched it out for one in sage green with a V-neck that showed the top edge of her lacy camisole. “This place is charming, isn’t it?” she asked as she checked her attire in the full-length mirror on the back of the closet door.

  Heavy dark blue drapes framed the French doors that were covered with sheer white panels. Emma went to them and opened one, letting in chilly air. The doors led to a small balcony with two chairs and a view of the lake. In the growing darkness, she could see the dock at the end of the property line. A wide path led from the house down to the dock, with a smaller path branching off from the left to a small cottage. The paths were indicated by very low lights set along the path just above ground level. The dock was also lined with well-spaced lights. It extended into the inky lake like a jewel-encrusted finger. Across the dark water, lights from other properties twinkled like low-hanging stars. “This is so lovely,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what it looks like in the morning.” She pointed to the small cottage. “I’ll bet that’s the guesthouse where Leroy’s staying.”

  Phil came up behind her. “It’s all very romantic.” He snuggled her neck with his lips. “Are you sure we can’t stay in here until morning?”

  She closed the door and pushed him back playfully. “I’m sure.”

  Emma went back into the bathroom and ran a brush through her short blond hair, then fluffed it back up with her fingers. “You know,” she said through the open door, “this might be a great place to rent for Kelly’s graduation next year. It’s not close to Boston, but it’s not so far that we can’t get to Harvard for the ceremony. We can put the whole family up here quite comfortably for a week of vacation. Maybe two weeks. I know my parents would love it. We’d even have room if my cousins come out or your sons, and for Tanisha if she wants to join us.”

  Before Phil could say anything, a voice came out of the air. “That’s an outstanding idea, depending on the ghost situation.”

  Emma gave the ghost a big smile that Phil caught. Emma turned to Phil. “Granny’s here.”

  “So I figured,” he said. He pulled his clean shirt over his head then waved in the direction Emma indicated. “Hey, Granny.” The ghost waved back, even though she knew Phil couldn’t see her.

  “Yeah,” the diminutive pioneer ghost said to Emma with a frown. “I felt their presence when I arrived. It was like wading through mud to get a fix on you. I followed Slim but the rest vaporized at the sight of me. Are they friendly, confused, or on the surly side?”

  “I’m not sure yet, Granny.” Emma left the bathroom and sat back down on the chair. She removed her boots and slipped her feet into comfortable suede flats. “The one you call Slim seems to be acting as their spokesperson and indicated that we would speak later. He seems very polite. From what I could tell, he’s kind of young and dressed in farm clothes.”

  Granny nodded in agreement. “That’s what I saw, too. Before he disappeared he told me they need to speak with you. That it’s important.”

  Emma gave it some thought, then asked, “Do you know, Granny, if they knew ahead of time if I was coming, or if a medium specifically was coming? Or are they just greeting every new person, hoping to make a connection?”

  “That’s a good question,” the ghost answered, “but like I said, Slim told me nothing except that they needed to speak with you.”

  “Granny, at some point tonight why don’t you try to make contact with him again, or with the other spirits around here, and see what’s up before I meet them formally.”

  “You got it.” Granny disappeared.

  Her shoes changed, Emma stood up. “Okay,” she said to Phil, “Granny doesn’t know any more than I do about the ghosts that were waiting when we arrived, but she’s going to try and find out anything she can before I have a meet and greet with them.”

  “I hope that clambake can wait until tomorrow,” Phil said with concern. “You’re pretty pooped tonight.”

  “I hope so, too,” Emma said with a weary smile. “And I’m thinking it’s going to take a lot of my remaining energy and patience to get through dinner with Vanessa Costello.”

  “Yep. Tonight should be a real picnic if she’s in the same mood as when we arrived,” Phil noted in agreement. He turned to Emma and held out his arm to her. “You ready to go downstairs, darling? There will be alcohol.”

  Emma took his arm and straightened her shoulders. “Thank goodness for that.”

  • CHAPTER TWO •

  THEY found Gino and Vanessa waiting for them in the dark-paneled library. Vanessa was curled up in a corner on a large leather reading chair the color of dried blood. In one hand she held a half-full wineglass and with the other she flipped through a fashion magazine on her lap. Gino was bent over, tending to a fire in the stone fireplace. The tinkling sound of ice being dropped into heavy crystal competed with the crackling of the growing fire. They turned and noticed Leroy behind them at a built-in wet bar, fixing a drink. He poured amber liquid over the ice and brought it to Gino, who straightened and took it.

  “What can Leroy get you folks?” Gino asked. “We have a nice selection of brandy, wine, beer, and scotch. Name your poison.”

  The library was a huge room with French doors facing the lake, like those in their room. Instead of a balcony, the doors lead out to a humongous deck. Like in their room, the floor was highly polished hardwood covered with lovely rugs. Floor to ceiling bookshelves crammed with games and books of all types lined the wall opposite the French doors. An immense oak desk covered with books and papers was situated in front of the shelves. The room’s floor space was dominated by an assortment of leather chairs and two sofas that faced each other. Cozy afghans were neatly folded and scattered over the backs of the furniture. In a corner near the fireplace was a game table and chairs. Over the fireplace, a large flat-screen TV had been mounted to the wall. The room was clearly meant to be the gathering spot for the house.

  “I’ll have what Gino’s having,” Emma said to Leroy.

  “Make that two,” chimed Phil.

  “This room is fabulous,” sa
id Emma, taking a seat on one of the large sofas. Phil wandered over to the bookshelves and checked out some of the titles.

  “It’s the largest room in the place, outside of the kitchen,” Gino told her. “There’s a formal parlor next door, to the left just as you come in the front door, but it’s rather fussy in decor. Across the hall from the parlor is the formal dining room. The kitchen is massive and has a less formal dining area.”

  Leroy handed Emma her drink and she thanked him. He crossed over to Phil and delivered his scotch to him. “Leroy told us,” she said, “that there is another bedroom downstairs that is handicap accessible, as well as a guesthouse at the rear of the house. Seems like the people who renovated the place thought of everything.”

  “Pretty much,” Gino answered. “The accessible room is just off the kitchen. I think it was once a large storeroom, but now it’s as nice as the other rooms. Marta is staying there. Marta Peele is our cook and housekeeper from Chicago. Vanessa insisted on bringing her here with us.”

  Vanessa looked up from her magazine long enough to shoot her husband a pointed look. “Like you fought me on it. You and I wouldn’t survive more than two days on our own cooking, and you know it.”

  Gino grinned and shrugged. “It’s true, my dear. We would have wasted away or been forced to dine on poor Leroy here.”

  Emma cast a look at Leroy to find him biting his lip, but she wasn’t sure if he was holding back laughter or a snide remark. He was a difficult read. He came away from the bar with his own drink. “You folks will have to excuse me,” he said to Phil and Emma. “I hate to eat and run, but right after dinner, I’ll be heading out to meet a friend.”

  “Out in this Godforsaken place?” Vanessa asked, showing real interest for the first time.

  “It’s a friend from college,” Leroy explained. “He lives near Boston. I’ll be staying the night.”