“He’s pretty embarrassed, I think. Doing that, especially in front of me. Poor little guy.” Paige couldn’t help the glance up at the window where she’d seen the light flash. Whatever Julian had seen up there had spooked him as well. She’d talk to him about that later.
Amanda fished in her pocket for a moment and then held a silver key before her. “Come on. I can’t wait for you to see the inside. Isn’t the house gorgeous?” She set off to the steps of the wide, wrap-around veranda.
Paige hesitated a moment, watching Josh help his son into a clean pair of pants that had been packed in a suitcase in the Jeep. It wasn’t a great introduction to their new house for the boy.
Her stomach was a tight knot when she turned to follow her sister. “Yeah. It sure is big! And old. I bet this place is over a hundred years old.”
Amanda pushed the door wide and stepped inside, still holding her daughter in her arms. “At least a hundred years.” She looked past Paige and set Avril down, holding her arms out to her son who raced over. “Hey Julian. Feeling better now?” She gave him a hug and then took his hand, leading him to the room on the left.
Paige looked around from the high ten foot ceilings with cove molding to the wide oak staircase in front of her. For being so old, the house was in pretty good shape, with just a few cracks in the plaster and hardwood floors that were golden, practically gleaming. The high baseboard trim matched the color of the floor, complimenting the eggshell color of the walls. Someone had done a lot of work renovating and painting the house, since it had been built.
“What do you think?”
At Josh’s voice she turned and saw him scoop Avril up into his arms, buzzing her neck with his chin, giving her a scratchy whisker burn, and grinning when the tot burst out in giggles.
She smiled, watching the beams of sunshine light up the colored glass in the transom above the door. But even more than the light airy feeling in the entranceway, it was the relaxed calm that showed in Josh that she found reassuring. From the glint in his blue eyes to the smile of pride looking around, it was obvious that he loved the house and the country setting. Maybe this would be a good move for the family. “It’s lovely. Very impressive.”
Paige wandered into the room where Amanda stood gazing out an expansive window into the side yard. An ancient maple tree extended thick gray branches over the lush lawn while its leaves showed the first hint of autumn with some yellows and orange foliage.
Her hand rose to muss Julian’s hair and she bent to speak softly, close to his ear. “That tree looks perfect for a tire swing, or even a tree house.”
He turned to look at her with an elated expression that made her smile. Oh, to be that young again, that a tire swing could spark such happiness.
“Maybe when we get settled, your Dad could set that up for you.” Paige winked and then rose to gaze out the window, past where the tree stood. “How close is the lake? I thought you said you were right next to it.”
Amanda took a deep breath and grinned. “We are. It’s just past that copse of trees, a five minute walk at most, you’ll see. There’s a flagstone path that leads to a dock and small beach.” Her eyes brightened. “The previous owners even left us an aluminum rowboat!” She spun in a circle with her arms outstretched. “There’s seven acres of land. Isn’t that amazing? Especially considering how small our lot in Toronto was.” She pointed out a garden shed built next to the house. “That shed’s almost the size of the back yard we had in the old place!”
“A garden shed? I thought this place came with a barn?”
Amanda nodded. “Yeah, it’s down a path at the back of the house. I guess the owners put this here so they could keep the lawn mower handy in the summer and the snow blower in the winter.” She shrugged. “Anyway, that’s what Josh figures.” She chuckled. “He can’t wait to use a snow blower!” Shaking her head, she added, “Boys and their toys…”
“Hey! It’s a tool, not a toy!” Josh said, still cuddling Avril.
“Whatever.” Amanda grinned and gestured to her sister. “What’s really crazy is that this place cost way less than our old house. It’s bigger, on the water with land and a barn and we got it for a ton of money less! And the taxes on it are half of what we were paying in Toronto. Crazy huh?”
Josh rocked back and forth from his toes to his heels looking rather smug, while Avril’s tiny fist closed over his nose, getting back at him for the buzzing.
Amanda turned from the window and pulling Paige along, she continued, “This is the dining room. Come on. The kitchen’s just through here.” Amanda was practically vibrating, leading the way through the archway into a mammoth sized kitchen, with a centre island and yards of countertop.
Paige’s mouth fell open, gazing around the room, marveling at the banks of cabinets and the window that looked out to the back yard and the path to the barn. The renovations that she’d noticed in the entranceway were dwarfed by what was in this room. This was where the bulk of the money and time had been spent.
“There’s room for a table but I think we’ll put in a desk instead and use the island for meals. That way, I’ll have a start on an office, setting up my business with the animals.” Amanda stepped over to the side wall where there was a narrow door. She opened it and stepped back, “See this. A pantry! As if we’d need it with all these cabinets.”
Paige could only stand and stare, totally gob smacked. The house and particularly the kitchen was amazing! Why would anyone go to so much trouble to renovate the home and then leave it? And then to sell it for such a low price? Even taking into consideration that market value was lower in the smaller city, it seemed too good to be true.
A sharp crash followed by the sound of glass breaking sounded above them.
Paige’s heart was in her mouth as she looked around at the others...everyone was there except for... “Oh no! Julian!”
She turned and raced through the dining room and up the staircase, hearing Josh’s footsteps behind her.
She took the stairs two at a time, spinning around the newel post at the top to sprint down the hallway. “Julian?”
Behind her, Josh was also calling for his son.
She passed two empty rooms before spotting him sitting on the floor, his legs splayed in front of him. A blackbird, the head of which was twisted almost facing backwards lay next to him. She gasped seeing the long shards of glass scattered near Julian’s leg.
The air felt heavy and hard to breathe as she scurried over to him and sank to her knees. She scooped him close, examining his face and arms for cuts.
He pulled back and looked up at his father. “I didn’t do it, Daddy. I came into the room and walked over to the window and then...then...” He started to cry and once more turned his face into Paige’s shirt.
“Is Julian okay?” Amanda’s voice rose from the stairwell, followed by the fast thuds of her feet in the hallway.
“He’s fine.” Josh called out before carefully nudging the glass away from his son’s legs. “Why the hell would a bird fly into the window? There must have been something wrong with it to do that.” He squatted down next to Paige and Julian, rubbing his son’s back softly. “It’s okay, buddy.” He smiled wanly. “Wow. You’re really not having a great day, Julian.”
Paige’s heart thudded hard in her chest and it wasn’t just from the race up the stairs. Poor Julian could have been badly cut in the face if the glass had hit him. And it had been close. Josh was right. Birds don’t just fly into windows hard enough to shatter them. She looked around and it hit her. This was the same room where she’d seen the glint of light flash.
She shuddered and held Julian tighter to her body.
Chapter 5
At Barney’s barking in the front yard and the sound of a truck engine, Josh got to his feet and peeked out the window. “It’s the movers. Can you go guys go down and let them in? I’ll clean this mess up.”
Paige saw a crimson pool of blood spreading near the dead bird’s beak, the eye above dull and glaz
ed. Her stomach rolled and she swallowed the bile that rose in the back of her throat. It was sickening seeing the dead bird. But the sight of the glass so close to Julian, made a bead of sweat trickle coldly down her spine. He had only been looking out the window when the bird dive bombed through it. The poor kid.
She took his hand and led him from the room, following Amanda and Avril down the stairs. The burly driver of the moving van was standing in the open doorway, petting the dog’s head. He looked up and smiled, “Quite a watch dog you’ve got here. A Bouvier des Flandres, right?”
Barney licked his hand, and turned his big brown eyes up, recognizing a dog lover. The second mover, a young red haired man with lean sinewy muscles showing below the sleeve of his T shirt stepped up onto the veranda. Barney turned, the hackles rising on the back of his thick neck, emitting a low growl.
The first guy, laughed and reached to rub Barney’s head. “He’s also got good taste.”
“Very funny.” The younger man scowled and then flashed a slippery smile looking over at Amanda. “Can you show us where you want things to go?”
Amanda looked confused just for a moment, her gaze darting over to Paige. “Well...sure.”
Paige stepped over to her sister and reached for Avril. “I’ll take the kids outside and we’ll explore with Barney. We’ll just be in the way here.” She stepped past the first mover and signaled with a jerk of her head for Julian to follow. “C’mon Barney. Let’s go,” she called to the dog, who immediately began to pad after her.
The second mover gave her the once over with his eyes, not bothering to even pretend that he wasn’t. Her neck muscles tightened and she held her head high, purposely ignoring him. The creep. No wonder Barney had growled at him.
It was funny. She was used to guys sizing her up and even the odd wolf whistle but there were some guys that could make you want to take a shower after they checked you out. Moving guy number two was one of those types.
Julian skipped ahead of her, running to the side of the house where the big maple tree was. “C’mon, Aunt Paige.”
His excitement, the soles of his feet flying high was enough for Avril to want to join him.
“Down.” Avril squirmed and Paige was forced to set her down quickly or risk the child slipping out of her grasp. She ran after her bigger brother. “Julie! Wait for me!”
Paige had to suppress a smile watching the boy turn and shoot his little sister an evil look. No matter how many times he corrected Avril, she still called him Julie. Maybe because she knew it bugged him? Paige remembered doing something similar to that with Amanda when she was younger, emphasizing the ‘man’ part of her name.
Julian clung to the rough bark of the tree, trying to get a toe hold and climb it. His fingers clawed into it, but his sneakers kept slipping. Avril stood silently watching him, her thumb in her mouth.
Paige stepped closer and scooped him up, holding him high in the air under the lowest branch. “Grab hold of the branch, Julian.” She stretched higher and felt his weight lighten in her hands as he grasped it. She pulled her hands back, hovering close to his body, ready to catch him again.
“Hey! Look at me!” Julian kicked his feet back and forth, swinging from the branch.
Avril tugged at Paige’s shirt. “Now me. My turn.”
Just at that moment, Julian’s grip slipped and she caught him, easing the fall down to the leaf littered ground. He brushed his hands together and laughed while Paige turned to Avril. “Sorry hon, another year or so and you can try too.”
Julian was off again, disappearing around the back of the house. Paige scooped Avril up and stepped quickly after him. Uh oh. Until she knew the lay of the land, she didn't want him off on his own.
At the back of the house, near the back door was a flagstone patio, half covered by a grape arbor. Julian ran by it, and headed down the path on his way to the barn.
Paige's brow became tight and with Avril in tow, she hurried to catch up to him. Barney snuffling along, took up the rear.
Coming up the path, Paige came to the wooden structure.
“This is a barn?” she asked.
“Yeah,” said Julian. “It looks weird.”
“Looks more like a small church.” The barns Paige had been in were large airy buildings, walls that stood two stories high topped with a roof that gently arched like a half moon. The structure before her had low walls that supported a sharply peaked roof. It was more like a two car garage and the roof resembled the one at St. Magdalene’s Church. She craned her neck upward. How in the world could you shingle that thing? It rose up to a point that was at least forty feet above the ground. She shook her head in puzzlement.
The two doors at the front were much smaller than typical barn doors, not much bigger than a set of double doors in a nice home. They were slightly agape.
Paige’s eyes narrowed and her heart beat faster watching her nephew get closer to the building. When her gaze shifted to the slice of darkness between the doors, her stomach hardened into a tight knot and there was a tingling raising the hair on the back of her neck. “Julian! Wait!”
As if echoing her thought, the dog bounded by her and started barking.
The boy’s feet drew up short, so fast that his body almost toppled over onto the packed earth in front of him. His arms shot out to the side, trying to keep his balance and grab onto the large dog at his side.
When Paige reached him his face was blanched of color and his eyes were wide. Barney snarled and a low growl rumbled in his throat.
The high pitched creak of rusty hinges protesting the sway of the doors broke the silence. About twenty feet away, the door moved, opening an inch at a time.
Then, as quick as a bolt of lightning it banged shut with a force than she felt in her gut. Oh my God! Paige’s breath hitched in her chest and she could feel her heart pounding fast.
Once more Barney’s thundering barks filled the air. She felt Julian sidle close to her thigh, his hand clutching her jeans. Avril too, hearing the loud bang, and the dog’s angry noise, snuggled her head into Paige’s neck, sucking her thumb with a furious intensity.
She had to be strong. She took a deep breath and then her hand rubbed Julian’s shoulder, turning both of them around to walk back. “Shush Barney! C’mon boy.” She thought fast. “That must have been some breeze, causing that door to slam like that, huh? There must be a window open in there. We’ll just wait until your Mommy and Daddy are with us before we explore the barn. What do you think?”
She continued striding back to the patio next to the back door, the dog at her side still rumbling a few growls.
Even to her own ears, the explanation sounded phony. There wasn’t any breeze. The day was sunny and calm with only a few clouds in the sky.
Her head tilted to the side as another thought flashed in her brain. This was the country, not the city. Shouldn’t there be crickets or birds calling? She looked around, feeling the brightness of the day burn her eyes, the intensity of the grass and the blue sky suddenly unnaturally bright. There was a palpable sense of quiet, a thick, other worldly atmosphere.
She tried the back door and her jaw tightened finding it locked. She gripped Julian’s hand and together the three of them rounded the building. The moving men were hoisting the refrigerator up a metal ramp to the front door. The older, dark haired guy was laughing, seemingly still teasing the younger one, who rolled his eyes.
In the doorway, Amanda and Josh stood chatting waiting for the guys to come across the veranda.
Despite the normalcy of the scene she paused and her vision became wavy. She took a step to the side trying to overcome the dizziness that clouded her head.
When Julian raced up the stairs to his parents, Paige sighed.
That door banging shut in the barn...it probably was just the breeze. There had to be some logical explanation for it. She’d probably see the cause when Josh and Amanda showed them the rest of the property.
But if so, why had all of them been so scared?
Chapter 6
Amanda left the veranda and walked around the jeep to its back door. She turned to Paige and the kids and smiled. “Anyone hungry? Help me with this cooler will you, Paige?”
Paige set Avril down and walked over to Amanda. At the thought of food, her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten anything since early that morning. That must be why she’d felt a little woozy earlier. Yet she had to admit, the dead bird and then the slamming barn door hadn’t helped either.
Amanda handed a blanket to Julian. “Take this around to the big maple tree, Julian. Our first meal in the new house is going to be a picnic. How does that sound?”
His eyes lit up and he raced off to the big tree, Barney and Avril trailing behind.
Amanda grabbed the handle of the large red cooler and helped Paige hoist it out of the jeep’s hatch. “Wow. This is hard work. Remind me never to buy another house. This is my last move.”
Paige laughed and looked over at her sister. “Hopefully, you’re right, this will be the last time. Seriously, what more could you want in a house? And on a lake? Awesome. Although I confess, I’m not crazy about the barn.”
A 'V' formed between Amanda’s eyebrows when she looked over at Paige. “Why? It’s a nice size and it’s in really good shape.”
‘Let it go,’ she thought to herself. Shrugging, she said, “Just not my style, I guess.”
Amanda shrugged back, a teeny bit miffed. “Oh well, it is what it is.”
They were almost at the tree, where Julian was spreading the blanket, despite Avril and Barney’s ‘help’. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to talk about the barn right then. With the kids there, it’d be better to downplay it.
She set her side of the cooler down and plopped down next to Avril. The little girl flashed a wide grin up at her before turning to wait for Amanda and lunch.
Amanda opened the cooler and set a plastic container of sandwiches in the centre of the blanket, before reaching in and getting juice boxes. Paige popped the lid and handed a peanut butter and jelly to Avril. The young tot bit into it eagerly.
The Haunting Of Larkspur Farm (Ghosts and Haunted Houses): A Haunting In Kingston (The Hauntings of Kingston Book 4) Page 3