“Sorry, Paige.” Amanda’s teeth bit gently down onto her lower lip.
Paige stifled a yawn and stepped out of the room. “It’s okay. Has Josh left yet?” She ruffled Julian’s hair and bent to scoop Avril into her arms.
Amanda called over her shoulder. “Yeah, about a half hour ago. Now that you’re up, I’m going to grab a quick shower and get dressed.” She disappeared inside her bedroom.
“Aunt Paige, do you want to play a game? Maybe Snakes and Ladders or Jenga?” Julian tugged at her robe.
She took a deep breath and smiled down at him. “I’m not doing anything until I’ve had a cup of coffee. I take it, you two have eaten.” She started down the hall, with Julian on her heels like a puppy.
“Yeah. We were up early to see Daddy before he left. What are we going to do today? I hate rain. We could watch movies or play video games.” Julian kept up a steady chatter as they walked down the stairs.
“How about I set the TV up with a movie for you, while I get breakfast and then ready for the day? How does that sound?” Without waiting for an answer Paige led the way into the living room and plopped Avril down onto the sofa.
“How about this one?” Julian held out a DVD with a picture of cartoon cars and trucks.
She took it and popped it into the player and turned on the TV. As it flickered to life she glanced to the wall where she had hung the picture of Julian and Avril.
The smile fell from her lips and her face tightened. The photo was still there but now, it hung sideways, held only by the corner of the frame. She would have sworn she’d set the metal hook at the back of the picture over the prong of the hanger. But even if she hadn’t, how could it slip to that degree? Even a banging door shouldn’t cause it to slide that far.
She took a deep breath and straightened the picture. Maybe one of the kids knocked it with some toy...or Josh bumped into it...That must have been what happened.
The movie started up and she smiled at the kids curled up on the sofa watching the TV screen. They looked so cozy and innocent, already engrossed in a movie they’d probably seen a hundred times. Even Julian was unconcerned with anything but what was playing on the screen. If she had anything to say about it, that was the way it would stay.
She left the room and wandered through the dining room into the kitchen. The only evidence that Josh had even been there was his coffee cup in the sink next to the kids’ cereal bowls and glasses.
The dog rose to its feet and ambled over, waiting for her to open the fridge and share a treat. His large yap was open, tongue lolling to the side and his eyes were bright watching her. He was the same old Barney, the happy beggar ensuring that no one forgot to slip him a hunk of cheese or slice of cold meat while they were busy in the kitchen. If she hadn’t seen him snarling with fangs bared last night she would never have believed it could be the same dog.
“Here Barney. Let me get you a nice treat.” She went to the pantry and fished a Milk Bone from the bag sitting on the shelf. He sniffed it and as gentle as a lamb he pulled the biscuit from her fingers. “Good boy.”
She went to the cabinet, got a mug and poured a cup of coffee. As she sipped she looked out the back window that overlooked the yard. The rain was letting up a bit and the sky looked brighter than earlier. She squinted trying to see across the yard to the barn. The doors were shut tight, nudged closed by a large rock set up against them.
“Thanks Josh.” She smiled and took a seat at the island, pulling her cell phone from the pocket of her robe. No texts or messages from her friends. She sighed and her thumbs flew sending a message to Jennifer, letting her know that the move went well and they were just about settled in.
She set the phone down and rose to her feet to get another coffee and something to eat. When she reached into the cabinet for a bowl, the doorbell rang and Barney barked, racing to the front door. She sighed and followed him, wondering who could be at the door at that hour of the day.
After peeking out the side panel and seeing a cable communications van, she opened the door. Amanda had said that the internet and satellite TV was due to be hooked up. Great. She’d be able to stream movies and stay in touch with everyone on social media.
The young guy who stared back made her eyes flare for just a moment. Oh my God He had the deepest blue eyes and cutest smile...that perfectly complimented his tanned muscular arms and wide set of shoulders. Her hand flew to the opening of her robe, fingers spread along her chest and neck. If she’d known a guy this ripped and good looking would be there to install the internet, she’d have at least washed her face.
“Hi. Mrs. Jenkins?” There was even a dimple in his cheek when he smiled.
“No. I’m Paige, her sister. You’re here for the TV and satellite, right? You’re here to hook up? That’s it, right?” What was wrong with her mouth, stammering like she’d never seen a guy this gorgeous before? It was just that she’d never expected to see one way out in the middle of nowhere. Oh shit! Did she just ask him if he was here to hook up? Aaaa!
“Aunt Paige?” Avril’s arm slipped around her legs, and her cheek rested against the side of her thigh.
She patted the little girl’s back and looked down. “It’s okay sweetie. Go watch the movie with Julian. I’ll be just a minute.”
When Avril grinned and turned walking back to the living room, Paige’s gaze was once more captive to the cable guy.
“Cute kid. I’m Matt Hawley. There’s a satellite on the west side of the house that I’ll reconnect for you. I installed it for the last owners. I brought a new receiver for you. Do you mind if I come inside and check the wire?” He flashed a smile and peeked past her into the large foyer.
“No. For sure.” Paige stepped back holding the door wider for him to enter. Her gaze fell to the dark blue shorts and golden muscular calves and work boots. He had to be at least six feet four, with a dark mane of hair most girls would give their eye teeth for.
He cleared his throat and looked around at the high ceilings and woodwork. “Wow. They sure did a great job on this place.” He glanced over at her. “The Partridges, I mean. Although it was no big surprise when they left after just a few months.”
“Yeah, of course.” Paige’s arms crossed over her chest and she stepped closer to him. “They were in the military and had to take a transfer. The real estate company told my sister all about it.”
He chuckled and his hand rose to rub the back of his neck while he looked down at the floor. “That’s what they said, huh? Funny. The husband was in his late forties. Kind of old for a transfer.” He smiled and stepped into the living room. “But if that’s what they told you, who am I to say different?”
Paige followed him into the room, her gut tightening as she watched him. “What do you mean, no big surprise that they left? It wasn’t a transfer?” There was more that he knew about all of this; she could tell by the skeptical glint of his eye.
“Well...” He hesitated, looking at the kids, who were staring wide eyed at him, their cartoon forgotten.
At Amanda’s footsteps on the stairs, he looked past Paige out to the foyer.
Amanda stepped into the room and grinned. “Great! You’re the cable guy, right? Not that you look anything like the TV cable guy, that Larry, but—”
“Amanda. This is Matt. He knew the Partridges. He installed the satellite for them.” Paige interrupted, trying to get back on topic.
“Oh yeah?” Amanda picked the remote up and paused the cartoon. She looked down at Julian and Avril. “Time for you two to get dressed. You can finish this movie after that.” She gestured for them to get up and then said to Matt, “We’ll get these guys out of your way.” She smiled and then she and the big black dog followed the kids out of the room and up the stairs.
Matt shrugged his shoulders and then bent down to check the cable box and wire coming into it.
“What were you starting to tell me before my sister came in?” Paige’s chin jutted forward as she moved across the room to stand over him. She
scooped her hair to one side holding it in her hand as she gazed at him.
He rose and the smile was gone from his face when he spoke. “Look, I grew up not far from here. Actually I bought a place across the lake, so I’m pretty familiar with the area.”
Paige pulled the edges of her robe tighter together, fisting the collar at her neck. “So you know this house, the barn and the acreage? Know who built it, who lived here?”
Matt didn’t answer right away. They both looked out the window as two clouds parted and sunshine poured through.
“I’ve got to check the line and the dish now. C’mon outside with me. We can talk there.” He looked around the living room, from the high ceiling to the hardwood floor and sighed before striding out the door.
The coffee in Paige’s stomach roiled and she fought off the sudden nausea. Instead, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She had to find out more about this house that Amanda had bought. There was something weird about it...even Julian sensed it. This guy, Matt, could probably fill in some of the blanks.
Chapter 14
Outside, the wet grass soaked her bare feet when she hurried over to where he stood in the open hatch at the back of the van. He reached in and took out a gadget and toyed with it, looking over at her. “This house...it’s got a reputation. Some people say it’s haunted.”
“Oh my God.” She hugged her arms across her body, her fingers grasping the cotton robe tightly. “That’s crazy! It’s a bit eerie, I’ll give you that...but actually haunted? That’s a bit far-fetched.”
He shook his head and sighed. “I don’t believe in all that crap, of course. It’s just that...” He pushed the bill of the ball cap higher, revealing a lock of dark hair, like a comma on his forehead. “I probably shouldn’t say any more. It’s idle gossip and you and your sister don’t need to hear it.”
Paige rolled her eyes and huffed a sigh. “Look, you started this, so at least finish it. Okay?”
He looked at the ground silently for a moment before reaching up to unhook the ladder from the roof of the van. “People move in here but they never stay very long. The Partridges probably had the house longer than most...” He shoved a couple of tools into his leather work belt and hoisted the ladder down. “...whatever it is about this house, people leave, in a real hurry.”
Paige could feel the muscles in the back of her neck tighten watching Matt shrug and then walk away to the side of the house where the satellite dish was mounted. The guy might be good looking as hell but she could clobber him with all his cryptic clues and innuendos.
“Hey Matt?” She called after him and then hurried to catch up. He smiled and she returned the gesture. “People say it’s haunted, right?”
He nodded slowly and eyes narrowed watching her.
“What people? Do you know anyone who actually has some concrete knowledge about this place or is it all just rumors and conjecture—stories that amuse the locals at Halloween?” She grinned to take the sting out of her words. From the droop of his shoulders, she’d scored a point.
“You really want to know, huh?” He adjusted the ladder taking some of its weight on his thigh before his mouth set in a tight line. “My aunt knows about this house. Well actually she’s my great-aunt. She still works in the library a couple days a week but she used to teach school years and years ago in the village.”
“So she told you about it?” Paige leaned closer, watching him with wide eyes. This was great. Now she’d know what the heck was going on in that house and how she was going to...She jerked back as the realization hit her, finishing the thought...how she was going to protect them. The fortune teller’s words rang in her head. ‘Protect yourself.’
“No. She clams up whenever anyone talks about the house.” His gaze bore into her eyes and roamed over her face. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He made a grimace and shrugged with embarrassment. “Sorry, wasn’t trying to be funny considering the conversation and all.”
She took a deep breath and forced a smile. “No, my mind wandered for a few seconds. I’d like to talk to your aunt. What’s her name? Does she live in the village? Can you give me her phone number?”
He chuckled and held his hand up like a traffic control cop. “Hold on! I’m not sure she’ll talk to you about the house considering she doesn’t talk to anyone about it, but...” His cheeks turned pinker and he looked down at the ground for a moment. “You’d have a better chance, if I take you over to meet her.”
It was then that Paige noticed his fingers and the fact that there was no ring there. No wonder he looked embarrassed. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he’d been mysterious about the house, angling for a date. But what normal, good looking guy has to contrive to get a date when it’s at his great aunt’s? Nah.
She smiled and felt her own cheeks flush warmly. “That would be nice. I mean, I would really appreciate it...talking to your aunt. What’d you say her name was?” Once more her hand clasped the edges of her robe tight to her neck.
“Barbara Hawley, same last name as me. She’s on my dad’s side and never married.” He looked over at the satellite dish that was mounted on a thick pole protruding from the ground. He put the ladder against it and looked at her, then up at the dish.
Her eyes went wide following his gaze and seeing the hint for what it was. “You’ve got work to do, I’m sorry that I’m keeping you from it. Just let me know when and where and we can meet up to see your aunt.” She started to turn, mumbling, “I’d better go in and get dressed.” Paige’s heart had sped up a little, but this time it wasn’t from anything in the house.
“Wait. Sure, I’ll set it up.” He set the ladder down and scooped his cell phone from his pocket. “What’s your number?”
She watched his face as she dictated her cell number, and he keyed it in. He had a small smile as he entered the information, looking down at the gadget. “I’d better go in.” She walked away and glanced back over her shoulder at him. He just happened to be looking her way as well.
She smiled back and went into the house.
Chapter 15
When she crossed by the living room on her way to the stairs, she stopped dead in her tracks. Amanda was adjusting the picture of the kids, the one that she fixed earlier.
The smile on her lips dropped like a stone. “What is with that picture?”
Amanda’s hand lifted and she turned, flashing a warm smile. “There. What do you mean what’s with it? It was crooked, that’s all.” She stepped past the kids who were setting up a tower of Jenga blocks on the floor. “That cable guy’s cute, eh?”
Paige decided to let the picture issue go. Amanda was so casual about it there was no use making a fuss and upsetting her. Besides, she’d probably be interested in hearing about the ‘date’ with Matt. “Yeah, he is. He asked for my phone number. How do you like that?”
Amanda scurried over and gripped her arm. “Get out! He hit on you?” Her eyes were fairly dancing with excitement, the grin a mile wide.
“Yup. Guess I still got it, huh?” Paige smirked and then sashayed up the stairs, swinging her hips, doing a total vamp. Behind her Amanda squee’d like a school girl. It was funny. This was the first guy she’d actually noticed in a long time and it was because of her sister’s creepy house—not that she’d get into that angle with Amanda.
She hurried down the hallway. With any luck she’d be able to get in a fast shower and get dressed before Matt left. She wouldn’t mind getting his number as well.
The tinny bell note of the music box sounded softly in the air. Paige stopped short, her mouth falling open. Oh my God. She leaned forward, creeping softly the rest of the way to her room. More notes of the melancholy song filled the air, sending a shiver down her spine.
Inside the room, in the centre of her bed, the music box sat, the lid open, playing the ancient song. She could only stare at it, her hands clutching the robe at her neck. Her heart pounded like a hammer drill and the breath caught in her chest. Wit
h narrow eyes she saw a golden gleam shine on the brass tube, catching the light on its tiny barbs lifting the keys.
She darted forward and slammed the lid shut, her fingers fumbling for the key mechanism at the back to stop it. The silence that followed was thick, her fingers tingling as she held the box before her chest. Her gaze flittered around the room. Twice the box had been moved. The only other person who knew about the box was Julian. There was no way he’d touch it. He said it frightened him.
This time, the box sitting there on her bed was worse than the dresser. It felt personal now. There was no way she was ever going to sleep in that room again if that box was still in it. She had to get it out of there, but where could she put it?
It was absolutely too creepy to be in the house. There was no way that the kids should find it, to play it and as for Amanda...Something told her that her sister wouldn’t understand, not the way she and Julian understood.
She bent down and pulled the suitcase out from under her bed. Inside it was her carry-on bag. She grabbed it and flipped the lid open, setting the music box inside. She zipped the lid closed and then fastened the buckles for good measure. It could stay in her car and the first chance she got to go into the city to visit an antique store, she’d get rid of the blasted thing.
She set the suitcase next to the door and peered at the closet and then slowly her gaze wandered over the rest of the room. It was one thing to get the music box out of the house but there was still something lurking there which had moved it. What would she do to deal with that?
Hopefully after talking to Matt’s great aunt she’d have a better idea.
Chapter 16
Later that day, Paige sat down at the kitchen island booting up her laptop. The house was quiet as a morgue. Amanda and Julian were on a hike exploring the lakeside, and Avril was upstairs having a nap. Even the dog was quiet, choosing to sleep next to Avril’s bed, rather than go on the hike.
The Haunting Of Larkspur Farm (Ghosts and Haunted Houses): A Haunting In Kingston (The Hauntings of Kingston Book 4) Page 7