He swore softly under his breath.
‘Is there a problem?’ she asked in concern.
‘Nothing I can’t handle.’
‘Jackson,’ she fixed him with a firm gaze, ‘last time you said everything was fine, you had a psychotic poltergeist on the loose. One who tore the bar to pieces and nearly killed Fiona.’
Jackson sighed as he looked down at Logan sleeping peacefully in his arms.
‘Jackson, what’s going on?’ Theo asked. ‘Maybe we can help.’
‘I’m not sure there is a problem… exactly…’ he shook his head, ‘just strange happenings is all.’
‘Such as?’ Theo pressed as Olivia listened curiously.
‘The night I found Shelley collapsed outside,’ he shifted Logan in his arms as he began to stir, ‘I locked up, I know I did. I double checked everything was secure and as it should be, just like I always do. But just before I found her I heard an almighty racket downstairs in the kitchen, pots banging and such like. I hurried downstairs thinking someone might have broken in, but instead I found a neat stack of pots in the center of the floor. It was almost as if someone had placed them there on purpose; there was no way they just fell down like that. Anyway, I turned and found the door wide open and Shelley on the ground. I thought she’d managed to unlock the door herself before passing out, but it wasn’t until a day or so later I realized she couldn’t have as she didn’t have her keys.’
‘I see,’ Olivia muttered thoughtfully. ‘What else?’
‘That same night after I’d settled Shelley down I went to check on Miller. He was sitting up in his crib staring at something, but there was nothing there. When I picked him up he kept insisting there was a ‘lady’ in the room. Then the night before last Shelley said there was a woman sitting on the edge of her bed, stroking her hair. She thought it was Louisa checking in on her, but it wasn’t, as Louisa hadn’t been over that day.’
‘You think you have another haunting on your hands?’ Theo mused.
‘It’s beginning to look that way,’ Jackson shifted again as Logan squirmed. ‘There have been other things too, cold spots again and knocking in empty rooms. So far nothing’s exploded so I’ve got to be grateful for that, but I have to think of Miller and Shelley’s safety.’
‘Does Shelley know about any of this?’ Theo asked as he reached forward and lifted his restless son from Jackson’s arms.
‘No,’ Jackson shook his head, ‘I didn’t want to frighten her. She’s got enough to deal with for the moment.’
‘But she knows about what happened here last year, right?’ Olivia asked.
Jackson shook his head again.
‘Seriously?’ Olivia blinked, ‘the bar was all but destroyed by that poltergeist. What does she think happened?’
‘I told her some drunk kids broke in and vandalized the place.’
‘And she bought it?’
He nodded.
‘Jake was kind enough to back me up, so that she wouldn’t ask too many questions.’
‘Did I hear my name?’ a familiar voice laughed. Theo turned to find Jake and Roni standing watching them.
‘Aww,’ Roni’s eyes lit up when she saw the babies, ‘may I?’
Olivia smiled as she handed over Theia who was now sleeping contentedly.
Roni snuggled her carefully into her arms, leaning in and breathing her in deeply. ‘Oh God, I love that baby smell, I think my hormones just skipped a beat.’
Olivia glanced over at Jake in amusement as his eyes widened a fraction. ‘Soooo… what’s going on?’ he swiftly changed the subject.
‘Jackson’s got another ghost,’ Theo rocked Logan as he looked over to his best friend.
‘Seriously?’ Jake turned to Jackson, his interest piqued.
‘Oh aye, Tommy is it, who likes to gossip?’ he asked pointedly.
Theo grinned.
‘What kind of ghost are we talking about? Casper or Insidious?’
‘Last time it was more like Paranormal Activity 1,2,3 and 4,’ Olivia replied dryly.
‘God, I hated those movies,’ Roni shivered. ‘Jake made me watch all of them.’
‘Hey,’ Jake grinned, ‘got you snuggled up against me, didn’t it?’
Roni laughed and shook her head.
‘What are we talking about here?’ Jake asked more seriously, ‘because Fiona got pretty badly hurt last time. This is a public building; I don’t want to risk anyone’s safety.’
‘We don’t know for certain,’ Olivia replied. ‘We need Fiona and she’s away until next week.’
‘It might be nothing,’ Roni murmured as she gazed down at Theia’s perfect little face.
‘Hmmm, maybe,’ Olivia answered, her gaze flicking back to her daughter.
She knew for a fact Theia was aware of spirits, was it was possible that she’d cried out because she could see or feel something they could not?
She was also pretty sure that the gateway to the Spirit world was still firmly closed. There had been no other spirit sightings reported, unlike a year ago when the dead had flooded the town of Mercy. If there were suddenly spirits once again at the pub, why now? Where had they come from? And more importantly, what the hell did they want?
‘Olivia,’ Jackson turned to look at her, ‘you were there in the cellar with that angry spirit. You were the one who trapped it. Is there anything you can do? Can you sense anything bad here?’
‘I’m sorry Jackson, it’s just not my area of expertise.’
Even though she was now the guardian of some of the most powerful forces in existence, her authority and knowledge only extended as far as the Hell dimensions. The Otherworld and the Spirit realms were beyond her jurisdiction. She couldn’t exactly explain that to Jackson, even though he had met the Goddess Diana when she’d saved Miller, after he’d been born prematurely in the midst of a supernatural event. He’d also experienced a violent haunting at the pub already and may have been willing to accept that magic was real and that she was in fact a witch but telling him about the books of power and her role as guardian was probably a step too far, even for someone as easy going and good-natured as Jackson.
‘We need Fiona then,’ he frowned.
‘I’m afraid so,’ Olivia nodded.
‘Why’s everyone looking so glum?’
They turned as Louisa approached, Miller sitting comfortably on her hip while Tommy followed closely behind with their own son Jace in his arms.
‘There’s my wee man,’ Jackson grinned as he held out his arms.
‘Da..da..da,’ Miller babbled happily as he lunged forward toward Jackson.
‘Whoa,’ Louisa laughed as she handed him over. ‘A little warning Miller, I nearly dropped you.’
‘I’ve missed you too,’ Jackson wrapped his son up in a tight hug and peppered his face with noisy kisses before blowing a raspberry on Miller’s neck as he squealed with delighted laughter.
‘How’s Shelley doing?’ Louisa asked, leaning forward and stroking Miller’s blond curls affectionately as he laid his head on his father’s shoulder and began to suck his thumb.
‘Better I think,’ Jackson nodded. ‘She’s out of bed now and her fever is gone.’
‘I think I’ll just go and check on her, if that’s okay?’
‘Sure,’ Jackson replied, ‘you know the way.’
She smiled and headed around behind the bar.
‘Well look at all of us, all grown up with kids of our own,’ Tommy laughed as he juggled his son. He glanced across at Olivia and Theo who were each holding one of the twins and then Jackson who was smiling down at Miller. ‘I wonder who’ll be joining the club next?’ he grinned at Jake and Roni.
‘Stop it Tommy,’ Roni laughed, ‘you’ll just freak him out. You know he’s not ready for that.’
She turned toward Jackson not noticing Jake’s frown.
‘Jackson,’ she began somewhat ruefully, ‘I realize this is really bad timing, all thing
s considered, but I need to ask a favor.’
‘Oh aye?’ he looked up from his son curiously.
‘I have an important guest, a reporter, coming in from out of town and I need somewhere for him to stay. Could he use one of the guest rooms above the pub?’
‘Why can’t he stay at one of the motels?’
‘There’s an orthodontist convention coming into town tomorrow and they’ll be here for two days. Everywhere is fully booked, I’ve checked.’
‘Any other time I’d say yes, of course I would,’ he replied somewhat apologetically. ‘But if we do have some sort of spirit on our hands, then having a reporter stay here probably isn’t a good idea. What sort of reporter anyway?’
‘He’s kind of like a travel reporter. His blog has a massive following, as does all of his social media. He’s a real big deal. If he recommends Mercy and the festival, we won’t have any trouble bringing in the tourists. We need him.’
‘I’m sorry Roni,’ Jackson frowned.
‘Please,’ she repeated, ‘I’m really desperate. This was the only week he could do; he’s fully booked after this. In fact, the only reason he could fit us in was because he was supposed to be going to a small island, off the coast of Sri Lanka I think, and they’ve just had an earthquake.’
‘I don’t know,’ Jackson shook his head reluctantly.
‘Please? Pretty, pretty please? It will only be for a couple of days until the conference is over, then I can get him booked in at the hotel.’
‘What if we have another poltergeist on the loose?’ Jackson asked her pointedly.
‘Two days,’ she replied, ‘it’s only two days, and the guest rooms aren’t exactly part of the pub.’
‘Maybe he’s right Roni,’ Olivia interjected, ‘it might not be a good idea.’
‘I can’t hear you,’ Roni shook her head. ‘My desperation is drowning out my hearing, as well as my common sense and good judgment.’
All eyes turned to Jake.
‘Don’t look at me, I plead the fifth,’ he shook his head in amusement. ‘This festival is her baby.’
Technically Roni was right, Jackson mused. The two guest rooms, while directly above part of the pub, were completely independent. They were originally part of the building a couple of hundred years ago, but now there was no way to access them, either from his apartment or the pub itself. Instead the two guest rooms had their own entrance from the street with stairs leading up to them. Over the years he’d toyed with the idea of knocking them back through, so they were once again part of his apartment, but it didn’t seem worth the money or effort as it was just him at the time and he hadn’t needed the space. Instead he kept them closed some of the time, but during the height of the tourism season he’d let them out when the both the motels and the main hotel were fully booked.
‘Please,’ Roni mouthed to him.
‘Urgh fine,’ he growled, ‘but on your head be it. You’ll be the one paying for his therapy if this ends badly.’
‘Thank you,’ Roni beamed, clapping her hands happily. ‘It’s just for a couple of days; what could possibly go wrong?’
‘Did you forget what town you were living in?’ Olivia murmured.
‘Anyway,’ Jackson hoisted Miller further up on his hip, ‘I’d better get Miller upstairs and settled. Roni I’ll get one of the rooms ready for you, you can pick up the keys from me later today.’
‘Thanks,’ she nodded.
‘Jackson,’ Olivia interrupted, her brow creased in worry.
‘It’ll be fine Olivia love,’ he replied, ‘stop worrying.’
‘I can’t help it,’ she sighed, ‘I’m hardwired that way. Besides I was here last time when it went full on Amityville.’
‘Do you really think I’d let Shelley and Miller stay here, let alone a stranger, if I truly thought they were in danger?’ Jackson frowned. ‘I don’t know, I think it’s different from last time.’
‘Different how?’
‘Last time, you could almost feel the hate, the anger. It was as if it had seeped into every wall and board. This time…I don’t know how to describe it. It’s almost like being watched.’
‘That’s fucking creepy,’ Jake shuddered.
‘Jake,’ Roni elbowed him discreetly, ‘watch your mouth around little ears.’
‘Sorry,’ he mumbled as he grinned down at Miller, who smiled back.
‘Alright,’ Olivia conceded, ‘just promise you’ll call if anything, and I mean anything, happens.’
‘I promise,’ Jackson smiled.
‘I’ll stop by Fiona’s neighbor on the way home. She’s been picking up the mail and feeding the cats. I can’t imagine Fiona wouldn’t give her an emergency number to call if there was a problem, you know how she feels about her legion of cats.’
‘Thanks love,’ Jackson nodded, ‘I appreciate it.’ He looked round at everyone as Louisa came back into the bar. ‘I’m going to head upstairs now, but while I’ve got you all together, you’ve not forgotten it’s Miller’s first birthday at the end of the week?’
‘Of course, we’ve not forgotten,’ Louisa smiled as she reached out and stroked Millers curls.
‘We’ll be having a party, if we can get this little problem under control between now and then.’
‘Don’t worry Jackson,’ Theo assured him, ‘we’ll get hold of Fiona and get all this straightened out.’
Jackson nodded then to a chorus of goodbyes, he headed through the bar and up to the apartment. He found Shelley curled up on the couch in a comfortable old pair of yoga pants, thick socks and one of his old hoodies. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun and her face was free of make-up. He’d never seen her look so relaxed and comfortable.
As Miller caught sight of her he let out a squeal, wrestling and squirming in Jackson’s arms until he gave in and set him down on the floor. He toddled over to her on unsteady legs, stopping for a moment as he lost his balance and ended up on his knees. He pushed himself up and made it to the couch.
Shelley scooped him up and tucking her legs underneath her she settled him in her lap.
‘Hey baby,’ she smiled widely, ‘I missed you. Did you miss me?’
He began to babble incoherently before wrapping his arms tightly around her neck and hugging her.
‘I guess that means yes,’ she replied, her voice finishing on a croak.
Miller pulled back and glanced up at her with serious blue eyes.
‘Sor…’ he pointed to her throat.
‘Yes,’ she nodded, as she patted her throat, ‘sore.’
He leaned into her hugging her more gently and patting her shoulder reassuringly. Her heart nearly melted, and her eyes filled with tears which she ruthlessly blinked back.
‘What is it Shelley love?’ Jackson asked in concern.
‘Nothing,’ she shook her head and forced a smile, ‘nothing, I’m fine.’ She glanced down at Miller and this time gave a genuine smile.
Settling him in her lap she pressed a kiss to his blonde curls and leaning her cheek against his head, she rocked him softly.
‘I need to go over and open up one of the guest rooms,’ Jackson told her quietly, his eyes still filled with worry. ‘I won’t be long; will you be alright?’
‘Jackson I’m fine,’ she replied, pushing aside the hollow feeling in her stomach. ‘Why are you opening up the guest room anyway? It’s out of season.’
‘There’s a conference in town.’
‘The orthodontists,’ she nodded.
‘Well, Roni has some important reporter coming into town and there’s no room at the inn, so to speak. I said he could have one of the rooms.’
‘A reporter?’
‘Some sort of travel reporter,’ Jackson shrugged. ‘Apparently, he’s a big deal, something about a blog. Roni has invited him to stay as she’s trying to get him to write a piece on Mercy to entice people in for the festival.’
‘What festival?’ Shelley frowned. ‘
Honestly, I’m out of action for a couple of days and I miss everything.’
‘Not at all,’ he chuckled, ‘it’s still in the planning stages. Roni has convinced the town council to run a festival of magic and witchcraft to mark the anniversary of the town’s founding.’
‘That’s exciting,’ Shelley smiled, ‘we could do witch-themed food and drinks.’
‘That’s what I said,’ he grinned. ‘Anyway, we can talk about it when I get back. I need to go and get the room ready, so Roni can pick up the keys.’
He held his hand out to Miller, ‘come on little man you can come with me.’
Miller shook his head, frowning as he snuggled closer into Shelley.
‘It’s fine,’ she laughed, ‘I don’t think I’m contagious anymore. It’s just a bit of a cold. He can stay here with me.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘We’re fine, go,’ she insisted.
Giving them one last glance Jackson headed out of the room. The guest rooms had not been used since the end of the previous summer and when he unlocked the door he realized it would need more than a cursory pass with a duster. Rolling his sleeves up he set to work, cleaning the adjoining bathroom then the bedroom. He turned the heat up to ease the chill in the air and began to pull clean bedding from the nearby closet.
His mind kept wandering back to Shelley and Miller. It was obvious to anyone with eyes his boy loved Shelley. It seemed, he thought to himself ruefully, that despite the fact Miller wasn’t his biological son, that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
He’d spent the better part of the last several years trying not to think about Shelley a certain way. In fact, he’d done his best to think of her as a sister. Okay, he’d failed miserably on that one, but she was his best friend and he was grateful for that. He couldn’t imagine not having her in his life. There had been a time, he could admit it, that he’d wished for more, but he’d accepted it wouldn’t be as she was with Stuart. She’d shown no signs of wanting to change the status quo, no matter how lousy the man treated her.
Now they weren’t together anymore…. or were they?
He still wasn’t sure what the hell was going on. All he knew was that she’d been really sick and not once had the man called to check on her. Shelley wouldn’t talk about him or what had happened and showed no signs of wanting to leave his apartment. Not that he minded; it felt good having her in his home and he knew Miller loved it, but it was still confusing. His mind kept telling him to just be her friend and support her through this latest bump in the road, but his heart… his heart was singing a tune of an entirely different nature. Even if she was single again, it was too soon and besides, she didn’t see him that way.
A Little Town Called Mercy Page 9