Page 12 of Destined Chaos
“It’s going to have to be early. I have a matter to handle on the other side of the mountain.”
“One look at Slaughter House and the land surrounding it, and there won’t be any need to go see the other property.”
Mr. Johnson lifted his brow and unhooked his cuff link. He didn’t look convinced. “I guess we’ll see about that.”
I stepped out into the hallway and waited for Dinky to shut the door before using the key for the room that was two doors down. I stepped in behind him as he carted an overnight bag inside and dumped it onto the dresser.
“You mentioned you needed two rooms, but you didn’t say you had a buyer.” I squawked just as the door closed.
Dinky put his finger over his lips. “Keep it down. These walls are thin, and I don’t want you to scare him off before I get him on the hook.”
“So, he’s interested?” My heart raced in enthusiasm. The possibility of finally getting rid of the family home was getting closer.
“Libby, Mr. Johnson isn’t a guy we want to screw over. He’s rich, and he’s got connections. He’s the kind of guy you want on your side, so make sure there’s nothing weird going on when we get there.”
Weird. That was an understatement. Dinky knew about my ghost issues, and he also knew about my premonitions. “The ghosts are still there, and it’s not like they’ll listen to me when I tell them not to scare Johnson away. Maybe you should warn him just in case.”
“No.” Dinky’s eyes widened. “No way am I telling him that Slaughter House is haunted. I’ve already told him about the deaths just to make sure it wouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but…just no.”
“It’s okay. You’re right.” I headed for the door. “I’ll see you two in the morning.”
“Be ready.”
I’d opened the door and stepped out into the hall when Dinky called my name. “Libby.”
I looked back. “Yeah.”
The stress lines on his face softened. “It’s really good to see you again.”
“You too, Dink. It’s been way too long.”
“We’ll celebrate when that place sells and we can finally cut all those ties to see if it breaks the curse.”
When my mom and aunt ran, they’d taken both Dinky and me with them. Even though the curse seemed to only plague the Slaughter women, Dinky had felt the repercussions. His mom had died just like mine. We had that in common.
I jogged down the stairs and was heading toward the door when I spotted Hugh standing at the floor-to-ceiling window in the den. His hands were shoved into his pockets as he stared out the big picture window. I stepped inside.
“Finished eating already?”
“Lost my appetite,” he said and then nodded toward the window. “Pretty, isn’t it?”
I glanced out the window. The sleet had stopped. Dark clouds hovered over the mountains. “Looks like a storm is coming.”
“It is,” he answered. “About the lodge, I’m willing to help you get it up to code if you’ll give me first crack at purchasing it.”
My stomach twisted in knots. Hugh seemed like a decent guy, regardless that we’d gotten off on the wrong foot. And it wasn’t that I was a bad person. Actually, I was an excellent businesswoman. Still, it didn’t make it any less awkward than what I had to say.
“That guy with my cousin is an investor. He’s looking at the property tomorrow.”
“Oh.” Hugh frowned, and his shoulders deflated. “Well, then. I guess there’s no reason for me to still be hanging around.”
My cheeks heated in awkward realization he was trying to hide his disappointment. “I guess I should be going now.”
“Yeah, me too.” Hugh followed behind me. My SUV was parked a few spots away. A truck parked out front and a large black Cadillac parked three spaces down.
“That’s me.”
I gestured to the SUV.
