Chapter Four
The sense of relief Grace felt when driving her own car back up the sunset-kissed driveway to Hilltop House faded as soon as she parked.
Van unloaded.
Obligatory pizza consumed.
Sisterly conversation held.
Sibling shoved back into sports car and sent on his way.
All I have left is a to-do list several miles long.
But Grace stayed in the car, the sense of despair and darkness growing, smothering her as if someone was wrapping her in a wavy blanket and holding it over her face.
Something bad is here.
No. No, somethingsadhappened here, that’s all. All those soldiers, trying to get over the horrors of war, trying to live in a normal world again... I hope they made it.
Realistically, she knew some of them probably had not. Maybe some had died here. Daffodil had started to hint that a ghostly soldier would be a great tourist attraction.
But I don’t believe in ghosts. If ghosts were real, Nana would still be hanging out with me. Man, she’d love this place. She’d help me turn it into a real showpiece, ghost or not!
With a sudden shove, Grace scooted her hips out of the driver’s seat and planted her feet on the ground, rising and facing the house with a defiant glare.
“I own this place now. If anyone is hanging out in here, it’s time to find the light, cross over, or dance through the pearlygates. Whatever you call it, cross it off your ‘I kicked the bucket’ list.”
Night seemed to come on in seconds. Grace gasped as the white Victorian mansion that had been bathed in pinks and oranges was suddenly steeped in inky black and blue.
Calm down. The sun went behind a cloud. It’s the mountains. Shadows are big and deep. The forest is totally overgrown, too.
Grace took a step forward, a frown etching itself more deeply onto her face.The trees almost seem to be swallowing this place up. Like some many-headed monster.
She gave one spasming shudder. Driving past Hilltop House, Grace had often thought about how the trees provided a protective circle, an enchanted ring of ancient trees opening up to allow some lucky person to find a hidden treasure.
You know what they say about treasure.
You have to pay taxes on it.
Crap. I’m going to have to hire a team of lumberjacks before the next storm. One big gust to any of these massive trees would take out the roof.
“I’m not afraid of you. I’ve put too much into this,” Grace told the house, shouldering her bulky brown purse and marching up the steps to the wraparound porch. “Do whatever you like, just don’t wreck the renovations.”
NYX LET OUT A SHAKING, silent gasp as the bright, breathing woman stepped through him, pushing through the darkness he cast, feeling her heat touch every part of him at once. He tasted her energy and found his body turning less nebulous and more masculine in form.
Do whatever I like?
What a lovely invitation, Sunshine.
You’ll have to go, but there’s no reason I can’t have fun with you first.
