“See? I told you.” Charli took a bite and groaned as she chewed. “I don’t make this often because it’s not friendly to the hips, but I felt like we could both use some ultimate comfort tonight.”
“Mmmhmmm,” he mumbled as he continued to eat. He sat back after a moment and picked up his glass, swirling the wine inside. “So now, tell me what you found up there.”
Charli’s gaze shot to his and she bit her lip, excited to share her treasure with him. “Well, the board I broke was the top of a hidey hole. I guess it was where Amelia stored her diaries and a keepsake box. It really freaked Gus out when I told him.”
Jack’s eyes widened. “Diaries...as in plural?”
Charli nodded, her brows raised. “Yep. There were five of them. I haven’t even opened the box yet, but it’s beautiful hardwood with a gorgeous inlaid design.”
“Anything else?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you find anything else?” Jack clarified.
Charli grimaced. “Well...” She didn’t exactly know how to explain this.
“Well, what?” Jack urged, his brows dropping.
She cleared her throat and swallowed awkwardly. “I didn’t find anything else, but Amelia was there.”
Charli watched him, expecting him to assure her that she had been imagining all of it. Instead he stared back at her, eyes wide, patiently waiting for her to continue.
“The temperature dropped suddenly—just like Gus described that first day—and then I felt...something along my cheek.” She shivered at the memory.
Jack leaned toward her, his expression intense. “Felt what?”
Charli traced her finger along her right jawline. “This weird tingling sensation all along here. I...” She paused for a moment and then shook her head. “It’s so difficult to describe, but I think...I think she touched me,” she finished quickly.
Jack released a huge breath and sat back in his chair, gaping at her, his eyes wild. “Damn,” he whispered. “That’s fucking intense.”
“Yeah, that’s the understatement of the year.” Charli swallowed awkwardly. “It scared the crap out of me, so I grabbed the diaries and box, flew down to the first floor where I ran into Gus. He then lecturedme for about five minutes about safety and swore he was going to tattle to you.”
Jack chuckled. “He didn’t say anything about Amelia, but he did say that you were snooping up in the Widow’s Walk and that I needed to take care of that.”
Charli smirked. “Yeah, well. When I told him what happened, he freaked out, too.”
Jack grunted. “Of course it spooked him. His superstitions are off the charts.” He paused for a moment. “Have you read any of the diaries yet?”
She pursed her lips. “I only glanced at a page before the touching incident happened. I haven’t had the nerve to look at them again.”
Goosebumps popped up on her arms at the memory. “But the one I opened was dated 1867, about four years before she died.”
“Hmmm,” Jack murmured. “Well, I’d guess that she wanted you to have them. Otherwise I think things might have turned a little scary for you.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right.” Charli pressed her lips together. “Maybe we should read through them together?”
Jack nodded. “That’s a good idea. I’ll probably understand some of the references or phrases she’d use.”
“Great!” Charli grinned. “We’ll start after dinner.” She took a big bite of mac n’ cheese. “Now tell me what I need to wear on Sunset Key.”
12
Sunset Key, Florida
Jack held both of their overnight bags in one hand and steered Charli along the marina boardwalk with the other. They had passed several ridiculously enormous yachts and catamarans before he stopped in front of a single-masted sailboat and shouted out, “Ahoy, captain!”, with a huge grin on his face.
A head popped up from below deck, and the skipper turned to look at them with squinty eyes. “It’s about damn time you got here. Any later and we’d miss the damn sunset,” he replied with a smirk.
