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“No.” I let out an exasperated sigh. “Probably a wrong number.”
“Likely story…”
My phone rang again.
“Who is this?”
Static crackled, and Caller ID displayed 00000000.
“Hello?”
The white noise morphed into a mechanical vocalization of raspy vowels and consonants. “Guh…eeeeh…tuh…ooo…uuuu…tuh.”
I put the phone on speaker.
“Guheeehtuh oouuutuh.” The decibel level escalating from a whisper to a roar, the sounds continued until they formed words. “Get out! Get—”
My hand trembling, I disconnected. “What was that?”
“Valentina?”
“That’d be my guess. The way Marianna and Mateo wanted us together, maybe she wants us apart.” Recalling Luke’s depression and the tension between us, I winced. “Granted, we’re stressed about the wedding—”
“And the vineyard…”
“But I can’t help wondering if our bickering isn’t related to the bugs and weather.”
“Bugs?” He gave a skeptical laugh.
“Remember those swarms of horse flies and maggots on Valentina’s veil? Then the next day you found leafhoppers spreading Pierce’s Disease.”
“Probably coincidental, though the timing is uncanny.” He rubbed his jaw. “Okay, but you can’t blame her for the weather.”
“Maybe I can.” I tossed my chin. “I read an article about electromagnetic energy. To manifest, spirits have to pull heat from the surrounding air, causing the temperature to plummet. Think cold spots.” Recollecting the most recent event, I shook off a chill.
“Okay, heat’s a form of energy. I’ll give you that, but what do ghosts have to do with hail, rain, or lightning?”
“That same article said spirits feed off another form of energy—negative ions—and thunderstorms create negative ions. Think. These events all began after I found Valentina’s veil. I can’t help but believe she’s responsible for the storms and infestations.” Not to mention temptations. Cody’s hunch came to mind. Who or what was behind that call? Recalling Rosie’s warning, I faced Luke. “What did you do with that veil?”
“Threw it in the garbage. Why?”
“If that veil’s the link to Valentina, we need to burn it.” I grabbed the matches from the breakfast bar, then opened the door. “Come on.”
The wind swept the rain inside, drenching me and puddling on the floor.
“Wait ’til the storm ends.” He tried to shut the door.
“No, now.” Despite the deluge, I held my ground.
“Another few minutes won’t matter.” He shut the door.
“I’m not so sure. Ever since I bought that veil, it’s been one thing after another: flies, maggots, leafhoppers spreading Pierce’s Disease, wind, rain, hail, and…” Luke’s depression, my temptation. “Worst of all, our bickering.” I stared him down. “Let’s get rid of it, now, before it causes any more damage.”
“If you feel that strongly about it—”
“I do. Now, come on!” I pushed open the door.
Rain pounded the portico as a bolt of lightning struck the tombstone.
