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“It bothers you that much?” A deep V showed between his brows.
Bunching my lips, I nodded.
“All right. Let’s find the problem.”
I punched in the cabin’s key code, and as I entered, an icy chill made me shudder. “See what I mean?”
“Yeah.” The corners of his mouth turned down. “Let me check the furnace. It’s an old forced-air system. Sometimes the pilot light goes out.” He ducked into the utility room off the bathroom and returned a minute later. “Got any matches?”
“Not unless you left some. Let me check the kitchenette’s drawers.”
“The first one on the right is the junk drawer. If matches are anywhere, they’d be there.”
“Bingo.” Grinning, I handed him the pack. “So, you’re saying the icy gusts in here weren’t ghosts, but—”
“A pilot light went out. That’s all. The fan stayed on, even though the furnace turned off—nothing paranormal or even abnormal.” He stifled a chuckle. “This cabin’s old. Everything in it is old, and I keep meaning to research just how old. One of these days I’ll get to the library.”
“Maybe Rosie could tell you its history.”
“Maybe.” He shrugged. “She’s the family historian, but I don’t think she’s as knowledgeable about the town’s past.”
“Didn’t you tell me the hotel’s clerk was the unofficial town historian?”
“That’s right. Mamie would be the best resource. When she doesn’t work at the hotel, she volunteers at the library.”
“Maybe we could stop by—”
THUMP…Thump…thump. The ball rolled into the room.
“Okay, this is creepy.” A cold shiver shot down my spine. “I put that ball on the shelf last night.”
“Maybe I disturbed it when I turned on the pilot light. Come on…” He gave me a cajoling smile. “A bouncing ball is nothing to fret about.”
“It is when it happens for the umpteenth time.” And I’m not six years old. I growled in my throat. “Don’t condescend! I’m telling you, something strange is going on here. These peculiarities all seem to have reasonable explanations, but they keep happening. Frankly, they’re getting on my nerves. I…” At a loss for words, I stared.
“What?”
“There.” I pointed at the chest. “The brooch…”
“What about it?”
I swallowed. “I know I left it inside the velveteen pouch inside the chest—not on top.” I about faced. “Explain that, why don’t you?”
“No clue.” Shrugging, he lifted his palms.
“Now, do you believe me?”
****
“Got to agree, neither the air vents nor pilot light can explain that. Are you sure you—”
Her frown stopped him from finishing.
“Maybe the supernatural is at work.” He took a deep breath, accepting the possibility, no matter how remote. “And these events started after Aunt Rosie gave you the brooch?”
“Yes, it’s the only common denominator.”
“If that brooch is the link, who or what is trying to communicate?”
