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Autumnbeamed at her. “Exactly.There’sReginald, one of the original owners of the house.Helikes to fix things, locate lost items, stuff like that.Andthe other isMary, my grandmother.Sheand my grandfather bought this place after theSecondWorldWarand turned it into theShephardInn.Theywere newlyweds at the time, barely twenty years old.Canyou imagine?Takingsomething like this on right out of high school?”
“Ican’t.Ifeel likeIcan barely keep my apartment together, never mind a place like this.”
“Right?Anyway,Gramsdied in 2016, and not long after that, things started happening.”
“Likewhat?”Hazelasked.Shewasn’t normally one for ghost stories, but she had to admit, this was intriguing.
“Littletouches.Abouquet of wildflowers sitting on the desk in the morning, before anyone was here.Sometimesyou can smell things, like cinnamon or chocolate, even when there’s none around.”Sheleaned forward on the desk, pointing at the book inHazel’shands. “Shegives people the book she believes they need the most.”
Hazelglanced down at the book in her hands, goosebumps once again crawling over her skin.
“Ithought the rail got stuck,” she said quietly, andAutumnlet out a little laugh.
“Nope.Notstuck.”Shestepped out from behind the desk, a key with the number two attached to it in her hand. “Comeon,I’llshow you to your room.Thingsare a little quiet right now.Wehave ten rooms total, and rooms three, five, seven, and nine are currently booked out.”
“Howwould we go about—” came a male voice from behind a closed doorHazelhadn’t noticed behind the reception desk.Therewas a small placard on it that simply readmanagement.
“Youdon’t,” replied a second male voice, this one quieter, but somehow deeper and richer. “There’sno such thing as ghosts, andIwon’t have you make a spectacle of this hotel.Irespect that you’re just doing your job, but the answer is a firm, unequivocal no.”
“Butif we could just—” said the first voice again, and once again, he was cut off by he of the lovely, deep voice.Hazelwondered if he’d ever considered a career narrating audiobooks because there was something about the timbre of it that made her want to lean in and listen.
“Youcan’t.I’msorry to disappoint you, but you’ll have to look elsewhere.Now, if you don’t mind,Ihave work to do.”
Hazelglanced over atAutumn, who was listening to the exchange with an amused expression on her face. “Adamis the best guy you’ll ever meet, but he doesn’t believe in ghosts or magic or any of it,” she said, tipping her head in the direction of the library.Shethrust the key intoHazel’shand. “Here.I’dbetter go see what’s going on.Ittakes a lot for him to lose his cool, but when he does…”Shemimed an explosion.So,AdamShephardwas he of the sexy voice.Noted.
Shemounted the stairs, coming out on an airy landing carpeted in an orange and red patterned area rug.Thelarge hallway wasT-shaped, with wings stretching out in both directions.Shestarted down the hallway, delighted to find that each large window contained a small alcove with a window seat and recessed shelves containing plants, candles, framed pictures of the falls, and more books.
Shefound her room easily, and slipped the key into the lock.
“Oh, wow,” she whispered, stepping into the room.She’dstayed in plenty of hotels, but she’d never had a hotel room that looked like this.Aqueen-sized bed sat against the wall to her right, flanked by twin night stands decorated with plants and candles.Strandsof delicate twinkle lights hung on the wall behind the bed, disappearing behind the light wood headboard.Softlooking linens in orange and cream looked inviting, along with the plush pillows resting against the headboard.Acrossfrom the bed, aTVwas mounted to the wall, and below it were shelves with more books, more candles, and a couple of soft looking throw blankets.PasttheTV, a door led to the bathroom, where more plants hung from the ceiling.Therewas a large, glassed-in shower and a soaker tub that hadHazelwondering if she should start running a bath right now.
Onthe far side of the bed, a gas fireplace was nestled into the wall, and beyond that, a large bay window that looked out over the pond and theHudsonHighlands, fitted with a rounded armchair large enough for two.Anothernarrow bookshelf sat against the opposite wall.Alarge bouquet of sunflowers with a small note folded at the base of the vase sat on the built-in ledge.Shepicked it up, reading the masculine scrawl.
Hazel–
Welcometo theShephardInn.Ifthere’s anything you need, just ask.
AdamShephard, manager
Shetraced her finger over the ink, feeling the ridges against her skin.Thesudden sensation of static electricity raced through her, and when there was a sharp knock at the door, she squeaked, then set the card back down.
“It’sAutumn,” came the voice from the other side. “Ihave your bags.”
Hazelhurried to let her in. “Thankyou,” she said, helpingAutumnwith the bags and setting them on the end of the bed. “So…Iknow it’s none of my business, but what was that about?Downstairs, withAdam,” she asked, not wanting to pry, but curious all the same.Hazelwas normally someone who minded her own business, but she felt a comfortable kinship withAutumnalready.Shewouldn’t have asked the question if she didn’t.
“Oh, that,” she said with the wave of her hand. “Aghost hunting documentary crew is dying to investigate the hotel.They’vebeen asking for years, andAdamrefuses.Hethinks it’s the wrong kind of publicity for the hotel.”
“Whatdo you think?” askedHazel. “Imean, you obviously…”
“Ibelieve in ghosts, butIagree withAdam.Thisisn’t a haunting.They’remore like caretakers, in my opinion.Theirshow is about spooky voices and unexplained bangs.It’sentertaining, but it’s the wrong vibe for us.Andit would attract the wrong kind of clientele.Howdo you like your room?” she asked, glancing around, as though making sure everything was as it should be.
“It’samazing.Evenbetter thanIcould’ve imagined.It’sso warm and homey and comfortable, and that view…the colors are amazing.”Shereturned to the window, eyes roving over the sea of gold and crimson, soothing something inside her.
“Wereyou planning to visit the falls?” askedAutumn, and something in her voice hadHazelturning.Thatshrewd look was back on her face, the one that madeHazelfeel as though she were being tested in some way.
“Iwas,” she said, somewhat hesitantly.
“Good.Irun an organized tour for guests, and we’re actually going tonight, if you wanted to join.It’sa full moon, which is the most magical time to see them.”
