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Chilled
GRAVE INVESTIGATIONS BOOK TWO
Raven
How is this real life? Somehow, I went from a closed relationship and a crappy job to having three loving men and two successful businesses with no slowing down in sight. Between our paranormal business in town and my jewelry website, I am always busy and I love every second of it.
Today, I’m focused on my custom jewelry orders since we have a break between our ghostly customers. Putting a craft room in the back room was one of the smartest decisions we’ve made. It makes the slow days bearable because a bored Raven isn't good for anyone.
“Raven, where are you?” Jayce calls from somewhere in the shop. Just the sound of his voice has a smile spreading across my face.
“In my office,” I call back as I solder the last wire into place on this earring. It’s a beautiful, etched-clay piece with extra detailing on the feathers. I’ve been branching out and trying new techniques and when I let my creativity take the lead, it always ends well. I’m finally learning to trust myself more and build my confidence with it. At the sound of his footsteps, I lay it down next to the mirror of itself, twin crows. They are the perfect set.
“Why are you hiding back here, beautiful?” Jayce asks as he stops to lean on the doorframe.
“I’m working, you can take over if you think that you are more capable,” I tease as I spin to face him and do a gameshow gesture to show off my latest work.
“If stick men with dicks are what the customers want, I’m your man.” He smirks as I stand.
“You’ve been spending too much time with Eli.” I laugh at his ridiculous response.
A little stretching for my stiff body has me letting out a groan. How long have I been sitting there?
Jayce steps up to me and pulls me into him, “Got time for lunch?” he asks as he places a sweet kiss on my lips.
“For you, always,” I smile up at him right as my stomach lets out a loud rumble, “and it’s already lunchtime? I was so lost in my art and keeping up with the orders that I lost track of time.”
“Maybe your jewelry shop should take a little break or you can hire someone to help with the orders. I don’t want you to burn out,” he says with concern in his tone. Jayce is definitely the caretaker of the group and I feel a warmth spread through me that he’s checking up on me like this.
“I enjoy the work, but I promise if it’s too much, I’ll close the site for a break. I don’t trust anyone to make the designs. I know, I know, that is vain of me, but each one I complete is a mini-masterpiece. Would DaVinci have had someone paint for him?” I ask, kissing him on the nose.
“That I can’t see happening and I would never ask you to compromise your work,” he backpedals and holds his hands up in defense.
Oh, my sweet Jayce. I know he didn’t mean anything by what he was saying. He’s just worried about me and that’s one of his best qualities.
Before I can reassure him, a loud rap on the back door has us both turning with frowns. We’ve posted countless signs to get people to come to the front but there are always random people that ignore them from time to time.
“Does anyone know we’re here? We have the closed sign on the door up front, don’t we?” Jayce asks.
“That wouldn’t matter, they’re at the back door and walked past all of the signs pointing around front. Come on, we need to see if it’s a spooky emergency or not,” I tell him with an eye roll, taking his hand and leading him to the backdoor.
Jayce tries to push past me and answer the door, but I move faster and beat him there. Not stopping, I pull it open to a man in a black suit holding a manila envelope. The sight of him has me freezing as confusion takes over.
Lawyer? Cops?
“Ms. Blackwood?” the man asks with a nasally voice.
“That’s me,” I say, trying my best to keep my tone neutral. “Can I help you?”
“I’m here on behalf of your uncle, Marx Blackwood. We’ve been trying to reach you about his estate and the matter of the farm and the land he owned. There are many interested in buying the property, but his will decrees that it goes to his next of kin. That’s you,” the man states as he hands over the envelope. The emotionless, detached way he informs me of my uncle’s death is beyond fucked up but I don’t argue with him.
“Thank you, sir,” I say as I take the letter. It feels heavy in my hand and I try to mull over in my mind how this is even possible.
“My name is Ben Chambers. I have a business card inside the envelope. Call with any questions you have, and when you’re ready to talk business, set up an appointment with my secretary,” he says before turning and walking away, leaving us in stunned silence for several minutes.
Jayce pulls me back gently and lets the door close fully before he speaks, “Did you know that your uncle passed on?”
I shrug. “That’s my dad’s side of the family and we weren’t ever close. Especially after my cousin disappeared. But it’s odd that he left the farm to me, there’s no way I’m the oldest living relative. I feel like this is something we need to look more into.”
