“Love you, too.”
Rising, she departed, taking her mug with her.
My eyes fixed on the door, her words lingering after her as I finished my hot chocolate. I flipped my phone over and stared at our message thread. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps I wanted these dreams with Frank to come true so badly that I wasn’t seeing that they were only a false high. Was I walking into the dark for someone who would only leave me there alone, condemned in the end?
A notification popped up on the screen, reminding me of my internship in the morning.
Frank’s issues aside, I faced a long workday at church. If I got some sleep, maybe I’d feel better when I woke up. I set the empty mug, my phone, and glasses on the bedside table and sank into my down pillows and pulled the covers up to my chin, letting the warmth of my body against the blanket suffuse through me. Shutting my eyes, I tried to force thoughts of Frank out. I pictured the church, the scent of the old texts in the hidden rooms beneath. The yellow lighting and the dry parchment under my fingertips. Secluded and alone.
My eyes flew open, and I sat up with a start. Wait. I grasped my phone and brought up the chat with Frank.
Ihave an idea of where we can meet.
You do? Great! Where?
Come to the church tomorrow at 2 p.m.
The church? Are you sure?
Positive.
I’ll count the hours.
The thought of seeing Frank again made my stomach do excited little flip-flops.
Goodnight.
Goodnight, dear Mary.
I sat there and stared at his last words longer than I should have. Finally, I set my phone on the side table beside my bed and laid back, staring at the ceiling. Perhaps I was only Frank’s flavor of the week, but I knew one thingfor sure. Even if pain was on the horizon, I was going to enjoy my time with him while it lasted.
The next day, Lydia came down to the table at breakfast. When our eyes met, she stopped in her tracks and huffed, then moved toward the cupboards.
I stood and hurried over to the kitchen counter. Duchess followed, jumping up and exploring the countertop.
“Hey, Lydia. I know I was rather harsh the other day…”
She slammed a bowl down and Duchess yowled, skittering off the counter and onto the floor. The cat peered back, giving Lydia an affronted glare.
My sister looked around, ensuring we were alone before speaking. “Threatening me in order to protect a crush? I don’t appreciate being blackmailed.”
“Sorry. I’m just trying to figure out what happened the night that Isabella was killed.”
“Why? What’s she to you?”
A ghost that demanded that I assist her in finding her killer. “Lydia, I’m doing this for Frank, but also for you. You seem worried someone is going to discover something.”
She dropped her gaze to the bowl, avoiding eye contact. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I folded my arms, not budging.
She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “If I answer your questions, will you leave me alone?”
“I swear it,” I said. When she motioned for me to continue, I questioned, “Do you normally deliver potions for Isabella?”
“No. She asked me to drop off that one because she was having dinner unexpectedly with her parents and didn’t want Frank to miss his potion.”
“But you do brew for her.”
