AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sian was thrilled to learn about Wendy, although his angular face clouded over when I ended with Sarah’s request to run interference first.
“Is my house that bad? Does the sleeping bag smell like mildew?”
“Not at all. I was only hoping to return home to my mother very soon. I dislike leaving her alone this long.”
“I understand. Hopefully, Sarah will call later today with good news.” And hopefully before I had to leave for the gala.
Sian bit his lip. “You feel confident Sarah Peele will tell my sister the truth?”
“I do.”
He nodded, as though making an internal decision. “Then I will be patient.”
Patience for Sian meant pacing the length of the foyer. I felt my nerves fray just watching him.
“Why don’t you exercise patience outside? There’s a scarecrow in the yard that could use a little extra stuffing. His name is Buddy.”
Sian lifted an eyebrow. “Your scarecrow has a name?”
I nudged him out the door. “Don’t judge me. In my world, if it moves, it gets a name.”
I closed the door behind Sian and found myself face to face with Ray.
“Then how do you explain the headstone you named Rocky?” he asked.
“It was an empty grave with a blank headstone. It was basically begging for a name.”
A gust of air delivered Nana Pratt to my side. “The handsome werewolf is almost to the gate,” she preened. “Quick, run a brush through your hair.”
“I do not need to make myself presentable for Weston Davies.” If defending him from attackers didn’t change his opinion of me, unknotted hair wasn’t going to make a difference.
By the time I reached the front door, West had activated the ward. I asked the ghosts for privacy.
“Why can’t we stay?” Nana Pratt complained. “He isn’t your beau, although I can understand if you’re conflicted. He’s very good-looking and doesn’t have any associations with the bad place.”
I looked at her. “You can’t say hell?”
Her gaze lowered to the floor. “Just because I’m dead doesn’t mean I’ll say any old word. You won’t hear me cussing either.”
“Hell is a place. It’s like refusing to say Fairhaven.”
“No reason to shame her for it,” Ray interjected. “If Ingrid doesn’t feel comfortable, what does it really matter?”
Nana Pratt offered him a grateful nod. “Thank you, Ray.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’ll try to be more respectful next time.”
Nana Pratt lifted her chin slightly. “I would appreciate that.”
I opened the front door. “Now scram.”
West approached the porch with cautious steps. “Clay.”
“Davies. Something I can do for you?”
He cast a furtive gaze around the yard. “Can we talk inside?”
“Are you sure you want to come in? Could be dangerous. It’s my house, after all.”
