Sheesh. Brad had wanted to take me to the Rawlings. I bit my cheek, allowing the sharp pain to chase away the guilt that threatened to ruin my triumphant moment.
“I would love to join you at the Rawlings Hotel.”
A smile lit his face. “You won’t be sorry. The beef Wellington is superb.” He trotted down the steps and across the lawn toward his own yard.
I watched until he disappeared into the shadows.
Alone again, I rubbed my arms to ward off the dampness of the black night.
“Can I lend you my coat?” The unexpected voice came from the darkness beyond the porch.
A scream tore from my throat and my hands flew to my neck in panic.
Officer Brad stepped into view, laughter on his face.
“Do you know what night this is?” I said through injured vocal cords. “Never sneak up on somebody on Halloween. They’re liable to drop dead from heart failure.”
His smile faded to a barely restrained grin. “I’m sorry. I raced over as soon as the insanity ended. I wanted to make sure you locked things up good tonight. Even Rawlings has its undesirable element—especially on Halloween.”
“How long have you been standing by the porch?” I asked.
“Long enough to know that you’d choose dinner with a pretty face over dinner with a man of impeccable character.”
I slumped into my waist.
“I was afraid you’d heard that. Are you mad?” Brad was nice enough to come over and make sure I double- bolted my doors. I hated the thought that my flat-out refusal of his dinner invitation earlier in the week had just gotten rubbed in his face.
“I’m a patient man, Tish. I figure once you get over the fascination of his good looks and English accent, you’ll be ready for a guy who actually has a personality, not to mention a green thumb.”
“Oh, yeah. Thanks for the tomatoes.”
He plopped down on the top step and looked out at the street. “And there’s the added benefit that I’m actually available.”
I sat next to him on the stairs and bit my tongue. It was none of his business that Rebecca finally got around to sending David divorce papers.
He tapped his fingertips together. “You look great, by the way. Who are you supposed to be—Lazarus?”
I squealed and gave a giddy clap. “You’re the first to guess right.”
He turned toward me. “You know, when you smile like that, you kind of look like you’ve been raised from the dead.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said, squeezing myself in excitement. Even Brad could tell I was feeling resurrected tonight. It would take a hammer and chisel to knock the smile off my face before next Friday.
A sigh of contentment snuck out. My first real relationship in my adult life was just over the horizon. Rebecca’s loss would be my gain. I twirled a coarse strand of hair around my finger and made a mental note to set up an appointment with a beautician. Funny how Tammy Johnson’s smirking face leapt into my mind. I couldn’t help but smile at the crushed look that was sure to come when I told her of my special occasion. Talk about heaping burning coals on her snobbish head.
Brad cut into my victory dance. “I know it’s none of my business, but are you sure you want to get involved with a guy you barely know?”
“Gee, Brad, I barely know anybody. I think that’s the point of going to dinner. To get to know each other. It’s not like he asked me to marry him.”
Brad harrumphed. “Don’t be surprised if he does.”
I shot a look at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He clamped his lips together.
My breath quickened. Brad had a real talent for bringing out the beast in me.
“I’m sure Rebecca felt the same way, once.”
I felt like slapping him. “So? She changed her mind. From what I can tell, the whole divorce thing was her idea. David seems like the kind of guy who could love a woman ’til death do them part.”
Brad snapped his head in my direction. “What’s this about a divorce?”
“He got the papers today. Rebecca’s finally decided to give him another chance at love. Sure took her long enough.”
Brad bounced his thumbs off his lips in silence, staring at some crack in the sidewalk below.
His voice came softly. “It hasn’t even been a year, Tish.”
I met his eyes. Plain brown circles stared back at me.
I stood up. “Well, thanks for stopping by. I promise I’ll check my locks twice.”
He jumped to his feet. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a look around for myself.”
I crossed my arms, debating. The guy was a police officer, not to mention my neighbor. And it wasn’t as if I had anything to hide that he didn’t already know.
I gave him a smart-aleck look. “You’re not afraid to be alone in a house with me?”
“Should I be?” he asked, not rising to the bait.
My heart softened. At least he wasn’t the type to throw my past in my face.
I opened the door and he followed me in.
10
Once through the door, Brad took the lead, walking with purpose to each window, jiggling sills and checking latches. I raced to keep up with him as he took the steps two at a time to the second floor and repeated the motions, then thumped down the back stairs to the kitchen.
He walked toward the cellar door.
“Wait,” I hollered when I realized his intentions. “That door stays locked. There’s no reason to go down there.”
He paused with his hand on the knob. “Let me do my job, Tish. I want to get some sleep tonight.”
I crossed my arms. “Fine. I’ll wait up here.”
“No problem.” He turned the latch and stepped into the gloom beyond.
The sound of his footsteps diminished as he reached the dusty floor of the basement. I crept away from my safe haven by the kitchen sink and over to the door. I leaned against the trim, peering down at the dim circle of light on the gray floor below.
I listened for movement. Only an occasional shuffle and thud reached me. A soft breeze drifted up from the cellar and brushed against my cheeks.
Panic rose in my throat.
A ringing filled my ears—the same high-pitched inner whistle I’d experienced the last time I’d braved the basement. And just as before, I felt more than heard a soft, haunting plea.
Help me, Tish.
I shuddered. A voice from the past, nothing more. Why couldn’t she leave me alone? I’d done what she’d asked of me. I’d made the ultimate sacrifice so she could rest in peace. So why couldn’t Grandma just leave me alone?
I put my foot on the first narrow step.
What was taking Brad so long? I threw a glance over my shoulder at the empty kitchen. Hanging out in the basement suddenly seemed more appealing.
I went down another step.
My breath came in panicked gulps.
Memories of the image at the bottom of the cistern forced themselves into my head. The open mouth, the clawing hands, the flailing feet . . .
I wrapped one arm around the railing and shrank against the wall.
