“They attacked me,” Oliver croaked into his knees. “It was horrible, like knives of ice slicing into me over and over.”
“I know how terrifying that can be,” she soothed. “They tried and failed to possess you.”
“Failed because of this.” Oliver raised his head and opened his hand to reveal a moonshine crystal and a freshly picked sprig of sage. “If I hadn’t brought these with me …” His Adam’s apple bobbed a few times.
“Look, I know you hoped for ghostly encounters, but you can’t mess around here. Most spirits are innocuous, but others are extremely dangerous. If they’re powerful enough to move furniture, they can kill. We already know the three who tried to possess you committed numerous murders when they were alive. Don’t do this again.”
“I didn’t think it would be like this,” he rasped out on another sob. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. I … I think I should leave Garretsville and go home.”
“For now, let’s get you back to the cabin.” She took his arm and coaxed him up. “My aunt and father are coming in a week or so.” She’d discuss sleeping arrangements another time. Oliver wasn’t in any state of mind to absorb anything more right now, and she had a feeling he’d welcome a seasoned ghost buster as a roommate. “They’ll be staying with us, and they’re going to help me rid this place of the malevolent threesome.”
“Good luck with that.” Oliver stood on shaky legs. Pale and trembling, he gazed around at the mess caused by the monsters of mayhem.
“Come on, Judy. We can straighten up in here once John is back. I think we should use the buddy system until the evildoers are banished.” Meredith caught Judy’s eye and tilted her head toward Oliver, and the older woman nodded her assent.
“I agree. Oliver, you shouldn’t leave the cabin by yourself until after the bad ghosts have been sent on their way.” Judy came to Oliver’s other side, and together they started out for the cabin. “It’s almost lunchtime. A hot shower, something to eat, and you’ll feel better.”
“Do we have any chocolate?” he asked, his voice quavering.
“I don’t believe so,” Judy said, pulling her phone from her back pocket. “I’ll have John pick up a few bags. I like chocolate regardless of ghosts.” She smiled. “Is there a particular brand you’d like?” She began texting.
“No, just dark, high cocoa content. That’s what Harry Potter always ate after a close encounter with the dementors … or whatever.”
Meredith had to bite her tongue to keep from asking him exactly how young he was. He’d learned his lesson, and making him feel worse served no purpose. “Oliver, will you promise not to actively seek out any more dead people?”
“Hell, yes.” He shuddered. “I’m over it.”
She knew his type. Odds were he’d get over being over it soon enough, hence the buddy system where he was concerned.
Meredith hurried through dinner as her meeting time with Daniel approached. “Great frozen pizza,” she teased. “Thanks, Oliver.”
He still seemed subdued, but mostly back to normal. He’d also decided to stay on for the summer now that he knew the ghosts who’d attacked him would soon be banished. More than likely, Oliver wanted to witness how she and her family rid Garretsville of the hostile elements.
“It’s your turn to fix dinner tomorrow,” Oliver reminded her.
“Yes, and I’ve already planned a tasty, home-cooked meal.” Meredith took her plate to the kitchen sink. “Judy, I asked, and our friendly ghost confirmed your ancestor is here. I’m going to meet with Daniel now, and I should have news for you when I return.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Judy asked, her expression hopeful. “You mentioned the buddy system.”
“No, that’s okay. I know how to take care of myself.” To be honest, she didn’t want to share her time with Daniel with anyone else, especially not while he unburdened himself about what had happened to him. “I’ll be fine.”
Grabbing her jean jacket from the pegs by the door, Meredith headed outside to climb the hill to the scenic overlook. The western horizon blazed orange, pale yellow and a hazy blue as the sun began its descent. The air carried the combined scents of their recently baked pizzas and the evergreen trees surrounding the cabin.
Not one but two phantoms awaited her on the platform. Having a third joining them should not cause her stomach to drop with disappointment, but it did. “Hello, she said, slightly out of breath from the climb. “I’m guessing this is Frederick Klein.”
“It is.” Daniel gestured toward her. “This is Meredith MacCarthy, the lassie I told you about.”
Frederick removed his ghostly hat and bobbed his head. “Daniel says my great-great-granddaughter is here, and … she wishes to speak with me. Is this … true?”
“Yes. Her name is Judy Schulte. Are you willing to meet her?”
“Very much so, miss. I’ve been … waiting … so … very … long.” His gaze drifted off beyond her toward the wilderness, and his form faded a little in the process.
“I’ll bring Judy and her husband to the saloon after I’m finished visiting with Daniel. There we can sit and talk. Will that suit you, Mr. Klein?”
The apparition nodded. “I’ll wait there for you.”
With that he disappeared altogether, leaving her alone with Daniel. Meredith sank down to sit on the wooden platform. Daniel joined her, and his chill blended with the dropping temperature of the evening. “Do you know the names of the men who robbed and killed you?”
“Nay. We were ambushed as we headed into town to the assayer’s office. One of them held us at gunpoint. The other two approached from behind us and slit our throats. The three did not bother to introduce themselves before killing us and stealing our gold.”
He shot up and began to pace. Pebbles rolled across the sandy ground in front of him as if trying to escape his wrath. “I relive the horror every year.”
“I cannot
