Grace walked into the room to find it in shambles. Clothes were strewn across the bed and the floor. Perfume and makeup bottles on the dresser had toppled over.
“Did he make this mess?” She called out into the hall.
“We did that during an argument,” Richard answered.
The love birds were fighting. That was news. Would there still be a wedding, or maybe it was truly Sam and Grace’s lucky day, and they could be on the jet first thing in the morning.
Grace found the ghost from Eleonore’s room hiding in the bathroom. What was it with this ghost and bathrooms?
“Okay, listen.” She started to say, meeting the spirit’s gaze. “We need to come to some form of agreement, or I’m going to have to banish you from the hotel for good, and I don’t have the time or the patience. What’s it going to take for you to leave the guests alone once and for all?”
He gestured toward the pocket watch lying on the counter.
“You can’t even wear it; it belongs to Richard.”
Not his. I’m looking for mine.
Now we were getting somewhere. The dude just wanted his watch, not that he could take it with him where he was going, but if it would get the guy to leave everyone alone. She’d help him.
“When did you die?”
1922
“Are you related to Eleonore?”
He nodded.
“Give me some time to find it, but wait for me in the attic. No more scaring people. Got it?”
The ghost vanished from site, and Grace spun around on her heels. The chance of her finding the pocket watch was slim to none, but she had to try. She walked out of the hotel room. “He’s gone, but not for good. We have a momentary truce.”
Sarah’s eyes widened, Grace ignored her and turned to Eleonore. “He’s your relative, and he’s looking for a watch that belonged to him. I don’t suppose you have any old relics laying around, do you?”
Eleonore smiled. “I have a ton of family heirlooms at my house. Come with me.”
They started heading for the elevator when Richard called Grace’s name, making her turn around.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Four hours later, they’d found the watch tucked away in Eleonore’s attic and returned to the hotel where Grace met with the ghost and returned his item after making him promise to quit scaring people. She’d warned him, if he didn’t, she’d be returning with all of her sisters and they’d run his ghostly butt out of the building, for good.
When Grace returned to the room, Sam was sound asleep. His quiet snoresfilled the space as she changed clothes and slipped into bed next to him. As if he could feel her presence, he pulled her to his side and held her close.
“Did you save the day?” He mumbled.
“I did. Go back to sleep and I’ll tell you all about it in the morning.”
Sam grunted, and Grace fell asleep in his warm embrace.
Chapter Ten
Grace wokeup to find the bed beside her cold. A rose and a note lay on top of Sam’s pillow. She swept the sleep from her eyes and held the note up to read.
You looked tired, and I didn’t want to wake you. I ran into town with Richard to help find a gift for Sarah. Why don’t you order room service and hang out by the pool. We should be back late this afternoon.
The bachelor party is tonight, so don’t wear yourself out. I was hoping you’d be my date. Maybe we can sneak out early and try some of those gravity-defying positions that you love to read about.
