“Sweetie, wait for Coop,” I called, trying not to sound too freaked out. “He’s going to rescue you. Like a princess. Wait for him.Please.” I squinted against the sunshine. It did almost look like a man stood behind her. The figure didn’t move, so it must be a shadow.
With a pinched mouth, my sister finally dropped back out of sight. I let out the breath I’d been holding, when something crashed above.
“Mell—” Mom’s cry cut off when Coop’s tall figure appeared on the turret. He scooped Mellie up in his arms.
“Sorry, Mr. Savage,” he called down to us. “I had to kick in the door too.”
“It’s not a problem,” Dad said weakly and pulled my mom even closer.
Coop said something to Mellie, and she nodded. He set her down and looked over the crenel. “You ready for this, Pop?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Mr. Montgomery tightened his grip on the rope while Coop took out some work gloves and put them on. With a deep breath, he grasped the rope firmly and pulled up on the sloping end of the contraption. When it evened out, Mr. Montgomery freed his foot. Coop lowered the entire thing to the same level as the broken window, and his father climbed through.
Coop didn’t mention anyone else up there. Good thing I hadn’t said anything. Ezra would never have let me live down something like seeing things that weren’t there. With Mellie talking about Phoebe again, I didn’t need to start imagining things.
Ezra had joined me, so I tried the door again. It opened this time. Inside came the sounds of little footsteps. Mellie ran at us and threw herself into our arms. Mom and Dad came from behind and pulled her from us. They covered her with kisses.
“Wow, Mellie. I can’t believe it,” Joel said with admiration.
“Yeah. We haven’t been here an hour,” Eli said, patting her on the back, “and you beat us to an adventure.”
“Boys, don’t encourage her.” Mom’s voice shook a little. She laughed, but the sound held a note of hysteria.
Mrs. Montgomery hurried inside and up the stairs, her face filled with worry.
“How did you get up there, Mellie?” Dad asked.
“Phoebe said we should follow him.”
Mom’s face got a familiar pinched look, one I hadn’t seen for months. They carried Mellie to the car, the boys still teasing her. I stayed behind, thinking.
From my position by the open door, I could make out the castle interior, probably the great hall Coop had mentioned. I glanced back at the car.Phoebe said we should follow him. Who washim? Had Mellie seen someone too?
I moved away from the door, so I could examine the tower. The heavy rope still hung over the crenel. With the front door locked—or whatever that had been—how had my sister gotten up there?
“Who did you follow up those stairs, Mellie?” I muttered under my breath.
“You’re going to break something if you keep thinking that hard.”
“Shut up.” I turned to face Ezra. Right then, I wanted to tell him what I’d seen. But I knew my twin too well. He’d accuse me of imagining ghosts—
I jerked around to face the castle again. No. Way.
“What?” he asked.
“I just—” Studying the open doorway to the dim great hall, I wanted to confide in my logical, if-I-can’t-see-it-it-ain’t-real brother what I’d seen. Had I really seen anything? Or had Mom insisting thereweren’tghost set me up to see one? And where had her comment come from anyway? Had she said anything to Ezra? I didn’t finish my answer.
“Just what?” He nudged my shoulder with his. “You’ve gone all cryptic.”
“That was just scary,” I said, lamely.
“Yeah, too scary.” He leaned back his head and surveyed the tower. “We’ll have to get a better system to clean the windows. We could get sued.”
A light snapped on inside, followed by the sound of several feet. Coop and his mother appeared in the doorway, one on each side of his limping father. They kept trying to offer him support, but he brushed them away.
“I’m all right,” Mr. Montgomery snapped. “Quit fussing.” He noticed us, cleared his throat, and stretched out a hand. “I’m Steve Montgomery, caretaker here.” He shook our hands. “This is my wife, Debbie, and our son, Cooper.”
“I’m Ezra Savage, and this is my sister Lia. I hope you’re okay.”
