“Edmund always disliked Nelson. I always wondered if Edmund had anything to do with the water pressure going wacky every time Nelson walked by the outdoor water pump,” Sara said.
Edmund wrinkled his nose as if trying not to laugh. He crossed his arms over his chest before winking and disappearing.
A chuckle escaped Essie as she imagined her cousin’s reaction to that shower. No wonder Esther fell in love with Edmund. “My aunt saw and spoke with him?”
“He talkedonlyto her. Their love was unrivaled. Tragically short. At least in this world.”
“She never stopped loving him,” Essie said confidently.
“Never. I’ve refreshed your room. Would you like some dinner tonight?” Sara asked.
“No, thank you, Sara. Please, go relax. Sleep in. I can get my breakfast tomorrow.”
“I might take you up on that, Miss. See you tomorrow then.”
“Good night, Sara. I appreciate you.”
“It is my pleasure to serve you as I did your aunt. I would never be happy sitting around watching soap operas. Sleep well.” Sara inclined her head before turning toward her room.
Left in the empty foyer, Essie wrapped her arms around herself and walked to the portrait of the happy couple. She didn’t understand why Edmund was here. Sure, he’d waited around for her aunt, but now that Esther had passed…. Essie made a silent vow to help the two lovers. Whatever did Edmund think he needed to do?
How did you reunite a ghost and a departed soul? Time to research on the internet. Surely the answer was out there somewhere.
Chapter Two
Essie woke up with her face smashed against her tablet. Pushing herself up on her elbows, she groaned at the time displayed on the screen. Five a.m. She didn’t miss waking up early to beat the traffic on the way to her downtown office. Today, she’d meet with the lawyer before figuring out what to do with herself.
Her stuffed penguin laid perfectly content on the pillows. Jealous of his ability to snooze, she muttered, “Sleep on, Tux. No one should be up at this hour.”
Rolling out of bed, Essie dragged herself to the attached bathroom. She flipped on the light and heard the distinctive pop of a bulb breaking. The final lightbulb, because she’d ignored the other two that had given up over the last week. In the dark, she used the bathroom and splashed water on her face. She’d have to shower later.
The results of her investigations the previous evening rolled around in her brain. Essie had read a lot of completely intriguing information on the internet. Probably nothing that would help, but the number of reports from people who regularly talked to ghosts astonished her. Reading all those accounts had reassuredEssie that if she was losing her mind, at least she had a lot of company.
She dragged on her old, battered robe and stepped into her equally abused slippers before heading for caffeine. The newfangled coffee maker she’d brought with her when she moved here would provide her with delicious caffeine to at least energize her day. Essie opened her bedroom door to find Marmalade staring intently at her and took a step backward.
“Hi, kitty. Were you waiting for me?”
Doors didn’t seem to lock Marmalade out of any room he wanted to get into. She’d woken several times to find him curled up on the pillow next to hers. With a silent meow, Marmalade stood and walked down the hallway. When she didn’t fall into place behind him immediately, the orange tabby looked back to scowl at her.
“I’m coming.” Essie forced herself to move faster.
She followed him to the last corner into the kitchen and stared at the empty room. Turning in a circle in the room, she tried to spot where he was hiding. “Treat?” she offered, trying to lure him out.
When long seconds passed with no reappearance of the furry creature, Essie shook her head and walked toward the shiny coffee maker. Why had he led her down here? Silly cat.
With ease stemming from practice, Essie ground the coffee beans and steamed some milk. The fancy device cranked out a fragrant brew that she could taste without inhaling a sip. Breathing in deeply, Essie lifted the cup to her lips.
“I’ll take one of those,” a familiar voice growled.
A shriek burst from her lips as she slammed the cup back to the counter. Deep brown liquid splashed onto the countertop. Whirling, Essie stared at her early morning visitor. His lips twitched in amusement.
“Not expecting me?”
“For fuck’s sake, Zander! Of course, I wasn’t expecting you. The sun isn’t even up yet,” Essie said in exasperation as shepressed a hand to her chest to calm her thudding heart. “How did you get in?”
“Your aunt gave me an emergency key.”
“A caffeine craving isn’t an emergency, Zander.”
