Ghostly Graveyard (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Book 17) (16 page)

Charlotte flicked her tail as I straightened the bathroom and headed back into my room.

“Do you think I should ask Will to supper this week? It does seem as if he has enjoyed the meals I have made for him. He still talks about the roast I made that first time he dined with us.”

“Meow.” Charlotte was still looking out the window. She probably just saw a squirrel and was meowing at it, but I chose to believe she was agreeing with me.

“Yes. That’s what I thought as well. It is only neighborly to extend a hand of hospitality to the man. He is after all new to the area, and he hasn’t had time to make a lot of friends.”

Even as I said this I knew it wasn’t true. Will was a friendly man who had made many friends during the short time he has lived in Ashton Falls.

After I was satisfied that I had done everything I needed to do to prepare myself for bed, I set to preparing the room. I worked my way around the area, straightening already perfectly straight books and knickknacks before opening my window just a quarter of an inch.

“Jeremy invited the girls and me to go trick-or-treating with him and Morgan before Zak and Zoe’s party on Saturday. I believe he is going with Hank, Madison, and Harper,” I said, referring to Zoe’s parents and sister. “He said it’s a tradition they began last year and would like to continue as the girls get older.”

Charlotte tilted her head as she watched me.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about traditions now that I have the girls in my life. I’d very much like to establish some new ones with them. Costume shopping was a start, and decorating the house has been fun. Zak and Zoe have their big Halloween bash every year, so I suppose attending can become another tradition. I would like something special that is just ours, though.”

Charlotte rolled over onto her back. I sat down on the side of the bed and gave her stomach a scratch. I then slid between my 1500-thread count sheets and settled in.

“Are you ready?”

Charlotte indicated she was.

I placed my reading glasses on the tip of my nose, adjusted the light, and opened the book I’d chosen from the bookcase. Charlotte crawled into my lap and began to purr as I began to read aloud. Reading aloud to Charlotte was an activity we both enjoyed immensely, and it was a rare occasion when we missed this ritual at the end of the day. Tonight we were continuing Bram Stoker’s
Dracula
. I opened the book to chapter 11.

LUCY WESTENRA’S DIARY

12 September.—How good they all are to me. I quite love that dear Dr. Van Helsing. I wonder why he was so anxious about these flowers. He positively frightened me, he was so fierce. And yet he must have been right, for I feel comfort from them already. Somehow, I do not dread being alone tonight, and I can go to sleep without fear. I shall not mind any flapping outside the window. Oh, the terrible struggle that I have had against sleep so often of late, the pain of sleeplessness, or the pain of the fear of sleep, and with such unknown horrors as it has for me! How blessed are some people, whose lives have no fears, no dreads, to whom sleep is a blessing that comes nightly, and brings nothing but sweet dreams. Well, here I am tonight, hoping for sleep, and lying like Ophelia in the play, with 'virgin crants and maiden strewments.’ I never liked garlic before, but tonight it is delightful! There is peace in its smell. I feel sleep coming already. Goodnight, everybody.

I paused and looked at Charlotte. “Perhaps a special Halloween dinner. I’m thinking fondue would be fun. Or maybe a buffet of some sort, where our guests could sample a wide range of offerings. Now that the weather has cooled I’ve been thinking about digging out the Crock-Pot. Maybe I’ll make a soup. I do so love soup in the fall. We could invite Zak and Zoe and their new family, and of course Jeremy and Morgan. Yes, I do believe that will be just the thing.”

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To return to the main story if you are reading chronologically, access the link below. If you are reading as a short story continue on to Chapter 5 of
Zimmerman Academy
.

Zoe #1

Our First Dinner Party

There are many things I am certain of, and one of those is the fact that I will forever remember the first dinner party the girls and I threw as a newly formed family. I had never before experienced the sense of belonging that can occur when individuals join together to prepare a meal for those they care about. I invited Mr. Danner, as well as Jeremy and Morgan and Zoe and her family. Brooklyn was happy Pi would be attending, and Pepper asked if she might invite her friend Chad. Surprisingly, Eve wanted to invite Dexter Wilkerson, a student at the Academy who is staying with my good friend Nick Benson, who I invited to come as well.

Before the party the girls and I discussed what to make for our guests. Pepper suggested chili. It seems her mother made chili for Halloween when she was a child. I thought chili sounded like a wonderful idea, but everyone had their own idea of what this chili should look like. Pepper wanted traditional beef with beans, Eve wanted something vegetarian, and Brooklyn preferred chicken to beef. In the end we made three pots of chili, traditional beef and kidney bean, chicken with white beans, and vegetarian black bean. We also made a huge salad, and I picked up three loaves of crusty sourdough bread from the bakery.

“Do you think this is enough broccoli for the veggie tray?” Pepper asked.

We’d decided to serve a selection of sliced cheese and raw fruits and vegetables as an appetizer.

“That’s probably enough broccoli, but I’d slice some more carrots,” Brooklyn suggested. “Eve has eaten half the ones we sliced earlier.”

“I missed lunch,” Eve defended herself.

“I washed the grapes when we got home from the market before putting them in the crisper,” I informed Eve, who was assembling the fruit tray.

“Why don’t you start setting the table?” I asked Pepper. “Let’s use the good dishes tonight.”

“How many of us will there be?” Pepper asked.

“Let’s see. There are the four of us plus Zoe and her family, bringing us up to nine. If you add Jeremy and Morgan that brings us to eleven, Chad makes twelve, and Dex and Dr. Benson and we have fourteen. Oh, and Mr. Danner. We can’t forget Mr. Danner.”

Pepper and Brooklyn grinned at each other. I know the girls think Will and I have something going on. But we don’t. We are just colleagues. Friends with a number of common interests who enjoy spending time together.

The doorbell rang, announcing our first guests, shortly after Pepper and Brooklyn left the room to set the table.

“I’ll get it,” Pepper yelled.

By the sudden increase in the volume of conversation in the house I was able to infer that Chad had arrived. Chad and Pepper are about as alike as two friends can be. They are both enthusiastic and talkative, with sunny dispositions and smiles that never waver. They are happy and comfortable in any and all social situations, and there isn’t a mean bone in their bodies. Both Chad and Pepper are on the cheer squad at the high school, and both freshmen have joined the yearbook staff as well.

Eve and her date, Dex, on the other hand, are about as different as two people can be. Eve is quiet and introverted, with a serious mind and a conservative way about her. She likes literature and classical music and can be found reading during most of her free time. Dex is loud and colorful. He likes to wear wild clothes and his hair color changes from day to day. He enjoys rock and roll and video games during his free time.

“Jeremy is here with Morgan,” Pepper informed me as she returned to the kitchen. “Morgan wants to see the kitty. Pepper introduced her to Annabelle, but Morgan seems set on visiting with Charlotte. Is it okay if I take her up to your room so she can say hi?”

“That’s perfectly fine.”

Annabelle is a small cat Zoe found for Pepper after she expressed interest in having a pet of her own.

“Oh, and Jeremy told me to tell you that he spoke to Zoe a little while ago and they’re running late, but only by a few minutes. She had to make a trip to the south shore today and that totally messed up her schedule.”

“That’s fine. The wonderful thing about chili in a Crock-Pot is that it is ready and waiting whenever you’re ready for it. Would you ask Brooklyn to make sure everyone has the beverage of their choice?”

“Yeah, okay.” Pepper left the room.

“How did your history project turn out?” I asked Eve, who was preparing the salad.

“Good. The teacher really liked the fact that I took the time to cover both sides of the issue equally. Professor Carlton really had a lot of good input. I’m glad Zak talked him into helping out at the Academy.”

“Professor Carlton is a very nice man,” I agreed. Ethan is a retired history professor who belongs to the same book club Zoe and I do.

“I asked him if he wanted to come tonight, but I guess he had other plans. Do you think I should add bell pepper to the salad?”

“I think slices on the top would look nice. We have red and yellow peppers as well.”

Zoe and her family and Nick and Dex showed up just as Eve was finishing the salad. She went to greet them, leaving me alone in the kitchen with my thoughts for a few minutes as I prepared the oven for the bread. I loved the hustle and bustle of a family, but I had been alone for a long time, so I enjoyed the quiet as well.

I took a deep breath as the scents mingled to create quite a pleasant aroma. In a way, the three young women who I share my life with are like their chili. Each so very different but each complementing the others, so that when combined, they simply work.

“Mind if I come in?” Will Danner poked his head in through the back door.

“Will. What are you doing in the backyard?”

“When I pulled up there were already quite a few cars in the drive, so I parked in the alley. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. Come the rest of the way in. I’m almost finished here and then we can join the others.”

“Actually, I’m glad we have a few minutes to ourselves.”

“You are?” I smiled.

“I’ve been thinking it might be nice to go to dinner sometime. Just the two of us. Maybe Friday? I know we have Zak and Zoe’s party on Saturday.”

Was Will asking me out on a date?

“I’d enjoy having dinner with you.”

Will let out a breath. Had he been nervous about asking me?

“Did you have something specific in mind?” I asked.

“There’s a new steak house on the west shore of the lake. I hear the food is excellent and the view is spectacular. They have live music as well. Perhaps we could throw in a little dancing.”

Dancing? As in Will’s body pressed close to mine as we moved to the seductive rhythm of a band? I turned my head slightly so he wouldn’t notice that my face had most likely turned red.

“You don’t like to dance?” Will asked, I’m sure in response to my silence.

“I do. It’s just that I’m not really very good at it. I took lessons as a teen, but I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to practice since.”

“Don’t worry. My wife and I used to go dancing all the time. Just follow my lead and you’ll be fine.”

I smiled again. “Thank you. I’d love to go dancing.”

“I’ll pick you up at six.”

“Six will be fine.” I turned to stir the chili, which really didn’t need to be stirred. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts. I decided it was best to change the subject. “I’m glad you’re planning to attend the party on Saturday. Zoe’s parties are always a good time. I even let the girls help me pick out a costume. How about you? Are you dressing up?”

“Actually, I am. I bought a monk’s robe from the costume shop when I was in town last week. It is both simple and comfortable.”

I laughed. “Perhaps I should go as a nun.”

“And cover up all that beautiful hair?”

“I had the best evening,” I said to Charlotte as I began my nightly ritual. “Everyone loved the chili buffet. I think the girls and I may have started something. There was even talk of adding a seafood option to the mix for next year’s party.”

Charlotte sat on the bathroom floor and watched me as I took off my makeup.

“I have to say, I was surprised at the chemistry Eve and Dex seemed to share. I would never in a million years have pegged them as a potential couple. They are as different as night and day and yet together they seem to work.”

I applied the first of three moisturizers to my face. My mama had taught me the importance of a religious moisturizing routine and I stick to it to this day.

“And of course Pepper and Chad were as loud and funny as always. I do enjoy their energy. They have a way of lighting up the room and making everyone feel happier. I’m a little worried about Pi and Brooklyn, however.”

I began to brush my long, thick hair. One hundred strokes every night keeps it healthy and shiny.

“Brooklyn seems as enamored with Pi as she has been from the first day she met him, but Pi seemed more interested in talking to Jeremy. Of course Pi and Jeremy play in the band together and I know music is important to Pi. And I suppose Pi and Brooklyn are a little young to be in a serious relationship, yet I can see that is what Brooklyn is hoping for. I know her breakup with her last boyfriend was hard on her. I suppose she is ready to move on.”

I braided my hair as I always did before going to bed and then began tidying the bathroom.

“Relationships are complicated. I just hope Brooklyn doesn’t get her heart broken.”

After I was satisfied that I had done everything I needed to do to prepare myself for bed, I set about preparing the room. I worked my way around the area, straightening already perfectly straight books and knickknacks before opening my window just a quarter of an inch.

“Will asked me to dinner on Friday. Although he wasn’t specific, I got the feeling he was asking me on a real date. We are even going dancing. I have to admit the thought of dancing with Will brings butterflies to my stomach. It’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed a man’s embrace as we sway to the music. I wonder what I should wear.”

Charlotte began swatting at the decorative pillows I have stacked on my bed. It was obvious she wanted me to move things along.

“I suppose I’ll ask for input from the girls. They are always so good about knowing which clothes best fit each social situation.”

After stacking the extra pillows on my white tufted chaise I poured myself a cup of tea from the warming pot I’d already brought up and added a splash of brandy. Then I slid between my 1500-thread count sheets and settled in.

I reached up and touched the end of my long braid. “Mr. Danner said I had beautiful hair.”

I sighed as I remembered the thrill of his smile.

After placing my reading glasses on the tip of my nose, I adjusted the light and opened the book we were reading. Charlotte crawled into my lap and began to purr as I began to read
Dracula
aloud. Tonight we would start with chapter 16 of Bram Stoker’s masterpiece.

DR. SEWARD’S DIARY-cont.

It was just a quarter before twelve o'clock when we got into the churchyard over the low wall. The night was dark with occasional gleams of moonlight between the dents of the heavy clouds that scudded across the sky. We all kept somehow close together, with Van Helsing slightly in front as he led the way. When we had come close to the tomb I looked well at Arthur, for I feared the proximity to a place laden with so sorrowful a memory would upset him, but he bore himself well. I took it that the very mystery of the proceeding was in some way a counteractant to his grief. The Professor unlocked the door, and seeing a natural hesitation amongst us for various reasons, solved the difficulty by entering first himself. The rest of us followed, and he closed the door. He then lit a dark lantern and pointed to a coffin. Arthur stepped forward hesitatingly. Van Helsing said to me, “You were with me here yesterday. Was the body of Miss Lucy in that coffin?”

“It was.”

The Professor turned to the rest saying, “You hear, and yet there is no one who does not believe with me.”

He took his screwdriver and again took off the lid of the coffin. Arthur looked on, very pale but silent. When the lid was removed he stepped forward. He evidently did not know that there was a leaden coffin, or at any rate, had not thought of it. When he saw the rent in the lead, the blood rushed to his face for an instant, but as quickly fell away again, so that he remained of a ghastly whiteness. He was still silent. Van Helsing forced back the leaden flange, and we all looked in and recoiled.

The coffin was empty!

“Oh, my.” I cuddled with Charlotte. “I’m glad I have you to keep me company tonight. It seems that tales from the crypt are best read during the day.”

Charlotte began to purr. Obviously, stories about empty coffins didn’t bother her in the least. I continued to scratch Charlotte behind the ears as I read. Eventually, it was the steady rhythm of her purr and not the book that lulled me into a deep and dreamless sleep.

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