Page 20 of All Because I Found You

“Calm your horses, Grumpy McGrumpster. I was just curious, but clearly you want this to be some sort of surprise. I’m touched really.”

Grumpy McGrumpster? With a shake of his head and a loud sigh, he got out of the truck. He rounded the hood and waited for Raelyn to join him. When she did, he turned toward the small wood structure that had seen better days.

“Is this another property of yours?” she asked.

“Yeah. Well, it’s part of my grandfathers. He built this shed back in the seventies.”

“It amazes me that I thought I knew every inch of Morgan’s Bay. Then I come to find you and I’m discovering these places I never knew existed.”

“It’s private property, so you’d have no way of knowing.”

She leveled him with a look. “Hi. Have you met me?”

He didn’t answer, just headed toward the single door on the right side of the shed. He lifted the padlock and shoved the key into the lock, successfully unlocking it. He’d been worried that it might have rusted shut. He pushed the door open and stepped aside for Raelyn to go in.

“Oh no. I’m not going in there first.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know ghosts. Bats. Rats. Raccoons. Take your pick.”

“Do you think everything is haunted?”

“I don’t need the Mulher de Branco greeting me.”

“The Mu… whatever you just said. What the hell is that?”

“The woman in white? There’s a whole bunch of theories, but my grandma used to say it was the spirit of a woman who died a violent death at the hands of her husband, and now she haunts rural areas, waiting for someone to recount her misfortunes to.”

“And you think out of all the places in the world to haunt, she chose a shed in Morgan’s Bay?”

“Can you shut up and go inside?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want the lady in white to talk my ear off about her misfortunes.”

Raelyn planted her hand just above her hip, showcasing the sexy curve. “I’m going to talk your ear off if you don’t just go already.”

“Now that’s terrifying.” He turned away from her, satisfied with the grumble she made, and walked into the shed. Sunlight filtered in through the door, casting just enough light for them to make out what it was he wanted to show her.

The air was thick with must and heat, the open door barely giving any relief. Raelyn hurried in behind him, bumping into him before coming to a stop. Instead of moving away from him, she moved closer, practically attaching herself to his hip. Unable to help himself, he spun at her and yelled, “Boo!”

A loud ear-piercing scream echoed in the small space, and Raelyn grabbed her chest before giving him a hard whack to the chest. “Asshole. Are you trying to give me heart failure? Or worse, make me wet myself? Not only have I had two coffees already today, but I’ve also had forty ounces of water.”

“Stop talking and look.”

He nodded toward the barrels and waited for her to turn.

“This better be good.” She spun on her toe and faced the far end of the shed where wine barrels lined the wall. She let out a gasp and hurried toward the barrels.

“Are these yours?”

“They are. My grandfather had a small vineyard in the nineties. Until he realized he liked drinking wine more than he liked making it.” Ryder moved to stand beside her. “I overheard you talking with your client, and you had mentioned bringing in wine barrels.”

“Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?”

“I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“So you were eavesdropping. That’s okay. You got to hear me in action. Were you impressed?”

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