Page 87 of Big Witch Energy

For once, Wally looked truly concerned. “Like signed any weird-looking documents in blood or anything?”

“No. There have been no Faustian bargains, I promise,” Caroline said, laughing. “It has to do with the Shaddows. And our family, and how long we’ve lived here. And something that happened a long time ago that wasn’t our fault. And we don’t have to pay for that something anymore.”

“That sounds crazy,” Will told her.

“Yeah, I know,” Caroline conceded.

Denny shook his head, his face pale. “Honey, I’d love to believe you, but it’s always been this way for us.”

“I know,” Caroline conceded. “And I know that it’s hard to believe, and I’m not giving you a lot of details. Just trust me.”

“And what, you think you need to just take a weekend away to test the theory?” Gert asked. “That’s just stupid, and you are not a stupid girl.”

“I don’t need to test it,” Caroline replied. “I already did. Ben and I took the kids to Traverse City last week. We rented a house for the weekend. It was great.”

She smiled at the memory. It had been a heady experience. Colors seemed brighter. Food tasted better. Music sounded sweeter. She’d practically stuck her head out the car window while rolling down the highway.

Wally gaped at her. “You did what?”

“OK.” Caroline clapped her hands together once. “This was fun; see you in a while. Enjoy the move-in. Bye.”

Denny cleared his throat. “Caroline.”

Caroline called, “I was gone for three days. It was fine.”

Gert found her voice to yell. “Caroline Anne Wilton!”

But Caroline was already out the door. Behind her, the Rose loomed, unhaunted.

***

The door of Shaddow House opened to her as if she was a Denton born. She walked in, smiling to herself. Her family was here. Ben was sitting by the fire, going over patient files. Josh and Mina were seated at the coffee table, squaring off against a lovely blown-glass chess set haunted by Nicholas, a child prodigy who died in the 1980s. Nicholas was very patient with their novice moves, grateful to hang out with people his age—sort of. Edison and Riley were lounging on the couch, quietly enjoying the scene.

Caroline wondered, did they get lonely, sometimes, in their house on the hill? How long would it be before they changed the picture with new children or marriage? How long could this little family hold like this? They had seven of the locks now. And that was incredible progress in very little time. But would they manage to find the remaining locks, or would that burden be passed along to Mina and Josh after her lifetime? Had she set up her own generational obligation, after all her efforts to get out from under the Rose?

Caroline shook her head. Better to focus on the task at hand and enjoy this time while it lasted.

Her attention was turned to where Alice was sitting off by herself, in the atrium, handling an enamel vase covered in a pattern of crisscrossing rue leaves. Alice looked pale, like she hadn’t slept well. Caroline wasn’t sure what was going on with her. Yes, Rose had been a little more sinister than their usual ghost, but Caroline hadn’t lost any sleep over banishing her.

Or maybe it was that she was lonely? It had to be hard, with Riley and Caroline paired off, and Alice…well, Alice had never shown much interest in anybody.

Maybe it was more cumulative stress?

Caroline stroked Ben’s arm as she passed. He smiled up at her, content, but stayed in his seat as she sat next to Alice on her chaise. “You all right, sweetie? You seem a little off.”

“My grandparents are coming back to town early,” Alice said, her voice shaking. Caroline put her arm around Alice’s narrow shoulders. Alice sank against her, leaning her head against Caroline’s.

“I guess they called some of their old acquaintances here on the island and heard that I was spending too much time out of the shop. They’ve come to ‘question my judgment and commitment to the family business.’ So they’re coming back to review my performance.”

Caroline scoffed. “Like you’re some employee?”

“I am technically their employee,” Alice reminded her.

“They still suck,” Caroline said. Alice made a noncommittal noise. “Come on.”

Caroline dragged Alice into the parlor, where they joined their family in front of the darkened fireplace. Alice offered Mina a wan smile as she perched near her on the floor and moved a knight into a more advantageous position. While Josh offered her a grin, Nicholas grumbled openly.

Caroline took some papers out of her pocket.

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