Page 13 of The Haunting of the Mountain

“I was born right over there,” he says, gesturing behind me as I nearly spew tea all over his table.

He laughs. “We’ve cleaned up since then.”

“Of course,” I mutter, my cheeks flushing all over again. “I was born at home too, a few weeks early. My mom says I’ve always been impatient.”

He smiles, and I feel a little bit better.

“Born here. Still live here. It’s rare to find someone who’s lived in the same place for so long. You must love it here.”

His eyes light up. “My favorite place.”

He takes a sip of his tea and I take another bite of his delicious compote. I’m surprised, but it gives that cobbler a run for its money. Stone knows how to cook.

“Whispering Winds is a great town too. Best cobbler in the world, but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you,” he says, a knowing smile crossing his lips. “Now this place might be a little haunted, but I’ve never had food go missing before.”

Wow, he’s really not letting this cobbler thing go.

I swear he’s staring into my soul. Reading my mind. There’s this preternatural sense of understanding. It’s comforting more than unnerving, lowering all of my defenses.

“Guess it’s time to come clean.” I set my spoon down, pausing for dramatic effect. “I ate your cobbler. It was delicious if that’s any consolation.”

His smile deepens. “It’s not but I admire your honesty.”

“Your lumberjack ghost is hungry though. I’ve got him on film.”

“Yeah?”

“He gave me a recipe for stew.”

He chuckles softly and I cringe. I get it. I don’t believe in ghosts either.

“You think I’m crazy, huh? Out here all alone searching for ghosts.”

He shakes his head, leaning forward. “Not at all. I think it’s fascinating.” He swallows. “I think you’re fascinating.”

Tingles. Flutters. Hot sweats. Cold sweats. My body doesn’t know how to react. Neither does my brain, all staticky and dizzying as I stare at Stone.

“I’d love to help you out. Give you that interview you asked for. Maybe I can show you around town. Take you to all the hot spots I know of.”

I shake my head. “Wow,” I say, blinking. “I’d love that. Thank you. But really, you don’t have to. I’ve intruded, and I understand if you want me to leave and you’re too nice to kick me out. I understand.”

He shakes his head. “You’re not leaving.”

Another current of electricity races through me. If he’d said that to me when he burst through that front door, I’d be scared. My body’s not in fight or flight. It’s in tie me up and have your way with me mode.

Phew.

“Not without experiencing a real haunting.”

“And you think you can give me that?”

I watch his Adam’s apple bob. His gaze drops to my neck and I feel heat flush across my chest.

“I believe I can.”

“Okay,” I say, his eyes back on mine.

The air between us is still. Quiet. But it’s crackling with tension I feel all over my body.

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