Page 10 of Condemned By Secrets

Anna smiled. “That’s all right. I can use the one on my phone.”

Rosie smiled. “Oh, that’s right. You do that.”

“Be back in a few.” Anna waved, then hit the flashlight button on her phone. Holding it up in front of her, she stepped into the barn and was hit with the damp, musty smell of a place that hadn’t been aired out in far too long. It filled her nose and slithered its way down her throat. As the cloying scent made her cough, she raised her arm to cover it, causing the light from her phone to bounce against the shadows with the movement.

When she’d got herself under control, she flashed the light around. Anna didn’t scare easily, but the interior was pitch black. The beam from her phone didn’t reach very far, and the thought of walking into spiderwebs she couldn’t see was enough to have her heart racing. She hated spiders. Or anything that crawled, actually.

“Careful of the mice, hon,” Rosie called from behind her, and Anna cringed.

Mice? Gross.

Praying none of the little vermin ran across her feet, Anna shuffled forward, flashing the light back and forth as she went. She knew she had to be getting close to the front double doors. If she got those open, there’d be plenty of light. And the creepy crawlies would scatter and hide.

When her light caught on the metal of a crossbar lock, Anna smiled in relief. She’d found the front doors. The double doors were locked from the inside with an old metal sliding latch. Shifting her phone to her left hand, Anna grasped the latch with her right and pulled. A screech filled the air as the lock slid, and she jumped back as the doors swung inward.

Sunlight filled the barn, and Anna spun around, curious to see what the interior looked like. To either side of her were two large stalls for horses or cows? She wasn’t sure, but further, deeper, it was exactly what she’d been hoping for. Beyond the stalls, the barn opened up into a large, vaulted room. A room where she could imagine parties being held or even wedding vows being read. It was perfect. Well, almost. They’d have to install windows to let in some natural light that would not only brighten the space but help with the smell too. Anna rubbed her nose and fought back a sneeze. Dust motes danced in the rays she’d let in, but she saw the potential. Cleaned up, it would be rustically charming.

Dreaming about how she would transform the barn, she walked outside and met up with Rosie. After they’d resecured the doors, they headed for her car. Before she climbed in, she took one last look at the farmhouse. It could be used for staging or even offices, while the barn would be the big draw. She turned and snapped a few photos with her phone. It was the perfect large event venue Rolling Brook needed. She couldn’t wait to start researching the property and drawing up a plan that would breathe new life into the place.

CHAPTER 4

Anna plopped down on her bed with a satisfied sigh. The white wedding ring quilt shifted with her movement, but the downy softness of the mattress cocooned her in comfort. Her room at the bed and breakfast was like stepping into another era, and she loved it. The antique furniture and reproduction wallpaper delighted her. It was decorated in pastels, blues and yellows, and today her mood was as cheery as the room.

Touring the society’s properties had been exhausting but also exhilarating. Excitement thrummed in her veins despite the ache in her feet. She should have changed into flats instead of walking around all those buildings in her heels.

Kicking off her favorite black Jimmy Choos, Anna flexed her toes and winced as the balls of her feet cramped. Reaching down to massage them, she froze at the knock on her door.

Who could that be?

She didn’t know many people in town, and, so far, she’d only gone out for work, choosing to spend the evenings having dinner alone in her room, like the pathetic hermit she was.

Another knock sounded, and Anna rolled her eyes at herself. Walking to the door, she opened it, and her breath caught.

In a shaky voice, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

Luther grinned and his dimples appeared. “Looking for you.”

Anna’s brain had shorted at the sight of those indentations, and it took her a moment to recover. “What? Why?”

“I needed to speak with you about the vandalism of your car.”

“What vandalism? My car’s fine. I was just using it.” Anna frowned, her eyes narrowing on Luther’s silver ones. Why did it seem like he was laughing at her again?

“Your tire, Miss Hendricks.”

“Oh,” her cheeks reddened, and she made her voice airy to cover the embarrassment from not understanding. “I wouldn’t call that vandalism, but fine. What about the tire?” His eyeshadbeen laughing at her.

“I’ve started interviewing people who attended the meeting, but I need to know if you’d like to press charges when we find the person responsible?”

“For a flat tire?” Anna shook her head. “That seems a little extreme.”

Now Luther was the one frowning. “It may seem like nothing now, but if they know they can get away with a small act of vandalism, who’s to say they won’t escalate? Next, it might be keying the side of your car, or maybe they get bold enough and come after you.”

As the possibility of what he’d said hit her, the heat of embarrassment she’d felt earlier was washed away by cold dread settling into the pit of her stomach. “Oh.”

“Look, Anna, I don’t want to scare you—”

Too late for that.

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