Page 28 of My Inherited House Might be Haunted

“For sure. I think she might be able to help with your abilities, too. My mother’s a walking encyclopedia for everything magical.”

I was a little more hesitant to agree to that, but honestly? After what happened last night? I’d rather not have more electronic things exploding while trying to get my game on. That just seemed a poor life decision. “Sure.”

“Okay, let me call her.” Calix put his spoon down, got his phone out, and called.

His mother answered after only a couple of rings. “Hi, honey!”

“Hi, Mom. Uh, you got a second?”

“Only if you’re going to talk about your date.”

Calix gave the weary sigh of a child used to his parents’ antics. “Said date is sitting right next to me and you’re on speaker.”

She gave a happy squeal. “Oh, date went well, then!Hi, Rhett.”

Should I be concerned she knew my name…naw, I was going to roll with it. “Hi, Mrs. Brown. Can I ask a favor of you?”

“You absolutely can.”

“Um, my house isveryhaunted. I just inherited it from my great-aunt, and I don’t know what to do.”

Calix chimed in. “Here’s the thing. He inherited Ruth Fairchild’s house.”

There was a startled intake of breath and a lengthy pause.

“Oh. My. God. You’re Ruth Fairchild’s nephew?!”

That reaction told me a lot and yet nothing at the same time. “Uh. Yes?”

“Oh my god!Okay, I’m coming over right this second. Calix, text me the—wait, you’re in the house, aren’t you?Ruth’s house?”

“We are, yeah.” Calix looked as confused as I felt.

“Then I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” The call abruptly ended.

I looked at Calix. He looked at me.

“So…your mother knows my aunt well, I take it?”

“Better than I thought she did, clearly.” Calix rubbed a hand over his forehead, expression utterly perplexed. “I get the feeling I do not have enough coffee in my system for the conversation we’re about to have. Want another cup?”

All things considered? “Yeah. Please.”

Fifteen

Rhett

Calix’s mother hit the door with the energy of a typhoon. I barely squeaked out a hi before she hugged me. She had the same excitement as being reunited with an old friend she hadn’t seen in a decade.

“Hi, honey. I’m Loretta.”

Then she stepped back and looked me over from head to toe. I did the same. I could see how Calix was her child—same eyes and nose, but she was very petite in build and kept her hair barely an inch long. She wore no makeup that I could see, big gold hoop earrings, and nails that would put any emperor’s to shame.

“You are definitely Ruth’s nephew,” she said finally. “I can see the resemblance.”

“Eh. Really?”

“I’ll find a picture of her when she was younger, then you’ll see what I mean. Now, let’s go sit—oh.” Loretta’s gaze went down to Lucy and Myst—both of whom were hanging out nearby—and flared wide. “Oh my. Two familiars. Rhett, just what are you?”

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