Page 30 of My Inherited House Might be Haunted

That was all well and good, but I had another major concern on my mind. “Um, but if Aunt Ruth was also a medium, then was she collecting ghosts here? And why?”

“A very good question,” Loretta said, already standing. “Let’s go ask them.”

Sixteen

Calix

My mother wasclearlyon a roll. She was high energy and all smiles. Me having gone on a date probably had something to do with it, as Rhett was the first date I’d had in over a year. Plus, he was cute.

Mom went into the study/library/room of awesomeness like she’d been in there a hundred times. She likely had. I took more time with it because it was my first visit to this room. Holy hell, it was like Belle’s library fromBeauty and the Beast—floor-to-ceiling bookcases and an honest-to-god library ladder. I must marry this man just so I could lay hands on his library.

Mom reached the desk and turned, expression thoughtful.

“Rhett, have you gone through the desk?”

“Uh…no?”

Rhett joined her and seemingly looked at the desk with new eyes. I could tell the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. Then again, he’d been busy moving, acquiring familiars, and playing with me, so…understandable.

“I went through the safe because I was directed to look there for my mother’s inheritance. I know all that’s in there. But the desk? Didn’t occur to me.”

“Hmm. Because they’re saying Ruth’s second instruction book for you is in there.”

By “they” I assumed my mother was referring to the many ghosts packed into this room. They weren’t all clear in my vision—some were a stronger opaqueness—but we clearly had a good twenty of them here.

“Second book?” Rhett was around the desk in a second flat, opening up drawers. “Where—oh, is it this purple one?”

“Indeed. Purple is a witch’s color.”

“Ahhhh. Is that why the back door is purple?”

“Likely so. We all came in and out of that door.”

It was old school, a purple door, but it was still something we went by. A purple door meant a witch was safe to enter. Kind of like a secret handshake, I guess.

The book in question was one of those old-school journals in purple leather, complete with golden ribbon attached. Rhett opened it and read through the first page, a slow smile taking over his face.

“Aunt Ruth, you’re not to be underestimated. So, she did know.”

I did a double take. “She did?!”

“She did. She knew but didn’t think I’d be open to hearing about my powers yet, and at the time she wrote this—holy hell, she wrote this when I was sixteen. She says here that she didn’t think I’d fully grown into my ability yet, so she was waiting until I was a proper adult to teach me. Awww. Dammit, she had no idea she wouldn’t have a chance.”

His voice choked a little, grief making the words rough.

Anyone who looked at Rhett when he spoke of his great-aunt knew in a glance how much he loved her. The fact she’d lefteverything to him also said a lot. I couldn’t let that sad face go, so I came in closer to put an arm around his waist, giving him some much-needed comfort. Rhett immediately leaned against me with a soft sigh.

From this angle, I could clearly see the book, and I also observed something else. My mother’s name and phone number were in purple glitter ink and shaky cursive, with several emphatic arrows pointing to it. It had clearly been written down at a later time, as it was a more vibrant ink compared to the other words written in black.

“Mom. She wrote your contact info down.”

In a second flat, Mom stepped around to read over Rhett’s shoulder. She looked misty eyed but also delighted, like it was the best compliment in the world.

“I told you, didn’t I? She knew we’d rally around you and take care of you. Rhett, I highly encourage you to read this book.”

“Oh, I will. Trust me, I will.” He closed the book, hugging it to his chest. “But not right this second. Let’s talk to ghosts first.”

“Agreed. There’s really far too many.”

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