Page 32 of My Inherited House Might be Haunted

“Well, I’m standing in Ruth’s house. That’s been inherited by her technomage nephew. And is also overrun with ghosts. Ghosts waiting to be ushered off to the other side. That ring any bells?”

Instead of an apology, there was a squeal of delight.

“Rhett’s here?Yay!I’m inviting myself to this party. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Call ended.

Rhett stared at the phone with bewilderment. “Is there anyone in this town who doesn’t know me or my aunt?”

Mom beamed at him. “Nope!”

I knew she was mostly kidding, but in this moment, it didn’t actually sound like a joke.

Well. I wondered what madness Chelsea would bring with her. I guess I was about to find out.

Seventeen

Rhett

Chelsea arrived carrying all the things. She had a hamper on her hip and a tote bag on the other shoulder, and despite the burdens, she was beaming from ear to ear. I wasn’t expecting this giant of a woman who looked like a pro volleyball player, but I was glad to see her regardless.

I came down the outside stairs and met her halfway, reaching for the hamper. “Hi, I’m Rhett. Chelsea?”

“That’s me!” She grinned wildly, revealing slightly crooked teeth. “Rhett, first off, sorry about Ruth. We were all devastated when she passed on, even though we saw it coming.”

I still teared up thinking of my Aunt Ruth, and I could tell Chelsea was perfectly sincere, so it was harder to hold the tears at bay. “Thank you. She was my favorite person.”

“Mine too. She gave me instructions to help you, once you got your feet under you, so I’m really glad for the call. Now, in the immediate sense, this is all the stuff I normally set up with.”

“Got it. Let’s head in. I still don’t fully understand everything you and Aunt Ruth were doing here.”

Chelsea waggled her eyebrows in an outrageous way. “Magic.”

“Hardy har har.”

Loretta already had the front door open and waved us back inside. “Chelsea, you were certainly quick. What all did you bring with you?”

“Everything I need to pass ghosts on. Ruth and I had a setup to pass multiple ghosts at once.”

“Oh, delightful. We’ve got a full house in here. It needs some clearing out.”

“I bet. I’m glad you guys called. I wasn’t certain how to reach Rhett other than just swinging by the house and hoping he was home. Oh!” Chelsea stopped and leaned down, extending a hand toward Myst. “You’re adorable. Who are you?”

“That’s Myst,” I introduced.

“Your familiar? He’s darling.”

Seriously how did all the witches around me see this in a single glance? “Well, he’s one of them.”

“One of?” Chelsea glanced back at me, but it was at that moment Familiar Two entered the scene, and you could tell from her face she immediately cottoned on. “Ah. Got it. And this is…?”

“Lucy.”

“Nice to meet you both. You want to follow us to the back patio? We got witchy stuff to do.”

I swear both dog and cat perfectly understood her as they immediately fell into step on either side.

Chelsea clearly knew this house well, as she led us all confidently back through the kitchen and onto the back patio—which was rich lady patio level, with the pagoda, hot tub, planter boxes, and all. It was really pretty, and I had no intention of changing any of it.

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