Page 38 of The Magical Bed & Breakfast

Rory’s expression grew thoughtful. He started to say something and caught himself. Kate waited, but when he put his focus back on the food, she wondered what he was holding back. After a moment, she said. “You’ll never guess what I found…mystery cat left me a gift. The remains of a mouse, I guess you could call it.”

“So kitty is a hunter. Wait, don’t tell me you have mice.”

Kate shuddered at the thought. “No, of course not! It was outside on the porch. I’ll show you when we get back, and you can tell me what you think.”

“O…kay.”

“What did you find out from Seymour?”

“Only that he knows about the tunnels, and I think he has known for a long time.”

Kate knew she must’ve looked gobstruck.

Rory gave a one shoulder shrug. “Apparently he planned to let you in on the secret but was waiting for the right time.”

“So who else knows?”

“You’ll have to ask Seymour about that.”

“Oh, believe me I will. All that should’ve been in the disclosures.”

“I’m pretty sure your Realtor has zero clue, and the owners probably didn’t either.”

“But you did?”

“Yes, but I was trapped in your basement.”

“Didn’t you tell anyone what you found?”

“I tried, but…” He shook his head.

“I don’t understand.”

“Everyone just thought I was delusional.”

“Why?”

“I…”

Kate watched myriad expressions flow over his features. “What aren’t you telling me?” Tension collected in her shoulders, and she held her breath, waiting on his reply.

He was silent a long moment, as if weighing the impact of his words. “I had an experience in your basement, more than just being locked in.”

“You told me before that my inn was haunted, right before we went into the basement together.” She glanced around. She didn’t want to be overheard. She already knew gossip was a major source of entertainment in Hazard. But the waitress was across the room, and although she did act interested in what they were talking about, surely she hadn’t heard her comment from clear over there. The other diner patrons were in the back corner, where they were unlikely to overhear her conversation, and they seemed embroiled in a heated discussion of their own. “I know you saidhaunted, but you didn’t explain.”

“Haunted is perhaps not the right word. I can’t believe I’m about to say this. Now you’ll be certain I’m crazy.”

“I won’t.”

He raised his brow.

Kate experienced a moment of doubt, an occurrence she was finding far more common than she was comfortable with. For years she had prided herself on her confidence and certainty. “Will I?”

“Your inn is connected to the past.”

“Of course it is. It’s old. It’s been here for centuries.”

“No, not like that—well, more than that. It overlaps with history. When I’m in the basement and in the tunnels, I see the past. I see the American patriots and hear their conversations. It’s like being on stage during a play. I have to move out of the way as they go past. I’m attuned to the history of Hazard, but only when I’m in your inn.”

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