Page 14 of Hallowed Tree
With our employer—and I used that term loosely—upset, Harry transformed back into the picture of the uptight butler I’d first met. “Sir, given the circumstances, I think we should all head back into the house. I don’t believe standing out here exposed to whatever it may be is sound or practical. I’ll prepare a snack so that we can discuss this reasonably away from whatever…that may be.”
He didn’t have to say what he was thinking because we were all wondering the same thing. Was this some new energy orentity? Was it here to harm the spirits at the pond or was it some insidious substance coming to attack the humans? Harry was right. Until we had more information, we all needed to vacate the premises. It was now a safety issue.
“I’ll help.” The two of us returned to the kitchen in the manor without waiting for the living ones to respond. “Have you ever seen anything like this?” I asked, pulling him into my arms in the center of the kitchen.
Harry’s mouth tightened, and he wiggled out of my embrace. “We have work to do.” He pulled cheese out of the refrigerator.
Oh boy. We were back to this again. “Harry—”
“Mr. Harry,” he hissed.
Hurt, I flew back like he’d punched me in the stomach. I thought this afternoon had meant something to him. I knew it had. I’d been inside his body, felt his emotions. Sure, the business with the old oak had thrown a wrench into our plans, but did that mean we had to go back to being butler and apprentice?
Harry winked out of existence, reappearing before me. “I’m sorry. That was unnecessary. You didn’t do anything wrong, but I’m frazzled. This is the first time in my one hundred and sixty-five years on this property where I’ve had no idea what’s going on. It’s unnerving.” He patted my chest. “I don’t mean to take it out on you, but I need my routine right now, which means taking care of this place and its inhabitants. Do you understand?”
Stroking a lock of hair off his forehead and back into its place, I realized how off-balance he was. My Harry was controlled with his appearance, nary a hair out of place or a wrinkle in sight. We weren’t mortal beings who had to worry about those things anymore. Everything about our existence now was our choice—except being alive. That part was over.
Leaning forward, I brushed a sweet kiss over his lips, then stood back. “I do. I’m sorry for being insensitive. I forget thatyou’ve been at this dead thing for decades and decades longer than me.”
He raised a finger. “Throw in a century.”
“How could I forget?” I hummed. “What would make you feel better? Would you like me to help or go away? I want to give you whatever you need.”
Harry’s distraught expression softened into something that more resembled the man who’d accepted my affections back at the pond. “Thank you. Would you mind terribly if I prepare the snack alone? I need to think, and you’re distracting.”
Waggling my eyebrows at him, I teased, “Distracting, huh?” Sobering, I nodded. “I’ll go find Scotty and Stevie and let them know what’s happening and give you some time alone.” Then I kissed him and faded from view.
Chapter Six
Buck
“Holy shit, do I have news!” I exclaimed, scaring Scotty right off his stool and on to his butt on the floor.
Stevie glared at me, solidifying his form and helping his brother back to his feet. “Buck, be careful, man.”
“Sorry, Scotty. I’m just excited.”
Scotty brushed off the backside of his pants—like Mr. Harry allowed dust or dirt to exist anywhere inside the house—then planted his hands on the desk in front of him. “Does this have something to do with why everyone’s been out at the pond?”
“Well, that’s part of it. That’s not what I’m so hyped about, though.” I proceeded to tell them about my walk with Harry—minus the sexy times—and then continued with the mystery of the old oak tree.
“I can’t believe you got Mr. Harry to cave.” Stevie smirked. “You must really have mad moves, Buck.”
Scotty’s jaw dropped as he glared at his brother. “There’s something out there that only spirits can feel and see, and you’reworried about his love life?” He stomped his foot. “Stevie, I just got you back, and I don’t want to lose you. You’re forbidden from going out to the pond.”
Stevie patted his brother’s hand. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. I was out there this morning, and I didn’t notice anything weird. I’ll stay away from the branch hanging over the water.”
Scotty shook his head. “That’s not good enough. Until Buck figures out what’s happening out there, I want you to stay inside with me.”
Startled, I looked back and forth between the two brothers. “Me? Why do I have to figure it out? Why do you expect me to figure it out? This is Chance’s deal.” He owned the property, not me. I had no skin in this fight.
Scotty rolled his eyes. “That’s pretty obvious, don’t you think?”
“True,” Stevie said.
I slumped against the front of the desk. “What am I missing?”
“Where’s Mr. Harry?” Scotty asked.
