Page 118 of Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places
“No, many more things,” she mumbled.
He laughed again, making her sigh. Again. “I wanted to ask if you were still getting calls from that unknown number?”
“No. Why?”
“I think whoever is doing it moved on to me. I woke up to six missed calls.”
Lucky’s eyes shot open. She was up and fully alert as if someone poured cold water on her. “What time did they start?”
“Hold on—first one was at 8:43 p.m. I missed it because Rebel wanted to read a book with me before bed. I didn’t hear the others.”
“Can you do me a favor? If they call again, could you answer it? Tell me what they say?”
“Of course. Did you eventually answer?”
“I did. I think that’s what stopped the calls,” she lied. Shedidn’t mean to—that was genuinely what she’d thought at the time. Now she wasn’t so sure. “Thank you.”
•••
Lucky’s brain whirred with new ideas, throbbed from the bourbon infection, and the combination had a devastating effect on her stomach. She rushed down the stairs anyway, hoping Xander hadn’t left yet. After searching in a desperate circle around the first floor, she found him outside in the gazebo with the bag of peas on his forehead.
“Is that a Bloody Mary? I had ingredients for that in there?” she asked.
“Would you like one?”
“Pass. I told you we’re never drinking together again.” She took the seat kitty-corner to him. “What are you doing out here?”
“Fresh air.”
“How are you holding up?”
“How do I look?”
Still in yesterday’s clothes with barely a wrinkle in sight. How rich, how annoying. “I meant emotionally.”
He glanced at her with reddened eyes. His skin had a subtle green tint, but other than that he seemed all right. “You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Oh, I’m not worried. You don’t pay me enough for that yet,” she joked. “Off-the-wall question: Do you ever get phone calls from an unknown number? Specifically one that calls at odd hours but noticeably more frequently at night.”
Those pesky peas blocked her from reading his expression as he asked, “Why?”
“BecauseIstarted getting the calls the weekend we filmedShortcakeand they stopped when I came back here. The last one I got was while at Maverick’s place, right before you put me on house arrest.”
“For the final time, you are free to leave. Do not imply I am your parole officer.”
“Focus, Xander,” she said, trying to keep a straight face. “I answered the last call but didn’t hear anything except clicking and static. If my suspicions are correct, then I’m right in assuming you’ve gotten them too. Do you answer?”
“No.” He sighed, removing the peas. “Two of the previous caretakers reported getting them from a short time as well.”
“I can’t believe this.” Lucky began to giggle. “The calls reallyhavebeen coming from inside the house.”
Xander stared at her. “I will walk out right now.”
“What? Why? That was funny, come on.”
“I’m glad I’m not paying you to be a comedian,” he said with no bite. “What do you think it means?”
“My initial guess is the psychic link between Hennessee and its occupants doesn’t instantly vanish upon exit. It must fade naturally over time when the house doesn’t refresh its access.” She bit her thumbnail. “What about Stephen? Has he received any?”
