Page 55 of Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places
“No.”
She ignored him. “Who came up with the idea forThe Caretaker?”
“Creative team. We have brainstorming meetings once a week. This was one idea of many.”
“Why this house?”
He looked at her as if the answer should’ve been obvious. “Using property I own saves on production costs.”
“So, you expect me to believe that your creative team came up with an idea based around a ‘haunted’ house, completely unprompted, and you just happened to have one in your portfolio?”
He stared at her. “You can believe whatever you want as long as you do your job.”
“Which is?” She eyed him, inching forward expectantly. “Admit it: you want me to investigate.”
“We hired you to spend thirty days in the house and give a detailed account of your experiences. If you feel investigating should be a part of your time here, then yes. I do. Simple as that,” he said. “However, going forward I expect you to do your job alone as intended. No more using my team as guinea pigs.”
“And what if I needyou? You probably have the strongest connection out of all of us.”
His cool stare was as impassive as ever. “Make it worth my while again and I’ll consider it.”
Lucky smiled. “You’re really not going to tell me what happened in the orchard, are you?”
“No. Once again, I want to hear aboutyourexperiences.”
“I hope you know this means I’m gonna have to research you now. I need answers and the internet always provides.”
Healmostchuckled—he literally stopped himself, covering his mouth. “Good luck finding anything.”
“Don’t need it.” She grinned. “It’s in the name.”
Xander met her at the doorway. He loomed over her like a powerful storm cloud, an intimidation tactic that most definitely worked on other people, but he’d never be able to fool her again. “Don’t forget to make your self-tape about last night.” He handed her a plate with a perfectly acceptable turkey sandwich cut diagonally, as it should be. “And it better be good. I’ll be watching.”
18
Bags packed. Automatic feeder set for Gengar. Maverick on his way to pick her up.
Lucky used the drop-down ladder to get to the attic this time. She sat down in front of the wall, taking a moment to read each name. Emotions, thoughts, and actions seemed to be the house’s preferred language, but she knew it understood words too.
“Hennessee.”
For the first time in days, peppermint instantly coiled around her like an embrace. The fountain pen she twirled between her fingers began to feel warm.
“I’m leaving for a little bit. Maverick needs me for an important project, but you’re not rid of me yet. I promise I’m coming back.”
The other caretakers couldn’t handle whatever Hennessee did after it had their names, but Xander could. And if he could, so would Lucky.
She wrote her name directly under his to prove it.
19
Lucky had never flown before. She’d never even been to an airport.
Her heart belonged to driving—the longer the road trip the better. She’d had her rusty brown Toyota Corolla since she’d packed up and left home for college, very rarely ever looking back.
On the plane, she’d closed her eyes during takeoff and next thing she knew they were landing at an airport four states over.
Penny Place Amusement Park was owned and operated by Georgia’s uncle. He also graciously offered for them to stay in his guesthouse for free. However, when Georgia used the wordPodunkto describe her tiny hometown, Springstop, she failed to mention that her family had the kind of money that owned property large enough to have a main houseanda guesthouse, which itself was house-size—multiple bedrooms, a full-size kitchen, and two bathrooms. Not to mention the massive pool, giant treehouse, and barn with horses that resided in the space between thetwo homes. The weather was perfect blue skies above endless flatland, and the warm summer air carried the distinct scent ofcowsfrom somewhere nearby.
