Page 66 of Plentywood
“See?” Jennie spouted. “They like ghost stories too.”
Hunter and I leaned back in our chairs. Jay exhaled and shook his head gently. I, for one, was excited to hear her story. The more time I spent on the back deck of these fine people’s home, the more I found myself enjoying the experience. I’d never been invited to a bar-b-que with friends before and was having a terrific time. Better yet, this evening was turning out to be even creepier,but more fun, than I could’ve imagined.
“Full disclosure first,” Jennie began. “I was watching Patrick Swayze and that movie, Ghost.”
“Got it,” Hunter interjected.
“So I was most likely predisposed to accepting messages from the beyond. Plus, Jay had brought the local paper home,but I hadn’t seen your cover picture for a couple of weeks after you arrived, Ben,” she disclosed.
“That is true,” Jay agreed. “Shedid notsee the picture. That part is definitely true.”
Jennie continued after getting Jay’s supportive testimony. “I was on edge when Patrick’s character was attempting to haunt Demi’s character. Remember, Whoopie thought Patrick was nuts, but I believed him straight away, you know?”
“The story, honey. The story,” Jay repeated.
“Okay. So anyway. I was a tad scared in this part of the movie and reached for something to hide my face behind,” she said.
“She used the paper,” Jay interrupted breathlessly, causing Jennie to exhale in frustration.
“Am I telling it, honey? Or are you telling it?” she asked.
Her use of the wordhoneywas less endearing this time, but Jay sat back, and Jennie refocused on the two of us.
“So,” she began again, pausing to give Jay some side-eye. Like us, he remained quiet.
“After the scary part was over, I moved the paper away from my face and noticed you on the cover, Ben. Of course, like everyone in town, I thought you were so handsome,” she said, leaning into Jay to reassure him she was all his.
I glanced at Hunt to see how he was doing. So far, so good.
“Get ready,” she warned, running her hands over her arms. “Oh my gosh! I’m getting goosies again.”
“Stay calm, honey,” Jay whispered.
“When I was looking at your picture, Ben. I heard a voice over my shoulder. Just like in the movie. I darn near jumped off the couch, but when I turned to see who had spoken, there was no one in the room.”
“Oh my,” I said involuntarily, getting into her story more than I had expected. “What did the voice say?”
“It was Mark. Did I say that part yet?” she asked.
“They know it was Mark, honey. Go on,” Jay urged. “Tell them what he said.”
“He told me to make sure that Hunter works with you to save Triple H Ranch,” she revealed, motioning to me. “Mark seemed very concerned and insisted that your love will save the town. That is why I begged Jay to get you two here so I could relay the message. That and I agree with Mark about your love story.”
Hunter practically gasped after she finished. So loud, in fact, that we all instantly looked at him. “What?” I asked. “What is going on, and where is Triple H Ranch?” I added.
Hunt cleared his throat and reached for his beer bottle, but before he drank from the bottle, he set it back down on the table. “Mark, or whoever spoke to you, actually mentioned Triple H, Jennie?” he asked. She nodded enthusiastically. “That is impossible,” Hunt insisted.
“Why?” a chorus from the three of us asked.
“Mark couldn’t have known about the ranch,” Hunter said. “I mean, not about a reason to be concerned. Mark died before this issue came up.”
I had zero idea about this ranch or any supposed drama. “Who owns this ranch?” I asked, beyond curious about what the drama was over it.
All three sets of eyes landed on me. “You do,” Jennie stated. “You’re one of the three H’s.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: Hunter
“Ihad no idea Jennie would bring that up,” I defended. “There is absolutely no way she could have known.”
