A Very Merry Witchmas by Ani Gonzalez

Author:Ani Gonzalez [Gonzalez, Ani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: FAC Publishing LLC
Published: 2017-12-05T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"I CAN'T demolish the stable, of course," Caine said. "The tavern has its own section in the town's historical preservation regulations."

"I know," Liam said, yearning for some coffee, or maybe even a cold beer.

They were outside the Mangy Owl, reviewing for the twentieth time this year Caine's long-overdue remodel. These conversations, in Liam's extensive experience, never ended well.

"And, of course," Caine added, "there's that other little detail..."

Liam examined the small stone building for the umpteenth time. It was still just as small and decrepit as it had been the first time he'd looked at it. The wood structure could, he supposed, be described as a stable, but it would be more accurate to call it a haphazardly stacked pile of rocks and logs. Just looking at the crumbling roof beams gave him a headache.

A pain that may very well become real if they kept hanging around here. Few Banshee Creek manifestations caused real harm, but the tavern's resident spirit was definitely one of them.

And it was very protective of its stable.

But Caine was right. He had to expand and modernize the Mangy Owl. The tavern dated from the seventeen hundreds and it was small, with low ceilings and questionable wiring, but it usually had a waiting line that circled the block. In the summer, Caine added an outdoor seating area, which, thanks to the mild Virginia weather and some industrial-strength heaters, carried them through the busy Halloween season. In winter, though, the place was crowded, stuffy, and uncomfortable.

"The ghost stallion," Caine added, "is a pain in the butt, literally."

"So I've heard," Liam said, wondering how exactly did one plan a building around a ghost horse? Did it walk—or trot—around? Would he need to give it an open space? Would it kick his workers?

Would it drop the stable on his head?

According to legend, the spirit had been Jack Jouett's steed. The patriot rode the unlucky stallion to death while galloping to warn Richmond that the Redcoats were coming during the War of Independence. If it took a dislike to the renovation, it would not be dissuaded easily.

Caine rubbed his beard pensively. "Gabe said he might be willing to chip in and build a hotel."

"What?" Liam blurted. "I hadn't heard that."

"Actually, I think it's his partner, the Brazilian. He's the one that does hotels. He's planning something more upscale than the Monster Hunters' Motel, and more modern, with glass and steel."

"Using up the airspace, so to speak?" Liam asked, trying to picture the structure.

"Exactly."

"Would your ghost horse accept a large glass enclosure wrapped around its home?" he asked.

Caine grimaced. "Probably not. That's why I asked Claire to drop by and take a look."

"Claire?" Liam asked, surprised. "Why?"

Caine had to be very concerned if he was bringing in an outsider. This ghost horse had to be a spirit to be reckoned with.

"It's her specialty," Caine said. "We just investigate and document the phenomena. Claire supposedly communicates with them and figures out how to appease them. She says she's the 'ghost whisperer.'" He rolled his eyes.

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