Playing with Fire (A Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade) by Cook J. J

Author:Cook, J. J. [Cook, J. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2014-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

“Slow down, Doug,” Sean cautioned. “You should take a deep breath and go put some pants on.”

Eric was standing on the porch, obviously amused.

Stella glared at him and then turned to Doug. “What happened that makes you think the cabin is haunted?”

“Well, first it was the bedclothes all out on the floor. I didn’t put them there. Then, I was coming downstairs and happened to glance toward the deck. The door opened and something closed it back. Then a chair moved at the table. I saw the fireplace screen move too. I’m telling you, there’s a ghost in there—just like they have on those reality TV shows.”

Sean glanced up at the cabin, his eyes narrowing as they focused on the porch, exactly where Eric was standing.

Stella wondered for a moment if he could see Eric standing there too. There had been all those childhood stories about people with “the sight.” Maybe that’s why she could see Eric.

But either Sean didn’t trust his eyes or he was looking at something else. He shook his head and berated Doug. “Get hold of yourself, son. This is not the way to win Stella back. She’s been living here for months. Don’t you think she’d have noticed if there was a ghost about the cabin?”

Doug shivered. “I know what I saw. Something weird is going on in there.”

Barbara pulled up at that moment. “I’m glad all of you are out here—though I think Doug needs some clothes. You can help me carry in the groceries.” She opened the trunk, revealing dozens of bags full of food.

“What did you do?” Sean laughed. “Is this the way a pepper heiress buys food? We’re only staying a few days. An army couldn’t eat this much in a week.”

“Just take it inside,” Barbara said. “And Doug, get dressed.”

“There’s a ghost inside,” he argued.

“I know. The ghost of the dead fire chief.” She smiled at him. “I told you not to listen to those stories at Beau’s. People told Stella the same thing when she first got here.”

Barbara looked at her daughter. “Has anything scary happened since you moved in?”

Since you put it that way—“Not a thing. I’ve never been afraid of living here.”

Stella probably would have lied if her mother had asked her if she’d seen a ghost. This way, she didn’t have to.

Doug stared at the cabin with dread etched on his face. “I won’t go in alone.”

Barbara took two bags of groceries and walked into the cabin. “You’re not alone. Now go upstairs and get dressed. I’m making pancakes.”

Eric took a step out of the way for Barbara to walk inside. He wasn’t as kind to Doug and made the man walk right through him.

Stella knew from experience that it was a disconcerting feeling to walk through a ghost. It was like an electric current running through you—from the inside out.

They talked about what Stella and Sean had found outside that was left from the fire. Sean felt like Stella should report it, whether she believed a town official was involved or not.

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