The Pine Hill Inn Read online

  “This is really pretty.” Liam admired the well-kept antique Colonial homes on spacious lots.

  “It’s a nice neighborhood. There’s a lot of history here and the whole family loves antique homes.” Ella gestured to the next driveway. “This is Livvy’s house. Drive in. You can park in front of the barn.”

  Liam pulled the Jeep to a stop at the side of the driveway in front of a large red barn. The area was illuminated by old-fashioned lanterns sending golden light over the driveway and the red brick sidewalks.

  “What a beautiful house.” Liam turned to look at the house, the barn, and what he could see of the property in the dark.

  From the side door, they entered a huge kitchen with a big walk-in fireplace where a fire was blazing. Raisin darted over to the rug in front of the fire. Livvy had beaten her sister and Liam back to the house, and she and another woman were bustling around at the stove and the refrigerator.

  “You made it,” Livvy said while beating some mashed potatoes. “This is Aunt Jin.”

  Sixty-five-year-old Aunt Jin was slender with white-blond, short hair and dark blue eyes. With a wide smile, she wiped her hands on a dishtowel and shook with the young man. “Welcome. Glad to finally meet you. We’ve only communicated by email, but that was enough for me to get a sense of who you are. That’s why I agreed that you could do a story on the family.” The woman gave the journalist a sly grin. “Don’t make us look bad or you’ll be sorry.”

  Liam’s face lost its smile as he looked to Ella.

  “She’s kidding,” Ella told him. “Sort of.”

  A four-year-old boy ran into the kitchen holding a toy car and when he spotted the guest, he came to a halt. “Hi. I’m Jack.”

  “I’m Liam.”

  “Are you the writer?”

  “I am.”

  “Are you staying for dinner?”

  Liam nodded.

  “Cool. Can I sit next to you at the table?”

  “Sure.” Liam shook hands with the boy.

  Jack gave Ella a big hug and then he went to show his toy to Raisin.

  Ella and Liam were given tasks to help out with the meal and right before sitting down at the long wooden table near the fireplace, Livvy’s husband, Mike, tall, with blond hair and brown eyes, came into the kitchen from the side door carrying a briefcase. His young son ran to hug his father and Mike was introduced to Liam.

  Ben Daniels was the last to arrive and he looked happy to see Liam in his sister’s house. “Did everything go okay?”

  “We had an interesting experience at the inn,” Liam said, but didn’t elaborate since there was a four-year-old in the room.

  “Ella found a dead body in the inn’s garden,” Jack said from where he sat on the floor patting Raisin.

  “Oh … he knows,” Liam said.

  Ben said, “I saw the family group chat on my phone. Ella texted to say there was a development, but I didn’t see any more about it except that Livvy was going out there to help out.”

  “I did go, but it wasn’t necessary,” Livvy said carrying a baking dish of lasagna to the table. “Everything was under control by the time I got there.”

  The group gathered around the table and filled their plates.

  “It smells delicious,” Liam told Livvy.

  When Aunt Jin asked about Rebekah, Liam took a quick glance at the young boy sitting next to him.

  “Jack sees ghosts, too,” Aunt Jin explained.

  Liam nodded like it was an everyday occurrence to be able to see spirits.

  “Can you see ghosts, Liam?” Jack asked matter-of-factly.

  “No, I can’t.”

  “Too bad,” Jack said. “Dad can’t see them either.”

  Mike made eye contact with the journalist. “I do feel left out at times and slightly inadequate,” he smiled. “But the five other family members have it covered and they don’t hold my deficiency against me so it’s all good.”

  Liam chuckled as he glanced at Ella who was sitting across from him. The candlelight made the young woman’s eyes sparkle and a sudden warmth ran through Liam’s body.

  Ella looked up and gave him a passing smile that caused the young man’s heart to skip a beat, and he worried that everyone in the room except for Mike could sense his attraction to Ella with their paranormal powers. He took in a deep breath of relief when no one seemed aware of the feelings that had just swept through his veins.

  Ella told the family about what happened at the inn and in the garden. “The poor man. He was the assistant chef.”

  “Do you think it was a guest at the inn or someone who worked there who killed the man?” Ben asked his sister.

  “I didn’t get a sense of the killer,” Ella explained. “It took us by surprise and I couldn’t pick up on anything.”

  “It especially took me by surprise,” Liam told the group.

  After more discussion about the incident, the plates were cleared and dessert was brought out, and Liam, feeling more comfortable with the people around the table and enjoying the jovial, friendly atmosphere, began to ask the family questions.

  “You all have the ability to see ghosts?”

  Aunt Jin answered. “We do, but Ella is the one who has the highest level of natural ability to see and interact with ghosts. Most anyone can see spirits if they take the time to watch and listen. It’s something that is more developed in some people, but it’s possible to attune the senses to those who have not yet crossed over.”

  “How do you attune the senses?” Liam asked.

  “By becoming more aware of what’s around you, by going with someone who has the ability and spending time together in the presence of ghosts,” Jin said. “Not everyone will reach the same levels, most people will see glimpses, but it is possible for the majority of people to experience at least a simple interaction.”

  “Except for me,” Mike said.

  “You don’t have the necessary desire,” Jin told the man. “You really don’t want to see spirits.”

  “It’s true,” Mike made eye contact with Liam.

  “When did you all have your first encounter with a ghost? Did it happen when you were little or as you got older?”

  Jin said, “All of us could see ghosts when we were little children. Ella’s ability is the strongest in the family and I know she could see spirits at around the age of one, but the rest of us have our strengths.”

  While Liam was deciding that he’d ask about their other strengths another time, Ella, Ben, Livvy, and Jack all went very quiet.

  Liam asked, “Is something…?”

  Ella lifted her index finger to her lips indicating that Liam should be silent.

  Jin stood up suddenly, and the family all turned to the big window that looked out to the driveway.

  “There’s someone at the window,” Ella whispered to Liam. “It’s the ghost of the dead man from the garden.”

  Liam’s face turned white.

  Ella stood and faced the window, and after a few seconds, she exhaled. “He’s gone.”

  Liam swallowed hard, and his voice shook when he asked, “Why did he come here? What does he want?”

  Ella turned to the journalist. “He wants us to help him.”

  5

  It was late afternoon when Ella and Livvy returned to the inn to talk with Lucy and visit with Rebekah again. Lucy had texted them to say the ghost had been quietly crying in room 11 and that some guests asked to be moved from their rooms because of the sounds.

  Sitting together in Lucy’s office, they listened to the innkeeper’s complaints.

  “I told the guests that the person in room 11 had suffered a personal tragedy and I couldn’t ask her to stop crying. I really don’t like to lie, but what am I going to say? There’s a ghost in the room and I can’t get her to leave?”

  “If that got out, you might have a million people lined up outside to sleep in the ghost room,” Livvy told her. “Maybe you should advertise the place as a haunted inn. A lot of people love that stuff.�
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  Lucy shook her head. “I don’t think that would work for the inn. There’s so much history here and the property is so beautiful, playing up the ghost angle might draw the wrong kind of clients.”

  Ella said, “Not to mention, it would be kind of disrespectful to Rebekah.”

  “Would it though?” Livvy asked. “Rebekah might enjoy all the attention. She could cross over if she wanted to, but she chooses to remain here.”

  “I still don’t like the idea. Rebekah doesn’t seem happy. We need to figure out why she feels the need to stay. There has to be something unresolved that keeps her here.” Ella sighed. “We’ve dealt with plenty of ghosts who stay on this side and are happy about it. They’re content. They’re not troubled the way Rebekah is.”

  “Okay, you’re right.” Livvy batted the air with her hand. “But if a happy ghost shows up here, I think Lucy should take advantage of the situation and advertise the friendly spirit to potential guests.”

  “I really don’t know what to do with her.” Lucy looked up at the ceiling and gave a nod. “I’ve been here for twelve years and she seems to be getting worse.” The woman paused. “Can’t you force her to leave?”

  Ella’s jaw dropped slightly. “There are ghost hunters who claim to be able to do that, but we don’t interact with them. We consider ourselves investigators. We try to find out the reason why the ghost is unhappy and then work from there.”

  “I know, I know. You’ve told me this before, but I’m feeling desperate. I’m sorry I asked the question. I don’t want anything bad to happen to Rebekah.” Lucy pressed her fingers to her forehead. “And I don’t want her to feel that we don’t want her here.” Lucy shrugged her shoulders helplessly. “I just wish … she’d be more quiet.”

  “We’ll go upstairs in a little bit,” Livvy said. “Can you tell us about the man who died in the gardens?

  “I think that whole mess has got me so shook up that I’m overreacting to Rebekah,” Lucy admitted.

  “It’s understandable,” Ella said with a soothing tone. “There’s a lot going on here.”

  Lucy forced a smile. “None of this was in my job description.”

  The sisters chuckled.

  “The man’s name was Leo Martin. He’d only been here for about six months. I’d say he was in his mid-twenties. He kept to himself for the most part. He did his work and left. People have been pleased with his culinary skills.”

  “Was he from the area?”

  “He grew up around here. He left after high school to work in San Francisco and New York City for a few years, and then made the decision to return to Massachusetts. He told me he missed this area. He has a brother who lives on Poet’s Hill.”

  The city of Quinsigamond was said to be made up of seven hills, when in actuality, there were really eleven hills, but nobody quibbled over it. Each hill, or neighborhood, had a distinct flavor and history. One hill had been settled by Swedish immigrants, another had been home to the Italians who left their country and moved to the area. Each section of the city was unique and had its own special charm, interesting architecture, and distinctive quirks.

  “Did he have a family?” Livvy asked.

  “He was single, no kids,” Lucy told them.

  “Did he seem nervous or out-of-sorts lately?” Ella questioned.

  “Like I said, Leo was quiet. He didn’t initiate conversation. I didn’t like always trying to get him to talk by asking a bunch of questions. It made me feel like I was prying, when I wasn’t. I was only trying to be friendly, but he just seemed like he wanted to be left alone.”

  “Did the kitchen staff get the same idea about him?” Livvy wanted to know if Leo had been quiet because he considered Lucy the management and felt uncomfortable interacting with her. He might have been more open with the kitchen workers.

  “They all said he was very quiet, but pleasant and easy to work with,” Lucy reported. “As long as someone did what they were supposed to do and the kitchen ran smoothly, the staff was happy.”

  “You never had any issues with Leo?” Ella asked.

  “None at all.” Lucy leaned forward. “An investigative team has been in the garden all day. They’ve been in the kitchen and all around the inn. I wish they’d clear out before the dinner crowd arrives.”

  “Are the gardens off limits?” Livvy asked.

  “They were earlier. I don’t know if they’ve finished doing what they do.”

  “Did the police question everyone?”

  “Yes, they did.” Lucy shook her head again. “Even the guests. Some of them didn’t like being disturbed.”

  “Do they have any suspects?” Ella asked.

  “Not to my knowledge. The police wouldn’t tell me anyway. As far as I know, no one’s been arrested or brought in for questioning.”

  Ella asked, “Would you mind if we talked to some people about the murder?”

  “I don’t mind, just be sort of discreet, if you can.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Lucy sat up straight, her eyes wide as saucers. “Wait a second. Is Leo’s ghost hanging around here?”

  “It might be,” Livvy admitted.

  “Oh, no. Two ghosts? Why do they stay? Why does no one here just die and pass on to the other side?” Lucy was exasperated. “Can you help him?”

  “We’re going to try.” Ella’s voice was hopeful.

  “Where do you want to start?” Ella asked her sister.

  “Let’s go outside and see if we can walk in the gardens yet.” Livvy eyed her sister. “What about that journalist? Where is he today?”

  “I think he’s interviewing Aunt Jin. That should be an interesting experience for him.” Ella chuckled.

  “He’s kind of cute.”

  Ella rolled her eyes. “Don’t start with me.”

  “He seems nice, too.”

  “Leave it,” Ella warned.

  “You’re thirty already. You can’t just spend your life teaching students and chasing ghosts.”

  Ella muttered under her breath.

  “The journalist wasn’t wearing a wedding band,” Livvy pointed out. “I don’t think he’s married.”

  “I’m going to strangle you soon, then there can be three ghosts inhabiting the inn,” Ella said.

  “I’m trying to help.”

  “Please don’t meddle. I can handle my life.”

  “That’s debatable.” The women walked around the corner of the inn to see a few law enforcement officers mulling around in the garden. “Oh, come on. Why are they still here?”

  “Maybe because someone was murdered over there?” Ella deadpanned.

  “Let’s walk around the yard. Maybe we can hear what some of them are saying. Or maybe Leo will make an appearance,” Livvy said.

  Someone came up behind the sisters. “What are you doing here?”

  The women turned around to see Detective Jonas Damon standing behind them.

  Ella greeted the man and introduced Livvy to the detective.

  “Are you staying at the inn?” Jonas asked, his eyebrows knitting together.

  “No, we’re not,” Livvy told him.

  “Then why are you here again?”

  “We come here often,” Ella said trying to seem nonchalant. “It’s a pretty place.”

  Livvy gave the detective a sweet smile. “Ella works in American studies. The inn is steeped in history. There’s a good amount of material right here for my sister to study.”

  “Is that right?” The detective looked skeptical. “What are you studying at the moment? Ghosts?”

  A sharp breath of air caught in Ella’s throat and she had to cough to clear it away.

  Livvy put a hand on her hip. “Ghosts? Is that what you said?”

  “Someone I talked with last evening shared some information with me about ghost hunters. I believe the person was talking about you two,” the detective said.

  “So you believe in ghosts?” Livvy asked the man looking evenly at him.

  “Not me,” Detectiv
e Damon smiled and shook his head. “Are you ghost hunters?”

  “Do you need assistance with your investigation, Detective?” Ella asked calmly. “Is that why you’re asking?”

  Damon laughed out loud. “Our investigation is going just fine. My concern is that some people might think they can take things into their own hands.”

  “Which people do you mean?” Ella asked.

  Damon cocked his head to the side. “Maybe the two people right in front of me? Maybe two of the owners of Green Hill Investigations?”

  Ella straightened her posture. “You don’t believe in ghosts, Detective Damon?”

  One side of the man’s mouth went up. “I do not.”

  “That’s okay. Many people don’t,” Ella said. “My family and I have had some experiences with spirits. Sometimes we’ve helped them cross over, other times, we’ve helped a ghost and the people who live in the place that the ghost is inhabiting come to terms with one another. I often say, it’s similar to being a counselor.”

  “That’s very good. I’m glad to hear it,” the detective said. “But I don’t want you interfering with my investigation.”

  “We never interfere with law enforcement,” Livvy said, her eyes blazing.

  “What we do isn’t illegal,” Ella explained. “We won’t get in your way, but we might run into each other from time to time while you do your work and we do ours.”

  The look on the detective’s face told the sisters he didn’t much care for Ella’s comments. “Fine.” The man strode away towards the other investigators.

  “Maybe I should just turn him into a toad,” Livvy said.

  When Ella turned quickly to her sister, her long black hair swung over her back. “Don’t do anything to him.”

  “Oh, I won’t. He’s lucky I’m a witch with self-control.” Livvy frowned. “But it’s too bad he’s such a pain because he’s very cute. I was going to suggest you be friendly to him.”

  Ella just shook her head.

  6

  While walking around the inn and behind the gardens, Livvy and Ella saw the investigators pack up their things and head to their cars. Detective Damon cast a long look over his shoulder at the sisters, and then walked briskly to his vehicle and drove away.