When Snow Falls (Whiskey Creek #2)(31)
Author: Brenda Novak

He’d been asking all day, but he always got the same answer.

“No, soda’s full of sugar,” Riley said, and sent him out to the Explorer to get a power saw.

Once his son was gone, Riley came closer and lowered his voice, which alarmed Cheyenne. For a second, she thought maybe he’d seen her with Joe yesterday, or he’d stopped by late to check on her, and found Dylan’s bike in the drive.

“You’ve never heard anything…strange here, have you?” he asked. “You don’t really believe the inn could be haunted.”

She’d heard plenty of strange noises. Some seemed to have no logical explanation. But they didn’t frighten her. When she was here alone, she talked to Mary like she had that night in the cemetery. She figured if Mary was around and could hear her, maybe it would bring the girl some peace to be acknowledged. And if Mary’s ghost wasn’t lingering, there wasn’t anyone around to take notice of her actions, anyway. “A few. Why?”

“It’s unnerving, don’t you think?”

“What have you heard?”

“A door at the end of the hall swung shut just after we arrived. I went to see who was there, assuming it was you, but the room was empty.”

“You might also see some billowing drapes.”

“You mean when the windows aren’t open.”

“Exactly.”

“That’s some crazy shit,” he said, shaking his head. “But…I guess both could be explained by the draftiness of an old building. You’ve never actually seen anything, an…apparition or…or something besides billowing drapes or a closing door, have you?”

“No. But I’ve heard a girl weeping.”

His eyes widened. “You kiddin’ me? Why haven’t you ever said so?”

She shrugged.

“Is it loud?”

“Loud enough. And sometimes Mary whispers to me.”

He crouched to get on an even level with her. “No…”

“Yes.”

“What does she say?”

She lowered her voice. “That anyone who stays here isn’t safe.”

He gaped at her for several seconds before he realized she was teasing him. Then he cocked his head to one side, slapped his leg and stood. “Very funny.”

She laughed as she checked behind him to be sure Jacob hadn’t returned. “How well do you know Dylan Amos?” she asked.

“Not well. But I’ve heard a few things.” He shook some dust from his hair. “Dude’s had a hard life. Why?”

“Does he do drugs?”

“No idea. His brother’s been busted for dealing meth, but I heard Dylan kicked his ass for it the last time.”

“Dylan gets into trouble, too, doesn’t he?”

“Mostly for fighting his brothers’ battles. He’s fiercely protective. Why?” he repeated. “Presley still hanging out with the Amoses?”

Cheyenne felt grateful that she could nod; she also felt a bit guilty, knowing her nod would be misleading.

“That can’t be good.”

“It’s not. But she claims Dylan is different from the others.”

“Could be.”

“If that’s the truth, why does he have such a bad reputation?”

“He’s all those boys have had by way of a parent. Could be he’s taking the blame for whatever goes on over there, whether he deserves it or not.”

She bit her lip as she considered this. “Ever been to one of their parties?”

“Years ago.”

“What was it like?”

“Their place isn’t bad. It could definitely use a woman’s touch, but it’s cleaner than you’d expect and functional. Somehow Dylan’s managed all these years.”

Jacob returned with the saw. “Got it, Dad!”

Riley hooked his kid around the neck and gave him a fatherly squeeze. “Good. Let’s get back to work, chief.”

Jacob headed upstairs but Riley hesitated. “What are you doing for Christmas?”

Cheyenne had already turned back to her computer. “Just taking care of my mother. Presley’s got to work. She agreed to a couple of extra shifts over the holidays to get time and a half.”

“That’ll make a nice paycheck.”

“I hope so.” The way her sister went through money, she needed all she could get. Chey still wasn’t sure how she’d be able to afford the funeral expenses once Anita passed away. Fortunately, the state was paying for her mother’s medical care.

“Why don’t you come to dinner at my folks’?” he asked. “No one can cook a turkey like my mom.”

She smiled to show her gratitude, but she doubted she could get anyone to stay with Anita on Christmas Day. Marcy Mostats-Passuello would want to be with her own family.

Cheyenne would feel too guilty leaving, anyway. “I’ll make myself something to eat. No worries.”

“The invitation stands, in case you change your mind.”

She smiled. “Thanks.”

He turned back again. “Are you sure you’re okay? There’s nothing wrong?”

Cheyenne felt as if she had a scarlet S for slut tattooed on her forehead. But she denied feeling anything out of the ordinary. “No. Why?”

He didn’t explain. He scowled as he said, “You’d let me know if you needed me?”

“Of course.”

With a nod, he left and she released her breath. But then her cell phone rang. She expected it to be her sister, asking Cheyenne to pick up some food on her way home. It couldn’t be Eve or any of her friends. Their cell phones didn’t work out of country.

But it wasn’t Presley; it was Joe.

12

He was back. Presley couldn’t believe it, but as she peered out the peephole she saw Eugene Crouch. He’d found their home! What a way to start the week….

Feeling slightly drugged from sleep—it was his knock that had awakened her—she leaned against the front door, wondering what to do. Her first inclination was to act as if she wasn’t home so he’d go away. But she was afraid that would only make him come back at a time when he might run into Cheyenne.

If that ever happened, Cheyenne would never forgive Anita. And she’d never forgive Presley for lying. Now that Presley had made the decision to keep her mother’s filthy secret, she had no choice but to stick to what she’d already said.

Heart pounding, she hurried to Anita’s room. Her mother was asleep so Presley couldn’t warn her to stay quiet. She could only pray that Anita wouldn’t choose the next five minutes to wake up and start shouting for one thing or another.