Loxley Belle Read online

  “This is the last room. Now to make sure I have everything I need in the fridge for breakfast and lunch for two days.”

  “Nice try. You can’t avoid the question. What’s going on?”

  As we left the room—this would have been Loxley and Addison’s room—I closed the door and dropped my voice. “The baby’s carrier slid across the floor in the kitchen. He’s scared, and I worry every second that he’s being…toyed with.”

  “What? None of the Belles would hurt him. The only one who would have done anything like that was Ann Marie, and she’s gone. We all witnessed her leaving. Who is it that you think is here?”

  I glanced at Loxley’s door and rubbed my sleeping baby’s back as we went back to the front room.

  “Loxley or Addison?”

  I sat on the couch and leaned back against the pillow. I was a sweaty mess, but Summerleigh was mostly ready for visitors. “We found an inscription in Jesse’s writer shack. It said, ‘You’re mine, Loxley.’”

  “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I don’t know. Jesse wants to put all that ghost stuff behind us, but it seems the ghosts aren’t done yet. I heard a scream the other day when I was opening that recipe box. I found it in the dirt in front of the shack. It used to belong to the Belle family. I know Harper used it a number of times.”

  “And? Go on,” Renee said as she twisted her dark hair back up into a messy bun. Her makeup was a bit runny under her eyes. She’d worked herself into a sweat too, apparently.

  “Inside the recipe box were a bunch of things. A barrette, some coins, a paper clip. But also one thing in particular that was unusual—a gold charm bracelet with musical note charms. When I heard the scream, I went upstairs to see who was there but didn’t find anyone. It shook me up so bad that I put everything back in the box and stuck it in the cabinet by the phone.”

  “I have to see it,” she announced as she headed to the cabinet, then she came back with the rusty-edged box and opened it up. She dumped the contents on the coffee table and handled each one. “Interesting. It’s a shame that Hannah can’t be here, but we can do this. We can figure out what it is she wants. But who is she? You know, if you give me a few minutes, maybe an hour or two, I could try to make contact.”

  “Not with Jordan here, Aunt Ree-Ree. Besides, something is already trying to make contact, and I don’t like the way he or she is going about it. Or whatever it is.”

  Renee picked up the box and turned it upside down. “Where’s the charm bracelet? I don’t see it in here. You say it was gold?” She carefully sifted through the items on the table, her dark eyebrow raised slightly as she studied each one.

  “It disappeared. Someone opened the box and took it and left the rest of the stuff on the table. Last night when the power went out.”

  “Jesse, maybe? No early guests?”

  I gave her a look that said, “Really?”

  “Okay, so wow. That means someone doesn’t want you to have it. Maybe we should put the box back in the ground.”

  “Without the charm bracelet? I don’t know what is going on here. Oh, shoot. The phone is ringing. Would you get it for me? My back is killing me.”

  “Sure,” she said as I began putting everything back in the recipe box. Didn’t need this lying out here. The guests would be here soon. I really needed to get my hair in order.

  “It’s Jesse. Take the phone and let me unhook you. I’ll put Jordan in his bed and stay with him.”

  “Thanks,” I said with some relief as she unhooked my backpack and carried my sleeping lump of a baby upstairs. That’s right, kid. Sleep all day, scream all night. I hoped he didn’t disturb the guests. Nothing like trying to keep B & B guests happy with a screaming kid in the house.

  “Hi, beautiful. How are things?”

  “Magical,” I said with a chuckle. That was the term we used when things just went completely crazy.

  “So magical that you need me to come right this minute? I will if you need me.”

  “I need you to sell some books, truckloads. The house is ready, thanks to Renee. Your son doesn’t like to sleep at night.” That and I saw shadows outside the back door and the power went out for an hour or two last night.

  “I’m leaving at two; I’ll be home around four. I thought I might have the opportunity to stay another day, but I’ve not been invited. It’s been a great book expo. I had no idea so many people were waiting for my next book. We’ve got to finish working on that shack so I can get started.”

  “Slow down there, Jesse Clarke. One thing at a time. The guests are coming in tonight, so I’ll definitely need you here at least by four. I’m happy you’re making such great connections with your fans, but I think I told you that you needed to get started writing. That was me, right?”

  “Yes, that was you. And you were right. You usually are, but I love you anyway, Jerica Clarke.”

  “Hey…” I pretended to be irritated by his suggestion that I felt I had to be right all the time. I didn’t think that at all.

  “Kiss Jordan for me.”

  “I will. He’s upstairs with his aunt right at the moment. Be safe, and we’ll see you around four o’clock.” He didn’t ask me about ghosts or moving baby carriers, and I didn’t bring it up.

  “Bye, Jerica.” He hung up the phone as the doorbell rang.

  Oh no, please tell me they aren’t early.

  Chapter Eleven—Jerica

  I caught a glimpse of myself from the mirror and was appalled. No time to doctor that hair up. I smoothed out my clothes and opened the door to find four smiling, tired faces. Well, no harm. They were only an hour early.

  “Hi, everyone. Welcome to Summerleigh.” I smiled at them and held the door open so they could come inside and out of the heat.

  “You must be Jerica Clarke. I know we’re early, but we thought maybe we could leave our luggage here and head out for a little while. Harry’s got a lead foot, and we got here faster than we expected. I’m Trisha Beckett. This is my husband, Harry. And this is my sister, Karen, and her husband, Ron.”

  I immediately liked them. They were tired but seemed to be a fun-loving group. That was good. It sucked having hard-to-please visitors.

  “Actually, your rooms are ready now. If you’ll follow me.” I waved them toward the hallway.

  “Wow, this place is beautiful. I could put two of my apartments in here,” Trisha commented as I led them through the front room and to Loxley’s room. I opened the door and gasped before closing it again. Loxley’s bedroom was a disaster. The sheets and blankets had been torn off the bed, and the fresh-cut flowers were on the floor. It looked like someone had thrown a fit during the brief time since Renee and I had left the room.

  I pointed to the next door down. “Um, wrong room. This is the one,” I lied as best I could. The guests didn’t argue with me, but Trisha raised an eyebrow. I opened the door and let the first couple walk in. “The Wisteria Room. The bathroom is just beyond.”

  “I call dibs,” Trisha shouted as she put her luggage on the floor and walked around the room. “Wow, it’s a beautiful room.”

  I managed to smile at her even though I was dying inside. “Karen and Ron, you’re in the room at the end of the hall.” I opened the door to the Rose Room and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was in order in Ann Marie Belle’s old room. The wrought-iron bed was perfectly made up and looked so inviting. The rose quilt was folded neatly, the soft towels piled up on the end of the bed. Thank goodness not all the rooms were destroyed. I left our guests to get acquainted with their weekend digs and walked upstairs to find Renee.

  “Our guests are here.”

  “Great,” Renee said as she wound up the mobile again. My son was wide awake now. He must have gotten his nap in while I carried him around this afternoon.

  “Not great. I mean, I don’t mind that they came early, but Loxley’s room is tore up.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, tore up. I mean, the bed is unmade and the fl
owers are strewn all over the ground. It looks like someone had a hissy fit and decided to undo all our work.” I paced the floor as I cracked my knuckles.

  Renee said, “I have to go see this for myself.”

  “Okay,” was all I could think to say. A few minutes later, Renee was back, her face equally pale and filled with confusion. “You saw it?”

  “Yes, but I don’t understand it.”

  “Do you think the guests will be okay? Jesse says he’ll be home around four o’clock.”

  Renee snorted. “And what’s he going to do? You know he’s about as sensitive as a mud hole. Spiritually speaking. But you should tell him, whether he wants to hear it or not. In the meantime, you’ve got guests to take care of. Why don’t you let me take Jordan home with me? Uncle Frank and I would love to have him for an overnight.”

  I bit my fingernail thinking about that proposal. “He’s a night owl, Renee. And he’s not much for staying on schedule. Frank isn’t going to appreciate being kept up all night. You won’t either when it’s two in the morning and Jordan is screaming like a banshee.”

  “You let me worry about that. If I have any trouble, I’ll call you. Scout’s honor.”

  “Alright, but don’t hesitate to call me, please.” We packed Jordan’s overnight bag, which included a ridiculous amount of diapers.

  “Really? That many?”

  I laughed at her lack of faith in my child’s ability to pee on everything. “Yes, really. And use caution when removing his diaper. Call me tonight, okay?”

  “Bye, Helicopter Mom.”

  I winced at the name, but I owned it. I really was too overprotective, but losing one child had nearly killed me. You’re being ridiculous, Jerica. Let him go have fun with Renee. She loves him like he’s her own.

  I stuffed the bag with bottles and everything I could think of and watched them leave. My guests had left too, and I was now alone in Summerleigh.

  Or at least I thought I was. I was about to find out how wrong I could be.

  Chapter Twelve—Loxley

  I had never seen so much glitter in my life. Every paper star that hung from the gymnasium ceiling was covered in the blue shiny stuff, and what I once thought was hokey was actually quite lovely. Magical, even. Here I was with a handsome date; yes, Harmon Gates was a nice-looking guy. Tonight, he looked every bit as hunky as Chuck Welford, Shannon Bohannan’s date.

  “Everyone is watching us, Loxley Belle,” Harmon whispered in my ear. I liked the feel of his breath on my skin, but there was also a part of me that was uncomfortable with his intimate proximity. “Do you know why they are whispering?”

  “No, I mean, yes. I think I should go home now, Harmon. Please take me home.” Music began to play, and it was a song I knew and loved. The bandleader sang a Perry Como song, No other love have I… And even though I had never danced with a boy before in my life, I didn’t step on his toes as he politely put his hands in mine and smiled down at me.

  Watching the night go by. Wishing that you could be watching the night with me…

  “They are looking at you because you are the most beautiful girl at George County High School. You’re the most beautiful girl in this whole school, and I am one lucky guy.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at Harmon. His dark eyes and olive skin made him look so exotic, like a movie star. Well, he was from California, if one believed him. Was Hollywood anywhere near San Diego?

  “Harmon…” I couldn’t look into those eyes any longer. It wasn’t right for me to have the feelings I was having right now. I barely knew him.

  “One day, you’ll look back on this night and say that Harmon was right. He was right that night, and I didn’t believe him. Believe me, Loxley Belle. I have never said this to another girl, and I am sure I will never say it again, but I have to tell you this because I don’t know when I’ll have another chance. I leave tomorrow.”

  “You’re playing games with me, Harmon, and I don’t like it.” I glowered at him, but his intense expression didn’t change. The couples on the dance floor began to clap as the song ended. To my surprise, all the chaperones took the dance floor, including Aunt Dot. To my further shock, Aunt Dot was dancing with Mr. Maurice Patrick, our new football coach. Coach Patrick was a handsome man and never gave the schoolgirls so much as a second look, not even the seniors, but he certainly appeared interested in my Aunt Dot. She was caught up in his arms, and they danced to an old Count Basie song.

  I want a little girl to love a lot…

  “Loxley Grace Belle? Are you listening to me?”

  “You don’t even know me, Harmon. You really don’t. I am crazy, just like they say I am,” I said as I peeked over his shoulder at Aunt Dot, who was enraptured in Coach Patrick’s whispered words. Oh, yes, Aunt Dot was in love. That was plain now. How could I have missed it? Was that why the girls all hated me so ferociously?

  No, it’s because you’re evil, Loxley Grace. Just plain old evil. Like your crazy Momma.

  “I know you are different from the rest of these George County girls. You don’t treat people badly. Not on purpose. You take things from time to time, but it’s like a tic you have…you know, a habit. I don’t care about that because I love you. I know that about you, but I don’t care. There, I said it. I love you!”

  I was staring at him in shock, for many reasons. He said he loved me. Me, Loxley Grace Belle. And there was something else—he knew my secret, or at least part of my secret, but that meant he knew too much. Oh, so that was it. Harmon must have seen me collect that charm bracelet. He must have seen me pick up Betty Lou’s barrette the day before. He knew my secrets—what did he want from me?

  You don’t know just how different I am. Tears crowded my eyes but did not fall. How could the most beautiful night of my life be marred by my own sins? Sins that others had witnessed. As I fought back the tears, and the two of us stood in the center of that gymnasium staring at one another, the band started playing Stranger in Paradise.

  “That’s you, Loxley. You’re my paradise.” Girls walked past us, couples hand in hand. Harmon and I didn’t hold hands, even though he offered his to me now. I had no idea where Aunt Dot was, either. “It’s okay if you don’t love me. I love you. I do, Loxley. What would you say if I told you I was leaving this one-horse town? You could go with me. We could be together, always.”

  “What do you mean? You just got here,” I said as I took his hands in my own. “Are you joking with me, Harmon?”

  “No, I wish I were. My brother-in-law is leaving soon, him and my sister. I live with them, Loxley. So… I have to go when they go.”

  I dropped his hands, and tears began to fall. This all seemed so improbable. “No, you don’t. You have a car, and you could stay and get a job. You could be your own man. We’re about to graduate, for Pete’s sake. What about me? You say you love me, but you tell me you’re going to leave?” My voice was rising, but I didn’t care who heard us.

  “Who is going to hire me? If I don’t have Nancy and Simon’s help, I don’t have anything. And where I come from, family sticks together. Always.”

  I took his hand again and squeezed it. “I bet Frank, my scarecrow brother-in-law, could get you a job. He owns two gas stations now. Two! He’s bound to have something for you.”

  “But I can’t stay. We…our family is different from yours. We don’t put down roots in any one place for long. It’s not safe.” He glanced away and refused to make eye contact for a few seconds. When he did look back at me, his expression was one of surrender. But not to me.

  He wasn’t joking—Harmon really was leaving. I was hurt that he was going and hurt that he hadn’t been honest with me about his family.

  “I don’t understand what you mean! Why can’t you stay? If you’re making fun of me, Harmon Gates, I am never going to forgive you. Never!”

  I got mad so quickly that I surprised myself. I had no idea I was yelling until the crowd around us began to push back and watch us. I brushed against someone’s shoulder,
but I couldn’t say whose because there were tears in my eyes. I walked away from the first boy who had ever told me that he loved me. Did I love him? How could I know that yet? I’d only just met him! Aunt Dot met me at the punch bowl. Obviously, she hadn’t seen us arguing on the dance floor. I guessed she had other things to keep her occupied.

  “Oh my. You look pale, Loxley. Are you okay?”

  “No, I’m not okay,” I said, shaking my head at her. At first, I refused the punch and wiped the tears from my eyes. Then I picked it off the table and stared into the liquid.

  “What is it? Would you like to go home? I can tell the principal that I’m leaving. I’m sure he won’t mind. There are so many chaperones here tonight.”

  I bit my lip as I held the drink in my hand. I didn’t want to drink it. I wanted to throw it at Harmon, but I didn’t do any such thing. “No, I think I’ll go for a walk, is all. Just to clear my head. I’m okay, Aunt Dot. I promise.”

  “Would you like to talk about it?”

  Strangely enough, I did want to talk about it, but there was a line forming behind me. A line of thirsty students, or maybe they were just nosy and wanted to know the latest gossip about Aunt Dot and Coach Patrick or me and Harmon Gates. Well, they could eat their hearts out because I wasn’t going to give them any information.

  I shook my head and pretended to sip my punch while Coach came to “help” cute Aunt Dot deliver cup after cup of prom punch. It was easy to slip out of the gym unnoticed. Thankfully, Harmon was nowhere to be found. Maybe he got the picture. Maybe it was all a big lie. Another joke on Loxley Belle. He couldn’t possibly think I was one of those girls who believed every sob story a guy told her. This might be our last night together, Loxley. Let’s make the most of it.

  Yes, I knew what that meant, and he was wrong about me. I was no s-l-u-t. I stepped outside and walked down the steps. The parking lot was as busy as the gymnasium. Kids were out here too, hanging out, listening to car radios and doing who knows what else.