CHAPTER 13
Travel trailer tip 13: Pack a first aid kit. Life inside a trailer can be hazardous. So can life outside a trailer.
The sun streamed through the tree branches, casting a prism of colors across the front of my trailer. I surveyed the setup of my paintings.
“Looks good,” a baritone voice said from over my shoulder.
I spun around to find Caleb standing right behind me. It was a bit disconcerting that I hadn’t heard him when he slipped up.
“Oh, thank you,” I said with a smile.
He studied my work for a bit longer. No matter how many paintings I sold, I always felt self-conscious when people looked at my work. What was he thinking? Did he hate them? The portrait of Elizabeth was there, but I knew I wouldn’t sell her now.
“I want to buy one of your paintings,” Caleb said.
I almost asked why, but that would be an odd question to ask of a customer. If he wanted to buy, I certainly couldn’t refuse. Maybe he liked my work after all.
“Okay,” I said hesitantly. “Which one would you like?”
He stepped closer, studying the paintings again. I walked along beside him with butterflies in my stomach.
“Which one do you like best?” he asked.
“Well, I’m sure you know that’s like asking a mother to pick her favorite child.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I suppose it is.”
He stopped in front of the painting of Elizabeth. Oh no. I knew I should have removed it. I’d have to tell him it wasn’t for sale. After that, he’d want to know why. It would turn into a whole big thing. I wasn’t good at lying.
“What about this one? Do you know this person?” He pointed. “An ancestor?”
Could Elizabeth be an ancestor? I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe I should show my grandmother the painting to see if she recognized Elizabeth. Movement caught my attention. Elizabeth peeked around the side of my trailer.
“I’m not exactly sure who she is,” I said.
“She’s mesmerizing.” Caleb turned his attention to me. “Like you.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
“Why, thank you,” Elizabeth said.
I jumped when she spoke. I hadn’t realized she’d moved so close to us. Caleb looked at me strangely.
“Yes, it is a unique piece,” I said.
“It’s almost . . . haunting,” Caleb said.
What made him pick that word?
“Unfortunately, it’s not for sale.” I rushed the words.
He frowned. “Why not? Does it have a special meaning for you?”
“You could say that.” I shifted from one foot to the other. This whole conversation was making me uncomfortable.
“Now I’m curious. Come on, tell me the whole story.” Caleb wiggled his fingers, urging for details.
I supposed I could tell him the first part of the story. Leaving out the fact that I’d seen Elizabeth would be the best way to handle this.
“I sold the painting once. It was returned.”
“The customer didn’t like it?” he asked.
“She loved it at first. However, when she got it home, she said something happened.” I studied his face for a reaction.
He waited to hear the rest.
“She claimed the painting was haunted.”
Caleb chuckled. “Was she serious?”
“She said she saw a ghost. It was the woman from the painting.”
Caleb shook his head. “She probably just dreamed it. There are crazy people out there.”
Yes, crazy people, as in murderers.
“I wish it was that simple,” I said.
He furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”
I was nervous about saying more. But maybe I could tell Caleb about Elizabeth after all. What did I have to lose?
“At first, I didn’t believe the woman. I thought she just wanted to return the painting. Which was fine,” I said.
“Right,” Caleb said. “What happened next?”
My heart sped up. I hoped he didn’t think I was crazy for telling him this. It would feel better to tell someone else other than Sammie, though. At least that was what I told myself.
“I saw the ghost too,” I blurted out.
He chuckled. When I didn’t laugh in return, he stopped. “Are you serious?”
“Do you believe in ghosts?” I asked.
He shoved his hands in his pants pockets. “I never put much thought in it. I suppose it’s possible, though.”
“Oh, it’s definitely possible. As a matter of fact, the ghost is here now. She liked when you gave her a compliment by saying she was mesmerizing.”
“The ghost talks to you?” His eyes widened.
“Yes,” I said.
Now I was second-guessing whether I should have confided in Caleb.
“What else does she say?” Caleb asked.
I couldn’t read whether he truly believed me or not.
“Her name is Elizabeth and she doesn’t know why she’s here.”
“Do you know why she’s here?” he asked.
“I think it has something to do with this.” I reached over and picked up the jar I used to see the hidden images. “Look at the paintings. All of them. I’ve painted images into them that I didn’t know about.”
He regarded me skeptically but ultimately took the jar and peered into the glass at the painting. “Interesting.” He moved over to another painting and studied it too. After looking at that canvas, he moved on to another and then another. “All of them have a hidden image?”
I nodded. “All of them.”
“And you don’t remember painting them?”
“Nope.”
“That’s fascinating. I would say it’s matrixing, but the images are so vivid. Plus, they are all similar, with the same theme. It’s like a painting within a painting. You’re talented.”
“Thanks,” I said with a blush. “But I didn’t know I was doing it.”
“Why do you think this has something to do with the ghost?”
“It’s just a feeling. The images have a bit of a paranormal twist to them, don’t you think?” I asked.
“Yes, I suppose they do,” he said as he handed the jar back to me.
“I’d love to find out why this happened and what it all means.”
“Why don’t you let me buy the painting to see if the ghost follows me? Is she still here?” Caleb looked over my shoulder.
I scanned the area. “I don’t see her now.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about his proposal. However, what was the worst that could happen? Maybe Elizabeth would be mad at me for selling her to someone else. She would mess up Caleb’s stuff like the other woman said had happened to her.
Caleb watched me for an answer.
“I can do that.”
“Great. How much do you want for it?” He pulled out his wallet.
He took out a wad of cash. Wow, that was a lot of money. I didn’t realize he’d sold so many of his sculptures.
I held up my hand. “You know, I’d rather not sell the painting. I could let you borrow it for a bit instead. Just to see if the ghost comes around.”
He put the cash back into his wallet. “I understand.”
Elizabeth was back with a scowl on her face. “I don’t want to go with him. I want to stay with you. You’re the one who painted me. It’s meant for me to stay with you. Why do you think I threw such a fit when the other person took me home?” Elizabeth asked from over my shoulder.
I didn’t know what to do.
“Are you all right?” Caleb asked.
“The ghost is talking,” I said, motioning over my shoulder.
“What is she saying?” Caleb looked around for Elizabeth.
“She doesn’t want to go with you.”
“Oh, I see,” he said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Now he thought I was just making it up so he wouldn’t take the painting.
“But that’s okay. It’s important that you take it.” I reached over and picked up the canvas.
“Are you sure?” Caleb asked as he took the painting from me.
I nodded. “I’m positive.”
When I checked over my shoulder, Elizabeth wasn’t back there. I’d probably made her mad. That might be a good thing, though. Now maybe she’d act up, and Caleb would know I was telling the truth. My mind went back to the money in Caleb’s wallet.
“Is business good? Have you sold a lot of pieces?” I asked.
He ran his hand through his hair. “Not a lot.”
How odd. Did he always keep that much cash on him? Especially with someone at the fair stealing? Was he being honest with me about his career? Just because Caleb was finer than frog hair, it was hard for me to tell him no.
“I promise I’ll take good care of it. Elizabeth, you’ll be fine with me.” Caleb spoke in the direction in which I’d previously pointed out Elizabeth. She’d moved now, though, and stood behind Caleb.
“Thank you,” I said.
Caleb picked up the canvas. “Well, I’ll get this back to my trailer. I’ll let you know if anything happens.”
Skepticism filled his voice. With any luck, he would see differently soon. I watched as he walked down the path with the painting. I was oddly attached to it now that Elizabeth had made an appearance. I looked around for her, but she was nowhere in sight.
As I scanned the area, a chill came over me. It wasn’t from the weather, and I didn’t feel it was from Elizabeth either. It felt as if someone was watching me. With the cover of night, it was a real possibility that someone was hiding nearby. I wouldn’t be able to easily spot them. Was it Shar or Carly? The light was on in Ruth’s trailer. That didn’t mean she was in there, though.
I hurried into my trailer. Van looked up when I entered, but he laid his little head back down and closed his eyes. He was such a sweetheart. The best friend I’d ever had.
After getting ready for bed, I settled down under the covers. Guilt consumed me that I’d given the painting to Caleb when Elizabeth hadn’t wanted to go with him. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, attempting to push the eerie thoughts out of my head.