Minutes later, LeAnn pulled her boat into the slip nearest the shore. Now that the season was over, there were plenty of empty slips. She didn’t have to worry about where she parked her boat because most people had pulled their boats out of water and stored them for the winter.
After tying her boat to the pier, she grabbed her bag and purse then climbed onto the pier. She walked quickly to the lodge entrance. Just before she went through the door, she looked over her shoulder back toward the island. When she saw the boathouse, she quickly turned away and walked in.
Hannah was waiting for her in the lobby. “Hi!” Hannah called out when she spotted LeAnn. The pretty little blonde looked very sexy in her black leggings, white off-the- shoulder top and heels.
“Hi.”
“You look beautiful!” Hannah said to LeAnn.
“You too.” LeAnn reached into her bag and quickly changed into her heels. “Should I drive?”
“I was hoping you would. My car is acting a little funny, and I need to get one of the guys to check it out. It probably needs a tune-up, but I haven’t been able to get it done yet. You don’t mind driving?”
“Not at all; let’s go!” LeAnn reached in her purse looking for her car keys. They headed for the lower end of the parking lot. There LeAnn unlocked the doors to her black BMW convertible.
“Wow! What a gorgeous car!” Hannah exclaimed.
“Thank you,” LeAnn said, a little embarrassed.
They both got in, and LeAnn started the engine. The engine purred as she put the car in reverse and backed out slowly. “Okay, so where is this wine tasting we’re going to?”
Hannah fastened her seatbelt and turned toward LeAnn. “It’s in a place in Hayward on Main Street called The Cellar. It’s really cool. The upstairs is a gift shop, but you walk to the back of the store where there is an old staircase to the cellar. The walls are all stone and they’ve built wine shelves all around. They do a wine tasting a couple times a year to get people to maybe buy cases of their specialty wines. Plus it’s a great way to meet guys!”
“Boy, for not being here very long you’ve got a lot of information,” LeAnn said jokingly.
“Well, it pays to be a waitress. I hear a lot of stuff.” Hannah and LeAnn both laughed.
They talked mostly about Hannah and how she had moved to Cable from Chicago. She and her parents had also vacationed at the lake, and Hannah was ready to be on her own. She was twenty-four years old and thought it was about time she left the nest, as she called it.
“The Westons were really nice when I asked them for a job. Business is slowing down a lot, and the tips have really dropped off, but I’m going to try and hang in there and see what happens this winter. I do like to snowmobile, ski, and stuff, so we’ll see what happens.”
After a short pause, Hannah asked, “LeAnn, I have to ask you a question, if that’s okay.”
“Sure.”
Here it comes, LeAnn thought keeping her eyes on the road. Where did I get my money? She hated having to explain about her parent’s death. It hurt so much.
“Why did you buy Tabor Island? Didn’t you know it was haunted?”
LeAnn’s mouth fell open. “What?” she asked, shocked. That definitely wasn’t the question she thought Hannah was going to ask.
“LeAnn, you had to know it was haunted. Is that why you bought it, because it is?”
LeAnn glanced over at Hannah, trying not to take her eyes off the road.
“Oh, my God! You didn’t know!” Hannah’s eyes widen. “You really didn’t know, did you? I’m so sorry. I thought you knew. I mean, people have talked about that place being haunted for years.”
“What are you talking about, Hannah? I haven’t heard anything except a few dumb rumors. In fact, I asked Matt about the rumors, and he told me it was something young boys made up to scare their dates into making out. It’s all rumors and made-up stories, Hannah, that’s all.”
Hannah continued, “Didn’t you know that when a tragedy happens somewhere, the energy is trapped in that space?”
LeAnn felt dizzy and sick. Was Hannah talking about the murder? How could she know about that? LeAnn didn’t even know. Heck, Matt hadn’t even known.
“What tragedy?” LeAnn asked, her grip on the steering wheel tightening.
Hannah saw that LeAnn had turned white, “I’m sorry, I’ll shut up. I have a big mouth. I won’t talk anymore.” Hannah turned her head to look out the window.
“No, Hannah, please tell me what you mean.”
“I really don’t want to ruin our evening. We’re suppose to have fun tonight.” Hannah said, regretting saying anything at all about the island.
“I’m not upset with you. I just want to know what you mean. What about the energy being trapped? What tragedy are you talking about?”
Slowly, and reluctantly, Hannah continued, “Well, I read a lot about entities and how if someone dies a violent death and they die unfairly, they don’t go on to the afterlife. They stick around. But, it can be for many reasons. Maybe they have unfinished business and they can’t leave, or they don’t know they have died, or they loved life too much and won’t leave. Sometimes they love someone too much and refuse to leave that person.”
LeAnn couldn’t believe her ears. Who was stuck at her boathouse? Jonathan? Was that his voice that whispered in her ear? The thought gave her the chills. It didn’t make LeAnn feel better knowing there was a possibility of an angry ghost in her boathouse, especially an angry male ghost.
The big question right now was how did Hannah know there had been a tragedy at the boathouse? LeAnn had just found the newspapers and had never known about it when she bought the island. Her father had never said anything either.
“LeAnn, have I ruined the evening? I’m so sorry.” Hannah looked at LeAnn as if she was gong to cry any minute.
“No, no. Not at all Hannah. I’m fine, really, and you and I are going to have a great time.” LeAnn forced a smile. “But now it’s my turn to ask you a question. How did you know something happened on the island?”
“Oh, wow! Something did happen! I knew it! I just knew it!”
Okay, she’s just too excited about this! LeAnn thought.
Hannah continued happily, “Well, my grandmother had dementia when she was in her early seventies. We came here on vacations, like I told you, and brought her with us sometimes. She would stare at the island and say, ‘Something bad happened over there. Something really, really bad.’ She would just stare and say this over and over. We actually started to ignore her after awhile. After all she wasn’t well, and we thought it was her dementia.
“Everyone had heard the island was haunted, and we thought that’s what she was talking about. The rumors and my grandmother’s reaction to the island intrigued me, so I started to look up ghosts and hauntings and found out why ghosts stick around. What happened, LeAnn? Please, please tell me. I have to know,” Hannah pleaded.
They were coming into Hayward, and LeAnn didn’t know if she wanted to get into the story. Plus, she wasn’t sure how much to tell Hannah. She surely didn’t want her island to become a tourist attraction. “Hannah, it’s kind of a long story and to be honest, I really don’t want a bunch of people knowing about what really happened on my island. I will say that I did find some old newspapers in the attic and someone was shot at one of the balls.”
“Whoa! That’s awesome. What about ghosts?”
LeAnn was not about to get into her boathouse experience now and she wasn’t sure Hannah was someone who should know about it. So she lied. “Nope, no ghosts.” She saw Hannah’s excitement fade from her face.
LeAnn turned on Main Street and saw the parking lot was full. They drove a little farther and found a parking space not too far from the front entrance.
“Yea, we’re here!” Hannah said, unfastening her seatbelt and pulling down the visor to see if there was a mirror to check her make up. “You know, there’s supposed to be a lot of single guys at these wine tastings!” Her mood had changed quickly.
LeAnn laughed and checked her make up also. LeAnn was relieved that Hannah had been so easily distracted and the subject of ghosts was over.
“We look great! Let’s go taste some wine.” said Hannah.
The girls walked in the front door of the The Cellar. LeAnn noticed it was as Hannah had said. On the upper level was a gift shop where the merchandise was all wine related. There were beautiful hand-painted wineglasses, crystal glasses, carafes, wine racks. It was amazing how many different items there were for setting up a wine cellar.
They walked to the back of the shop and found a handsome man taking the tickets.
“Hi, Hannah!” he said when he saw her. “You look hot!”
“Why, thank you Charlie. Not so bad yourself,” she said in a flirty voice. “Charlie, I’d like you to meet my friend, LeAnn Klein. LeAnn, this is Charlie. He works in the kitchen at Ridgewood’s.”
“Only in the summer,” Charlie added. “Nice to meet you, LeAnn. Tickets, ladies.”
Hannah handed Charlie the two tickets, and he let them in. “Be careful on the stairs. They’re ninety years old.” Charlie had a great smile, LeAnn noticed. She also noticed how he checked out Hannah’s rear as she passed by him.
Hannah and LeAnn walked slowly down the narrow wooden stairs and into a room where all the walls were stone. LeAnn realized that this was the original basement of the building.
“This is incredible,” LeAnn said, amazed. To the right was a large, old, dark-wooden bar with a huge mirror set in a massive carved wood frame. Glass shelves on the mirror were filled with wine bottles. All around the room were wine racks with hundreds of bottles of wine. Scattered around the room were tables made from large wine barrels, and strings of lights hung overhead. In the back of the room, she noticed, was a buffet table set with several types of cheese, crackers, and fruit.
Then LeAnn spotted five young girls dressed in European costumes representing the countries from which the wines came from. Each girl held a tray of glasses filled with white and red wine. The girls were explaining the wines to the patrons seated at the tables.
“Isn’t this awesome?” Hannah asked looking around.
“I love it!” answered LeAnn with a wide smile, all thoughts of ghosts vanished for the moment. “Let’s get a glass of wine and something to eat. Okay?”
“You bet.” Hannah followed LeAnn as she walked toward the bar.
While enjoying her wine and food, LeAnn noticed a man coming down the stairs. She almost choked on her cheese.
“LeAnn, are you all right?” Hannah exclaimed patting LeAnn on the back.
LeAnn coughed and looked away from the door. “I’m fine.” She took a sip of her wine to wash down the cheese.
Hannah looked up and said in a surprised voice, “Hi Boss! What are you doing here?”
“Hello, Hannah. Hello, LeAnn.” It was Matt.
LeAnn wasn’t sure how to react. Why was he here? Did he know that she was going to be here? Was this another set up? She turned toward him, “Hi, Matt.” She sipped her wine wishing she were somewhere else.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” Hannah said to Matt.
“Actually, it was last minute. My wine rep for the restaurant called and told me about the wine tasting. He’s been trying to get me to upgrade our wine selection at Ridgewood’s. So I told him I would meet him here.”
While Matt was talking, Hannah’s eyes wondered around the room. Suddenly she saw someone she knew. “There’s Christie. Have to go say hi. I’ll be right back.” Hannah slid off her stool and ran over to her friend, leaving LeAnn and Matt alone.
Feeling awkward, LeAnn didn’t know what to do or say. She continued to sip her wine and eat cheese, looking around the room.
“Are you ever going to forgive me and talk to me again?”
Angry, LeAnn glared up at him, “Matt, why in the world did you call my brother?” she asked, trying to keep her voice down so as not to attract attention. You’ve got him all worked up and worried about me.” He was going to cancel his trip to Alaska tomorrow and rush out to take care of me. I don’t need taking care of. You had no right to call him.”
“LeAnn, calm down. I meant no harm. You shut me out, and I was worried. You are so hardheaded and stubborn. If you were my sister, I would want to know that something had happened. Please, LeAnn, I am truly sorry. Forgive me?” He gave her a small pleading smile.
She just looked at him. Damn him for looking so good. He was wearing a black dress shirt and black slacks. His eyes looked bluer than before, if that was possible. He was so good looking. She was finding it very hard to stay mad at him because deep down she knew he was right.
She just looked at him for a minute and then smiled. “It’s against my better judgment but okay, I forgive you,” she said. She was not going to tell him what had happened that afternoon. In fact, she may never tell him anything about the boathouse again.
A short, stocky man walked over to their table and interrupted them.
“Matt, I’m sorry I’m late. One of my clients called with a last-minute order.”
“That’s okay, Jim.” The two men shook hands. “Jim I’d like you to meet LeAnn. LeAnn Klein, Jim Davis. Jim’s my wine rep and he thinks I need to get a little classier when it comes to wines at Ridgewood’s.”
“Nice to meet you, Jim, and I agree with you,” LeAnn said giving Matt a smug look.
Jim grinned holding out his hand to shake LeAnn’s, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, LeAnn. Thanks for your support.” To Matt he said, “She’s great. Maybe you need to hire her.” The three laughed.
A girl with a tray came over, and they listened as she explained the different glasses of wine. Jim recommended the chardonnay. LeAnn and Matt each took a glass and sipped. While Matt and Jim discussed the wine, LeAnn looked around the room for Hannah. She couldn’t see her. Matt saw the look on LeAnn’s face.
He gave her hand a squeeze, “Are you all right?”
“Yeah. I just need to get back to the island, and I don’t see Hannah.”
“Why don’t you stay at Ridgewood’s tonight? It’s getting late, and we have a lot of empty rooms.”
“Yeah, but I have some workers coming over at ten in the morning, right?” she asked with a smile, hoping he hadn’t forgotten to hire them.
“Oh, damn, I forgot.” he said, teasing. Yes. They’re all set to help out. If it’s okay, I’d like to come out with them. Can’t hurt to have an extra pair of helping hands.”
“Sure, that’s fine. The more the merrier.” She looked around the room again for Hannah. “I can’t see Hannah. Do you?” she asked Matt.
Matt looked around and spotted her at a corner table with a guy. Hannah was giggling at something he was whispering in her ear.
“I see her.” Matt took LeAnn’s hand and led her to where Hannah was.
“Hi, you two.” Hannah said. LeAnn thought Hannah might have had a little too much wine.
LeAnn looked at the guy with Hannah and smiled. Then she turned and said, “Hannah, it’s time to go. I need to get back to the island.”
“Oh, do we have to?” Hannah said sadly, with a slight slur. “Tom and I were just getting acquainted.”
“I’ll bet you were,” Matt said helping her off the stool. “Sorry, Tom, but this one is with us and we need to get her home.”
Tom started to protest and then saw that Matt was serious and sat back down on his stool.
“Nice to meet you, Tom. Come and see me at Ridgewood’s,” Hannah called back over her shoulder. Matt and LeAnn smiled at each other as they each took an arm and guided Hannah out to the car.
When they reached the upstairs level, Hannah said angrily, “You guys, I’m fine. I can walk. Sometimes I like to put on a little act. Guys think I’m a ditsy blonde and so I pretend I am.”
“You’re sober?” LeAnn asked, a little shocked.
“Yes. I’m very careful about drinking, especially if I have to drive. I was just having a good time. And besides, he was cute.”
“Yes, he was cute, and also thought he was going to get lucky tonight.” Matt scolded.
The three walked outside and felt the cool air on their faces. The weather was changing, and the nights were definitely getting colder. LeAnn was very glad she had brought her jacket.
LeAnn unlocked the car doors. Hannah hurried to get in on the passenger side. “See you in a couple of days, boss. Tomorrow is my day off, and I’m totally sleeping in!”
“Goodnight, Hannah,” Matt called.
Matt opened the door on the driver side.
“Are you sure you won’t stay at Ridgewood’s tonight? We can have breakfast in the morning and then meet the guys.”
LeAnn shook her head. “Nope. I’m sleeping in my own bed.” There was no changing her mind. Not this time.
“Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.” Matt bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips.
LeAnn felt the butterflies in her stomach again. “Goodnight,” she said and got in the car. Hannah was giggling.
“What?” LeAnn said with a smile, and they both burst out laughing.
They both waved at Matt as they drove off towards Ridgewood’s.
“Did you have fun, LeAnn?” Hannah asked.
“Hannah, I really did. Thank you so much for asking me. I owe you.”
“Do you mean that?” Hannah asked earnestly.
Okay, LeAnn thought. What does that mean? She looked over at Hannah with a puzzled look on her face. “Well, yeah. I had a great time. It was good to get off the island and be around people.”
“So, you said you owe me?” Hannah was smiling.
“Okay, yes, I’ll say it again. I owe you. Where are you going with this, Hannah?” LeAnn was getting worried that she had a crazy person in her car.
“I want to stay at your house tonight.”
“What?” LeAnn almost yelled at her. “Why?” Then it hit LeAnn. Hannah was into ghosts. “Oh, my gosh! You think by staying at my house you’re going to see a ghost?” LeAnn was shocked. “That’s why you want to stay at my house, isn’t it?”
“Well, you did say you owe me, and you did get to see Matt,” Hannah said with a mischievous grin. “I saw the kiss he gave you, and I also know that you two have been fighting.”
“You realize this is like….” LeAnn paused to think of the right words.
“I don’t think it’s like anything,” Hannah interrupted. “I just want to stay in that awesome house and on the island. Is it really so awful my asking to stay out there with you? Tomorrow is my day, off and I thought you’d like the company.”
LeAnn remembered what had happened to her that afternoon and thought maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea having someone else out there with her. She looked over at Hannah, smiled, “Okay, you can stay with me. Actually, I would very much like the company.”
Surprised at LeAnn’s answer, Hannah smiled from ear to ear. “Fantastic! Thank you,” She was like a little kid who was just told she was going to the circus.
The girls spent the rest of the drive talking about what a great night it had been and the wines they had tasted.
When they reached Ridgewood’s, Hannah said she would like to run into the employee housing and grab a few things from her apartment.
“I’ll wait by the back door to the pier. It’s too cold to wait outside. You better bring a jacket. The boat trip to the island is going be a chilly one.”
LeAnn waited for Hannah but kept her eyes looking for Matt. She was hoping she would see him one more time before leaving for the island. Then Hannah came through the lobby with a big smile. They both went out the door to LeAnn’s waiting boat.
It was extremely dark as they sailed towards Tabor Island. The moon had gone behind the clouds. After a couple of minutes, LeAnn saw the lights in her house. “Thank goodness I left a few lights on.” LeAnn said to Hannah.
“Thank goodness you don’t live far from Ridgewood’s! I’m freezing!” Hannah said, shivering.
Cold too, LeAnn figured it had to be below fifty degrees.
As they approached the island, Hannah gasped. “Oh God, I never realized how spooky the boathouse is at night!”
LeAnn knew. LeAnn slowed the boat, pushed the button on the clicker to open the large doors, and pulled into the boathouse. The overhead light came on too.
“It sure is dark tonight, isn’t it?” Hannah commented after LeAnn cut the motor.
“Yeah. It would be better if the sky was clear and the moon was out.” She tied the boat to the inside dock and got out. Hannah handed her the two bags and purses before she stepped onto the dock. Hannah looked around the interior of the boathouse. “Wow, this place is huge! Is there really a ballroom upstairs?”
“Yes,” LeAnn replied simply while she secured the boat.
“Can we go up and see it?”
“No!” LeAnn said a little too sharply, then quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, Hannah. What I meant was not tonight. I’m tired and freezing. Let’s just go up to the house where it’s warm. Okay?”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m cold too. Besides, I’d rather see it in the daylight.”
Hannah followed LeAnn out of the boathouse and waited while she locked the door behind her. “Why do you lock the door?”
LeAnn just looked at her, and then said, “I don’t know. I guess I’m not real comfortable here yet, and I don’t want anyone to steal my boat. I think it comes from living in a big city like Denver where there are a lot of homes that get broken into.”
Hannah nodded, “That makes sense.”
Walking briskly, they went up the path to the house. It seemed like it was getting colder by the minute. When they reached the porch, LeAnn pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. “Ah, feels good in here,” she commented as she closed and locked the door behind them.
“Oh, LeAnn!” Hannah exclaimed while looking around, “This is beautiful. The rooms are so big and elegant.”
“Thank you,” LeAnn said with pride. “I love it here. Come on upstairs and I’ll show you to one of the guest rooms.”
They both went upstairs and turned to the left. Hannah couldn’t stop exclaiming how beautiful the house was and how much she had always wanted to see the inside.
LeAnn thanked her again and turned on the light to the front guest bedroom. Hannah exclaimed, “Oh, I love this room! The old dressers, old bed, it’s so beautiful.”
“I’m sorry it doesn’t have a private bathroom, but there’s one right next to this room,” LeAnn apologized. “There are clean towels, and if there is anything you need just ask.”
Hannah walked around the room, touching everything and admiring. “You have it all set up so perfectly. It’s like stepping back in time.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” LeAnn smiled. Then she continued, adding, “Let’s get into our jammies and meet downstairs in the living room for a night cap. I’ll even attempt starting a fire in the fireplace.”
Hannah beamed. “Great idea! Like a slumber party on the island!”
LeAnn grinned, “Exactly.” Laughing, she turned and went to her own room to change. When she had washed her face and changed into her pink terrycloth warm-up suit, she headed downstairs to start a fire.
A few cuss words and three attempts later, LeAnn finally got the fire going. Nodding with approval, she went to the kitchen and made them both a kaluha and cream. She placed the drinks on a silver tray and carried them into the living room. She looked up as Hannah came bouncing down the stairs.
“Nice fire,” Hannah said walking over to warm her hands. “LeAnn, thank you for letting me stay out her with you. I know I was a little forward, but just like you, I just had to see what this place looked like.”
LeAnn handed Hannah a glass. “It’s okay. I’m actually glad to have the company. It does get lonely out here. Besides, I’m going to put you to work tomorrow.”
“Oh, really?” Hannah raised her eyebrows.
“Yup. Matt’s coming with a couple of guys to get two trunks and a few pieces of furniture down from up in the attic, and I might need help cleaning things up.”
“You got it. I’m not going to miss out on seeing any of the antiques that might be up in that attic.”
Listening to the crackle of the fire in the fireplace, they sipped their nightcaps in silence. Hannah yawned. “I think I’ve had enough. I’m going to bed. Goodnight, LeAnn, and thank you again.” Hannah walked over and gave LeAnn a big hug.
“Goodnight, Hannah. I hope you sleep well.”
Hannah went upstairs, and LeAnn heard the guest room door close.
She walked over to the fireplace and spread the embers and logs around so that the fire would soon go out. She carried the tray with the empty glasses to the kitchen, rinsed the glasses out then put them in the dishwasher. She switched out the kitchen light, returned to the living room, where saw the journal. She picked it up and climbed the stairs to her room.
At the top of the stairs, she turned right toward her room. She turned off the ceiling light. She had left the night stand lamp on earlier. She laid the journal down on the dresser, and just as she was getting into bed, she heard the music.
“I am not going to look out the window,” she said aloud. She listened for a moment, wondering if Hannah had heard the music and would call out. The house was totally quiet. LeAnn hurried and turned out her lamp and pulled the blankets over her head.
Still able to hear the music, she put her hands over her ears. Thankfully, after a few minutes the wine and the nightcap caught up with her and soon she was asleep. Even fear couldn’t keep her up tonight.
Neither one was awake to see the light that floated outside their windows.