“Oh, no! He won’t sell it, Dad. That land has been in the family for four generations!” There was urgency in Julia’s voice as she spoke and she was not happy about the news her father had given her. “Let me talk to him first, Dad. There’s nothing to worry about. Everything will be just fine. I’ll get in touch with the twins and find out what’s going on.”
Julia sighed as she hung up the phone. Why would someone pull such a low down dirty trick? She walked toward the overstuffed chair and slumped into it. Julia felt that her brother wasn’t thinking clearly and she was afraid he was going to do something rash. What her father said was impossible. No one in his right mind would believe such a hoax.
John only heard Julia’s side of the conversation and knew something was up. He walked over to her, smoothed her hair with his fingers and asked, “So… from what I gather, your father is worried that your brother is going to sell the ranch. I don’t understand. Why?”
Julia huffed. “Ghosts!”
John was stunned. “What did you say?”
“Spirits from the past! That’s what Dad said.”
He arched his brow as he sat down in front of her. “Are you trying to tell me the ranch is haunted? What’s this all about, anyway?”
“Did you say spirits and ghosts?” asked April as she peeked around the corner of the kitchen. “Who owns a haunted ranch? Are you talking about Uncle Kelly?”
John turned toward the kitchen and saw April peering at them with curiosity.
April’s sky blue eyes were wide with astonishment. “Why didn’t someone tell me about it? I’m always the last to know.”
John stifled a chuckle. His daughter was such a jewel. “I assure you, Uncle Kelly doesn’t own a haunted ranch.”
Julia turned toward her and sighed with frustration. “Come in and I’ll tell you both all about it.”
April meandered toward her mother with a bunch of grapes in her hand and settled herself on the sofa. She popped a grape in her mouth and said, “Ready!”
“Well, your grandpa says that Kelly’s ranch is haunted and so it’s scaring away all his prospective customers. He’s got debts to pay and the ranch isn’t bringing in a profit. Therefore, he might have to sell.”
“Sell? That would be terrible. Hasn’t that land been in the family for years?”
“Four generations! My great grandfather bought that land.”
“What have Sharlene and Faith said about this? They’ve been there for a couple weeks now. Have they seen anything suspicious? Do they think it’s haunted, too?”
Julia shrugged. “They’ve told me a few things but I thought nothing of it. I just thought it was a bunch of teenagers pulling pranks. I’m going to call them tonight and find out what they know.”
“Maybe someone’s trying to scare him off the land,” said April.
“But why would anyone do that? It’s not that valuable. It’s only range land.”
“That right,” said John. “Why would anyone want to scare him enough to sell?”
Julia nodded. “All I know is that Kelly told Dad that the spirits of the past are giving him trouble, but I don’t believe it for a second.”
April was about to pop another grape in her mouth but froze. She blinked a couple times and then asked, “Spirits of the past? What proof do they have, Mom?”
“Someone burned a message into the side of the barn with the Apache symbol. They got a professional to check it out and he said it was a warning. But that wasn’t the first mysterious thing that happened. A week before that, they found an arrow stuck in the side of the house. They took it to a professional at a museum and had it checked.”
“A museum!” April said as she popped a grape in her mouth. “What did they say?”
“That it’s authentic.”
“Authentic?” asked John doubtfully.
“Yes. He said there aren’t many in existence, only at museums. So they checked all the museums around that have Indian Art and nothing has been stolen.”
“That’s ridiculous!” exclaimed John. “Why would Apaches haunt a ranch, anyway?”
“Did I hear correctly?” said Matthew as he peeked through the screen door. “Are my ears deceiving me? Who has a haunted ranch?”
Julia smiled. “Hello, Matthew. Come in and make yourself at home.”
His blue eyes lit up when he saw April sitting on the sofa and he grinned, accentuating both dimples. The light smattering of freckles on his upper cheeks rose as he smiled. He pushed his fingers through his sandy red hair as he strode toward April. Then he plopped down on the sofa beside her, and extended his long legs and crossed his ankles.
He kissed her cheek, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and asked, “So, what’s this all about?”
“Ghosts are haunting Uncle Kelly’s ranch,” said April soberly.
Matthew’s eyes lit up with humor and he burst into laughter.
April stared at him with disbelief and asked, “What are you laughing at? This isn’t funny, Matt.”
“You don’t believe all that malarkey, do you?” he said teasingly. “Ghosts? Why would Apaches haunt your uncle’s home?”
John nodded. “That’s exactly what I said.”
When Matthew laughed once again, April quickly slid away from him. If he were going to laugh at her uncle, whom she loved with all her heart, then he could sit alone. She folded her arms and said indignantly, “This isn’t a laughing matter. I’m serious, Matthew. He could lose his ranch.”
Matthew smiled at her feistiness as she flung her honey-blond hair over her shoulder. He noticed how her cheeks reddened with annoyance. Matthew loved to tease his fiancée, but he decided to tone it down a bit when he saw April’s irritation. He slowly inched his way toward her and then took her hand in his.
“Sorry, sweetie. I wasn’t making fun. Honest! I just thought you were joking around. I didn’t know you were serious.” When she didn’t respond, he asked, “Do you remember the legend of Montezuma’s treasure and all the mysterious happenings? Remember the supposed guardians that were assigned to protect their gold for centuries? Tales of ancient spirits are everywhere in the West. Not only that, Arizona is well known for all the many ghosts that roam around old hotels and saloons, creating mischief wherever they go. I’ve read many accounts.”
April looked into his eyes with pursed lips, contemplating whether he was serious or just teasing her.
John chuckled at the pair sitting in front of him. “Do you see what you’ve got to put up with, Matthew? Now are you sure you really want to marry this spitfire?”
Matthew grinned at his fiancée and squeezed her hand lovingly. “With all my heart! I love her spunk, especially when I tease her.”
April smiled. He was so easy to forgive.
Matthew turned to John and said, “There are numerous accounts of ghostly visits all over Arizona.”
“Do you mean that Arizona has more ghost stories than any other state?” asked Julia.
Matthew turned to his future mother-in-law and answered, “You bet! It’s known for having its share of ghosts. Take Oatman Hotel, for example. It has several spirits that cause quite a ruckus at times such as lifting a drinking glass in the air, flushing toilets, turning lights on and off, and even footprints appearing on freshly mopped floors. No one can explain it. Some guests have reported children laughing and playing in the halls at night but no one was found.”
“Really?” April said with astonishment as she rubbed the goose bumps from her arms. “Do you believe it’s true?”
“I’m not sure. I always wonder how these legends get started,” said Matthew as he pulled her close.
“That’s enough!” John exclaimed as he slapped his knee. “You know how I feel about this subject. I don’t believe in spirits wandering about aimlessly as if lost, trying to find their purpose in life.”
“Purpose?” giggled April. “Their purpose is to bring a little mystery and excitement into our lives.”
“Well, I can do without it.”
April smiled. “Hey, Pops, I’ve got a question. If such a thing could happen, why would Apache spirits from the past haunt Uncle Kelly’s ranch?”
John shook his head. “I have no idea, sweetheart. It doesn’t make sense. I know there’s a reasonable answer to what’s happening at his ranch.”
“That land once belonged to them,” said Matthew. “I’ve heard about people who have been wronged and came back to haunt a place.”
“You have?” asked April.
“Not only that, have you given consideration to Superstition Mountain? It’s located on the sacred ground of the Apache.”
The room was deathly quiet and no one said a word. A chill went down Julia’s spine.
Matthew looked into April’s eyes and saw her uncertainty. He pulled her close, kissed her cheek, and said reassuringly, “Hey, April. It’s nothing to be concerned about. It’s just a tale.” Then he turned to Julia and asked, “Why does Kelly want to sell?”
“Well, a few years ago he turned it into a dude ranch. He took out a loan and did everything he could to make it what it is today. It was flourishing and he had people on a waiting list to vacation at his dude ranch. It was so popular that he even created a couple cabins for honeymooners. He even gives the newlyweds scented candles for a romantic atmosphere and soft music. He was booking people months ahead.”
“Oooooh!” sighed April. “My uncle’s so awesome.”
Matthew smiled and squeezed her hand affectionately.
“Well,” said Julia. “During the past few months people have called and cancelled their vacation plans. Apparently no one wants to have a haunted vacation. He has ranch hands to pay every month and a bank loan. He’s worried about making ends meet and paying these debts.”
Matthew creased his brow in thought. “But I don’t understand. Wouldn’t that bring a completely different crowd? There are many people who like the idea of a haunted house or hotel.”
Julia shrugged. “Dad said there’s more but he couldn’t remember the specifics. I’ll have to talk to Kelly.”
April turned to her mother and asked, “Do you believe the place is haunted, Mom?”
“Of course not. You know I don’t believe in ghosts and such things. Someone’s trying to scare your uncle and I’m not sure why, but I’ve got to figure out what’s going on.”
“What do you plan on doing,” asked John.
“Well, first thing, I’ll call Kelly tonight. After I get a few things settled here, I’m leaving for the ranch to see if I can help.”
John nodded.
Then she turned to April and said, “Will you be able to manage everything without me?”
“No problem. I’ve got everything ordered and ready for the wedding. There isn’t anything left to do but wait until all the stuff arrives. Don’t worry about a thing, Mom. I’ve got everything under control.”
“Good.” Julia turned to Matthew and asked, “How about you? Have you figured out where you’re going on your honeymoon?”
Matthew grinned from ear to ear. “Not yet. We’re still talking. But rest assured, wherever we choose, it’ll be the best honeymoon ever.” He turned to April and smiled. “I heard about this one place that has different themes for each room such as a jungle theme where the bed is up in the limbs of a tree.”
“A jungle?” asked Julia.
“That’s right. It’s the Tarzan theme. Then there’s a pirate ship and your bed is downstairs in the captain’s cabin, with portholes and everything. Not only that, the room gently sways back and forth as if you’re on the sea. It looks authentic and even has the sound of the ocean in the background. It’s awesome.”
April shook her head. “I really don’t want to sleep in a tree, Matthew. And I tend to get motion sickness, so the pirate ship is out of the question.”
Matthew laughed. “Don’t worry. There’s an even better theme, which I like the most. And I think you’ll love it, too.”
April raised a curious brow. “What is it?”
“There’s a tropical island theme.”
“Really?” she asked with great interest.
“Yup! With palm trees, a waterfall, and a cute little cave for the bedroom. It even has the sound of waves washing ashore and it has a small pond to swim in. Since it’s a tropical island, the water isn’t cold. It’s nice and warm.”
“Oooooh,” said April with a smile. “Let’s get that one. Remind me to bring my swimsuit.”
Matthew chuckled. “Hey, the pond is in our room. You don’t need a swimsuit…if you know what I mean.”
April’s face flushed as red as a beet and her eyes widened as she turned to her parents, hoping they hadn’t heard what he had said. But when she saw the grin on her dad’s face, she knew they had heard.
Matthew smiled when he saw April’s face turn pink and a few other bright colors.
Julia sighed. She was worried. Matthew was a professor at the college and only had a teacher’s salary. She wished he would be more frugal. Julia knew her daughter and most anything would make her content…as long as Matthew was there. She gazed at her daughter and noticed her deep love for Matthew.
John cleared his throat. “When do you plan on going to Arizona?”
Julia smiled as she turned toward her husband and said, “Do you want to go with me?”
“Of course. I don’t know how I can help, but I’m not letting my wife get herself into trouble.”
“Trouble?” Julia laughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Hey!” He tapped his wife’s nose. “Curious reporters tend to get into trouble, especially when their initials are J.E. Besides, I can provide moral support, if nothing else. But remember, you won’t have much time because we have to be back for Thanksgiving.”
“If Uncle Kelly needs you, don’t worry about us,” said April. “Matthew and I can have Thanksgiving at his mother’s home.”
Matthew smiled and gave a nod. “That’s right. Don’t worry about a thing.”
“We’ll see,” said Julia. “We have never had a Thanksgiving without the whole family before. I would miss you.”
“Don’t worry about me,” said April. “I’m about to be married and will have to get use to new responsibilities.”
“I know. Just the same…”
“Let’s play it by ear,” interrupted John.
Everyone nodded.