CHAPTER EIGHT

Jake blinked twice and then returned a critical gaze to the track’s left side rails. Before any coaster opened, technicians and inspectors walked the track. First to check the left side of the rails, ensuring no loose hardware. Then another trek to check the right side. Since this was a steel coaster, he could only walk along the level areas, not the loops. Good plan, since he didn’t like heights to begin with.

He reached into his backpack to get his binoculars. Crap. They must be back at the hotel. The best way for him to inspect the tip-top of each loop, and he’d forgotten the key tool he needed.

Leaning back, he jotted some notes in his notebook. He found himself doodling Amanda’s name. What? He couldn’t help but smile at how often she crossed his mind, even when he should be focused on work.

That’s when Amanda approached. From the other direction? Why? Not that he wasn’t glad she’d joined him. He always felt more alive in her presence, and he missed her…even when she was in the carousel tent.

“Hey. Where have you been?”

She shrugged. “The tent for the carousel grew too humid, so I took a walk.”

“By yourself? You should have asked me to come with you.”

He walked closer to her, glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby. “Even though we have a key to the park, vandals can hop the gate at any time—”

“Relax,” she said, her voice giving off hints of irritation. “I kept the pepper spray with me.”

“Good.” He leaned in and kissed her. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.” She swallowed, the look in her eyes like a guilty kid who’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. What was she up to?

“If you say so.” He reached for her hand. “C’mon. I want to show you something.”

She wrapped her hand in his and followed. He took her along the flattened part of the track and shone a flashlight where the first incline swept upward into a series of turns.

“I’ve walked most of this track, inspected the left side.”

“Find anything?” she asked.

“No, but I need my binoculars to further examine the loops.”

She grinned. “Good thing. For a minute, I thought you were going to tell me we were going to scale tall roller coasters.”

“In a single bound,” he added with a wink.

“Ha-ha.” She stepped carefully along the track, balancing with the grace of a gymnast. “I saw your binoculars next to your books at the hotel.”

Jake sighed. “Figures. I’ll get them later. Come back here.”

“We should do more research on the derailment,” she said. “What events led up to the coaster flying off the tracks? Maybe there were witnesses that live nearby?”

He gazed at her. No other woman had seemed interested in his work before. Quite the turn-on. He touched her cheek, brought her face close to his. Kissed her lips and tasted strawberry lip gloss. She trembled under his touch. Damn, he wanted to take her right there in the middle of the park.

“You’re doing things to me,” he whispered.

Her cheeks flushed red. “Tonight, lover boy. Not here.”

Kissing her on the nose, he said, “You sure? I hear the Tilt-A-Whirl can be fun.”

She glanced toward the rusted pods on wheels. “Um, I don’t think so.”

“I knew a few college buddies who used to brag—”

“Let’s just keep things simple.” She kissed him on the cheek. “First, we go to the library. Get some background info on the coaster accident.”

“And second?” he asked, winking at her.

Those ivory cheeks filled up with crimson again. He loved watching her blush.

“C’mon, lover boy,” she said. “Let’s go.”

* * *

Amanda sensed her flushed cheeks returning to normal when they entered the Abandon Library. Thank heavens. She hated blushing, being put on the spot. Being noticed, period. Those things made her supernatural abilities even more difficult to embrace.

The historic library, like most buildings in the area, had once been a Victorian home. As such, the interior had perfect nooks and crannies for reading.

“Where should we start?” she asked. “Internet searches?”

Jake shook his head. “I’ve already done what I could on the Internet. Figured maybe the librarian might know more about the history of the town. Maybe they have copies of old papers that covered the derailment?”

“Good point,” she said, glad for his enthusiasm and proactive nature. At this rate, he could solve the case, and those ghosts in Zephyr Land would leave her alone.

The old hardwood floors creaked as they walked to the librarian’s desk. Scattered papers, office supplies, and a lukewarm cup of coffee sat on the desktop, but no librarian.

“Is there a bell?” Amanda asked. “Something to get their attention?”

Jake glanced around. “Looks like no one has stepped inside this place in years. I can’t imagine we’d be bothering anyone if we just call out for assistance.”

“Hello?” Amanda said in a medium tone. No response.

“Anyone here?” Jake asked, his voice louder. “We need some help.”

The rustling of boxes and files came from the back room. “Is someone there?” a voice asked.

“Yes,” Jake said. “We need to talk to the librarian.”

More rustling. Teacups clanking against each other. A woman’s whispers that clanged in Amanda’s ears. Familiar whispers.

No. It couldn’t be—

“Hello.” The woman wore a flowing skirt, peasant blouse, and a teal scarf with amethyst stones intertwined with her long hair. “The librarian isn’t in today, but I’m filling in. I’m Anzhela.”

Amanda’s throat tightened. Aunt Anzhela, do not let on that you know me. Do not.

Anzhela met Amanda’s stern glance with one of her own, then quickly turned to make pleasantries with Jake.

“How can I help you?”

“Yes, thanks,” Jake said with a wide smile. “We need to ask you about Zephyr Land. Are there any old newspapers that covered the accident, any correspondence we might find?”

“Let’s see, shall we?” Anzhela clicked a few keys on the computer keyboard to run a search. “Ah, here we are. Not much, but a few local reporters wrote articles speculating what happened. We have articles in the Abandon Journal you can view for yourself. And there are some national articles and videos too. An incident like this always gets nationwide attention.”

“I’ve already found what I can on the Internet. I’m interested in the local angle.” Jake beamed at Amanda. She made a feeble effort to return the gesture. She did not need this. Not right now.

Anzhela pointed to a series of drawers against the back wall. “Local folks say the derailment was deemed an accident. The fire burned most of the evidence, I’m afraid.”

“The fire?” Amanda asked.

Her aunt made brief eye contact. “Yes. There was an electrical fire after the accident. Burned down the original garage where the coaster cars were kept. I’m sure you and your”—she made a glance at Jake—“friend will want to research that too.”

“Great. This is exactly what we need,” Jake said. His face shone like a boy with a new bike as he sprinted to the back wall.

“Let me know if you need anything,” Anzhela called out before turning her attention to Amanda.

“What are you doing, dear?” Anzhela whispered.

“Me?” Amanda said. “Why are you here? You’re supposed to be in Savannah.”

“I have the gift of going place to place. To do what’s needed.” Her aunt’s jade-green eyes held such intensity in that long stare. “I don’t ignore my gift—like some.”

Amanda bit her lip and leaned against the desk. She wanted to scream, but that would only make Jake suspicious.

“I can’t talk about this now. Jake’s over there.”

Anzhela looked to where Jake opened files and scanned through folders. “What have I told you all your life? You must entrust the people in your inner circle with who you truly are. This is not something you can hide. Not from those you want close to you.”

“I’m going to do my damn best to try.” Amanda pretended to fiddle with some pencils on the desk in case Jake looked their way. “I never wanted this gift. I just want to get rid of the ghosts at the park so I can work on the carousel analysis.”

“One leads to the other.” Anzhela reached out and touched Amanda’s hand. “Deep down, you know I’m right. You must tell him the truth. Then both of you can resolve the situation.”

“No.” Amanda glared at the aunt she knew and loved but who could not possibly understand. “Jake doesn’t like anything supernatural. I tried dating guys who seemed to embrace the paranormal. At least, they said they did, but when I told them…they freaked. This time, Jake cares about me. What if he…”

Anzhela’s sad eyes lowered. “You can’t have a real relationship without truth.”

“I’m truthful about everything else.” Amanda remembered back, scanning the high points in her dating time with Jake. “This one…thing…can wait.”

“Your choice. Be prepared for the consequences.”

Amanda opened her mouth to ask what could possibly be worse than ghosts talking to her, when Jake strolled back over.

“Hey. Look what I found.” He pointed to a page in an article that listed witnesses from that day. “Maybe we could find these people. Talk to some of them.”

Amanda nodded. “Sure.”

Jake glanced between Anzhela and Amanda like a tennis match. “Everything okay here?”

“Fine,” Amanda said. She glared at her aunt. Smile and act casual.

“Yes, fine, dear,” Anzhela said. “You two be careful if you go talking to witnesses. Folks round here are secretive.”

At the word secretive, Amanda winced. That was a tiny jab directed at her, but no matter. She knew what she was doing.

“We should go,” Amanda said. She reached for Jake’s arm. “Maybe grab lunch back at the inn, then talk to the locals.”

“Sounds good.” He turned to Anzhela. “Thanks for all the info, ma’am.”

“You’re quite welcome. Feel free to visit me anytime.”

Amanda did a double-take glance at her aunt. “Maybe.”

If Jake decided to return to this library, Amanda would need to be right by his side. Who knew what kind of mayhem her aunt would cause if she got Jake alone to tell him about her family?