a

renched kitchen. I lean on the counter and take a sip of my iced latte, praying

a trance. I can't shake the feeling I hadn't been alone in that ups

ey giggles, rolling her eyes as she picks up the plat

od, it's hot. It's not even 8:00 in the morning. and the entire room is already

should go get some rest, then. You're the night nurse, reme

e easing the pounding in my skull. "I went to bed

Penny's mostly active at night la

in bed, but the thought of being alone right now has my chest tightening and my fingers

ing. "I don't think so, but you never know with these old houses." She w

dy aching with sudden fatigue. "I'm not re

A rich, male voice echo

r mouth as she catches my eye. "It's j

at?" I ask

. Real nice couple, I promise. Come on." She takes my hand and p

ssed in a flattering pink floral sundress, beams at us as she turns, a basket full of produce in her hands. "My, my, look

soft, knowing smile. "You haven't even introduced yourself,

Helen Wilson, and this is my husband Robert. We

ng them a polite

r! Just look at you. You're a

ng look before stepping forward to accept the basket of produce from Robert.

en cuts in, her light brown eyes creasing as she glances from Bailey to me. "Robert own

Bailey says with a teasing smile. "You just wante

here has been in a fit about it since we found out the news

, some of my earlier unease

s. Penny, regularly, you see, which is why he told us. He'd been calling around for weeks looking for a nurse, calling all the big hospitals. You name it, he called it." Helen chuckles, beaming up at her husband. "And then, by som

smile back on my face. "I'm not here because I'm

oment, Bailey's watch begins to beep. "I'd better get Ms. P

f disapproval while Bailey rolls her eyes. "Your mama promised me you'd start c

a laugh, waving goodbye before turning to

say, or do. "Uh, thank you so much for the groceries. I

t us help you, dear. You're probabl

them on my hips. Now I know who to thank for all the luxurious ba

carrying the rest of the groceries in his burly arms, down the

rning to face her. "

s nothing, dear. These old homes... well, they make a lot of noise,

, but Robert calls out to us from the kitchen. "Better bring me th

icking up my spine as I hurry to the kitchen, handing Robert the bags. "I real

h Ms. Penny's care. Plus, I have been meaning to check out the dining r

er and turns to face me. "What about the dining

leading directly into the formal dining room, which I h

eight-person mahogany table in ribbons of gold. Compared to o

a fine job, if I

bert narrows his eyes on the

it still looks fresh. I will say I was nervous about it. The Historical Society has been gunning to make the Gregory Estate a protected property for year

ours to do this," Helen whispers, h

al to the house, if you can believe it. Two hundred year old wallpaper. Isn't it just crazy to think about all th

growing in intensity. "I'm sure the ghosts in the h

't smiling, either. She just stares at me with an unreadable expression, her

t be going. C

e is strained. She turns to her husband, who is already walking aw

for a moment, wr

ll right?" I ask, m

d nods, sighing, "These old houses...

, giving her

ust call. We live on the next property over. It's only a

me off guard, like a warning has be

y catch their shadows stretching across the worn rug before th

d stress, and that creepy, crawly feeling in my stomach.... It's just a lack of sleep, surely.

is time. Just sunlight and

un, the clunking, creaking noises start up again and blend

if I'm drea

obably get