Page 29 of Killer Honeymoon
“Does Mr. Anderson’s ghost wander the rocky cliffs?” a little boy asked.
“No, his ghost lingers in the basement,” Tom said. “The Ohio State University bought the lighthouse a while back. They use it for research and as a guest house. The basement is closed off to guests and tourists, but many have claimed to hear weird noises coming from the basement. They’ve reported footsteps, slamming doors, and other unexplained phenomena.”
“Wow,” one of the boys said. “I’d like to spend the night in there.”
Royce leaned into Sawyer and said, “We’re looking at a ghost hunter in the making.”
Sawyer chuckled. “I hope our kids are that cool and adventurous. I was afraid of my own shadow.”
Royce wrapped his arm around Sawyer’s shoulders. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Sawyer was about to respond when a bloodcurdling scream rent the air around them. Sawyer spun around, immediately looking for danger, only to discover Evan had scared Chrissy.
“You jerk,” she said, slapping his bicep. “You know I’m afraid of snakes.”
Evan rolled his eyes. “You’re so dumb. You couldn’t distinguish between a snake and a stick brushing up against your leg?”
She reared back like she was going to hit him, but Tom stepped up to the bickering couple.
“That’s the last straw. I’d like the four of you to leave now.”
“Why all four of us?” Clint asked. “Jen and I haven’t done anything.”
“I won’t repeat myself,” Tom said firmly, “but I will call the police.”
“Ohhhhh,” Evan said, extending his hand and shaking it dramatically. “Not mall cops on golf carts.”
Tom crossed his arm over his chest. “You think an island with this level of tourism hasn’t seen its fair share of drunken jerks like you? The ‘mall cops’ still carry all the tools big city police departments use. They won’t hesitate to whip out the tasers, pepper spray, and handcuffs. Do you want to put them to the test?” Tom asked as he reached for his phone.
“Come on, Ev,” Clint said. “Let’s bounce.”
The adults watched wearily as the foursome made their way back to town. Sawyer figured they hadn’t seen the last of them yet.
“I wish I’d been wrong just this once,” Sawyer said an hour later when they wrapped up their tour at Hooligan’s Irish Pub. He spotted Evan, Clint, Jen, and Chrissy inside the bar.
After the tour officially ended, Tom handed out drink coupons to the adults. Sawyer planned to keep his as a souvenir, but Royce snatched it out of his hands and headed inside the pub.
“I want you pliant and limber,” Royce called over his shoulder.
Sawyer fell into step behind him. “Yoga would be a better alternative to liquor.”
Royce tipped his head back and laughed. “Speak for yourself. Why don’t you grab us a table while I place our order? We’ll have one drink and head home.”
Sawyer altered course and headed over to an empty table off to the side where he could people watch while waiting. He checked his phone instead and saw the newest pictures Courtney had sent him of Aiden. Sawyer loved the little guy so much, and he couldn’t wait to cuddle him again when they got home. He checked the timestamp and noticed the photos had arrived just ten minutes prior, so he tapped out a quick response.Why aren’t you sleeping?
Her response was immediate.Aiden has started staying up much later. Why are you responding to text messages on your honeymoon? Surely you have better things to do.
Just finished a ghost tour. Royce is getting us drinks at a pub.
Enjoy. Courtney followed her response with another quick message.Little man has droopy eyes. That’s my cue. Nighty night.
Rest well, Sawyer replied, then tucked his phone away. Evan was barreling toward him when he glanced up. The younger man’s face was screwed up in anger, and his hands were balled into fists at his sides. Sawyer braced himself for a physical confrontation.
“You need to do something about your boyfriend,” Evan said, jabbing a finger toward the bar.
Sawyer looked over and noticed that Evan’s girlfriend, Chrissy, was standing closer to Royce than was polite. She tipped her head back and was laughing at something Royce had said. She had one hand on the bar and the other pressed against her ample bosom. Royce turned his head back toward the bartender to place his order, and Chrissy moved the hand on her chest to grip Royce’s forearm.
Sawyer watched as his husband snapped his head in her direction, said something that made her laugh, then discreetly stepped back until her hand fell away. Sawyer looked over at Evan and said, “Myhusbandis no threat to you.”