Page 44 of The Curse of Redwood

“I’ll order us lunch and be over. How does burgers from the café sound?”

“Sounds like Heaven in a takeout box. Mayo instead of mustard please. Oh, and extra fries with seasoning salt. Can you also get me a chocolate milkshake?”

“Good to hear your appetite hasn’t changed.”

Grinning, I disconnected the call and got out of my car. The official first day of fall had been on Tuesday, and I smiled at the gentle breeze ruffling the leaves in the trees around my house. The sound was calming. Before going inside, I looked at the maple tree in the front yard. The vibrant orange leaves caught the sun.

“What I wouldn’t give to see their leaves again,”Z had said, staring at the dead redwood trees on his property with a profound sadness.

For so long he had lived in the dark. His world was barren and cold. Lonely.

A deep ache pierced my chest.

I didn’t know how, but I wanted to bring light back to him. I wanted him to see those leaves again. To feel the warmth of the sun on his face and to be able to smell the rain.

I wanted him to be happy.

Chapter Nine

“Ready or not, here I come!” I yelled into the otherwise quiet mansion.

Z stood with one leg propped against the wall behind him and his arms crossed. “You do not have to humor him, Carter. And you shouldn’t over exert yourself.”

“I’m fine,” I said, surveying the room. We were in the parlor, and I looked carefully at each corner and behind the furniture for William.

Two days had passed since I’d gone to the doctor. I hadn’t been able to visit Z on Saturday because I’d worked all day, and he didn’t want me at Redwood after sunset. So, I’d gone over early that Sunday morning. I’d thought he was going to crush me with how tightly he held me in his arms, his face pressed into my hair.

Not long after that, William had appeared. He’d taken off his little round hat and held it to his chest, staring up at me with big blue eyes. When he asked me to play games with him, I hadn’t been able to say no.

And here I am now, playing hide and seek with a ghost in one of the most haunted places in Ivy Grove.

Z’s gaze followed me as I searched the parlor. He then sighed before saying, “Remember the rules, William. You cannot make yourself invisible. Carter is human. That’s an unfair advantage.”

“Ah, come on, Mr. Warren,” a voice said from behind me.

I jumped a foot off the floor and whirled around.

“That’s no fun if I can’t scare ‘im.” William materialized and pouted.

“William…” Z chided him, sounding so much like a disapproving father. “Follow the rules or he won’t play with you.”

“Fine.” The boy kicked at the floor before smiling at me. “Let’s go again! I won’t cheat this time, honest.”

“Okay, I’ll hold you to that,” I said, pointing at him. “Go find a good hiding spot while I count to twenty.”

“And keep it to this wing of the mansion only,” Z called after him, while I sat on the couch to count. When I opened my eyes again, Z was standing in front of me, a smirk on his lips. “Shall I tell you where he is?”

“No.” I stood from the couch before rising up to plant a quick kiss on his lips. “No cheating. I want to win fair and square.”

He chuckled as he moved his hands to my hips. “I would much rather you spend time with me. But that can come later. Now, go find him before he throws a fit.”

I left the parlor and hesitated in the corridor, not sure which direction to go. A long hallway stretched both ways with various rooms to explore on both sides. He could be anywhere. I went right and slipped under the first archway I came across. Cabinets lined one wall, and a large table was centered in the room. Was it some kind of dining area?

A small giggle came from the cabinet closest to me. I narrowed my eyes and stepped toward it, trying to be quiet as I squatted down and grabbed the handle. I yanked it open.

William had his arms around his knees and whined, “No! You found me. Let’s go again!”

Before I could say anything, he vanished. The air beside me rustled, as if he’d run past me.