Page 9

Lavender

Chatter isn’t wrong. Riding behind him cleared the cobwebs from my mind. Slowly, I began unravelling my tangled thoughts. For certain, there were fortunes in the collections I owned. But they were my responsibility, and I wouldn’t ignore them. I had several options: donate them, sell them, display them, or lock them up somewhere safe.

I ignored the first possibility, although that was probably the wisest. My family had collected this, and while that meant nothing to my parents or Janice, it did to me. That took care of donating; it wasn’t happening. Selling them wasn’t an option. The duplicated train sets bothered me. Clearly, one was intended to be set up, and the other kept as a valuable item.

There’d been a plan. I was just unsure what. Of course, I’d run through the house as a kid, but that was twenty years ago. Honestly, my memories were frayed and of a child. But some rooms were locked. It was possible they were the same ones that held the other items apart from dolls.

Displaying them was an option, but Ravenberry clearly couldn’t display everything. And locking them up didn’t seem right. They were made to be seen. Which brought me back to the idea of museums. The alcohol, once valued, would stay with the estate. No point in exhibiting that. But there were enough items to open a museum for each collection. Or maybe combine several into a big building, dedicating a floor to each.

One museum would house the toy cars, Star Wars, Steiff Teddys, and second Astolat Dollhouse Castle. A similar-sized structure could hold the eggs, perfume bottles, coins, and pill boxes. A third for the Barbie and Sindy collections. And a train set museum. And I believed there was enough clothing to open a fifth one for that. Then, a sixth massive structure for the dolls.

I needed an architect who understood the scale of the exhibits and who’d build with the highest security in mind. Such as heavy-duty shutters that fastened in place nightly and secured the collection from thieves. The same with rooms, having metal doors that locked and only opened from the security office. Lazers and lord knows what else. Security wasn’t my strength. But it would need to be state-of-art.

The cars needed a showroom, too. Another museum. I didn’t want them erected on the estate and remembered the field. They could be built there—and the field had public access. The trust fund would absorb the cost of running them without even flinching. Shit, the interest alone on it would sustain them.

My mind swapped to the dolls. Aunt Aggie had realised what my future held and had made steps to ensure I’d have a career from this house. Why? Why did Aunt Aggie need me to be here constantly? What was in Ravenberry that needed a keeper? There was a crucial element I was missing. I sat up straight as the thought hit me.

Aunt Aggie wanted me to stay close because something had to be protected there. What, though, was the question? I bit my lip as I considered the lost jewellery. And then I recalled the library, not that we could get into it, but that also had rare books. What about the portraits in the long gallery? They couldn’t be seen right now, but were they by masters? The puzzle just got even deeper as I realised Aunt Aggie required me to remain for a reason.

Chatter pulled over, and I swung off the bike. He’d parked in a layby, and I could see out across the Black Hills; it was stunning country.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“That I’m inadequate for the job. But I shouldn’t have been. I clearly should have been raised in this life, and that makes me cringe. Because if I’d grown up accustomed to this wealth, how different would I have been? And I like who I am,” I stated.

“That is honest.”

“Yep, that’s me, honest to a T. But would I be a different person now? How do I handle this money when it’s beyond my comprehension?”

“I know a woman, Phoenix. She’s a sister. She came into a lot of money. Might be worth you two chatting?”

“Phoenix was normal, like me?”

“Yup. And still is. I’ll get her to come and visit.”

“That would be great, thank you. There’s also the fact that I am missing something important. There’re things we’ve not considered,” I said and told him about the jewellery and rare books, etcetera.

Chatter nodded thoughtfully. “No jewellery doesn’t make sense.”

“I’m sure Aunt Aggie showed me some heirloom pieces that were brought from England.”

“Which means, Lavender, you’ve got stuff missing.”

“Yes. There are secret rooms and passageways. I know the location of some. But I can’t get to them because of the things crammed into rooms. And I need to visit Ravenberry’s library. There’s something in there that’s very important,” I mused.

The Bloodsworth Journal. I needed to get my hands on it.

“You’ve thought of something,” Chatter surmised.

“A family secret, but yes,” I replied.

“Wow, a family secret you know about!”

“Astounding, isn’t it?” I turned to his bike. “That’s a different one from what you had earlier.”

“Brothers in Rage MC have a thing about their bikes. They only put their old ladies on the back of them or a woman they’re serious about,” Chatter said with a brief glance at the Harley. “I wouldn’t put you on mine, it would send the wrong message. That’s one we lend out at the garage.”

That felt like a physical slap, and I flinched. Wow! Talk about drum it in. He didn’t want a real relationship with me. Just one with an expiry date.

Fuck this. My gut twisted on itself. Chatter deemed me unworthy of a gamble. That was his problem. Not mine.

“Can you take me home?” I said, yanking on my helmet.

Chatter looked surprised. “What’s wrong? I was only explaining why I changed bikes.”

“Bullshit. You were drumming it into my skull that I’m enough to fuck and date for six months, but long term… yeah, I don’t rate that. Take me home.”

“That isn’t what—”

“That’s exactly what you said. Good enough to screw, keep a secret, and date occasionally, but not enough for a relationship. Just shut up, Chatter. I am done with insults and shocks today. Take me home,” I demanded and stood by his bike.

Chatter sent me a look, but I ignored him as he swung his leg over, and I climbed up behind him. His phone beeped, and he glanced down at it.

“Fanatic wants to see you at the clubhouse,” he growled out.

“Fine.”

“Lavender…”

“No, you’ve hurt me enough. Just take me where I need to be,” I demanded, and we both fell silent.

The Harley roared, and Chatter headed out. I held on but didn’t relax until we hit the compound.

Chatter

He barely refrained from scowling at Fanatic and then wondered why he was. Chatter’s frown came out in full strength, but Fanatic ignored him as he continued to excitedly babble at Lavender.

Lavender sent him a look, clearly telling him to stay away as she listened and nodded at Fanatic.

Finally, she shook his hand and headed towards a car Fanatic motioned to.

“Prospect!” Chatter shouted, and Fanatic changed direction and approached him. Lavender stopped and tapped her foot.

“Chatter?”

“What was that about?”

“I was telling Lavender about the cars and the work they needed doing. Some need a tune-up, others require—”

“Okay. Lavender agreed to it?”

“Yeah. There’s also some old Harleys, a couple of Indians, and some Nortons. They were at the far back. Lavender said I can work on all of them,” Fanatic declared ecstatically.

“Where she off to?”

Fanatic looked uncomfortable. “Lavender asked me to drive her home. Says she doesn’t want to give anyone the wrong impression by getting on the back of your bike.”

Chatter ground his teeth but was unable to answer. If that’s how Lavender felt, fine!

“Take her home,” he ordered.

Lavender

I was still stewing over Chatter’s inconsiderate words. So damn rude. Well, I might have been interested. However, I didn’t do short-term fucks, which is what he was seeking. My first ended because he got his feet under the table and expected me to wait on him hand and foot. We rarely left his apartment. My second relationship broke apart because he cheated on me. And after a few casual dates, I decided dating was a cess pool, and I was better off alone.

Chatter had got to me, though. I understood why he was closed off; he’d loved and lost and had been hurt. But the sheer arrogance of thinking he was so special that he could offer a woman a short-term relationship, and she’d be cool with it, was astounding. Chatter clearly had an engorged ego, and I didn’t need that around me.

Then I sighed. Some women likely held similar opinions to Chatter. But I wasn’t one of them. And it was a shame because he was hot. But whatever. I peered into the bathroom mirror. We were using a downstairs bathroom between us until everyone moved into their bedrooms upstairs.

It was a pain in the ass, but the guys didn’t leave the toilet seat up, at least.

I stared at myself in the mirror and pushed my hair aside. Was I starting to look old? I was twenty-seven, I hoped not. I peered closer and frowned as a fog seemed to appear in the mirror. A moment later, a full-fledged terrified scream left my lips, and I stumbled backwards and smacked open the door.

Running footsteps came at me as I looked in the mirror and screamed again.

“Lavender!” Jinx yelled, being the first to reach me.

I couldn’t talk but just pointed. His jaw dropped, and he dragged me back as the others arrived.

“What happened?” Kelly demanded, being the next to arrive.

“There was a face in the mirror!” Jinx exclaimed.

“What?” Dan asked, arriving with Emory, Heidi, and Harriet on his heels.

“A fuckin’ face stared out of the mirror!” Jinx repeated.

I stood there shaking and terrified.

“Lavender?” Dan inquired.

“It was Aunt Aggie. She was looking at me,” I whispered.

“A ghost?” Emory demanded, sounding thrilled.

“Ravenberry doesn’t have ghosts. It’s not haunted, and I don’t believe in them,” I murmured.

“Lavender, we both saw a face staring out at you,” Jinx insisted.

“Did you know the mirror is fixed?” Dan fiddled with it. “I can’t remove it.”

I frowned. “What are you saying?”

“Maybe someone was behind it. You mentioned secret tunnels,” Dan suggested.

“That would be fine as an explanation. Except Aunt Aggie’s been dead for years!”

“Ah, good point!” Dan agreed.

“If Jinx hadn’t seen it, I’d swear I was going mad!”

“Well, Aunt Aggie might have been trying to send you a message. We should have a seance!” Harriet exclaimed.

Heidi baulked. “Not a chance in hell. You don’t mess with shit like that!”

“I agree.” Dan nodded.

“If your Aunt Aggie is dead, then how do you explain seeing her if she’s not a ghost?” Harriet demanded, and Emory agreed.

I opened my mouth and shut it again and repeated the actions twice before snarling, “Go back to work!”

Harriet and Emory sent me a knowing stare, but they scarpered.

I held Jinx’s gaze. “What the fuck did we see?”

Jinx

Something strange surrounded Ravenberry, and, like Lavender, he didn’t believe in ghosts. But he’d heard rumours that Rage MC had a mystical person who saw events before they happened. He tended to stay away from things like this, but he had an odd feeling in his stomach.

“Jinx?” Chance said, and he looked up, surprised. “Spoke to you three times, candidate. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, trying to figure out a puzzle,” he replied.

“Do it on your own time. You need to restock the bar before heading to the Manor tonight,” Chance responded.

Jinx nodded and carried on with his task, but his mind was working overtime. He knew that Lavender had explained about her parents, grandparent, and cousin. Jinx couldn’t put his finger on it. There’d been the groans and footsteps. He and Lavender had both heard them, and now this scary image. Although, to be honest, the woman hadn’t appeared too scary when he’d glimpsed her.

In fact, she’d seemed more interested in Lavender than scaring anything. Her eyes had followed Lavender when Lavender had backed out of the bathroom.

Jinx frowned. He had no doubt Lavender was the centre of everything happening, and something inside told him that it was just beginning.

“Jinx!” Chance roared as something crashed into his office.

And there went his bad luck again!

Lavender

The next morning, I was tired. I hadn’t slept well because the image in the mirror had scared the hell out of me, and I kept hearing shuffling noises upstairs. The final bedroom for the students would be cleared today. Which meant we’d be back on the ground floor clearing the rooms here. The priority was the library. I needed to reach the journal’s secret place. There were too many stacks of boxes, and it currently was unsafe.

“Morning, Lavender,” Emory said.

I stared at her and held my hand out. She placed a mug of coffee in it, and I inhaled. The elixir of life!

The students discussed the day ahead, and it was Dan’s room we were finishing.

“Once it’s done, we are coming back down and starting on the library. We’re going to clear the downstairs before heading up. Once everything is packed, we’ll start valuing and verifying the dolls,” I explained.

A strangled cry came from the kitchen door, and I twisted and spotted Chatter.

“Sorry, didn’t know you were there,” I said.

Chatter looked like he was going to pass out, and I lifted an eyebrow.

“I’ll wait for Tatum at the front,” Chatter finally mumbled and walked past us.

“Okay,” I replied, returning my focus to my coffee.

Two hours later, the room was cleared, and the cleaners had arrived and were doing the five bedrooms. We were in the library and beginning to clear the dolls. It wasn’t just dolls in here; there were cribs, prams, baby pushchairs, and other accoutrements for dolls—and all certainly antiques.

“Do you know an architect?” I asked as the candidate helped carry some boxes to a cart we were using.

“Yes, I thought Chatter was going to refer you to Blackrock Construction. They’re run by two of the Rage MC brothers, and a lot of people in the surrounding towns use them,” Jinx said.

“Could you get me their number, please?”

“Sure, Lavender. Is everything alright with you and Chatter? I thought you were becoming friends,” Jinx asked in a low voice.

“So did I,” I replied and changed the subject. By six that evening, I could actually spot my target and knew I would have my hand on it soon.

If there were any stories around ghosts or whatnot, I’d discover them in the Bloodsworth Journal. Much like the vault combination, I knew exactly how to open the secret panel it was hidden in. The journal would give me some answers to my questions.

It was with regret that I left the library and locked it to join the others. As I passed the entrance hall on the way to the kitchen, Chatter and Tatum came from upstairs.

“How’s it going?” I asked.

“Some very valuable coins up there, Lavender. I finished Spain and have moved on to Italy. This report will explain the valuations on the Spanish ones and the reasons why they are valued high or low. I’ll do one for each country’s set of coins,” Tatum said.

“Thank you.” I took the report he offered me.

“Are you busy tomorrow night?” Tatum asked, and I blinked in surprise.

“No?”

“There’s an open-air movie night at the local park. They’re playing Carrie, and I wondered if you’d like to join me,” Tatum said.

“I love that film, is it the original?”

“Yes, it’s why I suggested it.”

“Thanks, Tatum, I’d love to go. Can I bring anything?” I asked, ignoring Chatter’s scowl.

“Just yourself, and I will pick you up at six?”

“Perfect. Enjoy your Saturday off, and I’ll see you tomorrow,” I replied as Tatum smiled.

He walked outside, and Chatter sent me a dark look before leaving.

What the hell was that about? He couldn’t be angry because I’d accepted a date off Tatum. Tatum was tall, muscled, and handsome. He was also educated and could hold a conversation. Basically, Tatum was perfect.

Plus, Tatum wouldn’t be so crass to set a relationship time limit. Nope. Not at all. Nor would Tatum swap cars because me being seen in his meant things he did not want.

I was looking forward to the date. But a small part of me wished it had been Chatter. But whatever. I wasn’t anyone’s fuck buddy, and I certainly didn’t come with a time limit.

Chatter

It took everything he had not to plant his fist in that asshole’s smug face. Chatter gritted his teeth as Tatum headed to his car with a happy smile. He had hated hearing Tatum ask Lavender on a date, and, even worse, he had not expected the kick in his gut when she accepted.

Chatter blew his cheeks out as he wrestled his wayward emotions under control. He’d offered Lavender what he could, and she’d turned him down. That was not his issue. Actually, it wasn’t anyone’s problem. Lavender was looking for long-term, and he wouldn’t commit.

But Chatter hated Lavender dating Tatum. Even though on paper, they were the perfect match. Hell, Chatter disliked that even more!

What was wrong with him? Was Lavender wriggling her way under his skin? Chatter had kept his walls up ever since Hallie’s death, and for good reason. He never wanted to experience similar pain again. But somehow, he’d managed to have full-on conversations with Lavender instead of his usual grunts.

Chatter shook his head. Everything was getting so damn confusing; he didn’t know which was up and which was down. Lavender was tempting him, and Chatter didn’t want the emotional entanglement. Basically, Chatter realised he needed to get a grip on his emotions, or all hell would break loose!