Page 50 of Paradise West
She walked back into the bedroom just as Jack began to pull up his pants. The sight of his tight ass and lean torso was enough to make her drool and shefelt like shaking herself awake from whatever dream this was.
He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “You ready to face the horde, baby?”
Charli took the hand he offered, following him down the stairs and into the kitchen. They found the ladies clustered around the large table, casually chatting as if they hadn’t just yanked Jack and Charli out of bed.
Miriam gave them a knowing look. “Glad it didn’t take you too long, Jack. We were starting to wonder if we needed to organize an intervention.”
Jack grunted. “I don’t need any help from you, thank you.” He casually leaned a hip on the kitchen island and crossed his arms. “As lovely as it is to see all of you, I can’t imagine that you’re here for a social call.”
“We ran into Gus at The Spent Pickle. He told us what happened in the house,” Hazel chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“So? Is it true you saw Amelia?” Cornelia asked.
Jack shook his head. “No, we didn’t see anything.” He paused as if for affect. “We just heard her—a long, loud sob.”
“Scared the crap out of me,” Charli remarked before she stepped away to the pantry and pulled out two sangria bottles, placing them on the table. “But itreally spooked Gus. He was in the Widow’s Walk when it happened. He said the temperature dropped up there and he felt something touch his back,” she added. “Jack and I were in Aunt Dottie’s old room studying Amelia’s picture. We didn’t experience anything like Gus did, but the sob was loud and it felt like the house moved a little.” She shivered. “Although that part may have just been my imagination.”
The ladies were quiet as they gave each other knowing looks around the table.
“Then it’s really happening. I mean, I’ve seen the lantern before, many times in fact. And I knew Dottie wasn’t behind it. But this must mean that you’re really getting somewhere,” Sadie mused, breaking the silence in the room.
Charli huffed. “Please clarify—what exactly is happening?” she asked to the group. “Because right now, this all feels a little nuts.”
Miriam patted Charli’s hand. “That’s to be expected, honey. We suspected that once you two started working in the house, that things would start happening.”
Iris snorted. “Well, we had more than just a feeling. Dottie told us that things would begin to happen once these two got together.”
Charli bolstered herself behind the kitchen island and scanned the faces around the room. She could feel their excitement but couldn’t banish her own sense of confusion or foreboding. Her gaze met Jack’s. He gave her a lazy grin and then turned to pull glasses down from the cabinet.
Placing the glasses on the table, he added to the ladies, “Here. We’re gonna need these.” Then he walked over to Charli and draped his arm around her shoulders, giving her a light squeeze.
“Wait,” Charli murmured to the room as she leaned into Jack. “What does all this have to do with Jack and I working together?”
Cornelia shrugged. “Well, we’re not quite sure, dear. Dottie was so cryptic when it came to Amelia, but she always insisted that you and Jack were the key.” She began to pour the sangria and handed it out to her friends.
“Huh...” Charli grunted, not convinced at all. “It’s odd that she never said anything to me about it when I stayed with her years ago. And other than her request to finish the renovation, she really didn’t say much about it in her final letter to me either.” She looked to Jack who was oddly quiet. “What do you think?”
Jack pursed his lips and shrugged. “I haven’t pieced it together yet, but I think this has to do withthe reason why Dottie would always tell me that the time wasn’t right.”
Miriam nodded. “That’s right. She told me that several times as well.” She gave Charli a piercing look. “Don’t think so hard about this and just do what you’re meant to do—bring back the Paradise West, and everything will happen like it’s supposed to. That’s when we’ll get our answers.”
Charli groaned and rubbed her temples. “I’m really having a tough time believing all of this.”
“Miriam’s right. Stop worrying about it,” Flora chimed in as she took a sip of sangria. “Just take her advice and do what you’re supposed to do. Everything will work out the way it’s meant to.”
Charli sighed and leaned her head on Jack’s shoulder. His hand dropped down to rub her arm, the soothing motion making her sleepy.
“Oh honey, you look like you’re about to drop,” Iris muttered. “We should probably go,” she added to the group.
Charli sighed. “It’s been a long day, and sleep is all I really want right now.”
The ladies downed their drinks and stood to leave.
“Oh, I’ll bet you’ll get more than just sleep tonight,” Cornelia sing-songed as they began to file out, the entire group snickering at the innuendo.
Miriam stopped in front of Charli and Jack. “Don’t worry so much about Amelia.” She gave Charli a wink. “We’ll be in touch if you need us.”
Charli stiffened. “Do you believe we will need you?”
