Ghost Girl in Shadow Bay: A Young Adult Haunted House Mystery Read Online Free PDF

mother had a secret tryst or
something with Luke. Of course, that made no sense since they
weren't exactly hiding from anyone right here in the living
room.
    Peyton chided herself for thinking like a
jealous daughter with no rationale, especially since she wasn't
even comfortable with Vance as her stepfather.
    But the man was her mother's husband, like
it or not. And Luke was just the caretaker.
    He also happened to be the father of the guy
Peyton was quickly falling for. Meaning she had to trust her mother
like she did herself and not jump to the wrong conclusions.
    * * *
    That afternoon Peyton helped with household
chores, her least favorite thing to do. Since they were still
getting settled in, it had to be done.
    During a break in the action, Peyton was
surprised when her mother lit up a cigarette.
    "Mom, what are you doing?" She stared in
disbelief.
    Melody sucked in nicotine and blew out a
perfect ring of smoke. "Smoking a cigarette," she said, stating the
obvious.
    "Since when? You hate people who
smoke and, as you put it, 'slowly kill themselves and those around
them.'"
    Melody shrugged. "Well, maybe I was
exaggerating just a bit, Peyton. I see nothing wrong with an
occasional smoke to calm one's nerves."
    Peyton was taken aback. "But your nerves are
always calm. Even when dad died, you never lost it. Not really. And
I didn't see you light up then."
    She took another puff. "I was putting on an
act because I knew you needed me to be strong. I'm sorry if I've
disappointed you, but I'm a grown woman and I like to smoke
sometimes. I'll try not to when you're around."
    "Try not to what?" Peyton heard the voice
from across the room. She turned and saw Vance approaching. He eyed
Melody. "You're smoking!"
    "So sue me!" Melody took a deep drag, glared
at him and then Peyton, and stormed out of the room.
    Vance frowned. "What the hell was that
about, Peyton?"
    "I have no idea. Maybe you should ask
her."
    "She doesn't exactly seem in the mood to
talk."
    Peyton curled her lip. "Neither am I."
    She ran to her room. What was happening
around here? First a strange girl in the bay attacks me. Now my
mother's suddenly a smoker who may have a crush on Bryant's dad.
What's next?
    Peyton could only wonder if the house had
anything to do with it.
    * * *
    Caitlyn could plainly see as clear as the
nose on her face that it was starting to happen all over again. She
watched without being seen as things began to crumble for the
family now living in their home. She felt sorry for Peyton, but
happy for herself that Peyton had come to help her, even if unaware
of it at the moment.
    There were clear dangers, though, that
threatened to get in the way. Her father would not like Caitlyn
using Peyton to come to her rescue. He would be as angry as before
and try to stop them any way he could.
    She would have to summon up every ounce of
courage and strength to fight him. Just as he would try to enforce
his will upon her with the same vehemence Caitlyn's father showed
towards her mother and the caretaker.
    Should Caitlyn fail, they would all be
doomed for eternity.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    The next day, Peyton was lying on her bed
listening to music when her mother knocked on the door and opened
it.
    "There's someone here to see you," Melody
told her without indicating who it was.
    Peyton assumed it was Bryant. After all, she
hadn't met anyone else yet. Her pulse raced with excitement.
    "I'll be right there," she said.
    She hopped up, glancing at her reflection in
the mirror. Maybe I should change clothes or put on some makeup.
No, Bry seems to like me the way I am, just as I like him for being
totally down to earth .
    Peyton moved away from the mirror.
Unbeknownst to her was the reflection of Caitlyn, mimicking as if
she were Peyton, before disappearing.
    * * *
    When she got to the living room, Peyton was
surprised to find that her visitor was a girl around her age. She
was seated on the loveseat talking to Peyton's mother.
    "Peyton, this is Lily Kramer.