Haunted Hearts Read Online Free PDF Page A

nod of her head. “Thank you. My family would agree with you. I’m in charge of carving the pumpkins every year, and I do it the best. Nothing scary, mind you. Just all kinds of different expressions. Happy faces. Puzzled ones. Even some grumpy fellows. I try to come up with a new one every year.”
    She eyed Scott over the rim of her latte. “Come to think of it, that lovely, large porch of yours is in dire need of some pumpkins. Maybe five or six.”
    “Five or six? I’ll be swimming in them.”
    “Not on that porch. There’s room for twenty or more.”
    Scott shook his head. “You’ll have trouble carving one the way you’re moving. Let’s take a look at that knee.”
    He lifted the leg of her pants and removed the bandage. Suzy tried not to shiver as his warm fingers touched her. Her skin was bruised and the scrape red, angry, and raw.
    “Well, it’s not too pleasant looking, but in a few days, you’ll definitely be on the mend. Do you have some bandages?”
    “Sorry. Plenty of small ones but nothing large enough for that.”
    “No problem. I’ll pick some up and drop them off. In the meantime, we’ll let it air dry.”
    Suzy had eased back on the pillow. She didn’t realize Scott was studying her until he said, “You look worn out. Are you sure you don’t need to see the doctor?”
    “I’m sure. It’s the end of the quarter, and it’s a really busy time of the year. I think I’m a little more stressed than I realized.”
    He stood. “Do you have pain reliever?”
    “Yes, it’s above the sink.”
    He strode across the room. She was too sore to turn and watch, but she heard the cabinet door open and then the fridge. In moments, Scott was back. He handed her two pills and a bottle of water. “This will help with the pain and the inflammation. I have some errands to run and a couple of things to do at the house. But I’ll come back later with the bandages and some Chinese take-out.”
    “That sounds wonderful.”
    Scott pulled her fluffy throw off the back of the couch and gently covered her. “You rest, and I’ll be back about three.”
    Suzy nodded and said thanks several times. She was hardly aware that her eyes had drifted shut. It felt so heavenly to be pampered. Besides, he was coming back. He wanted to be with her.
    As the door closed behind him, she whispered. “Thank you, Lord. I promise I’ll do better this time. I promise I’ll do things right.” She sighed and slipped even more comfortably into the couch.
    One…I won’t talk so much. I’ll just nod and be sympathetic.
    Two…I won’t mention Julie or guilt.
    Three…I won’t talk about ghosts or spirits.
    Four…
     
    ****
     
    Scott knelt on the floor of the downstairs bathroom, tucked way back in the corner of the house. Large enough to fit two modern bathrooms inside made it roomy...and empty. The lid of the can echoed loudly as he dropped it to the floor. It would be better once he added a towel rack. Large heavy towels might deaden the empty echo.
    The original tile had to be replaced, but he’d re-glazed the claw foot tub and the pedestal sink. He’d replaced the old above-the-head-tank on the toilet with a modern reproduction but somehow, the room still seemed kind of forlorn. It needed something, but for the life of him, Scott didn’t know what. The room’s only saving grace was a large window that let bright sunshine into the room.
    In spite of the light, cool air drifted over Scott. The hairs on the back of his neck began to rise. He recognized the feeling, knew the signs. If he turned around, he’d see the shadows starting to form.
    It was back there. He could feel it. If he leaned ever so slightly to his left, he’d be able to see behind him in the mirror. The temptation was great, but Scott resisted.
    Suzy reminded him that the battle had already been won. He wanted to believe it, wanted to believe that dark, badly formed shape was not Julie. Not the woman he cared about. Not the one who blamed him for