Merry, Merry Ghost Read Online Free PDF Page A

manger, a mule and an ox behind them, eleven angels above. I suspected the reproduction hung there year-round and was much more than an annual holiday decoration.
    She didn’t turn at the sound of the opening door. “You’re early, Jake.” She spoke as if coming back from a far distance. “No matter. Put the tray on the table.” She turned a hand toward the gleaming dark Queen Anne table next to her chair. “You can tell me about the evening tomorrow. I’ll not visit tonight.”
    I put Keith down, once again murmured in his ear, smelled his sweet little boy scent.
    He looked up at me, his eyes huge and dark.
    I blew him a kiss, nodded.
    He moved uncertainly forward. His sneakered feet scarcely made a sound on the wooden floor.
    She heard the faint scuff. Her head turned. A hand touched her throat when she saw him. Her robe, undoubtedly made of finest Chinese silk, was brilliant red with gold piping. As quickly as sunlight slipping across summer water, her face brightened. “Hello.” Her voice was low and sweet.
    When young she must have been startlingly beautiful, a beauty of elegant bone structure and mesmerizing character.
    She smiled, a kind and gentle smile. “I haven’t had a little boy visit me in a long time.” Tears filmed her eyes but she kept on smiling. “Who are you, my dear?”
    “Keith.”
    “I’m glad you came to see me, Keith. Come closer, please.”
    Steps sounded on the stairs, a rapid, hurried clatter.
    Still smiling, she glanced toward the open door. “It sounds as though someone’s coming after you. Please, come close for a moment.”
    Keith moved toward her, his face grave. He stopped next to the chair.
    She lightly touched his shoulder.
    Keith looked back at me.
    I nodded energetically.
    Keith stood very straight as he must have been told. He spoke in a rush. “I’m Keith Flynn.” His words were indistinct. Keef for Keith, Finn for Flynn. “My daddy was Sergeant First Class Mitchell Pritchard Flynn. My daddy was a hero.” His little boy voice ended in a wobble.
    Her illness-drained face was quite still. She stared into his dark eyes, so like her own. “Your daddy…”
    Gina hurried into the bedroom. She stopped and stared at Keith, her narrow face exasperated. She flung out an accusing hand. “How did he know where to come?”
    Keith quailed at her sharp tone.
    Susan Flynn curved an arm around his shoulders, pulled him near. “It’s all right. Don’t be frightened, sweet boy.” Her voice was as soft as the sweep of a feather.
    Peg pushed past Gina. “Someone left him on the front porch with a note.” She hurried forward, held out the envelope, then sank to her knees beside Keith. “I promised you some hot chocolate.”
    Susan opened the envelope with trembling hands, lifted out a stiff sheet.
    I peered over her shoulder at script in an unfamiliar language. There was an official seal near the bottom.
    Gold foil glinted in the flickering firelight.
    “It’s in German! Mitch was stationed in Germany.” Quickly she emptied the envelope. “A birth certificate from the military hospital in Würzburg: Keith Mitchell Flynn, born to Sergeant First Class Mitchell Pritchard Flynn and Marlene Schmidt Flynn.” With every word, her voice grew stronger. Joy lifts voices. “Mitch’s medals and news clippings.” Suddenly, her brows drew down. “Here is a printed notice of his mother’s death from pneumonia. So that’s why she didn’t bring him to me.” Susan’s face was puzzled. “Peg, who brought him here?”
    Peg gestured toward the front yard. “We don’t know. The doorbell rang, and there was no one there but Keith. He said his mother’s friend Lou brought him. We don’t know where she is or why she left.”
    Susan’s gaze was thoughtful. “We’ll find out.” Suddenly a brilliant smile lifted her lips. “It doesn’t matter really. In any event, he’s here where he should be.” She reached out a shaking hand to smooth a blond curl, gently touched Keith’s