Return to Autumn House - Halloween Serial - Chapter 6 - by Jolene Navarro

Return to Autumn House

(A Halloween Serial)

Chapter Six

Jolene Navarro

Hallie had tried to hold Kane as he fell, but two hundred pounds of muscles stretched over bones that topped at six three was more than she could handle on a good day. Today was not even close to being good. Backside planted in the mud, Kane’s limp body pinned her down.

Trying to look up, rain pelted her face. Cris lifted Kane by the shoulders. “I’ll take him to Doc’s. You go on back to the hotel. I’ll call you later.” Without a care to Kane’s comfort Cris tossed the unconscious lawyer back into the county issued vehicle.

“No, I’m going with you. You can’t drop that kind of price tag on me then say we’ll talk later. Cowardly! Come on boy!” The dog barked at her then turned and ran back to the house. Ugh. Stupid dog. “Cowardly!”

Cris already sat in his car. With one last look at the dog, she sighed then jumped in the back seat. “I’m staying with Kane until I find out what’s going on.”

“I told you what was going on. Who do you think you should trust? He's lawyer. I enforce the law and I’m your cousin.”

“My cousin twice removed.” She glared at him. “I just want answers. What’s in Granddad’s will and why is someone offering so much for the old property?” She glanced at the man in her lap. And why was Kane bloody in the front flowerbed?

Like a great beast, the storm rattled the car. Holding Kane in her lap, she brushed back the bloody mess of hair.

“You haven’t been around, but your grandfather went crazy. There are people, including me, that think lawyer boy took advantage of him.”

Who could she trust? Her childhood friend and cousin, or the boy that she used to love with all her heart? With him back in her arms, it felt as if pieces she had left behind clambered to reunite. Superman to her Louis.

Twisting around, she looked over her shoulders. Through the back window the house stood alone on the cliff’s edge. Surrounded by a deep darkness.

Once upon a time, it stood as a beacon of light, a sanctuary from her challenging parents. She worked until her fingers bled and the skill had earned her a spot at Julliard and the Chicago Symphony, but hadn’t been good enough. First chair stayed out of her reach, let alone the London Symphony Orchestra that they wanted for her.

Even after their deaths she could hear their criticism. The echo of their demands. More, more, more…still drove her to perfection. She was their protégé, their legacy in the music world.

A tear slip out. Wiping it away she swallowed the bitter lump of regret and grief that clogged her throat. Or maybe it was those nasty chips she ate earlier.

All she knew was that her parents had taken her away from the only place she had known unconditional love, claiming her grandfather was too soft. That he would weaken her. Now he was gone too. And she hadn’t said goodbye.

Kane moaned. His eyes squeezed tight then fluttered. She stroked his jaw. He had been her teenage dream, she thought they would grow old together in the house on the cliff. But just as her parents had sent her away, he had cut her off without explanation and the dream had become a nightmare.

Now he wanted her to trust him. He turned his head, the beautiful blue she had gazed into so many times now looked confused. His mouth opened. “The…”

“Kane?” His head fell to the side. “Cris can you go any faster? I’m really worried.”

“I’m going as fast as I can in this storm. I need you to listen to me. Stop making goo-goo eyes at him. Kane can’t be trusted.”

“That’s what he said about you.” She kept her gaze on Kane, watching for any sign of change.

“I’m not the one that dumped you for Ivy. He hasn’t changed, he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Remember the lies he told you, going on about how beautiful you were. He’s low. He probably hit himself over the head to get your sympathy. Is it even real blood? I have some people you need to talk to before you do anything.”

Old insecurities raised their ugly heads. Looking up from Kane’s perfect profile she glanced out the window. Her heart slammed against her breast bone and her skin became too tight. “This isn’t the way to Doc’s. Cris where are you taking us?” Dread snaked through her veins. She really needed Kane to join the party.

Tomorrow tune in to find out if Kane wake's up.... 

If you are looking for a nice Christmas story - my October release would be perfect for you. A Texas Christmas Wish is available now.  :)

Return to Autumn House - A Halloween Serial - Chapter Three - Lacy Williams

Welcome to the third installment of the Halloween serial, "Return to Autumn House." Today Lacy Williams is your hostess (and author):


Kane Cornelison sat up in the rocky flowerbed in front of Autumn House and clutched his head with both hands, hoping that would stop the pounding in his temples.

It didn’t.

Hallie—sweet, beautiful Hallie!—was here. Wet hanks of her honey-blonde hair fell into her caramel eyes as she bent over him. Rain dripped from her elbow onto his already-soaked trousers. She touched his shoulder. He could see her lips moving, but the roaring in his head made it hard to hear anything. Or maybe that was the thunder booming overhead?

What had happened?

He remembered Hallie. Remembered how outgoing and funny she’d been back in high school. How she kissed—innocent and sweet like melting chocolate. He remembered the full docket he’d worked through yesterday, the bagel and scrambled eggs he’d had for breakfast this morning.

But the last ten minutes were a black hole. Had he fallen? Been hit over the head?

And why did he have this urgent sense of foreboding?

"Are you okay?” He read her lips. He didn’t know how to answer her. Something deep inside told him to get her out of here. But his legs felt like licorice whips and his head still spun. He couldn’t remember if he’d driven up the long winding drive or parked down at the mailbox and walked up.

Hallie’s eyes were tearing up. Then something bumped his elbow.

“Cowardly.” He looked down on the Hulk-sized golden retriever. Huh. One of those loops hulaing around his brain remembered the dog’s presence.

“Cowardly?” Now that his head was clearing—it was, wasn’t it?—Hallie’s soft question hit him in the solar plexus.

“Cowardly Lion,” he grunted.

“Cute. Yours?” He nodded and followed her gaze down to the beast now showing his belly, practically begging to be scratched. He had so much heart, but a single knock on the front door would send him scurrying under the bed.

Hallie sneezed. And his focus shifted to the bright-red tip of her nose. Allergies.

She wasn’t upset about seeing him again. Or reacting to the mysterious bump on his head. Her eyes were watering because she was allergic.

Stupid, voices from the past whispered to him. You’re an idiot.

“Can you stand?” Hallie asked. “I think you need to see a doctor. You might be concussed.”

He allowed her to steady him with a hand beneath his elbow as he lurched to his feet. He wasn’t sure whether he wanted to wake up crotchety Doc Snicks at this time of night, but getting Hallie away from Autumn House was a winner in his book.

Cowardly whined and crowded against his shins, upsetting his balance. Hallie’s arm came around his waist at the same time his breath caught.

A pair of headlights flickered through the skeletal tree limbs, coming up the drive.


Read more tomorrow on the blog!


And don't miss Lacy's October release, Her Cowboy Deputy, from Love Inspired Historical.

Return to Autumn House, a Halloween Serial - Chapter Two - Teri Wilson

Return to Autumn House – Chapter Two

Teri Wilson

We have to get out of here. It’s not safe.

Hallie’s chest grew tight. She couldn’t seem to breathe. Or even think straight. The noises in the house grew louder. Whoever was inside was coming closer. And closer.

It’s not safe.

She could run. She should run. She should turn right around, climb back into her pumpkin orange roadster and drive far away. She should forget she’d ever heard of Marshmallow, Maine. Let them condemn the place. Why should she care what happened to Autumn House?

Maybe because this is where Kane kissed you for the very first time.

Kane.

He was the reason she couldn’t bring herself to turn tail and run. He was hurt. Hurt and bloodied. Something terrible had happened to him. She couldn’t just leave him here. She’d never be able to forgive herself if she did, even though she’d never seen him after the Halloween night so long ago when he’d kissed her on this very front porch. He’d been dressed as Superman, with a red cape and a big S on his manly chest. She’d been Lois Lane. They hadn’t planned on matching costumes. It had just happened. She’d thought it was fate. She’d thought it meant they were destined to be together.

She’d never been so wrong about anything in her life, except maybe the time she’d tried pumpkin spice potato chips. (They were horrible. Almost as horrible as being kissed within an inch of her life by a man who'd never deigned to speak to her again.)

But that didn’t mean she could leave him here. Not when something sinister was just on the other side of the front door to Autumn House. Whomever…or whatever…was coming for them had grown so close that Hallie could hear it breathing heavily just on the other side of the door.

A shiver ran up her spine.

“Kane. Wake up. Please wake up.” She gave him a little shake and tried not to think about how handsome he looked, even with a bloodied forehead.

But it’s such a nice forehead. So Clark Kent-esque.

She sighed.   

Focus, Hallie!

“Hmm?” Kane’s eyes fluttered open. “Lois? I mean, Hallie?”

Good. He was awake. If she could just get him to the car…

The door to Autumn House creaked open, and Hallie froze. It was too late to flee. Time had run out. She held onto Kane’s limp form for dear life while something hulking and black leapt toward her in the dark. A monster.

She squeezed her eyes closed and prayed for a miracle.

Then something wet and cold hit her on the side of her face. It almost felt like the monster had licked her. She opened her eyes.

Laugher bubbled up her throat. It wasn’t a monster at all. It was a dog. A big, clumsy dog. And from the looks of its wagging tail, it was friendly.

“Hallie, we have to get you out of here.” Kane sat up. “I told you it wasn’t safe. You’re severely allergic to dogs.”

He remembered. How sweet. How…super. Hallie had the sudden urge to kiss him right then and there.

But wait. Why was he all bloody? Why had he ignored her for so many years? Who did this giant dog belong to? And why was Autumn House on the verge of crumbling to the ground?

A kiss was the last thing she needed. What she needed most of all were answers. And maybe some Benadryl.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night...Chapter 11 by Christine Johnson

Wild thoughts careened through Ellie's head as she tumbled forward. Hadn't Scarlett fallen down the stairs in Gone With the Wind? Shouldn't her life pass before her eyes? Why, oh why had she accepted the invitation? Yes, it was a great chance to wear her new Louboutins and meet a single man, but any other party had to be safer.

The house. That's why she'd come here. She had to see inside the house. Dumb idea. Didn't curiosity kill the cat?

At least her screams drowned out the other shrieks.

Ouch! Her behind bounced off a step, and she was surprised it didn't hurt. The steps must have a lot of padding under the carpet. Her fingers grazed the bannister, but her momentum carried her past before she could grab hold.

"Help-ee-elp-ee-elp!" Her shriek bounced with each step and came to an abrupt stop along with the rest of her when she struck a very solid, very warm and very much living object.

"Didn't I tell you to stay where you were?" JT pulled her to her feet. "You could have gotten hurt."

"I'm not hurt," she protested. Bruised ego, perhaps, but she'd slid more than fell. Her borrowed shoes hadn't even come off!

"Thank goodness you're all right." His arms pulled her so close that she could feel the frantic rhythm of his heart. He pressed his warm cheek to hers, the mask clearly discarded. "I would never have forgiven myself if anything happened to you, Ellie."

Now her heartrate accelerated. The way he clutched her and the ragged emotion that cracked his voice wiped away her irrational fear of noises in the dark and replaced it with the very real fear of what might have happened--and what was about to happen.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I shouldn't have moved."

"No, no, the fault is mine." If anything he held her closer. "Please understand, that's how Tracye lost her husband. He fell on a construction worksite, and he wasn't wearing his safety harness."

No wonder JT's sister didn't like the massive house with its sweeping staircase. It must remind her of her loss. "Then Mandy is...?"

"Their daughter. I tried to be a father to her, but she refused to listen to me."

Now her heart broke for him. "Most teenaged girls rebel, whether with their mom, their dad, or their uncle." That must have been the shoe-throwing phase. "But she turned out well. You said she's in the Peace Corps."

"In the Philippines. She is back in the States now, though, and was supposed to arrive home tonight, but her flight got grounded by the bad weather. Tracye's been upset ever since she got Mandy's call. When I heard Sis crying, I was afraid she'd gotten more bad news." He paused. "But that's no excuse. I should never have left you alone in the dark in a strange house. Can you ever forgive me?"

Ellie recalled the tenderness of his touch when he wiped her feet dry and placed the ruby slipper on her foot. With all that was going on in his family, he had gone to extraordinary lengths to help a woman he did not know. "Of course I do."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "I promise not to leave your side the rest of the evening." His chocolatey rich vow wound around her heart as securely as his arm cradled her waist.

"Now that's a promise I'll hold you to."

"With pleasure."

A rumble of excitement started deep within and exploded when his expressive lips brushed against hers in the suddenly quiet darkness. Ellie wobbled on the unfamiliar shoes before he swept her off her feet and into his arms like Rhett Butler had done with Scarlett.

At that moment the lights flickered on, revealing they were just one step from the bottom of the staircase where...oh dear. A smattering of goblins, aka guests, gathered around Tracye, Mina and a couple of cats. One goblin hooted, then the rest joined in. That was the eerie shrieking she'd heard earlier, only now it sounded a lot more playful. How could she have been so silly?

Though heat suffused her cheeks, JT grinned widely and carried her down the remaining step.

Then he looked her in the eyes. "Your wish is my command, my scarlet-shoed princess. Just close your eyes, click your heels together three times, and whisper your heart's desire."

On a night like tonight, Ellie could believe anything possible. She closed her eyes and tapped her heels.

Click, click, click.

"There's no one like--"

JT's lips quieted her with a kiss that sent every fear scurrying into next year. The goblin hoots turned to cheers, but she could only think how wrong she'd been to doubt him. The kiss ended sweet as candy corn, with the promise of more. She opened her eyes to a smile that outshone the brightest lightning bolt.

"There's no one like you," they said in unison.

The End

It was a Dark and Stormy Night--Chapter Nine by Winne Griggs

“The Wizard Of Oz was my favorite childhood movie,” he explained with an adorably self-conscious grin.

No place like home, The Wizard Of Oz.  Of course. 

Her only excuse for being so slow on the uptake was that she was finding it difficult to think clearly with his hand still caressing her ankle.

Ellie pulled her foot back and stood.  The shoes were a perfect fit and quite yummy-looking on her feet.  “These high-heeled ruby ‘slippers’ are gorgeous, but it was Dorothy who wore them, not the witch.”  Hadn’t he noticed her black and white striped tights and the sweeping sleeves on her black dress.  Okay, it was only a token nod to wearing a witch costume, but there should be enough of a reference for him to get it.

JT stood up as well, but he still wore that boyish grin she found so attractive.  “Ah, but the Wicked Witch of the East had the shoes first.  Remember, Dorothy only received them after the house fell on the unfortunate spell-caster.”

“So I’m the Wicked Witch, am I?  Should I be on the look out for flying houses?”  This was certainly the right weather for it.

“Not on my watch."  He made an exaggerated bow.  "I shall personally guarantee your safety so long as you remain under my protection.”

The look he gave her as he said this made her toes try to curl just like the witch’s had just before they disappeared under the house. 

Then he extended his arm.  “Shall we go and greet the rest of my guests?”

The courtliness of the gesture enchanted her, but there was no need to let him know that.  She tossed her head and gave him her sauciest smile as she placed her candy-tipped nails on his sleeve.  “Lead the way.”

For the first time since she’d encountered JT, she felt confident and unafraid. 

That feeling lasted until they were half way down the elegant staircase.  Then the lights suddenly went out again and someone shrieked.  The hairs on Ellie’s neck stood on end at the other-worldly sound.  She instinctively moved closer to JT and tightened her hold on his arm.

Which was the only reason why, when an object came hurtling down the stairs, it missed her, but only by the merest of inches.

It was a Dark and Stormy Night--Halloween Serial Chapter Eight by Jolene Navarro

The hag glared at her, then shifted her narrowed stare to JT. “I have guests to take care of, baby brother. This is your mess to clean up. Come here, darling Mina.” She reached for the cat with hands that looked pampered and manicured. “We have people to entertain.”  The hag’s face softened as she cuddled the winged cat. “You are going to be a hit in your costume.”

Without another word, the hag turned her back and marched down the hall.

JT’s heavy sigh brought Ellie’s attention back to her rescuer. He shook his head, turning to her with a lopsided smile. His mesmerizing eyes looked a bit sad. “Sorry about that. Tracye is having a hard time letting Mandy go.”

She clapped a hand against her chest, sad for him. “I’m so sorry. Was she your—“

JT chuckled. “She’s not dead or anything. Just out of Tracye’s control. Darn girl had the nerve to grow up and get her own brain.” He flipped his cape over his shoulder, took her hand, and headed down the same hall where the hag had disappeared.

Turning the corner, she stopped, awed. A winding staircase straight out of Gone with the Wind appeared before them.  She glanced at him as he paused and looked back at her.

She pulled some words from her head. “Wow, it’s beautiful.” Okay, so not the most articulate thing to say.

He nodded and looked up toward the high ceilings. “When I saw it, I knew this was the house for me. And the sellers wanted to unload it, so I got it for a steal. Tracye’s still mad about it. It’s big, and not really all that practical, but it’s home.” He laughed, tugging on her hand. “Come on, we need to get to the shoes before they go on display.”

Watching his cape billow behind him, Ellie followed. His long fingers surrounded hers, warming her chilled hand. She lightly touched the smooth railing as they climbed the magnificent flight of steps. This was why she had wanted to be here at this party. She’d spent her whole childhood dreaming of what the big house on the hill looked like inside. Now he was leading her to a closet full of shoes in her dream home.

“Wait. The shoes are going on display? Why? If they’re collector items, maybe I shouldn’t –“

“No, no. Mandy has dedicated her life to the Peace Corps now and wants the shoes to be auctioned off. She’s asked that the money go to kids in Appalachia for shoes, clothes, books.” He winked at her. “You know, the necessities of life.”

A man that thought shoes and books were necessities of life. Her heart melted.

He stopped in front of a door and opened it. Stepping to the side, he invited her into the largest collection of shoes she had ever seen outside of Neiman Marcus.

As she stood in awe, JT brushed past her and walked along the shoes all lined up like beautiful chorus girls waiting to perform.

“What about these?” He turned, holding a pair of shining red stilettos. The light caught them, and they sparkled like rubies.

Her heart leapt in her chest. “Yes.” She thought she said it out loud but couldn’t be certain. 

He knelt in front of a winged back chair, waiting for her.

She tucked her rain-soaked party dress beneath her and sat.  He took a silk handkerchief from his pocket and wiped off the bottom of her tights. His warm hand supported one ankle, then the other as he slipped ruby heels onto her feet.

Oh, she was home.

Gazing up at her, he smiled.  “There’s no place like home.”

She gasped. Had he read her mind?