Then I told her about the house scaring off the construction crew. Olivia laughed so hard that I thought she would fall out of her chair.
We talked about nothing and everything for another hour, sharing laughs at other people’s expenses. By the time I waved goodbye to Olivia from the front porch, I was no longer sure if she was annoying or if I appreciated that she’d come to distract me all evening. My mood had certainly lifted thanks to Olivia.
Damn it. I didn’t need friends.
After closing the door and locking it, I sent out my sense to make sure the windows were all locked. Not that anyone would dare break into this house. Old Vicky wouldn’t let them.
I stood in the center of the living room. It was where the heart of the house’s magic was. “Vicky, you really should be nice to the construction workers.”
The floorboards under my feet shook. Her magic reached out, wrapping around me like a hug. The house definitely didn’t want new owners.
I sighed. “Look, I get it. But I can’t maintain two houses and my life is in Philly.”
The walls shook then, telling me she was not accepting that answer. Ugh. “Okay, but you still need repairs done. I’ll figure out something.”
That seemed to satisfy the house because a low hum of pleasant magic swirled around me.
I hoped the old house forgave me after I sold her. Maybe I could find a way to release the magic from the house. Then I wouldn't have to worry about it scaring off the buyers.
Sounded like a plan. I was totally adding it to my growing to-do list.
Chapter Ten
“Shut up,” I yelled at my phone and threw the blanket over my head. It was way too damn early. I’d set my alarm for nine, but the sun was barely peeking over the horizon.
Finally, it stopped ringing, to my intense relief. I snuggled back down into my pillow and dozed off almost instantly.
Seconds later, the shrill ringing filled the air again. Groaning, I reached out and pushed the answer button, then speaker. “‘Lo?”
“Good morning!”
It was Olivia. For the love of everything unholy. Of course, it was Olivia. I needed to put a special ringtone on her phone number, so I’d know never to answer her call. But knowing her as well as I did, she’d just call from Sam’s phone. I was doomed.
“Why are you up this early?” My voice was scratchy and deep, thick with sleep. Plus, I was thirsty. And I had to pee. Damn it. Looked like I was getting up.
“I’ve been up for over an hour,” she said in a sing-song voice.
The sounds of construction filtered through my door. They were already here and working. “How do people function this early?” I whispered. “I feel like the dead.” And that was saying something coming from me.
“Well, I have so much news for you. I followed Owen last night and I think he’s up to no good. After I left your place I passed by the diner, and guess what? He was there. So, I waited to see where he went, and he drove all over the dang place.”
“Olivia. Does Sam know you followed this guy? It’s dangerous!” I couldn’t help but imagine what could’ve happened to her. And Sam would have blamed me.
“We just won’t tell him. How about that?” She sighed. “But no, I don’t keep secrets from him. I’ll tell him tonight.”
“Good.” I didn’t love Olivia, but Sam did. And I loved Sam. For a relationship to stand the test of time, honesty was necessary. “I’m glad to hear you say you’re not keeping secrets.”
“Well, anyway, I’m here. I just pulled up in your driveway. We’re going to scope out Owen’s lighthouse.”
I scrambled out of bed and peered out my bedroom window. Sure enough, Olivia’s red 4-Runner was behind the construction trucks. “Damn it, Olivia, it’s too early to think right now,” I muttered.
She laughed in response. “Hey, I have coffee.”
“Okay,” I said grudgingly. “You can come in. The door is open, the construction crew has a key.”
I hurried through brushing my teeth and hair and dressed quickly. Before Olivia decided to come find me, I stuck my head in Alfred’s bedroom door. He sat on the bed with his hands on his knees and Snooze beside him, staring up at his face. That cat was so weird. “Have you been like this all night?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“Did you come up when the construction crew got here?”
Nod.
“Okay, don’t come downstairs while they’re here, okay?”
Nod.
“Keep your door shut.”
Nod.
I didn’t know what else to say, so I shut the door and hurried downstairs.
Olivia sat at my kitchen table looking out the back door. Two coffees and a paper bag sat on the table. I nodded at Olivia, but she didn’t even notice me. The bag was full of donuts. For the first time, I could’ve hugged Olivia.
I moaned and took out a cinnamon-covered cruller. “Thank you.”
“Sure. Thanks for this.” She nodded out the back door.
Two men were out there sawing something on a sawhorse. I didn’t even know what the hell they were working on, but they’d already taken off their shirts.
She wasn’t wrong. They were hot.
“The view is amazing.” She sipped her coffee and gave me a rogue wink.
“Don’t forget you’re married.” Did I really need to remind her?
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but I’m not dead. I love Sam, and I would never cheat on him. I mean have you seen him? He still rocks my world.”
I held up a hand and made a face. “Okay, stop. Sam is like a brother to me. I don’t want to hear about you two having sex. But you’re right, this is a nice view.”
We sat for a few minutes and ate. Eventually, the two men finished sawing whatever it was they were working on and took it back around to the front of the house.
From there the conversation turned a little serious. “I’m sorry,” Olivia said.
“For what?” I grabbed another donut and looked at my new friend. My sleep haze was lifting thanks to the coffee and sugar.
“We weren’t the best of friends in school. I wasn’t the best person in school. I’m not that person anymore, and I’m sorry for the things I did that hurt you.”
I brushed it off. “It’s okay.” I tried to make it seem like it wasn’t a big deal, but it actually meant a lot that she’d apologized. I’d wanted to continue not liking her, but the more I was around her the more she grew on me.
I still didn’t trust her, though, not fully. That would take some time and more donut deliveries.
“So, wanna go see where Owen lives?” she asked.
I nodded. “I guess. I’m not working at the bookstore today. Might as well.” I had a moment’s concern over Alfred, but he had a TV and Snoozles. He’d be fine.
I followed Olivia out to her car, and she drove us down the coastal road to the old, abandoned lighthouse. It was only about a five-minute drive from my house. It wouldn’t be difficult to walk, either. Hell, if someone wanted to get to my place from the lighthouse, they could’ve just walked up the beach for a while.
Not unnerving at all. Especially since the creepy necromancer bought the place.