“I don’t have either, not that I wouldn’t like one. Just still looking,” he said and winked.
There was something so refreshing about Eddie’s positive, out-front attitude. He made her feel as though she didn’t have a care in the world when he was around, and he made her feel feminine and beautiful.
When they settled in their seats outside of Martha’s Exchange and had tied the dogs up, so they couldn’t run onto Main Street, Ashley filled him in on the progress she’d been making on her house.
“I know that property. I even did an estimate there for a walkway and patio out back, but the owners suddenly decided to move and cancelled. They lost their 2K deposit, which surprised me.”
“Some people say people leave because it’s haunted.”
“Is it?” he asked.
“Actually, if you promise not to lock me up, call me crazy, or laugh at me, I’ll answer.”
He held his huge hand on his heart. “I promise.”
“It is.”
“No way.”
“Yes, way. A guy named Perry Lucier who was killed there and left in the walls of one of the bedrooms haunts the place. I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of him.”
He laughed. “You’re shitting me.”
“You promised not to laugh.”
“Well, that was just a reflex; I always laugh when someone pulls my leg.”
“I swear it’s true. Twelve months ago, I’d have been laughing too, but I know it to be true now. I’ve talked to him.”
“Who have you told about this?”
“Only you. There’s something about you, Eddie, that makes me feel like I can share my deepest secrets and can trust you with them. Look how you were with me that day when I learned my husband cheated on me with another man. You helped me keep myself together. You knew all the right things to say. After all these months, I see you again today, and I’m spilling my secrets to you for the second time.”
“I’m glad you feel you can,” he said and reached for her hand. It dwarfed hers, and the dark pigment of it made her suntanned skin look sickly pale in comparison. She left her hand in his, feeling great comfort in his touch. She looked into his eyes and saw a tenderness there that the rough face, crooked nose, and large body did not match, but those soft eyes opened to his spirit. He was a man of peace, kindness, and depth—one who really cared about people.
She filled him in on the journal she’d found and what she’d learned so far about the relationship between the husband and wife who’d lived in the home in the early 20th century. He was enthralled by the story.
“Sounds like this Perry guy is a complicated dude and very controlling.”
“He was. But part of it was the times. He died in 1920 after all. Women didn’t even get the right to vote until August 18, 1920. They had no rights, and many men, including their husbands, treated them that way. From what I’ve read in the journal, Perry was like that.”
“Well, we’ve come a long way. First Lincoln freed the slaves and then a lot of women worked real hard to free the women. The kicker is that a lot of women worked really hard to get slaves free and give them voting rights, but black men got voting rights before the women who helped get their rights.”
“Damn straight. You know your history,” she said.
“I love history. U.S. history and old stuff. Like your house. I’d love to see your home sometime. I’m fascinated by the restoration work you do.”
“After what happened to my co-worker there, I’m not bringing anyone home until I rid the place of this specter,” she said.
“What happened?”
“Travis, my co-worker, was pushed off my front porch by a huge gust of wind and got a broken leg and five stitches in his forehead.”
“And you think this ghost did this?”
“Yes.”
“Shit, you’re giving me the chills. Do you need my help?”
She smiled. “No, I want to handle this myself. But thank you for the offer.”
“Okay, if you change your mind, give me your phone and I’ll put in my number, so you can call,” he said and punched his number into her phone. She returned the favor by inputting her number.
“And you call me when Edda wants to visit the dog park or go for a run. Do you run? Tootsie and I are always up for a run or playtime at the park.” She hoped to see him again.
“I can run but not for more than four or five miles. If you’re into marathon running, I’m out.”
She laughed, and he was happy to see her relaxed.
“No, that’s about my limit too. And anything more would kill Tootsie, I think.”
“Hey, I’ve got a place up at Pawtuckaway. I can only get up there on Sundays during this, my busy season, but you’re welcome to come for the day. Jet skiing, water skiing, swimming, and some pretty awesome grilling if I do say so myself.”
“Sounds perfect,” she agreed. “Can Tootsie come?”
“Except for work, I hardly ever leave without Edda. Tootsie’s welcome. I’ll pick you up at 8 a.m.”
As she drove home that evening, she felt happy to have run into Eddie again and thought what a very special man he was. She was looking forward to Sunday.
Chapter Twenty-six
“You were gone a long time. Where were you?” Perry demanded as soon as she and Tootsie came through the door that night.
“I ran into an old friend at the dog park, and we decided to go out for dinner.”
“How do you have old friends here? You haven’t lived here a year yet.”
She unleashed Tootsie, who immediately ran to her water bowl and lapped up a drink. Ashley then bent to fill the food bowl with dog food.
“Answer me,” he demanded.
“This is not 1920. We are not married. Women don’t have to answer to men. I don’t have to answer to you. This is my home, not yours. My life, not yours. I can come and go as I please and see whomever I want to without answering to you. You need to understand that. If you can’t handle that, move on.”
“I wish it was 1920. Then, I’d have control over you. You modern women disgust me. You think you can tell men what to do. It’s just wrong. I made dinner for you. I was trying to start over, but nothing I do pleases you. That’s because the women of 2020 are spoiled and privileged and think they rule the world. It’s all a huge mistake.”
“Get over it,” Ashley said. “Come on, Tootsie, we’re going to bed. She grabbed her backpack and went to her room. After showering and dressing for bed, she sat reading for a while into the night. The three most shocking of all the entries were the last entries of Priscilla’s journal, and they haunted her dreams.
February 19, 1920
Dear Journal,
It has gotten so bad with Perry and Nora that I fear for her safety. He’s jealous of every minute I spend with her. And she needs me now more than ever because she’s walking and getting into all sorts of mischief. It’s so cute to see her curiosity. She hunts everywhere—under, over, and around things. Just yesterday, she nearly pulled her dresser down on herself by trying to climb it. When I told Perry about it, he said, “It would serve her right if it fell on her.”