Em took in her high heels. “Not in those you’re not. You can borrow a pair of my sneakers.”
“Crap, we don’t have a key to get in the house,” Josh said as he nudged Gus out of the way and stood up. “It’s too late to call Jenny and Steve.”
“I texted Jenny to let her know what’s up when you took Gus for his walk and asked her to leave a key in her mailbox.”
Josh grinned. “We make a great team.”
“Except your plan got vetoed,” Cal reminded him.
“I’ll come up with another one. I’m good at thinking on the fly,” Josh assured him. “Em, do you have any lanterns or flashlights?”
“Yep.” She nodded at the buffet table in the dining room where she’d placed two battery-operated lanterns and two flashlights. “I’ve also got a bat and two walking sticks.”
“I’d kiss you right now, but you’d probably slug me,” Josh said.
“If I didn’t, Cal would,” she said, noting the way her brother was looking at his best friend.
“Seriously, bro? As if I’d hit on Em. We’re friends.”
“As long as you don’t become friends with bene—”
“Cal!” Em and Josh yelled, cutting her brother off.
“What? It happens all the time.”
“I’m more worried about why Em and Josh think we need a bat and walking sticks,” Bri said. “I thought we agreed we’re not scaring the kids, so there’s no reason for us to even be in the house.”
“What we agreed is that, one, we’re going to keep the kids safe, and two, make sure they have no interest in coming back to Seaton House. Which means they have to get into the house, and we’re there to ensure that no one gets hurts.”
“They won’t come into the house if we’re there, Josh,” Em said.
“They will if they don’t know we are,” Josh said, grabbing a flashlight and the bat before heading for the door. “I’ll get the key and meet you at the house. You can explain why we need the bat and walking sticks.”
Cal followed Josh to the door. “I’ll go with you.”
“Me too,” Quinn said.
Em handed Bri and Raine each a lantern and a walking stick. “Trust me, you’ll feel better armed. Pest control isn’t coming until Monday.” Em told them about the wildlife they’d encountered at Seaton House the other day.
“Oh good, I thought you were going to tell me the place really is haunted,” Bri said.
“I’m more worried about rabid raccoons and rats,” Raine said, looking like she was having second thoughts about joining them. Then she sighed. “But if Izzy’s with them, I should be there.”
Em walked to the entryway closet and grabbed a pair of sneakers for Raine, who looked at them and said, “Do you have a pair of boots instead?”
“That’s not a bad idea.” Em retrieved a pair of hiker boots for herself, handing rubber boots to Raine and to Bri. Once they’d put them on, Em gave Gus a quick head scratch. “We’ll be back soon,” she promised, locking the door behind them.
Em turned on her flashlight, stuck it under her chin, and said, “Boo.”
“No wonder you and Josh get along so well,” Raine said. “But do you really think fake-dating him is a good idea?”
“Yeah, it’s a good cover for both of us. It’ll keep the women of Highland Falls off his back and the matchmakers of Highland Falls off mine.” She glanced at Bri and Raine as she lit their way along the gravel road to Seaton House. “Why? Do you think it’s a bad idea?”
“I think it’s a great idea.” Bri smiled, elbowing Raine. “You do too, don’t you?”
“Um, yes?”
“Could you sound any less enthusiastic?” Admittedly, Em preferred Raine’s skepticism to her best friend’s obvious delight at the idea.
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m jaded when it comes to dating, even if it’s fake-dating. I’m obviously no good at it.” Raine kicked a stone. “Do you know not one of the men I met tonight wanted to date me?”
“Why would…,” Em began at the same time Bri said, “I’m sure that’s not…” Em gestured for her best friend to continue. “You’re the expert, not me.”
“I’d rather you finish what you were going to say, Em. Bri is too nice to tell me the truth.”
“Hey, I always tell you the truth,” Bri protested.
“Yeah, but you sugarcoat it. And sometimes people need you just to lay it out there,” Em said. “What I was going to say, Raine, is why would any of those guys put themselves out there when it was obvious you had eyes for only Quinn?”
“That’s not true.”
“I was sitting beside you, and I know what I saw. And if I did, so did they. If it makes you feel better, I doubt any of the women Quinn met tonight wanted to date him. He spent the entire time watching you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. So why don’t you just admit you’re in love with him and try to make it work?” She frowned at Bri who was grinning at her. “What?”
“Look at you, all romantic.”
She shrugged. “None of us know how long we have with the people we love. It’s stupid for Raine to keep Quinn at arm’s length just because she’s afraid of getting hurt.” Em caught Bri and Raine sharing a glance and decided a subject change was in order. “So, I should probably tell you Seaton House is haunted.”
“Why are you just telling us that now?” Raine asked.
“Because we’re here, and I thought you might like a little warn—”
“Boo!” Josh popped out from behind a bush, the flashlight under his chin illuminating his ghoulish grin.
Raine screamed, and Bri jumped, grabbing Em’s arm. “Really? I did the same thing, and you didn’t react.”
“Face it, Em. I’m better at it than you are,” Josh said, opening the gate for them and then glancing up the road at the sound of several vehicles headed their way. “It could be the kids. We’d better get out of sight.”
“Where are Quinn and Cal?” Bri asked as they hurried after Josh.
“Doing a sweep of the main floor,” he said just as the front door swung open and Cal and Quinn ran out.
“I think you forgot to tell us something, bro,” Cal said.
“Oh right. The house is haunted.”
“You two suck,” Raine said, crossing her arms. “Now what are we supposed to do?”
Josh held the door open. “Stick to the plan and keep the kids safe.” Approaching headlights illuminated the gravel road, and he ushered everyone inside, closing the door behind them. “Okay, so we’re going to split up. Cal and Bri, you take the kitchen. There’s a broom closet you can hide in.” He glanced at Em. “Don’t worry, I checked. Jenny must’ve cleaned it sometime this week. Leave the door open a crack and leave the lantern on the kitchen table,” he instructed them.
Bri and Cal looked down the hall. “I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Cal said, reaching for Bri’s hand.