Kathi Daley [Daley - The Halloween Haunting

Oh, I dont know, Tess, Doctor Brady Baker said as we stood side by side, looking at the dilapidated old house that hadnt been lived in since before I was born. I know I said that I liked your idea to sponsor a haunted house as a fundraiser for the animal shelter, but I wasnt necessarily thinking of using a real haunted house.

I glanced at the towns veterinarian, animal shelter owner, and all-around nice guy, who was frowning so hard hed created a crater in the center of his forehead. The house isnt really haunted, I assured him in a tone I hoped conveyed confidence. At least I dont think it is. I amended, realizing that, in the end, it was probably best to be perfectly honest. There was that one event a while back, but Im sure the whole thing can be explained by using a rational and scientific explanation.

What event? Brandy asked, with a look of suspicion in his eye.

I remained silent, hoping hed just drop it.

You said there was that one event. What event? he asked again.

I took Brady by the arm and walked him toward the rusty front gate which served as access the property. It was no big deal. Really. You know how rumors get started. I rolled my eyes and huffed out a short breath that was meant to be a laugh of indifference, but sort of came out as a laugh of panic. Everything is going to be fine, and this event is going to be spectacular, you have a Tess Thomas seal of assurance on that.

What event, Tess? Brady asked, digging his heels in at the gate.

I hemmed and hawed, but eventually answered. Well, there was this one tiny incident a few years ago.

Incident?

I crossed my fingers behind my back to nullify the tiny white lie I was about to tell. It really wasnt a big deal. Sure, it made the news, and there was a short investigation, but if you ask me, the whole thing was blown way out of proportion.

What whole thing?

This guy from out of state bought the house and planned to open a bed and breakfast, but apparently, there was some sort of problem with the electrical. The lights kept flickering on and off, and the kitchen appliances went all wonky. The guy tried to fix the problem himself rather than calling in an electrician, but I guess he didnt know what he was doing because something happened and he was electrocuted. The estate was sold after the man who was electrocuted died, and the guy who currently owns the estate has assured me that the electrical has been dealt with, but not to worry, I plan to call in an actual electrician to fix any remaining electrical problems. I paused, smiled, and then continued. Its a good deal, Brady. The new owner has plans to sell the place this summer after he has time to give the house a facelift, but I told him about the expansion we planned for the shelter, and he agreed to let us use the place for our fundraiser free of costs.

Free of costs?

I took Bradys hand and pulled him through the gate. There are a few minor repairs that will need to be seen to, and I told him I would take care of those repairs, but I can get volunteers to help out with that. I have folks who will donate supplies and others who will donate labor if it means the shelter can be expanded to include a state of the art dog training facility and long term residential care for senior animals and difficult to place pets. White Eagle, Montana, is a town that cares about its citizens, even its four-legged citizens. I have no doubt if we sponsor this haunted house, folks will come. A lot of them. It really is a good plan.

Brady looked somewhat dazed as he stared at the house. It had been abandoned decades ago and needed more than just a few repairs to make it livable, but we didnt want to live in it. We only wanted to borrow it. Id had a contractor look at it and had been assured that the house had good bones and was structurally sound. Yes, there were items we would need to address before we could use it to host a public event, but I hadnt been exaggerating or lying when I said I had volunteers to see to that. Of all the old houses in the area, this house, with its creepy and unusual exterior and large plot of land, was the perfect place to create our haunted house.

So what do you think? I asked.

It does look as if it could really be haunted.

It does if you believe in ghosts. I looked at Brady. Do you believe in ghosts?

Not really.

Me neither, I said even though I knew that there had been ghost sightings in the past and there were those odd noises that Id heard when my boyfriend, Tony Marconi, and I drove out a few nights ago to get a feel for how the place would look under the moonlight. Still, even if the place was haunted, I figured we could deal with that. The reality was the crumbling exterior, interesting clock tower, dark and brooding widows walk, and shuttered windows were absolutely perfect for what I had planned. The large flat area to the left is going to be the graveyard, I explained, as I steadfastly pulled Brady along behind me.

Graveyard?

Geez, the guy really was stunned. Hadnt he ever seen a house that may or may not be haunted before?

I nodded and grinned, barely able to contain my enthusiasm. Its an additional fundraiser. Tony is going to make a bunch of wooden headstones that people can buy and inscribe with a short epitaph. Well place them in the cemetery, and everyone who comes out for the haunted house tour will be able to read them while they wait in line.

Line?

Yes, line. If we use this house for our haunted house, I guarantee you that folks will come all the way from Billings to see it.

Brady frowned. Billings? Doesnt Billings have their own haunted house event?

Well sure, but they just use an old warehouse. Their haunted house doesnt come with a legend the way ours will.

He lifted a brow. Legend?

Oops. I probably shouldnt have used the word legend. You know how it is with small towns and their old houses. They all seem to have a legend. I hoped I pulled off the cheery no need to worry tone I was going for.

And what might the legend of this house be? Brady asked.

I looped my arm through his. Oh, we dont need to talk about that right now. Lets go inside.

What legend, Tess?

I huffed out yet another breath. Id expected that Brady would need to be persuaded that the house was perfect for our event, but this was turning out to be a lot more work than Id anticipated. I guess there may or may not have been an old cemetery on this plot of land before the house was built, and I suppose there may or may not be those who believe the souls whose resting places were disturbed currently haunt the place.

He frowned. Why would anyone build a house on top of a cemetery?

I giggled nervously. Oh, you know how it is. The cemetery hadnt been used since the gold rush and land in this area is expensive. I guess what it comes down to is that everyone is looking for a bargain, and a plot of land that was used as a cemetery a century earlier, presented a bargain to the man who built the house all those years ago.