A Spirited Romance

Why couldn’t the lawyer have waited to read the will? Gran had only been dead a week and he pushed to get all the loose ends tied up sooner rather than later.

Renee Tate frowned at the bright October day as she watched leaves cascade gracefully down. The sky had no business being as bright and cheery as it did when her whole world had turned a dismal shade of gray. The tissue in her clenched fist had been squeezed into a tiny ball and was next to useless to her now. She stuffed it back into her purse and kept glancing at the door, willing the man to walk in.

She looked at the people sitting in the uneven semi-circle. They had been Gran’s friends for years, and she knew Gran wanted them to have certain items. If her appearance was as bad as everyone else’s, she must look like an ungroomed poodle. When she got the news of her grandmother’s passing, she immediately closed up her shop. Her regular customers understood she needed to take some time off. She’d been close to her grandmother, and Gran’s unexpected death had taken a heavy toll on her state of mind.

Renee grabbed a fresh tissue from her purse and dabbed at her eyes. The nights had been hard enough, but the days had been almost impossible. She counted herself lucky she remembered to shower every day. Today of all days, she forced herself to put on at least a little bit of makeup. Gran’s oldest friend reached over and patted her arm. She smiled at the kindness the woman showed. In fact, all of Gran’s friends had been kind and supportive. The now familiar lump formed again in her throat.

She swung her left leg in a small arc for several minutes before she switched to the right. The lawyer had called them all here at the last minute, and now he had the nerve to be late. Renee wanted this whole situation over with so she could go home and cry some more. She’d lost her parents in her early teens. Her grandfather died several years ago, and now her grandmother had passed on as well. The musty smell of the office had begun to get to her. She pinched her nose to stop a sneeze from coming out. If she sneezed, she might be sick.

The small, cramped office was filled with filing cabinets and overflowing bookcases. The lawyer’s desk was smaller than she imagined, but at least the large window behind it let in a lot of light. Of course, the bright sunlight also highlighted the worn spots on the carpet and the shabbiness of the furniture. He’d been Gran’s lawyer for decades, and she’d told Renee on many occasions good lawyers didn’t need to be flashy lawyers. She’d never trusted those types, saying they seemed more interested in money than helping people.

The door opened, and the lawyer walked in. He greeted the small crowd as he shook hands with everyone. He edged his way behind the cluttered desk and scorched his chair closer. About time he showed up. He lifted up an uneven stack of papers and smiled when he found a large manila folder. He put on his glasses and cleared his throat. The small crowd waited for him to begin.

“I’m sorry to call you in on such short notice, but Esther Tate wanted it this way. One week after her funeral, she wanted her will read.”

“Then, get on with it,” an older gentleman said. “You’ve made us wait long enough.”

“Right.” The lawyer opened the envelope and pulled out a stack of papers. “Let’s begin.”

Renee tuned him out while he gave away Gran’s possessions to her friends. A small bird had landed on the windowsill and drew her attention. She watched it hop back and forth on the sill while the lawyer droned on in his monotonous voice. Even though the window was shut tight, she could hear it chirp, and wiped her eyes. She and Gran would watch the birds land on the hanging bird feeder outside the back door and whistle with the birds who came and pecked at the seeds.

Why can’t I be as free as you, little bird? Why do I need to deal with all this hurt?

“Ms. Tate, did you hear me?”

“What? I’m sorry. I guess my mind wandered for a bit.”

He gave the will a quick shake. “I said, your grandmother left you her house, the money in her bank account, and she has a request of you. She wants you to go to Garland Falls, Minnesota, and stay at Warner’s Bed and Breakfast. There, you will look for a special oak tree and spread her ashes around the base.”

“Oh. Okay. Gran used to tell me stories about Garland Falls, but I have no idea where it is in Minnesota. Do you?”

“I’d never heard of it until I helped her make this will.” He pulled a small piece of paper out of the envelope. “This is the information for the bed and breakfast. You can call that number to make your reservation. Thank you all, again, for coming in. I know this is a hard time.”

“I’ll leave as soon as possible,” she said. “I appreciate your help with everything you did for Gran and me.”

“I was glad to be of service. Esther and her husband and I were friends for many years. I miss them both very much.”

His words tightened her throat again, and she fought back the tears trying to spill. Gran was the only family she had left, and now she was gone. Loneliness held her heart in a tight grip, refusing to relinquish its hold. Maybe someone in Garland Falls would remember Gran, and maybe it would help ease her grief. She guessed she’d find out soon enough. Right now, she just wanted out of this claustrophobic office.

He stood, and everyone followed his lead. Renee shook his hand, then spoke with a few of the people. She made arrangements for when they could pick up the items. They all gave their condolences to her again. She dragged herself out to her car and drove the short distance home. She walked in and threw her keys on the table, grateful for the silence in her apartment. After the way the lawyer droned on, she couldn’t deal with Wayne and all of his talk about his work, his clients, or himself right now.

Their apartment was modest and comfortable, but right now, it sure didn’t give her the comfort she usually found here. She’d added different colors to break up the bland, white wall monotony. She’d added tan and silver striped furniture in the living room with bright blue curtains. All the other rooms had different bright colors, with a beach theme in the bathroom.

Pictures of her parents and her grandparents were scattered throughout their home. She had asked Wayne if he had any pictures of his parents he wanted to put up. He had one of him and his dad when they’d gone on a fishing trip when he turned sixteen. He only had a few of his mother and several with both of his parents. She’d framed the one he’d told her was his favorite. His mother held him in arms when he was a baby, while his father smiled at him over her shoulder. The rest of his photos were stored away in albums, and there weren’t any more of his mother.

She made herself a cup of lavender tea and sat at the kitchen table. It was Gran’s favorite, and now she was gone. She’d never again get to do the fun things they loved or have a quiet cup of afternoon tea again. The will had been read, and she’d been given special instructions. Sure, Gran had mentioned Garland Falls a few times, but now Renee wished she’d been more persistent about getting her grandmother to talk about this small town. Gran would always smile and said they’d talk about it later. Well, she was headed that way tomorrow. It would have been nice to know more about where she was going and what waited for her there.

She stared at Gran’s urn where it sat in the middle of the kitchen table while she thought about the trip west. Loneliness once again reared its ugly head, turning her blood to sludge. She washed out her cup and turned it upside down on the plastic dishrack. How would she get along without her grandmother’s love and advice? She groaned quietly when she heard the front door shut. Wayne walked in and kissed her cheek before leaning against the counter.

She and Wayne had been dating for going on seven months now. At first, his looks attracted her when he walked into her shop. Light brown hair with golden highlights, classic movie star good looks, and he carried himself with supreme confidence. From the cut of his suit, she knew he must have a good job and couldn’t be classified as “a bum.” Gran had always warned her to watch out for freeloaders. They moved in together three months into their relationship. Now, she had to wonder if this arrangement was a huge mistake. Her friends certainly thought so, and Gran had made no secret of her dislike.

“Hey, baby,” he said, making her cringe. “What a day I had today. Picked up three more clients for the firm, and my boss told me I’ll get a substantial raise soon.”

“Gran’s will was read today. In it, she requested I go to Garland Falls, Minnesota,” she said. “I’m heading there tomorrow.”

“What?” Wayne immediately straightened up and stared at her. “I don’t think you should go, at least not so soon. Stay away until you do some research about the area and the people. You don’t know what kind of weirdos could inhabit that town.”

“Have you ever heard of Garland Falls or been there?”

“Just rumors,” he said and glanced away. “Nothing more than rumors.”

Renee folded her arms. “Then I’m not sure I understand your attitude. Gran requested I take her ashes there and spread them. I’m going to do it, Wayne, whether you like it or not. I want to. I think we both need a small break right now. And stop calling me baby. I keep telling you how much I hate that name.”

“Sorry.” His eyes narrowed when what she said finally hit him. “Wait a minute. How small a break are you talking about?”

“The couple of weeks that I’ll be gone, that’s all. I think we need a little distance right now. I should be home around Halloween.” She glanced at him. “We’ll talk about where we’re headed when I get back. All right?”

“I suppose, but I don’t like the thought of you all alone in a strange town.” He pulled her close. “Don’t stay away too long. I have an important question I want to ask you. I wish I could get the time off to go with you, but the firm is in the middle of some important negotiations. The boss needs me there.”

“I know he does. You’re an important part of the company. I’ll call you the minute I get there.” She pushed out of his arms. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I’ve got to pack.”

“I’ll call you, too, just to make sure you’re all right.”

She pulled out her suitcase and laid it on the bed. Flipping it open, she put in several pairs of shoes and started putting her clothes on top. Garland Falls. The name sounded nice, but nice small towns figured in a lot of horror movies. Should she put off the trip until she knew more about this town like Wayne wanted her to?

She had told Gran’s lawyer she’d leave as soon as possible. No, she’d head out tomorrow, like she originally planned. She’d find out all she needed to know about Garland Falls when she got there. If it turned out to be a haven for creepy people or objects, she’d turn around and head home.

Renee stepped out of her car and gaped at the woods and the large building in front of her. Her grandmother wanted her ashes spread here? There had to be hundreds of trees in all directions, and most of them looked like oak trees. How would she ever find the right one?

She shivered in the cool October air as she stood next to her car. She stared at the three-story Victorian home. She hadn’t expected Warner’s Bed and Breakfast to be so large, or maybe imposing was the better word. The B and B towered over her, and she swallowed hard. Her grandmother’s stories made it sound small and intimate, almost quaint. The slate gray porch wrapped around the sides of the home as far as she could see. She shivered again as the setting sun created long shadows across the property.

“This place is nice, not creepy,” she whispered. “It only looks creepy because the sun is starting to set. It’s nice, and it’s pretty, and I’m being completely ridiculous, and there’s nothing creepy here.”

The white, wooden siding gleamed with new paint. The shutters and trim around the roof were painted a pretty light green. Three light-colored wood rockers stretched to either side of the front door. Autumn leaf garland decorated the entire doorframe. More draped low off the wooden rail. In each window sat a small flower pot with bright red geraniums. Above the flowers hung sprigs of mistletoe.

“Odd mix of fall decorations, but who am I to judge?” She opened the passenger door and laid her hand on the large, golden urn on the seat. “Well, we’re here, Gran. I hope I can find this oak tree you mentioned in your will. I have to say, it looks a huge task you gave me.”

Renee took one more glance at the urn, grabbed her purse, and shut the door. Once she spread her grandmother’s ashes, Gran would be gone forever. She wiped her eyes and headed for the B and B. She climbed the steps slowly and stood near the edge of the porch.

Why did she continue to stand out here? She needed to get checked in and get some rest. Tomorrow, she’d have to start her search for Gran’s oak tree. Absorbed in her thoughts and her grief, she almost ran into a man as he adjusted a large, fall leaf wreath on one of the columns.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there,” she said, stumbling backward. “I guess I’m a little pre-occupied. It’s been a long day and a longer drive.”

He smiled. “It’s all right. Are you checking in?”

“Yes. I’m the new guest.”

He laid his hammer on a small table. “Do you need help with your bags?”

“I only have a small suitcase and my laptop bag.”

He nodded and walked to her car. She pressed the button on her key fob to pop the trunk and watched him grab her bags. If the man worked here, shouldn’t he talk more to the guests? Didn’t he like to talk to people? She shrugged and went inside.

A bell sat to her right on the mahogany check-in counter. A small bowl of candy corn beckoned to her, and she took a handful. The dark wood of the counter contrasted beautifully with the light, hardwood floors. Across from the check-in desk, an arched doorway opened into a huge dining room. A staircase with a dark wood railing was off to her right and covered with a floral runner. A small table in the hall held a vase filled with white geraniums, purple asters, and maroon mums.

She smiled a little as she gazed around. So far, so good. Not a creepy thing or person in sight. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. She shouldn’t have allowed Wayne to kick her imagination into overdrive. After all, the B and B had a very comfortable feel to it, unlike the rundown motels in some of her favorite movies.

She tapped the bell once, and a door marked “Office” opened. A short, slightly round older woman hurried out. She had a red and yellow marigold tucked into her silver hair. It matched with the muted yellow shirt, dark brown vest, and gray slacks she wore. A merry twinkle lit up her eyes when she saw Renee standing at the counter.

“Welcome to Warner’s Bed and Breakfast.” She smiled and shook Renee’s hand. “You must be Renee Tate. I’m Dee Warner, the owner.”

“Yes, ma’am, that’s me.” She handed over her credit card. “Your place is beautiful.”

“Why, thank you, dear. It takes a lot of work to keep it in tip top shape, but if I didn’t love what I do, the task would overwhelm me. Of course, I also have some help, and here he is now.” She glanced over Renee’s shoulder. “Parker, please take Ms. Tate’s bags to room 204.”

“Okay, Miss Dee.” Parker turned to Renee. “I left the urn on the front seat. Do you want me to bring that in, too?”

“No, thank you. I’ll get it myself.” She watched Parker walked up the short flight of stairs to the second floor. Wow. He was quite the handsome man. How did she not notice when she almost ran into him on the porch? She forced herself to quit staring at his retreating back and returned her gaze to Dee. “We’ve had a rash of burglaries in my neighborhood. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my grandmother’s ashes at home.”

“I see,” Dee said. “Any other reason?”

Renee shifted from foot to foot. “Well, yes, there is. She wanted me to spread her ashes around the oak tree where my grandfather proposed to her. She said it was here at your B and B. You wouldn’t happen to know where a certain special oak tree would be, would you? I’m afraid I might have bitten off more than I can chew with the job she gave me.”

Dee frowned a little while she looked off into space for a moment. “We have a lot of oak trees on the property, and some are pretty special. My groundskeeper, Parker Callahan, will have a better knowledge of the area than I will. You can ask him.” She smiled when he came down the steps. “Parker, would you please come here for a moment?”

“Do you need some help, Miss Dee?”

Dee chuckled. “Not me this time. Parker, I’d like to you meet Renee Tate. Renee, this is Parker Callahan. Ms. Tate will need some help to find a particular oak tree on the property. I thought you might be able to help her look.”

“I don’t think I’ll have much time. I still have to finish the decorations outside of the B and B. Then Mrs. Hall needs me to deliver flowers and hay bales to the town hall for the Halloween party. This time of year my brother always needs me to run a lot of errands for him.”

Dee waved away his excuses. “Oh, pish tosh. I’m certain you can spare a few minutes every day to help a guest.”

“If he’s too busy, I’m sure I can find it on my own,” Renee said. She jerked her head around and frowned over her shoulder. “Of course, I’d be glad for any help.”

“I’ll have some free time tomorrow to help you,” Parker mumbled.

“Thanks. I’d better get the urn and go up to my room. It’s been a long trip.” She turned to the door and stopped. “Is there a certain place I should park my car?”

“There’s a small lot to the right of the building,” Dee said.

Renee moved her car and sat there for a minute. The house was warm and inviting, but the woods behind the small parking lot held a much different vibe. A low, soft moan drifted to her, making her shiver. She looked in the rearview mirror and couldn’t see any movement at all. Again she wondered if Wayne was right and she should’ve done some research on Garland Falls. She mentally shook herself. No. She was letting the stress of the past few weeks get to her.

She held the urn tight to her chest and hurried inside to her room. Her grandmother’s request in the will brought Renee to Garland Falls. If Gran loved this town, it had to be a wonderful place. Maybe, everything would turn out fine in the long run. She set the urn on the dresser and turned it so she could read the small plaque. She dropped down onto the bed and sighed.

Wayne had no reason to be upset about this small Minnesota town. This had been the first time he’d ever come close to losing his temper with her. He hadn’t wanted her to come, and she’d read real concern on his face. When she’d asked why, he’d only said she didn’t know how many nuts lived here, and no other reason. So far, the two people she’d met were nice. Of course, Parker Callahan was nice looking.

“Okay, enough of those kinds of thoughts,” she scolded herself. She dialed Wayne and left a voicemail. “Well, he’s supposed to call me tomorrow. He promised.”

“Oh, that Parker Callahan is one handsome devil.”

Renee jumped to her feet. “Gran, you scared the heck out of me. And why did you have to mumble so much when I checked in? Can’t you keep your comments to yourself?”

“His beautiful hazel eyes and that thick, tawny hair,” she said as she ignored Renee’s questions. “From his physique, you can tell he’s used to hard work. If I were only forty years younger.” Her grandmother sighed.

“And don’t forget alive.” Renee grinned. “Your death hasn’t stopped your opinions one bit, has it.”

Her grandmother’s ghost floated over to her. “Why should it? My body’s dead, not the rest of me. I sure could look at Mr. Callahan all day.” She shook her finger at Renee. “And don’t tell me you didn’t notice how cute he is. I saw the way you were looking at him.”

“All right, fine, he’s attractive.” Renee unpacked her suitcase and stored it in the closet. “I get it, but Gran, you have to behave. No one can see you but me. I don’t want the entire town of Garland Falls to think I’m crazy. Isn’t it bad enough I see ghosts everywhere and start talking to them without thinking? Why do you think I ended up buying that little Bluetooth gizmo? I’d like to keep this particular part of me between us.”

“I’m pretty sure no one will think you’re crazy.” Her grandmother winked. “Besides, some of the people here might surprise you with what they can see and do.”

Renee stared at her grandmother’s ghost. “What exactly do you mean by that cryptic statement?”

“You’ll find out sooner or later,” Gran said as she faded away.