Chapter Thirteen

Renee held the phone away from her ear, until Wayne went quiet.

“Now that you’re done, I have some news to tell you,” she said. “I’ve made the decision to move to Garland Falls. I’ll be back after Halloween to sell Gran’s house and pack up my stuff.”

He waited another minute. “You can’t mean this.”

“I’m sorry if this decision hurts you,” Renee said. “But you know this is the right move for me. It’s also the best move for you. You don’t need me around to help you make a good impression on your boss. He already thinks the world of you.”

“Yeah, but why Garland Falls? I don’t like you out there by yourself. How about if I come out and we’ll talk. Maybe we can fix our relationship.”

She sighed. “I’ve been over this with you several times. There’s nothing to fix. Our relationship ended at least six months ago. Neither one of us mentioned it because I think we got comfortable with the routine. You have to admit we’ve just been going through the motions of a relationship. Once you think about it, you’ll realize I’m right. I’ll be back after Halloween. We’ll talk then, okay? Bye.”

“But Renee…”

“Bye, Wayne.”

She shut off her phone and sat on the bed. “Gran, why do you think Wayne hates this town so much when he’s never been here? He’s so against me moving here. I can’t understand his attitude.”

Gran floated back and forth in an imitation of pacing. “Maybe Wayne has more secrets than you realize.”

“Thanks for not mentioning how I’ve kept my own secret about talking to ghosts from him.” Renee fell back on her bed. “It figures he’d have his own secrets to keep, too. Of course, I shouldn’t be surprised. Everyone has secrets, whether they know it or not. I wish he’d realize we’re done. I’ve told him not to call me anymore.” She pushed up and walked to the window. “I have to let Parker know I need to go back for about a week. I hope he doesn’t worry I want back with Wayne, because that won’t ever happen.”

Gran floated next to her. “I don’t think Parker will worry too much. I’m pretty sure he knows how infatuated with him you are. Maybe he’ll go with you to help you pack.”

Renee smiled. “He’d be great to have along, but he already told me he doesn’t like cities. He’ll stay here and I’ll be gone a week, two at most.”

She stared at the calendar on the wall. “Halloween will be here before we know it. Gran, you have to help me find that tree. As much as I don’t want to lose you, I want you to have the peace you deserve. Don’t you think Gramps has waited for you long enough?”

“I suppose you’re right. I’ll try harder to remember where it’s located, Renee. Sometimes, I don’t want to leave you, either.” She placed her fingers on Renee’s cheek, making her shiver. “I miss my old man, and I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”

Renee sniffed, then glanced at the clock. “I’ve got to get a move on. Parker and I are going out on another hunt for your oak tree.” She stared at the shirt in her hands. “I wish there was more information about Lily’s child.”

“Even Sara at the Historical Society couldn’t tell you that,” Gran said. “Now hop to it. I’ve told you before, never let a handsome man wait on you.”

Renee rushed through her routine and hurried down the stairs. Parker’s voice reached her as he discussed the decorations with Dee. Even his voice sent tremors of excitement through her. She had the big “It” bad, the “It” being love. She never thought she’d have someone so wonderful like Parker Callahan in her life.

“Good morning,” she said, as she stepped into the foyer.

“Hi,” Parker said. “You look like you’re ready to go out on another serious search.”

She snapped out a salute. “Ready when you are, captain.”

Dee chuckled and adjusted two yellow mums on either side of the door. “You haven’t eaten yet. Would you like to take a small snack with you?”

“Do you mean your delicious cinnamon rolls?” Renee sniffed the air. “Because I can smell them and I’d never say no to those.”

“I do indeed.”

Renee sighed. “Awesome. Can I have two?”

Parker straightened up. “Excuse me, how about four? You have to feed your guide, too, you know.”

Dee laughed and went to get the rolls. She handed them a blue vinyl lunch bag and shooed them out the door. As soon as her feet hit the driveway, Renee pulled out one of the rolls and devoured it. When Parker stared at her, she shrugged.

“Maybe I should’ve had breakfast before we started,” she said.

Parker took her hand. “I tell you what. We’ll make it a short search today and I’ll buy you a big lunch.”

“Deal.”

They walked into the woods on the north side of the bed and breakfast. He led them down yet another trail, and her grandmother said no at every tree. “Can we go back to the fairy ring? Maybe the tree is there,” she said. “We didn’t search too much in that area.”

“It’s almost lunchtime. How about if we start over there tomorrow?”

“Okay.” Did he avoid going back to the clearing? Well, fine with her, for now. “If you think that’s best, but I want to check out the clearing when we have more time.”

They walked across the lawn, and Renee’s shoulders sagged in relief to see the B and B. Her stomach growled, and she knew should’ve eaten more. The cinnamon rolls were huge and delicious but couldn’t take the place of a real breakfast. They got in Parker’s truck and soon found themselves back at the diner. She didn’t mind. She liked the good food and the comfortable atmosphere.

She ordered a big lunch and when Sally set it down, she worried maybe she ordered too much. Parker smiled as she dug in. After she took her first bite of the sandwich, she knew she ordered just the right amount. The sandwich almost melted in her mouth and there wouldn’t be any problems with finishing it. Parker’s plate held twice as much as hers and he was more than halfway done.

She wiped her mouth and sat back. “Who do I talk to about leasing a commercial property?”

“There should be a contact number on the sign. Then you go to the clerk’s office and get your permit to sell and your license and that should be it. Did you find a place already?”

Parker paid the check, and Renee took his hand when they walked outside. “Yes, I did. Something strange happened. I had taken a quick break in Heavenly Bites and started talking to Joanna, you know her, right?” When he nodded, she continued. “I told her I’d move here if I could find a store to rent. I’m in business for myself and when I went outside, a store had come available. I could’ve sworn that store had been occupied when I went into Heavenly Bites. I felt like it waited for me to find it.”

“Sounds about right. A lot of the people who live here believe the town has a mind of its own. No one knows how Garland Falls decides who it likes and who it doesn’t.”

She walked in front of him and stopped. “Parker, tell me the truth. Is anything about Garland Falls or its people normal?”

He took a deep breath. “No. Not in the least.”

She stood silent for a moment, then shrugged. “Okay. Let me see about how to get my store.”

“Wait, just like that, you’re okay with the strangeness here?”

“Oh, please.” She waved her hand in a nonchalant manner. “I communicate with the dead. I think I fit right in.”

“True.” He grinned at her. “Would you like to meet Mrs. Hall? She organizes all the town’s events and festivals.”

“Sure.”

Parker took her to the town hall. Shouts, laughter, and the staccato banging of hammers drifted out of the open doors they walked toward. Renee looked around in amazement. Preparations for the Halloween festival were in full swing. If an open spot could be found on any wall, it didn’t stay empty for long. Pumpkins and hay bales sat in piles on the floor. Ghosts and bats floated on strings from the ceiling. Black cats and witches covered the walls. In between everything were red, orange, brown, and gold leaves. Signs had been taped to the walls, signifying what tables were placed where. In the middle of the chaos stood a short, stout woman with gray hair, a friendly smile, and a commanding attitude. She looked like a general with her own private army of decorators.

“Mrs. Hall.” Parker had to shout to be heard over the workers. When she approached, he smiled. “I’d like you to meet Renee Tate. She wants to open her own shop on Main Street. Renee, this is Mrs. Hall.”

Renee shook the woman’s hand and grinned. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hall. I hope after I move here, I can help you with some of the events.”

“Welcome to Garland Falls, Renee.” She tapped her chin. “Tate. Tate. I knew your grandparents, Esther and Arthur. I heard of their passing. Please accept my condolences. I liked them very much.”

“Thank you.” Renee glanced around the hall, giving the lump in her throat time to go down. “The decorations look wonderful. This town must enjoy Halloween a lot.”

“Garland Falls likes all the holidays,” Mrs. Hall said. “We have a Christmas carnival, a spring festival, and so many in the summer, I don’t have time to list them all. We have a healthy belief in community, and events bring people together.”

Renee was almost bouncing on her toes. “I can’t wait to be a part of it all.”

“And we can’t wait to have you here. Parker, you’d best get this girl home.” She grinned. “Then, I have more errands for you to run.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that,” he said.

They drove by the empty store and Renee wrote down the contact phone number. After Parker dropped her off, she’d take the first step and call to get the information about rent, taxes, and all the paperwork she needed to run a business in this close-knit community.

Parker pulled up to the front door of the B and B. Renee got out and stopped dead in her tracks. Wayne sat in one of the rockers. He ran down the steps and pulled her into his arms, kissing her cheek.

“Hello, sweetheart. I missed you so much.”