Chapter Three

Renee propped her head up on her hand and picked at her breakfast the next morning. Her hunger fled as soon as she filled her plate. Having Gran’s ghost nearby wasn’t the same as her physical presence. A light pressure on her shoulder announced her grandmother stood right behind her.

“All right, all right, I’ll eat,” she muttered.

The large dining room had trays lined up on a sideboard with eggs, potatoes, pancakes, and bread for toast. Renee wondered if she was the only guest right now. She hadn’t seen anyone else and hers was the only car in the parking lot. Maybe more people would be checking in later. Dee came out of the kitchen with a plate of cinnamon rolls and put it in the center of the table.

“What’s the matter, Renee?”

“My grandmother used to make me breakfasts like this all the time.” She ate a small bite of eggs. “It’s so hard without her.”

Dee sat next to her and patted her hand. “As long as you have your good memories, she’ll always live in your heart. What was her name?”

“Esther Tate. My grandfather was Arthur Tate. She loved to tell me the story of how they met here at this B and B. She had gone out for a walk, and they met up on the road to town. She called it love at first sight.”

“I remember them. The B and B had only been open for a few years then.” Dee glanced behind Renee. “She must have been devastated when your grandfather passed.”

Renee nodded and poked at her breakfast. “I miss them both so much.”

Dee stood and took her plate. “Have a cinnamon roll instead. It will help you feel better. I make them with my own special recipe.” She winked. “Then I throw in a little bit of magic. Why don’t you go for a walk around the grounds? The crisp air may help relieve some of the burden on your heart.”

“Thanks. I think I will.” She lifted a roll and took a bite. Some of her grief eased, and she felt almost like herself when she finished it. “I’ve never had a roll this delicious before. I do feel a little better. Maybe I’ll be able to find the oak tree on my own.” She hesitated. “Your groundskeeper didn’t look too anxious to help me.”

Dee sat across from her and smoothed the tablecloth. “Parker doesn’t say much to anyone, so don’t take it personally. I’m positive he’ll enjoy helping you. His brother is the talker. The only attributes those two boys have in common are their looks and their last name. Their personalities are as different as night and day.”

“I’ll try to remember next time I talk to him.” She scratched the back of her neck and flipped her ponytail. “I’d better get outside and get started. Thanks for the breakfast, Miss Dee, and that wonderful cinnamon roll. I’m sorry I couldn’t eat more.”

“It quite all right.” Dee gathered the dishes and smiled. “If you see Parker, remind him I said to give you a hand.”

“I will.”

Renee stood on the porch and looked at the town sprawled out at the bottom of the hill. From here, she could see almost every structure in Garland Falls. The rocking chairs on either side of the double doors were a temptation, but she had a mission to accomplish. Maybe this afternoon, she’d go into Garland Falls and see what this tiny town in the middle of nowhere Minnesota had to offer.

One of the rockers started to move by itself. Renee laid her head back and sighed. “Not the best time, Gran.”

“Well then, let’s get started. My oak tree won’t find itself.”

She stood next to Gran’s ghost and smiled. “You’re still a tyrant, aren’t you?”

The ghost floated next to her. “Dear, sweet Renee. Did you expect death to change me?”

“I guess not. I wish you could’ve given me some kind of clue on where it might be.” She put her hands in her jacket pockets. “Standing around isn’t getting us anywhere. Let’s see if we can find your tree. If we can’t, then we can always hope Parker will know where it is.”

Gran looked thoughtful for a minute. “Try near a creek or maybe a clearing.”

****

Parker loaded four hay bales into the bed of his truck. The drive to the town hall would take about five minutes. His brother had included two bags of loose hay for the kids’ scarecrow building contest. There were also a few more plants he needed for the gardens around the Bed and Breakfast. Then there were the Halloween decorations that still needed to be hung, not to mention the items he still needed to gather for the special ritual he needed to hold.

“I don’t have time to wander the grounds to search for an old oak tree,” he muttered.

“What did you say?”

He turned around and his brother, Lucas, stood there. “Talking to myself,” Parker said, and slammed the tailgate closed.

Lucas leaned on the truck. “You always talk to yourself. You need to speak to more people than you. Every person in this town is nice if you get to know them. You have to give them a chance.”

“Sorry. I never had the gift of gab like you. I have other…gifts. Those don’t make for good conversation.”

“I get it, little bro.” Lucas cleared his throat. “Anyone interesting check in at the B and B last night? I saw a strange car come into town.”

Parker hesitated. Oh, yeah. Renee Tate was by far the most interesting person he’d met in a long time. Her shoulder length, auburn hair, fair skin, and slim figure would be enough to turn any man’s head. The bags under her green eyes testified to her troubled sleep. Then he found out she was there to spread her grandmother’s ashes. As soon she finished her task, she’d leave Garland Falls.

“No.”

Lucas grinned and pushed back the black cowboy hat farther off his forehead. “Liar.”

“How would you know?”

Lucas followed him as he climbed into his truck. “Parker, you’ve always been a pitiful liar. You and I both know it. Mom and Dad know it. Shoot, even Miss Dee and Mrs. Hall know it. You want to tell me about this non-interesting person?”

Parker gunned the engine. “No,” he said, then drove off.

Lucas’ shop sat about two miles outside of the main street businesses. Parker liked working with his brother at Callahan’s Floral Emporium on the weekends. They’d wander the fields where rows of flowers bloomed in a riot of color every season. Those blossoms gave him a certain amount of peace. In the winter, the two of them worked in the large glass greenhouse behind the shop. He sighed. He had time today to help Renee find her grandmother’s tree. Tomorrow, more work was sure to pile up.

He pulled up in front of the town hall and beeped twice. Two volunteers came out with flat carts to take the hay inside. He jumped into the back of the truck and handed down the bales. He dusted his hands on his jeans and followed the two men back inside.

“Well, Parker Callahan. It’s about time you came in to see me,” a cheery voice said.

He accepted the quick peck on his cheek and hug from Mrs. Hall. If an event had to be planned, the stout, little woman was sure to be in charge of the organization. “Hey, Mrs. Hall. Have all your plans come together?”

“So far, so good. Have you heard we’ll have a new moon on Halloween?”

He nodded. “New moons are my favorite. Full moons are overrated.”

Mrs. Hall laid a hand on his arm. “The lack of moonlight won’t hurt the ritual, will it?”

“No. As a matter of fact, it helps. The ghosts who want to cross over are more comfortable with less light.” He headed for the door. “I’ve got to get back to Miss Dee’s. I’m supposed to help a new guest look for a particular oak tree.”

“I won’t keep you. If I need any more decorations, I’ll be sure to let you know.”

He waved and climbed in his truck. As he drove off, he smiled, certain Mrs. Hall would have at least twenty more projects she’d want completed to make the festival perfect.