House of Shadows Page 16

  “Oh, Anika, I just cannot get over it! This house, so much history! And to think that our ancestor, your great-great-great Grandmother Sarah Lawrence, was once engaged to one of the Bannerman sons. And here you are, marrying one yourself, all these years later! It’s just too amazing. It’s almost unbelievable!”

  She turned back to Polly, and Miles put both arms around me. He spoke softly.

  “If only she knew that it was my own brother, who was engaged to your great-great-great grandmother. How amazing, and unbelievable, is that.”

  “No kidding. She has absolutely no idea just how right she is. I’m marrying the other son.”

  “I never stopped to realize how seriously guilty I am of cradle-robbing, until you put it that way,” he said, and I laughed.

  “Miles dear,” said Polly, completely in her element as hostess. “Perhaps our guests would enjoy a tour of the castle now, and to be shown their rooms.”

  “Of course, Grandma Polly,” Miles smiled, as she patted his arm. He turned, and spoke loudly enough for my chattering family to hear. “Anika and I will be glad to take all those who are interested, on a brief tour before dinner.”

  Everyone was eager to see more of the amazing castle.

  Miles, the perfect host, showed my family around the original part of the house, as they oohed and ah-ed.

  “Anika,” said Miriam, rubbing her belly. She looked tired. “I hate to drop out of the tour, but I need to lie down.”

  “Of course,” I said, turning to Miles. “I’ll show Miriam where she and Jeff are staying.”

  “All right, I’ll see you soon,” Miles smiled. I squeezed his hand before letting go, then turned back to Miriam, and led her toward the wing with the bedrooms our guests would occupy.

  “I cannot get over everything,” said Miriam, as she continued to look around. “This place, your fiancé, your ring!”

  I laughed.

  “I don’t anticipate ever getting over it, myself.”

  “Lydia will be sick when she finds out,” Miriam said with satisfaction.

  “I can’t say I’m terribly sorry she had a previous engagement,” I admitted ruefully.

  “Yeah, well, she’s not my favorite cousin, either. I hear you,” Miriam agreed. “But Anika, what is there for her to make you feel inferior about? I mean seriously. Your guy—I love Jeff, and he’s attractive, but Miles—did you find him on a movie set?”

  I laughed. If only she knew where I did find him.

  “And this house,” she said, looking around again, as we reached the bedroom where she and Jeff would stay during their visit.

  Miriam exclaimed over the room, then made herself comfortable on the couch, and I sat in a nearby chair.

  “Not to be nosy, but your guy has got to be loaded,” she said. “Don’t tell me he’s a millionaire?”

  “No,” I said, and paused. “Actually… he’s more than that.”

  “A multi-millionaire?” asked Miriam, her eyes popping.

  “Um—keep going,” I said.

  “Oh my word, Anika!” Miriam’s head dropped back on the couch cushion, then she popped right back up. “Let me be the one to tell Lydia. Please. You have so much, let me have this one little thing.”

  We both started to laugh. Lydia thought she was superior to everyone else, and only seemed happy if she succeeded in making someone else feel inferior. I completely understood how Miriam felt. Lydia went so far as to say snide, catty things about Miriam’s wedding dress, hair, makeup, and her choice of a groom, as Miriam was dressing for her wedding.

  “I don’t intend to tell Lydia anything, since that would require talking to her. So be my guest, if you’re so inclined.”

  Miriam relaxed on the couch with a distant look in her eyes, and a satisfied smile on her face.

  “I can tell you this,” I said. “Lydia is not in the wedding party, not after how she’s acted all these years, and considering how she behaved at your wedding. I told Miles about that, and he agrees. We want to be surrounded by people that love us and want the best for us. I want to enjoy the day.”

  “I hear you,” Miriam said ruefully. “If I had it to do over, I wouldn’t even invite her to mine. I hate how the things she said affected my thoughts and my mood, that day.”

  “I know,” I said sympathetically.

  I had words with Lydia over that. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why she had a previous engagement for Thanksgiving! It was rare for anyone to stand up to her the way I did that day, but enough was enough. The gloves came off.

  “So what’s going on with the attempted-murder trial?” Miriam asked, and I sighed.

  “We’re waiting for a trial date. It’ll be sometime in the spring, the DA estimates.”

  “Yikes, that makes it hard to schedule the wedding date, doesn’t it,” said Miriam.

  “I hope it doesn’t interfere. If it does, I’m calling a justice of the peace! I don’t want to wait a day past May nineteenth.”

  “I’m amazed you can stand to wait that long, now that I’ve seen your fiancé,” said Miriam, with a sly look.

  “You’re awful, that’s not what I meant and you know it,” I said, as I laughed and tossed a throw pillow at her. She laughed too, and tossed it back.

  “In all seriousness, I am really happy for you,” my cousin said. “I wondered if there was a guy out there that deserved you, but now that I’ve seen the way he looks at you… I can say you’ve found him.”

  “Thank you,” I said, and couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll have to work hard to deserve him, though.”

  There was a knock at the open door, and Jeff and Miles walked in.

  “Hi, ladies,” Miles smiled. Jeff looked around in amazement at the room, on his way to sit next to his wife.

  “Hi,” I said as I hopped up, and went to Miles. “Has everyone been shown to their rooms?”

  “Yes, they have. Would you like to take a walk in the garden, before dinner?” Miles asked.

  “I would very much like to take a walk in the garden with you,” I smiled back at him.

  We said goodbye to Miriam and Jeff, and I grabbed a coat on our way out the door.

  “I love your family,” Miles commented, as we walked hand in hand, following one of the garden’s many paths.

  “I’m so glad,” I said, leaning my head against his shoulder. “I know they love you, too.”

  “I’m glad you’ve got a large family, since I have so little of my own.”

  “You have more than you think. My family is yours now, too. I won’t make you wait until we’re married, to share them.”

  “I like that,” Miles smiled.

  Tryon and Danny ran by, playing some sort of game with Chip and Trixie. It involved running and squealing, and throwing a ball now and then. Several other little cousins and second-cousins also played in the garden. A few of the older children were playing tag on the lawn.

  I looked up at the castle in the growing dusk. Some of the windows were lit against the falling darkness. In one, I saw Doreen and Sandra chatting and laughing on the window seat. In others, various family members were involved in unpacking, animated conversation, or both.

  Miles followed my gaze, then turned to me.

  “Favorite Thanksgiving ever,” he said, and smiled.

  “Mine too,” I agreed. I put my arms around Miles as he hugged me, then we returned to the castle and our family.

  It was Thanksgiving Day. We were all up early, looking forward to being with each other too much to bother with spending any more time than we had to, in sleeping.

  After an excellent breakfast prepared by our amazing chef, all interested parties followed Miles and I on a little spelunking adventure to the estate cave, where we found the lost Bannerman family heirloom jewelry, less than a year before. Everyone was properly impressed by the beautiful cave formations, and the boys were fascinated by everything Miles could tell them about caves and bats.

  “Miles…” I said softly, and he turned to look at
me, as I pointed my flashlight at the powdery dirt lining the floor of the cavern we were standing in.

  Miles looked closer, his forehead creasing.

  “Footprints,” he said, and looked back at me.

  “Whose?” I wondered. My family was behind us, in the large cavern where we found the jewels.

  “The crew for History Detectives?” asked Miles, his forehead creasing faintly. “They did take video of the cave, I remember seeing it on the program you were on.”

  “They didn’t come this far,” I said. “I was here the whole time they were filming. I wanted to make sure the delicate formations weren’t tampered with.”

  Miles shook his head slowly, his flashlight following the trail of prints deep into the cave.

  “I don’t remember seeing these when we were here before, but then again, I was dreading the thought of leaving you, so I can’t say I was paying attention to much else.”

  “Yeah, me too,” I agreed.

  “We need to check this out and see where the prints lead,” Miles said. “Later, though. Let’s get back to your family for now.”

  “Our family,” I reminded him, and Miles smiled.

  After a light lunch, the guys adjourned to the family room and the big screen TV, to watch the game.

  The ladies unanimously voted to see more of the castle, so I took them on another tour. I especially enjoyed showing them the attic and pointing out where we—I mean, I—found Sarah’s paper doll letter. As they oohed and aahed over the amazing collection of antiques and family history stored there, I looked around at the dust that accumulated since Miles last used his superpowers to float it right out the window.

  He did have cool superpowers when he was semi-transparent, but I’d so much rather have him than them, any day.

  At Polly’s request, we ‘dressed’ for dinner. Men in suits, ladies in fine dresses.

  I wore my velvet rose dress. While shopping with Jenny the week before, I found the cutest pair of heels, with diamond accents. They were perfect for the outfit, and surprisingly comfortable.

  “Beautiful,” Miles said, with an appreciative look, as I met him in the hallway. He gently touched one of my dangling, diamond earrings. “Like a rose, after the rain.”

  “You look pretty amazing yourself,” I said, admiring him in his suit.

  Miles smiled, then tucked my hand in his arm as our guests began to join us.

  Doreen’s beautiful curls were piled on her head in a hairdo that any grown woman would envy, and the pink dress she wore, brought out the newly returning color in her cheeks. She looked so grown up. The little girl, was rapidly vanishing. Her eyes were bright though, there was still enough little girl left in her, to appreciate feeling like a princess, attending a party at the castle. Her twin cousin wore deep green, her identical curls arranged like Doreen’s.

  Tryon and Danny were both too cute, in their white shirts and dress pants.

  Mom wore a gorgeous fitted dress that matched her blue eyes. She and Dad looked so happy, like all the cares in the world had been lifted. In many ways, they had.

  “I love your dress!” said Miriam, as she and Jeff joined us in the entryway. “And your necklace and earrings… let me take a picture of you two. Jeff, give me your phone.”

  Miriam held out her hand, and snapped her fingers.

  Jeff looked a little puzzled, but handed it over.

  “Pose over here, on the stairs,” Miriam directed, and Miles and I did as requested.

  “Perfect,” she said, with a satisfied look at the photo on the screen of the phone.

  “I think I know where that’s going,” I said, and laughed.

  “You know it,” grinned Miriam.

  The guys just looked at each other, and shrugged.

  Polly was regal in ivory satin, greeting each of us as we made our way to dinner, the perfect hostess.

  The dining room sparkled. The chandelier over the antique dining table glittered brilliantly, as its many dangling prisms caught and refracted the light. A fall centerpiece adorned the table, and bunches of silk oak leaves in shades of orange, red and yellow, were tastefully arranged over the window valances. Candles glowed from one end of the table, to the other.

  Always the gentleman, Miles pulled out my chair. After I was seated, he sat beside me. I noticed my Grandma nodding in approval. She appreciated how attentive Miles was. I did, too!

  As soon as everyone took their seats, Polly tapped her glass with her fork, and conversation came to a halt.

  “Miles dear,” she said. “Will you say grace for us?”

  “Of course, Grandma Polly,” Miles smiled, as all around the massive table, we each held hands and bowed our heads.

  After a beautiful prayer which brought tears to my eyes, as it reminded me of all that I had to be thankful for, the food arrived.

  The scent of turkey wafting through the room, convinced me I was starving. The potatoes were light and fluffy, the gravy perfect, there was a scrumptious cranberry salad, dressing, rolls, green beans—that was all I could fit on my plate, so I stopped there.

  Conversation flowed, and before long, plates were cleaned and our attention turned toward the sideboard, which was spread with pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies. As one server took dessert requests, a piece of white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake was placed in front of me by another.

  I looked at Miles in surprise, then smiled and kissed his cheek. I knew he must be responsible. He just smiled.

  “I couldn’t possibly eat another bite,” said Uncle Mark, turning down another piece of pie.

  “Neither can I, and I’m eating for two,” agreed Miriam.

  After everyone had their fill, Polly stood.

  “And now, if you would care to join me…” she said mysteriously.

  Polly led us to the ballroom as the grand piano began to play, filling the space with its rich tones.

  Everyone looked around in awe.

  Miles smiled and held out his hand, and I gave him mine. He took the lead, and I followed. I resolved to assign the High School Musical 3 song, Can I Have This Dance as Miles’ ringtone. In spite of our recent meal, I felt as light as air, gliding with Miles around the ballroom floor. I would be happy doing this forever.

  “Miles,” I said, as he twirled me around, and back into his arms again. “If we’re ever semi-transparent together, this is how I want to spend every second.”

  Miles smiled.

  “And no one better dare try and free us.”

  The rest of our family began to join us, colorful dresses swirling.

  “This is like it used to be, a very long time ago,” Miles said with satisfaction. “Surrounded by family.”

  Chapter 13

  “Well,” Miles said thoughtfully, as I opened the door for him, and he walked into the apartment. Xander was right behind him. “The plot thickens.”

  He held up a photograph.

  “What?” I exclaimed in surprise. “What on earth?”

  It was a photo of me and Paul, Second-Miles’ old friend.

  “That was taken when Jenny and I were walking to her car, and he approached us,” I said, completely stunned. “I didn’t see anyone with a camera…”

  “They could have done it with a telephoto lens,” Miles said. “Or a cell phone, you might not have noticed that.”

  “Is there a note, or anything?” I asked.

  “No note,” said Xander. “But the envelope was addressed to me.”

  The way it was cropped, Jenny wasn’t visible. I was smiling, and so was Paul. It looked like we knew each other well, even though the truth was that Paul was laughing at the thought of his old friend Second-Miles being accused of dating a different girl every day of the week, while he was at an all-male prep academy, and I was laughing along with him.

  “Now I know how all of this has been making you feel,” I said in dismay. “I don’t like it one bit.”

  “It’s bizarre,” said Xander. “I know it doesn’t mean anything, but figured y
ou’d want to add this to the list of mysterious accusations.”

  “Thanks, Xander,” Miles said, and I mechanically echoed him as I stared at the photo and the envelope it came in.

  “No problem,” said Xander, as he waved goodbye, and went back to his and Miles’ apartment.

  Miles took the photo and envelope out of my hands, and looked me in the eyes.

  “I trust you as much as you trust me,” he said reassuringly.

  “Good,” I said. I still felt terrible.

  “Anika, you’re my best friend, I know that,” he said gently. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and hugged him hard.

  “Good. Because I love you, only you, always you.”

  “Same here,” Miles said, as he hugged me back.

  “So can you tell anything from the envelope?” I asked, not even remembering what it looked like, I was so upset.

  “Only that it was mailed locally, and the label is typewritten.”

  “Well… the plot certainly has thickened,” I said.

  “Let’s get you a can of bear spray to replace your pepper spray,” Miles said.

  “Why?” I wondered.

  “Just in case the male version of Blondie, comes tearing your way across a grassy knoll,” Miles said, unable to hold back a grin.

  I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.

  It was Sunday afternoon, and Miles and I stood in the cave on the Bannerman property, with our flashlights trained on the footprints in the cavern.

  “I suppose someone could have been exploring and discovered the cave,” Miles said. “The property outside of the grounds isn’t marked or fenced, so no one would know where public property ends, and our private property begins.”

  “Yeah, that’s probably it,” I agreed, as we followed the prints deeper into the cave. “Did you and Delevan do much exploring here, when you were kids?”

  “Never this far,” Miles said, ducking to avoid a stalactite. “If we had flashlights, maybe we would have. I don’t know. Delevan was older, so when we were little kids, he pretty much took the lead.”

  “It’s hard to imagine you as a little brother,” I commented, as Miles held my hand, and helped me over an unstable slope covered in loose dirt and stones.

  “It’s been a really long time since I was,” Miles pointed out. “Chances are, I’ve matured some in the last hundred and fifty or so years.”