Chapter Six. #2
“Are you kidding me? The guy was sitting right here!” I exclaimed.
A woman I recognised hurried over.
“What’s going on?” Rose-Marie asked.
“This customer claims Pete was here,” the waitress hissed as grief shone on her face.
“It’s Christmas; miracles happen. Go on now, take your break,” Rose-Marie ordered, shooing her away.
“Rose-Marie, honestly, we’re not lying. Why would we? Walker and I had a conversation with a guy called Pete.” I went to describe him, and Rose-Marie’s face softened.
“That’s Pete, he died a year ago. As I mentioned, Adam, miracles can happen. I just hope he managed to help you. Pete helped many people in life with his advice and his listening skills.”
Rose-Marie walked away, and Walker and I swapped a shocked glance. I glanced out of the window and saw Pete standing across the street. He tipped an imaginary hat at me and then faded before my very eyes.
What was it with England and ghosts!?
Lady Catherine
“Peter,” I said as he appeared at The Black Cat.
“The task is completed, Mi’lady,” he replied with a tilt of his head.
“Adam has finally faced the truth?”
“I put it to him in a way he couldn’t ignore. Made that brain of his think.” He tapped his temple with two fingers.
“Well done, Peter. I don’t know why, but I sense Adam and his family are important to the future. He needed saving.”
“Well, Mi’lady, I did my best.” Pete smiled.
“Are you going to rest now, Peter?”
“No.”
I cocked my head, interested in his reply.
“There’s too much pain in the world. If I can fix at least some of it, I’ll be happy.”
“Good for you, Peter. I thank you for your help with Adam. Now I just have to sort my own wounded chicks out.”
Peter tilted his head and disappeared, no doubt back to the town where he was happiest. I looked around The Black Cat and noticed a chill and flicked my fingers.
Fires blazed, and the air warmed. The Black Cat gave off a cheerful atmosphere, as it should.
The inn had been created for travellers hundreds of years ago and would remain a welcome haven.
Mariah
The new guests had arrived, and Trudy had taken them to their rooms. They were settling in and unpacking.
Most of them seemed amused at Terry bringing them in the horse and cart, but there’d been a lot of exclamations about the scenery and snow.
A couple of them had appeared standoffish, but that was their choice.
Julie was ecstatic about having a full inn to cook for.
I’d been feeling ill all day and took myself off to my apartment. I just needed a nap.
◆◆◆
“Mariah, are you okay?” Benedict asked.
I shot upright and leapt out of bed, and my stomach rebelled. I just made the bathroom in time.
“Damnation, Mariah!” Benedict exclaimed as he hurried after me and pulled my hair away. I couldn’t answer him as I threw my guts up. Finally, I sat back and leaned weakly against the bath.
“Seems I’ve picked up a tummy bug,” I muttered.
Benedict nodded before hurrying out and returning with a glass of water. “Drink this.”
“Let me brush my teeth first,” I said and shoved upwards. I sat back as my stomach heaved again, and I hugged the toilet.
◆◆◆
“Stay in bed. I’ll get Julie to make some broth,” Benedict ordered when my tummy had decided it was empty.
“Benedict, we have guests, I need to—”
“Do nothing. I’ll deal with them,” Benedict replied. He tucked me back in, stepped back, and touched my head. “You’re not running a temperature. Maybe it’s one of those twenty-four-hour bug things.”
“Possibly. I’m not surprised, as there are a lot of bugs and colds going around.”
Benedict offered me one more worried look before leaving.
Benedict
“Cat!” I called as I left the bedroom.
“Yes?” she asked, appearing.
“Mariah is ill, please keep an eye on her while I get her some broth,” I said.
“Of course,” she replied and disappeared. I heard a startled noise and realised Cat had surprised Mariah. A small smile crossed my lips as I headed downstairs.
Julie was in the kitchen cooking up a storm, and everything smelled wonderful.
“Sir?”
“Mariah has picked up a stomach bug. Do we have any broth?”
“Yes, I’ll get that for you,” Julie said.
“I can do that. Thanks, Julie, just point me in the right direction.” I didn’t want to distract Julie.
“It’s okay, sir.” Julie turned and headed for the fridge.
“Benedict,” I corrected for what must have been the one thousandth time.
Julie offered me a smile. “Sir. Respect where respect is due; we all know how you protected us. Let me prepare a tray for Mariah. You take a seat.”
I did as ordered. Everyone knew you didn’t argue with the cook. They could withhold scrumptious food from you, and I wasn’t about to mess with that. Julie deftly prepared a light lunch for Mariah.
“Here you go, sir. I hope Mariah feels better soon. I’ll make her something easy for dinner,” Julie said, pushing it towards him.
“She’ll be disappointed; she was looking forward to tonight.” Julie had cooked one of Mariah’s favourites, Hunter’s Chicken with seasonal vegetables and sauté potatoes.
“Do you need anything?” I asked, and Julie shook her head.
“Everything’s fine here, sir. We’ve plenty of food and fresh produce. Terry has agreed to collect my Christmas order, so we’re all prepared.”
“Thanks, Julie. I’ll bring these down later. What time is dinner?”
“I’m going to begin serving at half-past six. That lets the new guests unpack and get settled. They seemed jet-lagged. I also let the Maddons know the evening meal would be a little delayed.”
“Were they okay with that?”
“They appeared to be. Only Mrs Maddon is here. The rest of the family is still in town shopping, I believe. You get on now, sir, and look after Mariah,” Julie replied, and I nodded.
I left the kitchen and headed back upstairs. I hoped that whatever was ailing Mariah would be cured soon. Mariah rarely got ill, and when she did, I was helpless.
Mariah was awake and lying on plumped-up pillows. I was slightly surprised because Cat was not the most maternal of women. Cat preferred to give you a swift kick rather than a hug. Mariah looked pale, which only made me worry more. I placed the tray on the bed as she pulled herself more upright.
“That smells good,” she said, and I heard her stomach rumble.
“How do you feel?”
“A little weak, but I’ve eaten something that disagreed with me.”
“I hope not. Otherwise, we’d have poisoned our guests as well,” I teased.
Mariah looked horrified before she began laughing. “Oh God, don’t say that!”
“Come on, love, eat up. I don’t want to face all those terrifying guests alone!”
“As if you can’t charm the pants off them,” Mariah replied as she started eating.
“It’s not their bodies I wish to charm the pants off,” I said with a lascivious wink.
Mariah blushed before smiling weakly. While my words had been meant to make her smile, they covered a layer of worry. Mariah was too pale, and I didn’t like that. Mariah couldn’t get sick; I’d be lost without her.