Secrets of Whisper Grove (Whisper Grove #1)
Chapter One
Lucy
Today has been a beautiful spring day. Well, as beautiful as one can be when you have to bury someone close to you.
The sun shining with a soft, warm breeze didn’t feel right.
It should have been dark and stormy with a tornado swirling around to match the dread working through my body.
Nana should be here still, baking cakes and cookies and giving life advice I never asked for.
She wasn’t supposed to be six feet under while I’m still here in the land of the living.
She left this life in the middle of the night while sleeping, and I can’t help but feel selfish that I’m distraught with her for leaving me behind in this world all by myself.
The crunch of gravel breaks the silence inside my car as I make my way down the driveway.
As the two-story country house comes into view through the willow tree branches, the sunset shines against the scattered clouds landing on the wrap-around porch.
I put the car in park and stare out of the windshield at my childhood home.
The paint is peeling and worn, but the house itself is still beautiful.
The red door catches my attention, and I smile softly to myself, remembering when Nana and I painted it.
I gave her a lot of grief about the color she chose, but I secretly loved it.
It was the last project I helped her with before leaving for college.
I grab my purse and reach for my duffel bag in the back seat. It’s already been a long day, and there’s still so much to do. I almost missed the funeral, thanks to my flight being delayed, which meant I wasn’t able to come to the house beforehand.
Unlocking the door, I hesitate before turning the handle and stepping inside.
I’m expecting the smell of sweet apples and cinnamon; instead, I’m met with stale air, like no one has been here in years.
When in reality, it’s only been a few days and the realization that I’m truly here by myself creates a lump in my throat and causes my eyes to burn.
Fuck Nana, I miss you.
I take a deep breath and head up the stairs to my old room.
Nana had told me she wasn’t going to change anything in my room without my approval.
True to her word, everything inside is the same.
I set my bags down and decide unpacking can wait until later.
Heading back down, I turn towards the kitchen.
I know Nana had a stash of wine here somewhere, and start searching.
Really, Nana? You couldn’t have made this easier for me?
After a few minutes of opening cabinets and cupboards, I find it. Grabbing a bottle of white wine, I am just finishing pouring a glass when my phone pings. I dig it out of my back pocket and see there’s a new email waiting for me from my Nana’s lawyer.
The reading of the will is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10am. We are very sorry for your loss. Your grandmother was a lovely individual.
Great. I take a sip of my wine. This is going to be a shitshow if Aunt Diane and Uncle Wayne show up.
I’m already confused about why there is even a reading of the will.
It’s not like Nana had a lot of possessions besides the house and the land it sits on.
Sure, Nana always ensured I had everything I needed growing up after my mother died when I was young, but we didn’t splurge very often.
She definitely taught me how to manage money and manage it well.
I grab the bottle of wine and my glass heading for the living room.
This is my favorite room in the whole house.
It’s cozy with a gas fireplace, a grey couch with an ottoman, and a large green recliner.
The TV I bought for her hangs on the wall while the remote sits next to the small table by the recliner.
I turn on the fireplace and then sit on the couch just as my phone rings in the kitchen.
I groan as I head back to grab my phone.
Fuck. All I want is to be left alone and drink away my sorrows.
My mood shifts as I check the caller ID and see my best friend’s picture flashing on a video call. I hit the answer button and am immediately greeted by her smiling face.
“Lucy!”
“Hi Ember,” I answer as I smile and roll my eyes.
“I saw that!” Ember makes a serious face before smiling at me again.
I start making my way back to the couch to find my wine. “I’m sorry, Em. Forgive me?”
“Always. I know better than to ask how you are doing, so are you settled in?” she asks as she lifts her own wineglass to her face. I can see the hesitation on her face as she waits for me to answer.
“Yes. But honestly, it’s so weird to be here without her, Em. The place smells stale and has that feeling of abandonment.” Taking another slow sip, I glance around the room.
Ember gives me that look I’ve had enough of the last few days. It’s pity wrapped in discomfort from not knowing what to say, but I know she means well.
“Well don’t forget, I’ll be there the day after tomorrow to help you out for a few days. Until then, open some windows.” She giggles before continuing with a straight face, “Have you heard from those people yet?”
“No, I haven’t.” I smirk at her insistence of not saying my aunt and uncle's names. Sometimes I’m sure she’s actually forgotten their names since we always refer to them as those people when we rarely talk about them.
“But the reading of the will is in the morning, so I’m sure they will be there, hoping to get their grubby hands on anything they can. ”
“They really are the worst people,” Em declares while she takes her makeup off.
We continue to talk for an hour about anything and everything, only ending the call when she has confirmed multiple times I will be picking her up from the airport on time in two days.
I head up for bed with a smile on my face.
Ember has been my friend since our first day of college.
It was out of a movie; I swear. A jock ran into me, and I dropped all my books.
Ember saw what happened and made the jock not only apologize multiple times, but she also made sure he picked up all of my stuff from the ground.
We’ve been best friends for eight years, living together off campus for most of our college experience and even after that. I wouldn't change a thing.
I crawl into bed after changing and brushing my teeth, my head softly buzzing. I’m not looking forward to tomorrow, but I’m ready for it to be over.