A Charmed Life (Halloween LaVeau Book 5) by Rose Pressey Read Free Book Online Page A

too many stairs. Don’t you have anything closer?” Ms. Hamilton asked.
    I really didn’t want to put them on the second floor. Cora would not be happy. She was obviously easily disturbed. But what choice did I have?
    I smiled and said, “Yes, I have rooms on the second floor.”
    I headed up the steps yet again with the ladies following me. No need to do a cardio workout today. I’d already gotten enough exercise on the staircase. As we neared the stairs, voices drifted down. It was almost as if whoever was talking was making sure to whisper. I wondered if I had another ghost.
    As we made it to the second floor landing, I peered up. Arthur and Jolene were talking in the hallway. Well, I thought it was Arthur. I only saw Jolene, but I thought I recognized his voice.
    She looked down and spotted me. The talking immediately stopped. It was kind of odd. I wondered what they were talking about. She stared at me for a second, and then walked away.
    “That was just the other guests,” I said, trying to sound casual.
    The women gave me blank looks and kept walking. I couldn’t believe that Cora was still quiet. I needed to have do not disturb signs made. I showed the women to the first room. After opening the door, they stepped inside and immediately started checking out everything just as Cora had. They even ran their fingers along the furniture to look for dust.
    “I suppose this will do,” Ms. Hamilton nodded.
    After leaving Ms. Hamilton in the room, I led Ms. Sallee to the one down the hall. After instructing her where to find the towels, I hurried out of the room. I’d told the women to let me know if they needed anything, but honestly, I was hoping that they wouldn’t. I was definitely going to have my hands full dealing with all the guests.
    I’d just made it to the bottom of the steps when Arthur came back inside. He smiled widely. I thought for sure that I’d seen him upstairs talking with Jolene.

Chapter 9
    “That was a fast meeting,” I said, still trying to figure out if my mind was playing tricks on me.
    “Unfortunately, it was rescheduled,” he answered. “Since I have nothing to do now, I was wondering if you would like to get lunch in town? I saw this great little café on Main Street.”
    I wasn’t so sure that this was a good idea.
    He studied my face. When I didn’t answer right away, he said, “Actually, I need your help.”
    I quirked an eyebrow. “Oh, really?”
    This should be interesting. I couldn’t wait to hear.
    “You see, I’m moving to town and I really could use some inside information. You’d really be doing me a huge favor by sitting down and talking to me about it.” He gave me a sad-eyed look.
    Did he really think I’d fall for that? I hesitated as I rolled the idea around in my mind.
    He smiled at me again, as if offering one last plea. He did seem kind of sweet. I hoped that I wasn’t making the wrong decision. If this was some kind of trick to get the Book of Mystics from me then this guy was in for a rude awakening. I thought I was a good judge of character though and I hoped that I was right this time.
    “I suppose lunch with you would be okay,” I said.
    “Great, I’m starving. How would you like to go now?” He moved toward the door.
    I suppose the guests would be okay until I got back. After grabbing my big LaVeau Manor B&B tote bag—I’d had them especially made to give out to guests—I met him by the door.
    He opened the door and said, “You really need time to relax. I can tell you’re stressed.”
    I stepped out onto the porch and he closed the door behind us. “What makes you say that?”
    “Just the look on your face says it all.” He pressed the key fob and unlocked the car doors.
    “Do I look that bad?” I asked as we walked toward his red Audi.
    He waved his hand toward the house. “Look at the size of this place that you have to take care of.”
    He did have a point about that. “It’s a lot, but I manage,” I said.
    Arthur opened