Ghost Girl in Shadow Bay: A Young Adult Haunted House Mystery by R. Barri Flowers Read Free Book Online Page B

it, honey?"
    She found herself fumbling with words. "In
the mirror...there was...uh...didn't you see her?"
    Melody cocked a brow. "See who? You're not
making much sense."
    Peyton turned back to the mirror, expecting
to see the girl. But all she saw was her mother's puzzled
reflection.
    Where did she go? Was she ever really
there?
    Peyton wondered if she should confide in her
mother. I saw her in the mirror. I know I did. Or at
least I thought I did.
    Why was this happening? Am I cracking
up?
    "Peyton..." Her mother looked on with
concern.
    Peyton doubted it was smart to tell her
mother everything, including her continuing dreams.
    "It's nothing, really," she said. "Guess you
just scared me, that's all."
    "I'm sorry. We've all been a bit jumpy
lately. I guess it comes with living in an old Victorian."
    "Yeah, I guess." Peyton had a feeling there
was a lot more to this than an old house.
    "I came to see if you wanted to go
shopping," her mother said.
    "Shopping?"
    "Yes, I thought we could make it a mother
and daughter outing--just like we used to. I'm sure you could use
some new clothes. I know I can."
    Peyton warmed up to the idea, agreeing that
her wardrobe could use some sprucing up. Even if her mother had
acted out of character lately, she could never stay upset for very
long. Especially with Peyton's stepfather threatening to come
between them and her father no longer there for protection.
    Peyton also hoped that going shopping would
take her mind off the girl who, for lack of a better description,
was haunting her.
    * * *
    Melody drove to Shadow Bay's biggest
shopping center. Though she'd had her driver's license for six
months now, Peyton hadn't driven much. Not her choice. Her parents
had promised to buy a car when she turned seventeen. And she
wondered if her suddenly weird stepfather would renege on that.
    After having lunch at a deli, they went to
the huge department store across the street. Peyton had a couple of
skirts in hand, along with pair of jeans, when she saw Bryant
working on a display.
    "Hi, Bry."
    He faced her. "Peyton. What are you doing
here?"
    She laughed, holding up the clothes. "Isn't
it obvious?"
    Bryant chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so. Did you
come by yourself?"
    I wish. "No, with my mother. She's
around somewhere looking for the perfect dishwasher friendly
dinnerware."
    "If you look hard enough, you could probably
find anything in here."
    "I bet." Peyton tilted her head. "I looked
for you today."
    "Really?"
    "Luke said you were at work."
    "Yeah, I have to put a few dollars in my
pocket," Bryant said.
    "I think it's great that you found this job.
I'll probably be working here myself next summer." Peyton wished
she was working there this summer so she could spend more
time with him away from home.
    "Do you want to get together and do
something?" Bryant asked, moving closer.
    Peyton took a breath. "Like what?"
    "Oh, I was thinking maybe we could have a
picnic--just the two of us."
    "You mean like a date?"
    He grinned. "Yeah, you could say that."
    Peyton's heart skipped a beat. He must have
read her mind.
    "That would be great." She prayed that her
mother or stepfather wouldn't try to ruin things for her.
    "Cool. How about this Sunday--at two?"
    "I'm sure there won't be any problem with
that."
    He looked pleased. "I'll bring the cheese,
crackers, and whatever else you want, if that's okay?"
    It was definitely all right with Peyton. She
enjoyed being considered special enough by a guy that he would
actually prepare a picnic basket just for her.
    "Of course," she told him. "But I'm pretty
good with picnic baskets, too."
    "I'll remember that for the next time."
    So he was already planning a second picnic.
Peyton was overjoyed at the prospect.
    "There you are..."
    Peyton turned to see her mother pushing a
cart filled with items, including colorful dishware.
    Melody spotted Bryant.
    "Hello, Mrs. McIntyre," he said
politely.
    She didn't hide her surprise.
"Bryant...Peyton didn't tell me you worked here."
    "I