October Ghosts (A Southern Romance Monthly) by CJ Hockenberry Read Free Book Online Page B

two of them about a year ago. But now everyone thinks he's gay and she's a lesbian."  
    He and Chloe stood near the front door of the Barrett House as crew members came and went, hauling wires, cameras, and equipment into the house. Chloe wasn't sure she'd actually call it a house a much as a mansion. The place was three stories with a central door. Looking at it from the road, the thing had 18 windows in front, several chimney stalks erupting from the roof, and a mottled brick front. The mottling came from all the years of repairs when old bricks were replaced by newer ones.  
    But that's not why they hadn't stepped inside.  
    Oaks and cypress grew along the drive and up to the house. They flanked the doors as well and continued in a fan to either side. The back of the property was known for its pecan orchard. Chloe could just see the tops of the gigantic trees when she and Kevin pulled up. And when they stepped out of Kevin's car, Chloe's knees gave out.  
    It wasn't the stories she'd read just hours earlier on the history of the house that made her heart pound. It was the house itself. The moment they drove up she felt like she was being watched, that there were things looking at them through the windows even with all the trucks and vans parked along the drive.  
    Chloe didn't want to go into that house.  
    She was also a little irritated the star of the show had made them wait for over half an hour. He'd told her on the phone two o'clock. It was 2:45 now and she was wishing she'd eaten more of her salad. If she wasn't careful, all that audio equipment was going to pick up her stomach growling.  
    She was prepared to give him a piece of her mind—until he got close enough for her to see clearly—and then all of her anger faded.  
    Dark circles hung under his eyes, and he was pale. Really pale. He was also walking slower than his usual gait. She couldn't stop herself from moving toward him. Her maternal instincts, the ones her mother said were going to get her heart into some serious trouble one day, kicked in. Once he was close enough she put a hand to his forehead.  
    A frown creased the blond's forehead. "What're you doing?"  
    "What happened?" Chloe looked from her to Matt. Then she fixed on Matt. "You look awful."  
    He flashed his smile at her and pointed to the blond. "Chloe, this is Margo. Margo, Chloe Stohl."  
    Margo and Chloe shook hands. "Nice to meet you."  
    "You too," Chloe said. "Matt, did something happen? Is that why you're late?" She wanted to pull him aside and talk to him. She'd never been very empathic before, but standing this close to him, she could swear he was too tense. Too worried or preoccupied with something. Chloe knew from his background—or what she'd found of it online—that hunting ghosts never bothered him. But something had him nervous.
    Matt started to answer but Margo cut in. "Have you been inside the house yet?"  
    Chloe shook her head. "No. Kevin and I were waiting on you."  
    "Who's Kevin?" Margo looked past Chloe.
    "He's her assistant," Matt said. His voice was a little hoarse and he coughed a few times. "He's the guy you were talking to the other day about setting up the whole gig?"  
    "Oh really? Then I have a bone to pick with him." She moved away from the two of them and Chloe could have sworn the air around them lightened.  
    "Fun girl."  
    Matt coughed, then cleared his throat. "Sorry. Margo's been with me since I started all this. Actually she's been with me since college. She can be a bit harsh, but she's good at what she does."  
    "Which is what?" Chloe turned a critical eye on him. He did not look good. In fact, he looked awful.  
    "She's good at making things happen. If we need lightning and cameras in a specific spot after looking at the tests," he said as he shrugged. "She makes it happen. She knows cameras and tech better than anyone on the staff." He gave her a weak smile. "I'm glad you decided to take the gig. Even after watching that