barware littered the floor. At least someone had the foresight—or experience with previous hauntings?—to get rid of breakable glasses.
“Stay OUT!”
“Go away.”
“We don’t want you here.”
The evil three’s shouts reverberated inside her head, and a plastic shot glass from behind the bar flew across the room and hit the door. Meredith blew on the glowing end of the sage bundle, sending the smoke inside. She didn’t reply, knowing better than to engage with them on her own. Adrenaline surged through her veins, and the urge to flee nearly overcame her. Her heart hammering, goose bumps on the rise, she stepped inside and searched the dimly lit interior for Oliver.
“Oh no.” She located him huddled on the floor in a corner, his knees drawn up and his face buried in his arms. Ignoring the angry wails, curses and commands to leave, Meredith waved the sage in front of her. She had to grit her teeth to keep them from chattering in the unnatural cold, but there was nothing she could do to stop shivering.
Holding the smoking bundle before her, she made her way around the perimeter of the first floor, refusing to acknowledge or look at the mean ghosts doing their best to intimidate her.
Gradually the temperature began to rise, and the shouted insults from the trio faded.
Meredith crouched down in front of Oliver’s trembling form. “They’re gone, Oliver.” He didn’t move or respond. “Are you hurt? Did they harm you in any way?”
A muffled sob escaped him. Meredith placed her hand on his shoulder, finding him far too cold. “We need to get you back to the cabin and into a hot shower.”
Judy entered the saloon then and propped the door open. “What a mess.” She started righting the chairs that had been tipped over. “We’re going to have to get this place into shape before 8:00 AM tomorrow when the park opens.”
“They attacked me,” Oliver croaked into his knees. “It was horrible, like knives of ice slicing into me over and over.”
“I know how terrifying that can be,” she soothed. “They tried and failed to possess you.”
“Failed because of this.” Oliver raised his head and opened his hand to reveal a moonshine crystal and a freshly picked sprig of sage. “If I hadn’t brought these with me …” His Adam’s apple bobbed a few times.
“Look, I know you hoped for ghostly encounters, but you can’t mess around here. Most spirits are innocuous, but others are extremely dangerous. If they’re powerful enough to move furniture, they can kill. We already know the three who tried to possess you committed numerous murders when they were alive. Don’t do this again.”
“I didn’t think it would be like this,” he rasped out on another sob. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. I … I think I should leave Garretsville and go home.”
“For now, let’s get you back to the cabin.” She took his arm and coaxed him up. “My aunt and father are coming in a week or so.” She’d discuss sleeping arrangements another time. Oliver wasn’t in any state of mind to absorb anything more right now, and she had a feeling he’d welcome a seasoned ghost buster as a roommate. “They’ll be staying with us, and they’re going to help me rid this place of the malevolent threesome.”
“Good luck with that.” Oliver stood on shaky legs. Pale and trembling, he gazed around at the mess caused by the monsters of mayhem.
“Come on, Judy. We can straighten up in here once John is back. I think we should use the buddy system until the evildoers are banished.” Meredith caught Judy’s eye and tilted her head toward Oliver, and the older woman nodded her assent.
“I agree. Oliver, you shouldn’t leave the cabin by yourself until after the bad ghosts have been sent on their way.” Judy came to Oliver’s other side, and together they started out for the cabin. “It’s almost lunchtime. A hot shower, something to eat, and you’ll feel better.”
“Do we have any chocolate?” he asked, his voice quavering.
“I don’t believe so,” Judy said, pulling her phone from her back pocket. “I’ll have John pick up a few bags. I like chocolate regardless of ghosts.” She smiled. “Is there a particular brand you’d like?” She began texting.
“No, just dark, high cocoa content. That’s what Harry Potter always ate after a close encounter with the dementors … or whatever.”
Meredith had to bite her tongue to keep from asking him exactly how young he was. He’d learned his lesson, and making him