Ghoul You Be My Valentine? (A Ravenmist Whodunit Paranormal Cozy Mystery Book 2)
Ghoul You Be My Valentine
A Ravenmist Whodunnit
Book Two
By Olivia Jaymes
www.OliviaJaymes.com
GHOUL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?
Copyright © 2019 by Olivia Jaymes
Kindle Edition
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Book
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
About the Author
Ghoul You Be My Valentine?
It’s time for another Ravenmist Whodunnit! A tiny Midwestern town with charming covered bridges, quirky residents, delightful antique shops, and more than their share of haunted activity.
Tedi has another packed inn of people for the Ravenmist Valentine’s Day Ball. The evening was a complete success until she and Jack find a dead body on the back patio with a Cupid’s arrow through his heart. There’s no shortage of suspects for his murder either. Jack will have his hands full paring down the list.
And Tedi? She’s staying out of this. No way is she going to be pulled into it. Not after last time. She has her own investigation. She and her friend Missy are trying to find why the town has suddenly been infused with paranormal energy. Ghosts are literally getting up and dancing around. It’s all going well too. That is until the investigation starts to hit just a little bit too close to home.
Hop into your ghostmobile and take a ride with Tedi as she meets a spirit who doesn’t think he’s dead, two ghosts in love, and a hard partying specter who just might have witnessed the murder. It’s a hauntingly good time in the little town of Ravenmist and you’re invited to the party.
Chapter One
It was chicken and dumplings day at Daisy’s diner, The Grateful Raven. The perfect cold weather comfort food, and I was digging into my bowl as if I hadn’t eaten in days. The chicken was tasty, the gravy perfectly seasoned, and the dumplings were tender. I don’t know what witchcraft Daisy used to make this dish, but I had never been able to replicate it and I can assure you I’ve tried many times.
Excuse me, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Theodosia “Tedi” Hamilton and I own Ravenmist Inn, a rambling old Victorian that’s been in my father’s family for generations. The entire property consists of several acres and six painstakingly maintained buildings. I’m also the president of the local paranormal society, which I guess makes me a ghost hunter. I’ve now met a few spirits though, so I wouldn’t say that I was hunting anymore. Oh, and my best friend Missy is the Grim Reaper. And the owner of the local bookstore.
Hmmmm…I think you’re all caught up. Nice to meet you and glad you could stop by. Have a bowl of Daisy’s chicken and dumplings or maybe the pot roast. They’re both melt in your mouth. Don’t leave Ravenmist without trying the apple pie.
My dining companion, Sheriff Jack Garrett, smacked his lips and made a yummy sound, which was kind of funny coming from a man his size. “I admit it. Food does taste better here than in Chicago.”
“Told you,” I said, shoving another dumpling in my mouth. “She has some secret ingredient that she won’t disclose.”
“Love?” Jack smirked. We were eating lunch together in our effort to become friends. It was going…fine. We still didn’t agree on a great deal of subjects, but we had managed to find some common ground.
Strange how the topic of seeing ghosts was one that we still didn’t concur on, considering only about three months ago Jack had seen a ghost in my office. He hadn’t mentioned it then and he still hadn’t now. At first, I’d thought it was because he didn’t see Terrence – the ghost that haunted my clothes closet – but now I think it’s because Jack doesn’t like to be wrong. He’s stubborn that way.
“I was thinking it might be wild garlic, but we can go with love,” I replied with my own smirk. “Especially as the Valentine Ball is tonight. Love is definitely in the air.”
Except for me, which I was fine with, by the way. I’d been married, and I had sort of a “been there, done that, worn the t-shirt” attitude about love. Last I heard my ex was going through women in the Greater Chicago area like a lawnmower. More power to him as long as I didn’t have to be around.
Jack’s gaze ran over the cheesy pink and red decorations stuck to every flat surface and grimaced. “Everywhere. It’s not even a real holiday. It’s made up by corporations to guilt men into buying cards, candy, and flowers.”
“Don’t forget jewelry.”
The sheriff had been married at one point in his life and he had a teenage son named Tyler, but he’d never said a single word about his past relationship, not even her name. He could have been divorced or widowed – the town didn’t have a clue – but he was as cynical about romance as I was.
Jack snorted. “Of course, jewelry. How could I forget? Roses and chocolates aren’t enough anymore. If we really love someone, we’re supposed to blow a wad of cash on a ring or a necklace.”
“Or a romantic weekend at an old Victorian Inn.”
“I suppose you’re booked solid.”
I took the last bite of my lunch and pushed my empty plate away, patting my full stomach.
“I’ve been completely booked for this weekend since before Labor Day.”
“The ball is that big of a draw? You do throw a hell of a party.”
And it just about killed Jack to admit it. I could see it in his expression.
“I do, but that’s not why they’re coming to town. They want to try and see the Young Lovers.”
His brows pinched together, and he shook his head. “The Young Lovers?”
“You’ve been in town almost a year and haven’t heard the story?”
“The story? Humor me.”
It was so cheesy I knew he’d hate it.
“Supposedly a young couple drowned in Raven Lake over a hundred years ago because their parents didn’t want them to get married. So they ran away together, held hands, and jumped into the icy lake swearing that no one could separate them. Now people say that if a couple throws a flower into the lake on Valentine’s Day they will be blessed with eternal love and happiness.”
A smiling Daisy slapped the lunch check onto the table. “That’s what we’re planning to do.”
“What are you planning to do?” Jack asked, grabbing at the check before I could get it. We were always jockeying to be the one to pick up the tab and he had faster reflexes.
“Throw a flower into the lake,” Daisy explained. “The stories are true. I’ve seen it work.”
I’d also seen it not work. My own parents had told me and my sisters the story of how they’d thrown their own fl
ower into Raven Lake when they were dating. It might have worked for awhile but it was not eternal. They were currently getting a divorce.
“I didn’t realize things were that serious between you and Colin,” I said, giving Jack a kick under the table. He’d opened his mouth to say something negative and Daisy didn’t need to hear it. If I could keep my opinions to myself, he could, too.
Daisy’s brows shot up and she started to laugh. “Colin and I broke up right after New Year’s. I’ve barely thought about him. No, I’m seeing Gavin now. Gavin Baldwin.”
Gavin Baldwin owned a dairy farm outside of town and made artisanal cheeses as a hobby. If Daisy was dating him, I expected to see an inventive macaroni and cheese dish on the menu very soon.
“That’s…fast,” Jack said. “Are you sure he’s the one?”
I gave our sheriff another kick under the table and he scowled at me in return.
Daisy beamed, her face glowing like a woman in love. “I’m very sure. When you know, you know. We’re going to go to the ball tonight and then around midnight go out to the lake. Gavin is such a romantic. Passionate, too.”
Whoa. I wasn’t ready to hear any girlish confessions about Daisy and Gavin. Jack had a peculiar look on his face as well, like his stomach was queasy.
“I’m really happy for you, Daisy.”
And I was. Better her than me. I nudged Jack with my foot. Again. This was becoming tiresome. Could he just get the hint already?
“Me too,” he said with a smile that wasn’t quite genuine, but luckily Daisy was too in love to notice.
Jack dropped a few bills onto the check. “The meal was fantastic as always, Daisy, but I do need to get back to work.”
I tried to pull out a twenty and hand it to him, but he gave me a nasty look. Sighing, I stuffed it back into my purse.
“I’ll get lunch next time.”
“Sounds good.” He checked his watch. “I’ll come by about two in the afternoon to check your decorations for any major hazards.”
Oh goody. I was so looking forward to that. Not.
“This isn’t Halloween or even Christmas. There’s nothing for you to worry about. It’s some hearts and doilies. Nothing lethal.”
“You said that about the apple bob, that animatronic Santa Claus that went haywire and assaulted the townspeople whenever they came through the door, and what else was it…? Right, the Father Time figure who was anatomically correct underneath his robes.”
I’d forgotten about that.
“He wasn’t deadly.”
“He was naked.”
“I had no idea that the company I bought it from sold dirty novelties and not party decor. The website was very unclear.”
“I just thank god it was an adult party and there were no children there.”
Me, too. Wholeheartedly.
“I thought it was funny,” Daisy declared, handing Jack his change. “People need to loosen up a bit. Everyone is so tense and uptight.”
And Sheriff Jack Garrett was their spirit animal. Uptight didn’t even begin to describe him. He was wound so tight he was a walking eight-day clock.
I stuck my tongue out at Jack. I never said I was mature. “Thank you, Daisy.”
“You’re welcome.” Her gaze went to the door of the restaurant and her expression darkened. “Just what is he doing here? I told him he wasn’t welcome. Sheriff, do your duty and arrest this man. He’s trespassing.”
This man was Colin Aiken, Daisy’s ex-boyfriend. I didn’t know much about him other than he didn’t live in Ravenmist and he reminded me of a used car salesman. He was a little too smooth and way too in love with himself. For an older dude, he wasn’t bad-looking. He’d kept himself trim and fit, and his hair was tinged with gray at the temples. He had a tan all year round despite the snow outside and always dressed in expensive clothes.
“I can’t arrest him for just walking in, Daisy. He has to actually do something, like steal the cash register.”
“He stole my trust, isn’t that enough?”
Apparently not, because Jack allowed Colin to sidle up to Daisy, an icky smile on his face.
“Hey, baby. Miss me?”
His smarmy tone made me want to puke up my lunch.
“What are you doing here?” Daisy demanded, her hands wringing the kitchen towel until her knuckles were white. “I told you I never wanted to see you again.”
“I knew you didn’t mean it.”
“I meant it.”
“No, you don’t. You’re just angry and I don’t blame you. But I’m back to make it all okay.”
“Drop dead.”
“You don’t mean that, princess.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
Daisy put her hands on her hips, her face turning red. “Yes, I do. You cheated on me. No second chances.”
“I’m not giving up. I’ll be at the ball tonight.”
“Thanks for the warning. Stay away from me.”
Clearing his throat loudly, Jack stood and stepped between the two exes. “Time to go. I’ll see you ladies at the party tonight. Colin? How about you and I have a little chat? Outside.”
“I don’t–”
Jack was having none of Colin’s excuses. He hustled the other man out of the restaurant within seconds, leaving me and Daisy standing there in open-mouthed admiration. He hadn’t taken no for an answer.
I had a million things to do for the party tonight, so I shrugged into my coat. “Jack’s efficient. I’ll give him that.”
“You could do worse.”
This entire town was love-crazy this week. I blamed the lace doily hearts.
“I’m not looking for a man.”
“That’s when it happens. That’s how I found my Gavin.” Daisy gave me a wink. “I think the sheriff is sweet on you.”
I certainly hoped not. But just in case, I’d be sure to avoid him tonight.
Chapter Two
“You don’t have to go to the ball,” I explained patiently to Terrence a few hours later. I’d retreated into my personal residence at the inn after a busy afternoon of preparations for the evening. I’d found Terrence kicking back in my living room watching a Thin Man movie. Ever since I’d subscribed to that movie channel for him, he’d shown himself much more often.
“Are the others going to the ball?”
When Terrence said others, he meant the spirits in town that hadn’t crossed over. Like him.
“Maybe, I’m not sure. I know that Edward is.”
Missy had told me yesterday that Edward, the ghost that haunted her bookstore, was coming to the ball tonight which puzzled me a little bit. It wasn’t that anyone would notice there was a spirit at the party. Even if my guests weren’t half in the bag from the booze, the paranormal energy in Ravenmist had reached such unprecedented levels that ghosts weren’t in the least transparent. They were pale, but they appeared three dimensional. It was only if you reached out to touch them that you’d realize something wasn’t quite right.
No, it wasn’t that. It was…their clothing. It was my understanding that they wore what they’d died in and so far, I hadn’t seen anyone that had bought the farm in a tux. Missy had been in a hurry and I hadn’t had a chance to ask her about that. If Edward wasn’t wearing a tuxedo he was going to stick out like a sore thumb and then somebody might notice that he wasn’t quite alive.
Terrence sniffed disdainfully. “I don’t like Edward. He thinks he’s a bag of chips.”
Did I mention that Terrence was watching other shows on television besides old movies? It was beginning to show in his vocabulary.
“I think the saying is all that and a bag of chips. And that’s from the nineties. I don’t think anyone says that anymore, but I could be wrong.”
I hadn’t said it originally, so I really didn’t know.
Terrence, however, had a point. Edward certainly had his share of self-esteem and then some.
“Edward is from a different era than you are. That
might explain it.” I pulled my dress from the closet and hung it on the closet door. Black velvet with a halter bodice. I loved it. “What do you think of my dress?”
Terence dragged his gaze from the flat screen, inspecting the gown from the top to the hem. “I like it. It’s more Breakfast at Tiffany’s than Morticia Adams.”
He might be watching too much television.
“That’s what I was going for.”
“Good job.”
I dragged my black high-heeled pumps out of the back of the closet and placed them next to the dress. At some point this evening, when Missy and I were getting ready I was going to shoo Terrence out of the room. But in the meantime, he could darn well turn off the television and talk to me. I wanted to ask him a question that had been niggling at me since lunch.
“Terrence, have you heard the story of the Young Lovers?”
“Everyone has.”
He was watching the television again.
I cleared my throat loudly. “Can you pause that movie?”
Terrence paused the film but sighed loudly. Excuse the heck out of me.
“So you know the story?”
“Everyone has, Tedi. It’s famous.”
“I was just thinking…you know…that you’re about the right age…”
He wasn’t picking up on my hint.
“What I’m trying to ask is if you know if the story is true. Did you know the Young Lovers?”
“No, but my mother told me the story. She might have. Why?”
“I just wondered if the story was true. Daisy was talking about it at lunch today and of course, Jack didn’t believe it.”
“Do you believe it?”
Did I? That was an interesting question, one I’d given far too much thought.
“I think like most legends the story has some basis in fact, but it’s probably been twisted in some way to make it more exciting. I don’t think that throwing a flower in the lake is going to make me happy in love.”
“It doesn’t matter if the story is true or not.”
“Why not?”