That Thing You Do (Whispering Bay Romance 1)

“In the interest of ruining your Fiddler on the Roof moment here, can I change the subject? Did you hear Roger Van Cleave admitted to being Concerned Citizen?”

“Yeah, pretty dramatic timing, huh?” Allie didn’t say anything. “What? You don’t think he wrote it?” Mimi asked.

“Let’s just say, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he made it up. Plus, it makes no sense really. Why write me an anonymous letter when he could have gotten his sister, the ghost hunter to investigate?”

Allie couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something decidedly feminine about that letter. She’d wanted to ask Roger about it this morning, but by the time she and Tom had locked up the senior center, Roger had disappeared. She tried calling him, but there was no answer, so she left a message on his machine, but he still hadn’t returned her call. It didn’t take a genius to figure out Roger Van Cleave was avoiding her.

“Well, eventually, the truth will come out.”

“It usually does,” Allie agreed. She just wished it would come out sooner than later. She watched as her sister-in-law made a pot of coffee. It occurred to Allie that she’d never really questioned what Mimi did or didn’t know about the ghost. “You sure you never heard the ghost rumors before? I mean, before I came to town to investigate?”

“I think I would have remembered anything about a ghost,” Mimi said. She narrowed her eyes at Allie. “What are you thinking?”

“I just find it strange that I get this anonymous letter but there isn’t one person who’s come forward to say that they’ve seen anything, before today’s sighting, that is. Even Phoebe, who’s supposedly on top of all the paranormal activity in the area, was surprised to hear about this ghost.”

“And?”

“And I have no idea what I’m doing. I just hope this séance makes a good enough story to trump a piece on illegal immigration.”

“I’m just bummed that the séance has to be on the same night as Bunco. I would have loved to have you come play with us.” Mimi poured herself a cup of coffee. “So who’s going to be there tomorrow night?”

“Whoever Phoebe and Madame Gloria think the ghost will approve of.”

Mimi giggled. “But you and Tom will be there, right?”

“Oh, yeah, he made sure of that.”

“He’s a good man to have around.”

“If you say so.” Which, in this case, Allie had to silently agree with, but she didn’t want Mimi thinking she was jumping on Team Tom. “Phoebe says there can only be six people at the séance, tops.”

“Well, I know of at least a dozen people who want to be there,” Mimi continued. “As head of the Gray Flamingoes, Viola Pantini should be considered.”

Allie nodded. “Definitely.” Pause. “Were you serious earlier? About running for mayor?”

Before Mimi could answer, Zeke came back in the

room. “Tom can’t drive tonight. And Lauren won’t be back from Pensacola till after eight. She had to take Dan to see the doctor.”

Mimi’s forehead scrunched in worry. “Is Dan all right?” She turned to Allie to explain. “Lauren’s daddy hasn’t been himself lately.”

“He’s what, a cousin of your mother’s?”

“Something like that.”

“He doesn’t see Dr. Morrison here in town?” Allie asked.

“I believe he does, but they wanted a second opinion.”

Allie thought about Lauren and her quirky little sixties shop and of course, how darn nice she was. “I hope everything’s okay.”

“The bottom line is we’re responsible for getting the boys to soccer,” Zeke said, getting them back to the dilemma at hand.

“Really, guys, I think you two are making a bigger production of this than you need to,” Allie said.

“I think Allie’s right. If she goes, then it will be fine if Claire drives,” Mimi said.

“It’s up to you,” Zeke said. “You’re the one who’s been supervising her driving.”