CHAPTER FIVE
Return of the Blue Ghoul

Early the next evening, Dad raced away from the tiny country cottages, The Bank of Confidential Secrets, and The Hush-Hush Moon, where folks gathered to gossip and eat. We rolled to the highway and into the hills, climbing up-and-down to a single-story, stucco home situated in a narrow stream-carved ravine. There was no time for second thoughts or long good-byes. We were on the clock. So, Dad wished us luck, and we headed up the steps to the terrace. Twist knocked on the door and we waited . . . and waited. “Maybe Miss MacBride stepped out.” Seth grinned. “Hot date.” “Whatever,” I said. “She’s here. She’s just slow.” I leaned against the railings and stared at the broad expanse of lawn blooming …show more content…
Shaw bent over Emma, who lay sprawled out on the bed. He was rubbing her temples and kept rambling, “Aunt Emma, can you hear me? Are you all right?” He spotted Hana. “Please bring me some of Emma’s smelling salts!” Hana grabbed a slender bottle and held the open vial under Emma’s nose. After a moment or two, she shuddered then opened her eyes. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. I fainted, didn’t I?” Her sobs were groggy, childlike half-snuffles. “I’m so sorry. I shrieked and collapsed on the floor.” Ryan started pacing restlessly across the cream-colored wool rug. After a few laps, he seemed to calm down. “Why did you scream?” “I saw the ghost again.” She cleared her throat. “After I said good night, I came upstairs, went into my room, and just before I turned on the light, I looked outside.” She pointed to a set of mullioned windows. “The ghost was kneeling there. It stood up swathed in a rotten linen robe and twirled around, staring at me with eyes swirling green then blue. I’m sure it was my great-uncle Morgan. His face was a misty, blue blur, but those eyes . . . They knew me.” She shivered. “It was terrifying, particularly when he clenched his fists and spoke in a wrathful drone: ‘Stop the bulldozers and wrecking balls. Leave Gray Meadow Manor