A Haunting in Mendocino

By Nathan Grant

Joey Matthews ventured north to Mendocino California, searching for a new life of fulfilling change. The draw of the rugged Northern California coast and stunning scenery set the stage to bring his elusive dreams to reality. Soon after arriving, he met a local photographer, sexy Ray Scott who in one afternoon and with one sensual hot kiss changed his plans forever.

While growing up and watching television, Joey created fantasies about the gorgeous small town graced with timeless Victorian architecture. Without any regrets, he left the San Francisco Bay Area to find an inner sense of peace and new adventure. With Ray's help, he found his perfect Victorian house to call home, but soon discovered that sometimes dreams come with a serious unexpected price.

Before his closing, his Realtor warned him of the ghostly rumors regarding the stately old Victorian home. Dismissing the rumors, Joey quickly settled into his new life. While modifying his home the supernatural intruded and became an obstacle to the peace and happiness he so desperately sought. Racing to find answers before his dreams are shattered, can Ray help Joey to restore his new life and put ancient tragedy to rest?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nathan Grant
• Release date: Oct 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301722648

Nathan Grant

Hi, I’m Nathan Grant and I write Gay Romantic and Mystery novels.I am a Gay man living in the United States Southwest.I have published multiple erotic M/M Romances and Mysteries. Much of my inspiration for my books comes from personal experience and places I have visited. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I enjoy hearing from my readers.Nathan

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A Haunting in Mendocino

By

Nathan Grant

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

Nathan Grant

Copyright © 2013 Nathan Grant

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

*****

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

A Haunting in Mendocino

Chapter 1

Considering his fascination with old mystery television show reruns, Joey Matthews had always wanted to visit Mendocino California. Known for the natural rugged beauty of the Northern California coastline, Mendocino had been the site of many movies and was featured in countless photographs.

For years, Joey had never found the time to travel north from the San Francisco peninsula to explore this particular fantasyland of his daydreams.

Long hours and weekends spent bringing his new innovative recipe software product to life had precluded any personal playtime or a real life for that matter.

Following the acquisition of his small homespun company by a major software giant, he finally found himself with time on his hands.

A lot of time on his hands.

He was sick of the impossible Bay Area traffic, and decided finally, to follow his longtime dream to see if it truly was calling to him.

Before the trip, Joey spent endless hours at the computer screen researching the area with an eye to purchase a home. Even if it didn't work out to be a permanent one, it would at least be a beautiful place to get away from the rush of the Silicon Valley.

As he drove north towards Mendocino he passed through Little River, an enclave featured in a major motion picture, and he saw the site of the famous cottages strewn down the sloping land toward the vast Pacific.

Joey was tempted to stop but was anxious to arrive at his accommodations in town and do some afternoon exploring.

At first, Joey had thought about staying at the famous Inn in Mendocino but after considering it, he opted for a quaint place with private cabins boasting views of the dramatic and expansive Pacific Ocean.

He put a few things away and admired his comfortable room, and then he picked up his camera, backpack, and coat to head to town for lunch.

Joey soon found a small café and ordered a Fresh Garden Veggie sandwich and tart Pink Lemonade to go.

On an extravagant whim, he also ordered a large chocolate brownie filled with pecans and Golden raisins heavily frosted with thick rich swirls of dark slightly bitter chocolate and caramel icing.

He stowed away his lunch and walked toward the rugged cliffs, still marveling at the gorgeous little town and the incredible setting.

It was a warm day in late summer as he sauntered down Little Lake street, enjoying the cool breeze off the ocean. He soon found the trail by the cliffs where he stopped to eat his lunch and take in the incredible vast Pacific Ocean view.

Joey soon finished his crisp delicious sandwich and was sipping on his icy tart drink. He decided to hold off on the brownie as he was getting too full and was anxious to take some pictures.

He pulled out his collapsible tripod, fixed his camera to it, and soon was lost in the moment. He spent the next half hour snapping away and appreciating the distraction of the many happy people passing by.

When he was satisfied with his amateur photographic endeavors, he sat back down and started to put his camera in his bag, all the while relishing the fresh salty ocean air and starting to feel drowsy.

That's a very nice camera you have there, do you mind if I take a look at it, a man's deep voice said.

It was hard for Joey to see who was talking as the sun was in his eyes, since he'd taken off his sunglasses to take the pictures.

I'm Ray Scott by the way, the man told him extending his large warm hand, holding onto Joey's hand a bit longer than normal.

I'm Joey Matthews, he managed to say as Ray quickly sat down very close next to him.

He surprised Joey with his intense body heat as he leaned against him reaching for Joey's camera.

I've been looking at these lately. I'm a serious amateur photographer and have sold a few things to the Internet sites. Wow you'd better get yourself some sun block, all this bright sun is turning that blond complexion of yours bright red, Ray told him, reaching over to gingerly touch Joey's burning skin.

Joey fought the urge to pull back from this stranger, but he had to admit his touch felt good to him, unexpectedly good but it was still well within his personal space and made him uncomfortable.

I was beginning to feel it and knew I should get a hat. Try as I might, I never seem to tan at all, and I just burn I'm afraid, he explained, feeling self-conscious as he put his sunglasses back on to get a better view.

Look, I was headed back into town myself because this bright sun and clean air was making me sleepy. Would you like to go have a drink somewhere and talk some more, that is if you aren't meeting someone else of course, Ray asked.

Joey smiled at him, suddenly pleased at the prospect of having some casual company and a drink.

That sounds like a plan, and no I'm up here on vacation looking at properties and I'm on my own, he said, wondering to himself why he felt so comfortable with a complete stranger, while sitting there spilling his guts to him.

Great, now another question if you don't mind, Ray smiled, causing Joey to feel a burst of unforeseen happiness surprising himself.

Joey looked up at him for a second in surprise, wondering what was coming next, but Ray's smile under his black mustache was much too charming to refuse.

What’s that? he asked simply.

I've noticed you have one of those fabulous brownies from the café in town, would you be against sharing it with me? They are crazy good, and I tried to buy one before I saw you, but they were out for the day. I promise I'll get you another one, he laughed.

Joey smiled as he handed him half of the extravagant brownie and was attracted by his boyish charm.

So you're looking for a place here, are you planning on moving and living here, or is this a vacation home, Ray asked once they'd seated themselves in a small bar and ordered a bottle of Anderson Valley wine.

I'm weighing both actually, but I'm not tied to my job anymore. I'd like to start living a real life and having some fun for a change. I thought if I found the right place it would be nice to live here for a while and regroup, Joey said.

Sounds like a good plan to me. I've basically lived in the area all my life. I did however stay in Los Angeles for a while after college. I soon became fed up with the smog, rude people, and traffic. Finally after my house was broken into for the second time in my 'safe' gated neighborhood, I'd had enough, selling it, and leaving the whole thing behind. Like yourself, I wanted to regroup as you say, up in the wilds of Mendocino, he laughed.

Joey pondered Ray's familiar sounding words and nodded in agreement, and he actually was feeling more relaxed as he began to decompress.

I guess something like that would motivate me too, but for me I wanted something more than going to work every day and watching the years slip by without hardly noticing. I recently sold my small software company, so I have the freedom and time to do what I want and when I want to do it, he explained.

We're both lucky on that one, as I have a trust fund left to me by my grandparents. I can supplement it with my photos if I need to so I'm flush. I moved into our family home with my sister when I came back. It's a quaint Victorian house and I love it even with all the creaks and quirks of an old house, Ray said.

"That sounds great to me, I love those old Ladies, so elegant and a reminder of