A Place Called Paradise

By Honey Perkel

It's good versus evil when an apparition summons a team to The Gull Cottage Motel in Seaside, Oregon in order to destroy the evil Oscar Shay. As the members of The Team prepare to save the small beach town, they discover they are battling their own personal demons as well.

Lulu Bean, owner of The Mystic Muffins Bakery, is forced to face the afternoon her mother was killed before it destroys her and the small coastal town she's come to love.

Nine-year-old Halley Bee Rice takes things into her own hands when she is introduced to the beautiful Olivia and nearly loses her life.

Ben Dunzer and Michael Matson are trained in the world of the paranormal, but are caught off-guard when it comes to love.

George and Iva Bacon, wanting justice for the murder of their daughter, are given the gift of renewed youth meant to be a cruel joke. But the couple embraces it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781456624149

Book preview

ourselves.

A Call To Cincinnati

"Come ... come to the Oregon Coast."

Lulu Bean’s heart raced. Her breath came in short gasps as she gripped the telephone receiver. She couldn’t believe she was speaking with this man.

In the kitchen of Mystic Muffins Bakery, Lulu leaned her hefty frame against the counter. Unmindful of her sticky fingers, gooey with sweet maple icing, she blindly slid them across customer order forms and business invoices. She was dizzy, only conscious of the words which echoed in her head. Bernard’s voice, so hypnotic. Mesmerizing.

"Stay at The Gull Cottage Motel, and wait for me to contact you."

Bernard continued to speak. Electrified, Lulu listened to the urgency in his voice. He spoke of strange things happening. Of everything being at stake. But there was something more. There was a sense of determination in his voice.

What’s going on? Why are you asking me to come?

I’ve called specific people who I want to be part of a team. You’ll get the details when you arrive.

There was no question whether Lulu would go. She didn’t dare quarrel with a ghost.

On The Highway

The coast highway threaded through miles of thick, green forest. Lulu’s red Beetle climbed into the mountains and then coasted down and around the curving road. Spirit, her black cat, lay curled on the passenger seat licking herself clean. She was a great traveling companion. Sleeping. Grooming. Sleeping some more. Using the litter box in the back of the car.

Ordinarily, Lulu would have rolled down all the windows and let the warm air rustle her gray hair. She would have turned on the radio full blast and let the music sweep her away. But that was not what this trip was all about. She’d had but one focus since leaving Cincinnati four days before: to get to Seaside, Oregon.

But why? Certainly, Bernard didn’t believe she could help him with a crisis.

Though she’d attended plenty of seminars on the spirit world, interest brought about by the death of her mother and two months later, her father, she hardly thought of herself as an expert. Certainly no match for Bernard. However, no matter what the reason, she needed to get to Seaside.

As she drove, Lulu recalled the day of Bernard’s phone call. First of all, it had been the fortieth anniversary of her mother’s murder. This followed a sleepless night riddled by her usual nightmare: dark shadows, a man dressed in black, and the terrifying smell of blood everywhere. Then came the phone call from Bernard. It had been a lot to deal with.

She hadn’t wanted to tell her business partner and best friend, Karen, that Bernard had telephoned. Karen would’ve gone banana cakes. She was protective of those she cared about. She would never have agreed to let Lulu go. But, Lulu had to explain why she was leaving the bakery. It was only fair.

I don’t know why he’s called me to go, but I have no choice. Lulu was honored to be called, of course. Who wouldn’t be? The reputation of this Being would impress anyone.

Karen had not been impressed; she had been frightened.

She knew all about Bernard. Having sat in many seminars and read many articles on the occult herself, she knew the kind of work the apparition did. This was no ordinary day at the beach.

"Aside from the fact that it’s Mystic Muffins’ busiest time of the year, this could be dangerous, Lulu. Karen tried to keep her voice low so the other employees couldn’t hear. Who knows what’ll happen."

I know. Lulu had wiped her fingers on the towel she’d earlier swung over her left shoulder, but, I have to go.

Karen had nodded, her long, straight hair brushing her shoulders. She had reached out to take her friend’s hand.

Be careful. I need you to come back to us. She wrapped her arms around the large woman.

Now Lulu was nearing her destination. As was her natural tendency whenever she was nervous, she uttered a hiccup, which she did now. Also, since the terrible day she witnessed her mother’s death, Lulu stuffed her mouth when she needed comfort. And she needed comfort now! She wished there was somewhere for her to stop and get a slice of pie. Then, right on cue as she rounded the next bend, Lulu saw a roadside cafe. She pulled into a parking slot in front and got out of the car.

Be back in two shakes of a hambone, she said lightly, as she cracked the window open for Spirit. The cat looked at her with a scowl and whined.

Lulu stepped into the restaurant and was immediately seated at a booth near the front window where she could watch the traffic and keep an eye on her car. There were a few customers scattered in other booths, but all in all, the space was quiet. Lulu squeezed herself between the dirty gray upholstery and the chipped Formica table. The window sill was dusty. But, she ignored that as soon as she smelled the delicious odors emanating from the kitchen. Suddenly she was starving.

Lulu yearned for a donut, or a hunk of rich gooey layer cake, or at the very least, a slice of lemon meringue pie.

A young waitress approached her table. Hi, I’m Mimi. We’re out of the pot pie, meatloaf, and the special of the day, she announced, flashing a radiant smile. We have everything else on the menu. She was chatty, breezy. And disgustingly thin.

What’s your specialty of the day?

Mimi leaned close to Lulu, her smile suddenly dimming.

Rabbit stew, but I never recommend it. It just breaks my heart when I think of the poor little thing. She pulled a pencil out from behind an ear and a note pad from her pocket.

Lulu nodded with understanding. I’m just here for dessert, Mimi.

Oh, well, we have a large assortment of pies. All baked fresh this morning. Apple, Cherry, the works. And chocolate layer cake. With ice cream or whipped cream, no extra charge. She stood there and waited, her smile having returned.

I’ll have the apple pie and a slice of chocolate cake. Whipped cream, no ice cream. And black coffee. Lulu told the girl.

Coffee coming right up, and I’ll get the desserts roll’n. She flashed one more wide grin, and all but danced back down the aisle of tables towards the kitchen.

Taking a deep breath, Lulu glanced around the restaurant and tried to relax. She’d feel better as soon as she got some sugar in her. A little pie was exactly what she needed to calm herself.

The desserts were the best Lulu had ever eaten, and she washed them down with lots of hot coffee.

Mimi returned with her bright smile and the check. Where are you headed?

Going to Seaside, Lulu responded, reaching inside her satchel for her wallet.

Once more, the bright grin disappeared. The young woman became serious as she leaned over towards Lulu.

Really? I don’t know what you’ve heard, but strange things are happening in that town.

Lulu hiccuped, and her eyes darted to a dusty silk plant behind the woman.

I have to go.

The waitress stared at her. Be careful. I hope to see you again if you pass this way ... just to make sure you’re all right.

Lulu paid the bill and headed out to her car. After stuffing herself back inside her Beetle, she sat there for a few minutes, fear pricking her soul.

What was she doing here? Why hadn’t she made an excuse to Bernard and remained in Cincinnati frosting donuts and rolling out French pastries? Why had she decided to take such a chance as coming out here? Curiosity? Well, ... curiosity killed the cat.

Lulu placed her key in the ignition and turned on the engine. It hummed happily. But before she pulled back out into traffic, she turned and looked at Spirit.

Go pee, my chick-a-dee.

The cat jumped into her litter box.

Moments later, they were on the road again. With a belly full of pie and chocolate layer cake, Lulu told herself she was ready to take on the world, or whatever awaited her in Seaside.

Bring it on! she cried out as Spirit settled herself once more on the seat. The cat was also ready ... for another nap.

Ten miles down the highway without warning, the lights on the dashboard began to flash a bright orange. Engine. Oil. Check. Something was very wrong. The car chugged and sputtered. It began to lose speed.

Come on, Cherry-Bird, don’t conk out on me now! What is she going to do? How is she going to get to Seaside?

The headlights flashed. The hazard lights glared. The radio screamed on and off. The windshield wipers swept back and forth. Everything was happening at once. Electrical difficulties, no doubt. Spirit yowled and sprang into the back seat, poking her head beneath a rumpled pink blanket.

What’s going on? She’d never had trouble with Cherry-Bird before. The poor car was going mad!

Lulu carefully steered it to the side of the road, where it stopped with a jolt.

She flipped open her cell phone. She needed help. Now.

Damn Sam! she exclaimed under her breath. The cell phone battery was dead. If this was a sign that she should turn around and drive back to Ohio, there’d be no argument from her. Lulu’s doubts as to whether she should’ve come were piling up.

Around her, there was nothing but trees. Surely, there’ll be another car coming into view any moment. Someone who can help her. Someone who can call the police — who is the police. Where was Bernard? He’d summoned her here. Wouldn’t he know she was in trouble?

Lulu heard Spirit whimper.

Don’t be such a scaredy cat, she said, once again getting out of the car. Maybe she could flag someone down — if someone decided to drive by. Feeling alone and anxious, she was getting hungry again.

Lulu waited. The sun continued to burn brightly. Her body became damp with sweat. Climbing back into the driver’s seat, she tried once more to turn on the engine. Still dead. There was nothing for her to do but wait for help to come.

Hours passed. The world had grown still. No sound. No breeze. Even Spirit was motionless. She’d fallen asleep again.

Above, the sun broiled. The air was suffocating. Vulnerable in the midst of the green timberland, Lulu realized there’d been no other cars seen along the highway since Cherry-Bird stalled. Soon it would be dusk and cooler. The night creatures would come out from their hideouts among the trees. She had no protection. Not even a cinnamon roll. That would curl her toes.

All at once, the earth began to shake. Then Lulu heard a horrific roar. It sounded like it came from the center of the earth. Was this an earthquake? The roaring continued.

As Cherry-Bird rocked and rolled with violent force, Lulu hiccuped, as she held onto the dashboard. She had no idea how long all this lasted. It seemed like forever. Then it grew quiet. The earth grew motionless once more, though her heart still pounded.

A gentle gust brushed through Lulu’s gray hair. The orange streak, combed earlier across her brow, ruffled in the breeze. The air cooled down. A car sped by. Then another. Lulu tried the engine. Cherry-Bird purred as she came to life. Lulu put the car in gear, and Spirit jumped over the seat and settled next to her. In less than an hour, they’d be in Seaside, Bernard’s Paradise. There, the mission would begin.

Seaside,Oregon

Lulu Bean read the scribbled directions on the back of an old Mystic Muffins Bakery receipt: Left on Avenue U. West to ocean. The Gull Cottage Motel, Avenue U and Beach Drive. The instructions from Bernard were simple. Lulu hoped the assignment would be the same.

The windows were open. She breathed the sea air into her lungs. It felt good. The setting sun painted tangerine and violet across the evening sky as Lulu drove into The Gull Cottage Motel parking lot. Out front the neon sign had already been turned on and blazed brightly in the approaching dusk. Six cottages with gray weathered shakes, each boasted sea-blue shutters and matching doors. An abundant strip of flowers and a perfectly manicured lawn ran along the frontage. Though the motel was perhaps, sixty or seventy years old, it was well kept.

Lulu parked in the space nearest the office and hauled herself out of the small car. She grabbed her jacket and headed for the motel entrance.

As she pushed open the glass door, a tiny bell from above rang out a greeting. Behind the ugly green Formica counter, stood a young woman with dark curly hair and bright cobalt eyes.

May I help you? She stood looking at the large woman. She knew why she was here, of course.

I have a room reserved. Bean’s the name. Lulu shook out her mousey hair, which included the orange streak across her brow. It fell as a heavy mane down her back. Next she shook her legs — one, and then the other. She straightened the wrinkled folds on her cotton pants. The trip from Cincinnati had taken four days, during which time she’d lived in her car. She needed a shower and a change of clothes.

Yes, the woman said, knowingly. She should be relieved, grateful that the efforts would soon be under way to save this town, but still she was worried. Number six. End of the row.

Glancing through the lobby’s picture window, Lulu took in the setting sun as it dipped into the belly of the ocean.

Beautiful, she murmured. It looks like a paradise.

"It is a paradise. Though it hasn’t seemed like it lately. We’ve had crazy weather. Haven’t even seen the sun until today. Glad it hasn’t kept the tourists away."

Bernard had explained everything to Lulu. The town’s backed-up sewers, power outages, the roofs that had fallen in for no apparent reason, and the weather, not to mention the strange behavior of some of its locals.

I’ll take it. The room, I mean, said Lulu. A reservation form was set on the desk, and she promptly filled in the spaces. Name. Address. License plate number. And so on.

You have a cat with you, don’t you? Molly asked, handing a key to Lulu.

Lulu picked up the key. She looked at the woman with surprise. How did she know she had a cat? Did she have cat hair all over her? The woman hadn’t inquired if she had a dog, or a goldfish, or a big black bear. How did she know she had a cat?

She gazed down at her black leather jacket, the one with the silver studs and fringed accents. Her khaki pants were free of cat fur. Her new red-toed boots that peeked out from under her pants were smudged with something brown and smelly, Oh God, but showed no sign of cat hair. Lulu decided maybe Bernard had told her. Or maybe this woman was a witch.

Yes. I have a cat with me, Lulu Bean admitted. She was going to tell the woman. Really.

The pet fee is ten dollars a day, with a twenty dollar room deposit.

All right. Lulu pocketed the key. I’m not sure what my plans are. I may be here for awhile.

Ordinarily, a checkout date would be needed indicating how long a lodger would be staying. But things were different with the current guests. There’d be no particular check out date ... for any of them. Bernard had told Molly he had no way of knowing how long this mission would take. Or how it would end.

I understand. Let me know if you need anything. My name’s Molly Spencer.

Thank you, Molly. Lulu stepped away from the counter, and then as an afterthought, she spoke again. I’m meeting someone here.

Molly nodded. Do you want to leave a message?

Lulu hesitated. "Uh … no. I’m