Wicked Regrets: Haunted Halls: Winter's Cavern, #3

By Juliet Vane

Bullets and bones, bullets and bones…wicked, greedy men.

Winter's whole world is tilting upside down. Her mom and aunt want to sell their property, and if that happens, Winter will lose her ghostly best friend, Garrett. Even worse, he's continuing to pull away, distancing himself from her.

Now that the Malleys' fortunes have fallen, too, Winter finds herself allied with her former competitors. It's a race to uncover that which the ghosts most want to keep hidden, but the price for success might be too high for Winter to pay.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Juliet Vane
• Release date: Feb 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386467335

Book preview

The Tallest Tale

I’d spent the past two weeks worried about never seeing my ghostly best friend again, but now I wanted nothing more than to bring him back to life so I could strangle him to death.

So you lied to me, I said. The accusation echoed in the cavern, dim lighting holding it in like it was a secret cupped in the craggy hands of a giant.

Garrett kept his gaze firmly on the pond. His dark blond hair and the whiskers on his face seemed darker for some reason, as if they were subdued by the weight of his confession. All was quiet except for the arrhythmic drips of moisture seeping into the cavern. He’d finally come out and told me that yes, there was treasure hidden down here. All this time I’d been searching, and then I’d given up and merely wished for riches without hope of ever finding them. But it was down here somewhere, and it had been all along.

And I’d thought Garrett had always been my ally—this was a betrayal.

Talk to me, I said, swallowing thickly. I didn’t want to cry, I couldn’t cry. I just needed reasons, that was all. Tell me why. Why have you lied about it?

Because I love you, he said, his voice stubborn. I don’t want you to get hurt, or…or… He stopped and scowled harder at the pond.

I came closer. If I could’ve touched him, I might have shaken his arm or pulled him around to face me directly. His form and his face were so familiar to me—he hadn’t changed in the time I’d known him, over ten years, since I was a little girl. He still wore a loose-fitting shirt and brown pants and sturdy boots. His skin was the same, pale and unmarked. He’d died at age nineteen and he’d been this way ever since.

I reached toward him, but let my hand fall before I could make contact—it would only leave me cold. I whispered, "All these years, I believed you. You walked me through these tunnels. There’s no treasure, it’s only a legend…"

He leaned on the railing and looked into the darkness past the pond. It’s not like you’d think—

It would solve our money problems, I interrupted. It would help the tour business become profitable.

He nodded. Yeah. It would do that and more.

I turned around. I no longer wanted him to face me, I no longer wanted to look at him. He’d saved my life yesterday, and he’d shown back up to be my friend again. But it turned out he’d been lying to me. For years. Maybe ten years or more didn’t seem like much to a ghost who’d been around since the 1850s, but it was more than half of my life.

I’d always worn second-hand clothes. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I’d listened to my classmates brag about their new phones, Disneyland vacations, and video game consoles. From a young age, I’d watched my mom clip coupons at the kitchen table. We always had enough to eat, so I wasn’t going to complain about not being rich. But struggling needlessly, while my best friend witnessed it and didn’t help?

That stung.

I shouldn’t say anything, even now, he said. I’m not allowed to talk about it.

Who’s not allowing you? Some kind of ghost king? Ghost king sounded like it could be a name from a thrilling epic fantasy, The Ghost King of the Caves, and already my story-activated brain was working on a new idea for a tale. But I halted those thoughts because this needed to get resolved.

Garrett just shook his head. I told you, Winter, I can’t talk about it.

He couldn’t talk about it, but now I knew it was there. It would help me, help my family.

I’m going to find it, then, I said, squaring my shoulders and standing up straight. He’d supposedly guided me through these tunnels, searching for it long ago, but he hadn’t been leading me in the right direction. He had probably been purposefully steering me around the treasure. I’d have to start fresh. Whatever this treasure is, I’ll find it.

The other ghosts won’t—

I don’t care at all what the other ghosts have to say about it, I said. "They aren’t even real."

Oh, he said quietly.

Suddenly, I realized what I’d said. I didn’t mean it like that. Of course they’re real. You are, too. Even more real than they are.

He gave me a forced, awkward smile. It’s okay, Winter.

No, you’re real, I said. You don’t even look like them. You have a whole body, and a face. They don’t have eyes, or, or mouths, even.

He nodded. I don’t share their curse—I got lucky, nothing else to it.

I wondered if curses had much to do with luck. Probably not. In fact, there was probably quite a bit more to the story than he would ever tell me.

Please, just leave the treasure alone, he said. I’m sure we can find another way to save your business—

This business has been failing since I was twelve, I said. I’ve poured everything I have into it—everything. I need a few more months to take some classes and learn more about running a business. Finding a few pieces of silver or whatever—that would give me the time I need.

He shook his head and pursed his lips. It’s too dangerous. The others won’t like it.

Look, I don’t need your approval, or theirs, I said. I’d like your help, but if you won’t give it to me, I’ll find the treasure without you.

He flexed his hand once, twice—a sign that he was upset or didn’t want to talk about something.

Without pressing him for an answer, I walked up the spiral staircase as fast as I could. My heart felt like it had lodged itself in my throat, but I had a mission and I had no time for naysayers, alive or otherwise.

By the time I reached the house, I was regretting my rash announcement that I’d find the treasure. I’d lived eighteen years without it, and I could continue this way. Besides, if Garrett wasn’t going to be on my side, did that mean he’d be against me? I hadn’t waited to find out…I was too afraid of what his response would be.

The kitchen was empty when I went in the house, although I smelled apple pie and barbecue. I continued through the living room to the back door. Mom, Aunt Noelle, and Paul Isaacs were out on our patio. Mom sat in a lounge chair, holding a beer in one hand. She rarely drank because alcohol didn’t really meld with her whole healthy living, gym-rat demeanor. But I was glad for her; she rarely got to relax. Paul sat in the lounge chair next to her, talking animatedly.

And Aunt Noelle—she was standing outside at the barbecue, turning around to respond to something Paul had just said.

It was so strange to see my aunt beyond the walls of the house. Up until a few days ago, she hadn’t gone farther than our front porch in over three years. Now she was on the patio, out in the open, and I was so, so happy. Despite the terror I’d experienced at the hands of her stalker last night, I couldn’t help thinking it had all been worth it.

Suppressing those memories, I leaned against the screen door and started to open it.

So are you going to stay here now? Paul asked, his voice clear now that I was near the screen.

I paused, intent on hearing Mom’s response.

I know Winter loves this place, she said. If only we could win the lottery…

That’s what you’d do with the money? Paul asked. You’d put it into this place and not, say, buy a castle in Scotland?

Mom laughed. I’d vacation in Scotland. But Winter seems to know she belongs here. I’d love to give her this.

How about you, Noelle? Paul asked.

After putting enough money in to keep this place afloat, Aunt Noelle said, wielding the tongs, I’d put in a giant plant nursery, expand on the mail-order seeds, and bring business here.

Mom nodded. I want a swimming pool, so you’ll have to landscape around that.

How about you, Paul? Aunt Noelle asked. If you won big, what would you buy?

I don’t want a lot, he said. Maybe a Harley and some vacation time.

I took that opportunity to step outside. Hey, everyone.

Winter! Mom stood up and made for the back door. Can I get you some iced tea? Something to eat?

I can feed myself, Mom, I said, grinning so I didn’t come off as cranky.

I know, it’s just… She trailed off. How’s your cheek?

She touched the skin next to my cut. In the dark cavern last night, I’d run into the rocky wall when trying to escape Mr. Brandon.

It’s fine, I said. I barely feel it.

I finally took a moment to really see the back patio. From inside the house, I hadn’t noticed all the changes. Instead of the dusty concrete space dominated by the umbrella clothesline that I was used to, I was now looking at a miniature paradise filled with flowering plants.

Do you like it? Aunt Noelle asked, noticing my shocked expression.

I love it, I said. The umbrella clothesline had been folded up, the furniture dusted off and arranged neatly, and half-barrels of geraniums, lavender, mint, and poppies decorated the area.

I found these barrels in the garage, and well, I couldn’t resist, Aunt Noelle said. Paul took me to the nursery so I could get the perfect plants to put in them.

It’s gorgeous, I breathed.

Hey, Winter, what would you do if you won a few million dollars? Paul asked.

I’d make sure we never have to move, I said. And I’d probably buy you three whatever you wanted. And then…I don’t know.

Nothing for yourself? Mom asked.

Keeping Lago Caverns is for myself, I said. But maybe I’d also buy a big castle. And, I added, grinning, I’d fill it with cats.

Mom, who hated cats, gave me a dirty look.

"And I’d call it a catsle," I