Whispers of Shadows: Whispers of Love, #1

By Kirsten Osbourne

Fiona Bearden has always been able to see ghosts. When an antique book enters her used bookstore, she discovers strange symbols and a map of her tiny little Texas town. Immediately she starts studying the book to learn all she can.

Sheriff Max Childers is new in town, having been a detective in Dallas for a few years. When he's out on a call, looking for a lost cat, he runs into Fiona and is immediately drawn to her. He becomes involved in the study of the book, and along with Fiona's friends, Bella and Layla, he tries to solve the mystery involved with the ghosts in town.

Together, Fiona and Max face a supernatural entity that scares them both. But once it's defeated, what happens next? Will Fiona and Max go their separate ways or will the feelings built up during their time together lead to more between them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unlimited Dreams
• Release date: Nov 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223390183

Book preview

Chapter One

Fiona Bearden looked through the books a customer had brought to her used book store, looking for anything that might be hard to sell. They all look fine. I can offer you thirty dollars. Do you want cash or credit?

The older woman stared at her for a moment. Only thirty? They’re worth at least five hundred.

They’re really not. I know some are autographed, but it looks like this author has sold three books in total. I’m happy to give you the thirty. Fiona wished that people didn’t think they could bring any books into the store and get top dollar for them. There was really only one book in the stack that was worth buying, and the entire amount was for that one antique book.

The older woman narrowed her eyes. I know that people think it’s fun to take advantage of the elderly...

There was a loud noise coming from the back of the store. Fiona smiled sweetly trying not to let the woman get upset. They were the only people in the store, and the other woman knew it. I’m not trying to take advantage. I promise. The only book I really want from the stack is the antique book at the bottom. That’s what I’m offering the money for. You can take all the rest with you if you don’t like the deal I’m offering. But I do want that one.

There was another loud noise, and three books floated in the air, spinning in circles near the older woman’s head. Fiona grabbed two of them and was reaching for the third when the woman screamed and ran from the store, leaving all of her books there.

Fiona sighed dramatically and sat down in her chair, looking to her left. Damnit, Roy! Why can’t you be nice to people?

An older man appeared as the last book was set on her desk. I’m just having fun! Besides, that old bat wasn’t going to let you keep the book, and I’m interested in it. Roy sat down in the chair beside hers. He looked as solid as Fiona did, but Roy was a ghost. He’d come in with a pile of books one day, and he’d enjoyed it there so much he stayed. He wore jeans and a button-up shirt, and he couldn’t seem to stop grinning. Did you see the look on her face when that book just missed her ear?

Fiona shook her head. Why are you here again?

Roy chuckled. Just having fun with the only person I know who can see ghosts.

I’m so lucky you found me. Fiona kept her voice monotone as she said the words, making Roy laugh all the harder. I wonder if she’ll be back for her money?

Roy shrugged. I don’t know. Now let’s look at that book.

A warm, comforting grin spread across Fiona’s face as she observed Roy browsing through the shelves. On days like these, when the bookstore was quiet and the world seemed to stand still, she found solace in his company. Roy’s fascination with ancient literature was contagious, and it delighted her to share her knowledge of the dusty, forgotten books that lined the walls.

Hey, I think I’ve got something you’ll love, Fiona called out, her voice soft yet excited. She crouched down and carefully pulled a book from the bottom of a precarious stack, her fingertips grazing against the aged leather cover. The spine groaned in protest as she opened it wide, revealing an unexpected treasure hidden within its pages.

Wow. Fiona blinked in surprise before turning to Roy. Someone glued a map of all of Popsville inside the cover of the book. Why would they do that?

Roy hurried over, his eyes widening with curiosity as he peered at the map. That’s bizarre, he admitted, tracing the lines of streets and landmarks with his finger. Maybe it belonged to someone who wanted to always keep their hometown close to their heart.

Fiona considered his explanation for a moment, her thoughts wandering to the lives of those who had held this very book in their hands before her. She couldn’t help but feel a connection to them, bound together by their shared love for these musty tomes. Or perhaps, she mused, it belonged to an explorer, using this map to navigate the complexities of their own life.

Either way, it’s quite the find! Roy exclaimed, a gleam of excitement flickering in his eyes. I wonder what other secrets these old books hold.

Fiona’s grin widened, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as she gazed upon the rows of worn spines. Only one way to find out, she declared, inviting him to join her on a journey of discovery through the forgotten pages of history.

I don’t know. You’re not letting me look.

Fiona rolled her eyes. Come closer, and I’ll open it wider for both of us to see.

As he rolled his chair closer to hers, it felt like the temperature dropped a full fifteen degrees. She’d expected it to happen, but it always gave her a bit of a shock anyway.

Fiona stared at the crinkled, worn map in her hands. The ink had faded over time, but the unmistakable outline of the old mansion loomed before her, as if daring her to cross its threshold. She had heard the whispers and warnings from the ghosts who frequented her life – the ones who had become like family to her. But now, those same ghosts seemed to recoil at the mere mention of the mansion that towered ominously above the rest of the town.

Can’t be, she muttered under her breath, tracing the lines with a trembling finger. The wind picked up, rustling the leaves and making the branches of the trees sway menacingly. Fiona felt an icy chill run down her spine and knew she wasn’t alone.

You shouldn’t go there, Fiona. The familiar voice of her spectral companion, Esther, drifted on the breeze. It’s dangerous.

I know, Fiona whispered back, her grip on the map tightening. But the answers I need are in there. I can feel it.

Is it worth the risk? another ghost, Thomas, materialized beside Esther, his eyes filled with concern. You’ve never been there for a reason. It could end badly for you.

Maybe, but I have to try, Fiona said, her resolve hardening. I’ve always felt drawn to it, like it’s calling to me. And now, with this map, it’s like fate is pushing me toward it.

Esther and Thomas exchanged worried glances, their translucent forms flickering in the wind. They knew Fiona was stubborn, and once she set her mind to something, there was no turning her back.

Promise us you’ll be careful, Esther said softly, her words barely audible.

Of course, I will, Fiona reassured her ghostly friends, her heart pounding in her chest. I won’t do anything reckless, I promise.

As she thought about the mansion, Fiona could feel the pull of its dark energy. It was like a siren’s song, luring her closer and closer. She knew that beyond the heavy doors lay secrets that had remained hidden for centuries, and the thought both excited and terrified her.

Remember, we’re here for you, Thomas said, his voice fading as she continued her approach. Even if we can’t follow you in there, we’ll be waiting for you when you return.

Thank you, Fiona whispered, her mind protesting the idea of her going, even as she felt there was an invisible cord, pulling her toward the mansion. She couldn’t go alone though. It wouldn’t be safe.

May the spirits guide you, Esther’s voice echoed in Fiona’s mind as the doors closed behind her, sealing her fate.

Most ghosts were nothing to be afraid of, but there were some who sent chills up her spine even when they weren’t close. Roy called out, Mildred! You have to see this! Fiona just got a book with a map in it, and the map seems to be trying to get her to go to the old haunted mansion.   

Another ghost, this one dressed in a floor-length dress with an apron tied around her waist hurried to the front of the store. Another wave of cold washed over Fiona. Used to the cold the ghosts caused, Fiona leaned down and turned on the space heater that sat on the floor beside her desk. She knew of no other person who used a space heater in Texas in July, but the cold the ghosts brought with them necessitated it for her.

Mildred watched her do it and smiled. Oops. Sorry, Fiona.

I’ll survive, Fiona said, still looking at the book. That is the haunted mansion, isn’t it?

Roy sighed. I told you to go there and see what was happening when I first came here, remember? I think we all need to know what’s going on in our town. He shook his head at her, disappointed that she hadn’t followed his advice.

Fiona’s frown deepened, her eyes reflecting the terror of all those who’d shared their warnings with her. I’ve been told by untold specters that it’s not safe there for living or dead. Yet you insist I go? What dark knowledge do you think could be found in such a place, to make even ghosts flee in horror? Her challenge was met with a steady stare. If you can find me an answer, perhaps our questions will be laid to rest... and our fears.

You disappoint me, Fiona, Roy said, shaking his head at her. You act like you think ghosts are scary. I thought you said you weren’t afraid!

I’m not. I could hang out with you every day, and I do. Mean ghosts are scary though. You were just an electrician in town who everyone loved. The ghosts from that house have an evil feeling. Every time I’ve walked past, I’ve gotten shivers running down my spine.

You get shivers from us. That’s why you have a space heater in a bookstore in Texas during the summer.

That was a great adventure, Roy said.

Prepared for the worst, Mildred turned to face him. What? I agreed with you! I thought it was silly too.

Roy shook his head. No. You just don’t know what a silly adventure is yet. An adventure is meaningless if you don’t learn something.

Fiona started making notes in her book again and Mildred asked, Fiona, do you have any idea what this symbol means? It looks oddly familiar, but it almost feels like there are missing pieces to it. Fiona shrugged and flipped to the next page, where the symbol bled through onto the page she had been writing on.

You’ll have to doodle it! Mildred said.

Roy laughed. Google. She needs to Google it.

Don’t make fun of me. Doodle makes more sense. Mildred glared at Roy. Just because I lived in the nineteenth century before computers and doodle—I mean Google, doesn’t mean I’m not as good as you.

Sorry, Mildred, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.

Fiona shook her head. You two should go argue in the back. I need to figure this thing out! As she turned her head, she spotted the cat who had been hanging out in front of her bookstore for the past couple of weeks. She put some dry cat food in a bowl and then put water in another, carrying them out for the cat she’d named Cat in her mind. She liked cats, but they made her sneeze, so she hadn’t let this one into her store.

As she put the food down for Cat, a man dressed in a sheriff’s uniform stopped in front of her.

Her heart beat faster as he stepped closer. He seemed to fill the space around him until everything else faded away. The sun blazed against the hard lines of his face and cast shadows across his jaw. Fiona licked her lips at the way he moved—his eyes caught hers and didn’t let go.

Here was something new: approval and desire from a good-looking man. She hadn’t experienced either since coming back to