“It kind of takes the spontaneity and romance out of it, don’t you think?”
“Not really. Now, leave me alone so I can work. I’ll see you later.”
“Good luck,” she says before walking out the front door and shutting it behind her.
Some would definitely find the inn to be creepy, at least in the state that it’s in right now. The shell is finished, with drywall, electricity, and even plumbing.
But that’s it. No flooring, no paint, and certainly no furniture adorn the space.
It’s big and empty, and even my breath echoes between the empty walls.
“Next time, I’ll figure out some music,” I mutter as I reference my notes for the first guest suite and get to work.
I’ve been at it for at least an hour, and feel good about my progress, when I smell the roses.
Luna’s family property has been haunted for as long as anyone remembers. It’s something that June and I were well aware of when we came to visit Luna as children.
Not to mention the many nights that I came to stay with Luna’s family when my own home life was just too bad to stick around for.
The Winchesters were more of a family to me than the two people who brought me into this world.
“Hi, Rose,” I say out loud, and smile when I feel a light breeze blow through my hair. “I hope you’re happy with what Luna’s done with the old barn, making it into an amazing inn, where people can come to visit Huckleberry Bay and enjoy the coast.”
Of course, I’ve never seen Rose, or been able to actually speak with her, but there have been plenty of times that I’ve smelled her over the years.
Rather than being afraid of her, she’s like an old friend.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I say and blow out a breath as I step back from the canvas to take it in for a moment. “I like the greens and orange in this one. I know it’s not exactlyseascapeish, but I think it captures the mountains really well, and it’ll fit in with the décor for suite number one. I wish you could give me your thoughts.”
A door upstairs closes, but not loudly.
Not as if in temper.
“Thank you.” I check the time and start cleaning up my brushes, tucking away my supplies in the bag I use for hauling them back and forth. “You know, I wonder if Luna would let me store this stuff somewhere here, rather than bringing them with me every time I come over to work. I’ll have to ask her. Thanks for hanging out with me tonight, Rose.”
But when I reach for the easel, it suddenly goes flying across the room and smacks into the wall.
“Hey, what’s gotten into you?” I walk over, and reach down for it, but it skids out of my grasp once more. “Do you want me to leave it here?”
I prop my hands on my hips and scowl, and a door upstairs closes once more, slamming this time.
“What in the world? I’m going to go chat with Luna, but I hope you’re not mad at me, Rose. I actuallylikehaving you around.”
With that, I leave the easel lying on the floor and walk across the small field to Luna’s house.
“Are you done already?” she asks with a smile when I walk into the kitchen.
“I was in there for more than two hours.”
She raises a brow and checks the time. “That went fast. How did it go?”
I tell her about the painting and Rose. “It was like she didn’t want me to leave yet or something. Really weird.”
“Or she agrees that you should just leave your supplies here, and I’m completely fine with that. I’m sure there’s a closet out there you can use, and if not, I know I have space here.”
“Thanks, that’s helpful. Especially since I don’t have a car.”
“Speaking of, I’ll give you a lift home.” Luna reaches for her car keys. “Unless you want to stay for dinner.”