A Ghost at Stallion's Gate Read Free

the business?”
    What an odd reaction from Rosario . I let her comment go and continued with my story. “Rosario, never mind who was with me, my point is, who in their right mind would have left those horses there, anyway?”
    “Now, Shannon, and don’t get me wrong, I am not taking this incident lightly, but why would you have a creepy feeling about horse trophies?”
    “Rosario, ever since I left that mansion, I’ve heard the drumming sound of horse hooves. You see, I was the last to leave the mansion and in pausing for a minute before getting into my car, I heard a horse whinny. Rosario, there aren’t horses anywhere near the location of that mansion.”
    “Dear, dear, in more ways than one, this has been a stressful day for you. I’m sure there is a logical explanation. But for now, we won’t concern ourselves about it.” She smiled brightly and nodded her head, as if she was already in agreement with what she said next. “I know, you go on up to your room and take a long hot bubble bath. I’ll call Alex for you and explain your situation. I’m sure he’ll recommend a good inn or hotel in the area, one that is not in view of that mansion so that it won’t be on your mind and won’t get on your nerves.”
    “Thanks Rosario. I’ll take you up on that offer. Bubble bath, here I come.”
     
    Chapter 3
    I pulled up to the curb in front of Rose Victorian Bed and Breakfast Inn on Magnolia Avenue in Pasadena. It was a classic Victorian house, done up in soft hues of rose, dusty blue and dark green trim. A home, not a mansion, Rosario assured me that Alex’s contact gave this inn the highest possible rating for charm, service and safety. Rosario had said to register first, then pull into the drive. Then she mumbled something about making sure I get the room I want before unloading my suitcase. An odd thing for her to say, but when I left this morning she was in a rush, so I accepted the comment as her being the mother hen that she is. She was looking out for my best interest. I got out of my car and walked up the few steps to the front door and stepped into the foyer.
    “Miss Delaney?” a gentleman asked from the service desk a few feet away.
    “Yes. I have a reservation.” I stepped up to the tidy oak reception desk. I smiled and looked at him, noticing he was not wearing a name pin, I asked, “And you are?”
    “Darren Kelsey, at your service. I’m one of the owners and the primary innkeeper. If you need anything, I’m at your call.” He smiled, and I liked him, instantly. “When Mr. Blackthorne telephoned he requested that I show you our cottage. It’s toward the back of our property, originally was the carriage house, very quiet and private. In fact, you’ll not share a parking space, the cottage has it’s own.”
    “Okay, that’s sounds good to me Mr. Kelsey. Should I move my car to the back?”
    “By all means, please do. Just pull in the drive, continue to the back then make a slight jog to the left, you’ll see the cottage. Your parking is on the left side. I’ll be there to meet you. Oh, and if you prefer, please call me Darren.”
    I parked and met Darren at the front of the cottage. He immediately began to tell me about the inn.
    “We call the inn Rose Victorian because all the rooms are named for roses. This cottage is called Sentimental Journey. All the rose bushes surrounding this cottage are the striped burgundy and ivory rose named Sentimental Journey. They’re very fragrant, so feel comfortable opening your windows to allow the scent in.”
    He opened the door and I followed him into the suite of rooms. We stood in the center of the front room.
    Darren turned to me and explained, “Basically, you have this living room, your bedroom is off the right, the bath is off the bedroom. Then at the back of this living room there’s a full service kitchen and a small dining area off of it, to the left. From the kitchen, at the far right corner there’s a porch and a door that leads