Cedar Hollow Read Free Page A

the sink, she nodded her approval. Yesterday she had tried for friendly, today she was all business.
    She didn’t want to be here anymore than Mr. Ben Riley apparently wanted her to be. Today she was going to sign whatever needed to be signed and then she was going back home to Chicago.
    She moved the desk chair from under the door handle and laughed at her anxiety from the night before. She’d never been a superstitious person, definitely not easily spooked. She wasn’t sure what had gotten under her skin last night.
    The natural light flooding in from the large window at the end of the hallway reflected off the pale pine wood floors, giving the hallway the appearance of practically glowing. As Cassidy made her way down the hallway to the stairs she couldn’t believe this was the same house that had felt so dark and desolate last night. As she passed under the staircase leading up to the third floor she felt a chill, but she quickly dismissed it and continued on downstairs.
    The first floor was furnished in darker woods. The pine wood floors were stained a deep amber, as was the heavy wooden furniture. Cassidy glanced into the room to the left of the staircase and found that it was filled with large pieces of furniture that were covered in heavy drop cloths, the drapes were pulled on all the windows leaving the room in shadows. She ventured farther into the entryway, examining the antique grandfather clock that stood just to the left of the large heavy front door. The right wing had a matching dark room of shadowed furniture hidden beneath heavy cloths.
    Somehow all the bright cheeriness that had greeted her upstairs had evaporated. This house had such an overwhelming effect on a person’s sense of well-being. It was unnerving.
    Cassidy turned from the front door and saw bright light filtering through the gloom just beyond the stairs. She fled toward the light, once again feeling as if the darkness was suffocating. She emerged into a brightly lit kitchen.
    She took a moment to adjust to the light as she blinked and looked around the kitchen, taking in the white countertops and bright yellow walls. A middle-aged woman turned from the stove holding a tray of freshly baked blueberry muffins.
    “Good morning , dear.” The woman said sweetly as she carried the tray to the small round kitchen table. “Would you like a muffin?”
    Cassidy stared at the tray of large blueberry muffins, the kind with the crumbles on top just like her mom used to make. For a moment she was reminded of a happier time. She smiled at the memory.
    “I’d love one.” Cassidy agreed eagerly.
    “Please have a seat. My name is Lucy Owens, I’m the cook and housekeeper here at Miller’s.” She smiled proudly.
    “It’s nice to meet you , Mrs. Owens.” Cassidy said as she began to nibble on her muffin.
    “Likewise, I’m just happy to have someone else to cook for. It gets kind of lonely around here in the off-season.” The older woman smiled kindly down at her and Cassidy was relieved to know that not everyone in this little town hated her.
    “How long have you worked here?” Cassidy asked conversationally as she enjoyed her muffin. Cassidy estimated Mrs. Owens to be in her sixties, she appeared strong and sturdy, but her graying hair and lined face betrayed her age.
    “Oh let’s see…” She pondered as she poured Cassidy a glass of orange juice. “Nearly forty years now. Mr. Owens and I came to work for Mr. Miller just after we married. My Harold was the grounds keeper here. Of course Ben takes care of all that now.” Mrs. Owens smiled fondly when she mentioned Ben, the way a grandmother might smile when speaking of her grandchildren. Cassidy’s interest was piqued. Last night he had seemed like a simply awful man. Perhaps this nice old woman could shed a little light on why he was so angry.
    “How long has Ben worked here?” Cassidy asked casually, concentrating on her muffin and trying to seem disinterested.
    “Quite a few