The Ghost of Grey Fox Inn Read Free Page B

someone as sensible as Charlotte seemed to be. Something occurred to me, and I glanced over at the mirrored vanity to confirm it. “Charlotte,” I said. “You nevergot the chance to put on your glasses, did you?”
    Charlotte touched her face, puzzled to find it bare. “No,” she said. “I guess I didn’t. I saw the intruder before I was able to pick them up.” She looked back at me, a defensive note creeping into her voice. “I see what you’re getting at, Nancy—but I know what I saw. My eyes aren’t that bad.”
    I wanted to believe her, but Charlotte’s story just seemed so implausible. Could it be that the stress of the wedding was affecting her even more than anyone suspected? It was possible, but I knew better than to suggest that to a jittery bride-to-be.
    A moment later I heard Bess’s familiar voice at the door. “Hello?” she said, poking her head in. “What’s going on in here? Charlotte, are you all right?” She hurried into the room, with George following behind her.
    After assuring Bess that she was fine, Charlotte recounted her story once more for Bess and George. When she heard that Charlotte had hit her head, Bess immediately took off out the door, returning onlyminutes later with a middle-aged man wearing tiny, round glasses that framed his kind eyes. “Uncle Harry is a doctor,” Bess explained. “I thought he should take a look at Charlotte just to make sure she doesn’t have a concussion.”
    â€œGood thinking,” I said to Bess.
    While Uncle Harry examined Charlotte, my friends and I retreated to the windows to talk.
    â€œIt’s a strange story, don’t you think?” I asked.
    â€œStrange?” George said, an excited gleam in her eye. “I think it’s a great story. You know what this means, right?”
    Bess and I exchanged a look. “No,” I said. “What?”
    â€œThis place might be haunted after all!”
    Bess rolled her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous, George. Charlotte didn’t see a ghost.”
    George crossed her arms. “Maybe not, but tell me this: If someone was in this room, how did they get in or out? There’s only one door, and like Nancy said, it was locked from the inside. And you were at the door right after you heard Charlotte scream, so there wasno time for someone to leave the room, right?”
    I nodded.
    â€œAnd take a look at this window,” George went on. “It’s a straight fifteen-foot drop down. No one would have climbed out of here to escape.”
    I had to admit, George had a point. “That’s true,” I replied, “but it all assumes that Charlotte did actually see someone in her room. It’s possible that it was just a shadow, or a trick of the light.”
    â€œI guess so,” George said, shrugging. “But I still prefer my ghost story.”
    The doctor spoke up behind us, and we all turned around. “Well, Charlotte,” he said, “it looks like you’re no worse for wear. Just take a couple aspirin for the pain and get some rest. You should be fine in the morning.”
    â€œThanks, Uncle Harry,” Charlotte said as he left. She looked around at the people gathered in the room and gave a nervous laugh. “Well,” she said, “this isn’t quite the way I envisioned my wedding preparations to begin.”
    â€œWe’ll get to the bottom of this, Charlotte,” I found myself saying. “Don’t worry.”
    Piper regarded me with interest. “You know,” she said, “with all the commotion, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Piper, Charlotte’s older sister and her maid of honor.”
    Charlotte made the introductions, including Bess and George as well. The young man named Morgan stepped up and shook everyone’s hands—including Charlotte’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet