A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes Page A

street, still mad at Beulah’s comments on my real intentions for going on a date with Jack Henry. Though I couldn’t dismiss that she might have a good point, which made me even more mad at myself for thinking that I’d use him to help Granny.
    The concrete walkway, which Granny just had put in, was bordered with an assortment of spring flowers native to the region. Granny spent any and all free time working in the yard, which made me question why she’d consider selling the inn when she clearly loved it. She had put in such hard work.
    The inn, positioned in a wooded area and tucked back into a cavern’s hollow with the mountains as a backdrop, was a truly beautiful place to stay. No wonder it was the site the developer wanted.
    When I walked in, Granny was busy serving a guest. I went back outside and planted myself in one of the rocking chairs to calm down. There was just something about that front porch that made my worries lessen. Plus, the cool night breeze might calm me down.
    Beulah Paige did a good job making me and Granny look like fools in front of everyone. I hated myself for losing control. It only gave them ammunition that I was crazy and another reason for them not to use Eternal Slumber Funeral Home for their loved ones. I guess that was what I got for eavesdropping.
    Sigh . I took a deep breath before I pulled the notepad out of my purse and jotted down what I did know. Ruthie would sell the inn for two million dollars. Ruthie was trying to figure out who was in a picture. What picture? Ruthie never made mention about a picture.
    â€œSlow down.” The rocker came to an abrupt halt when Granny put her hand on the back. “You are shaking the entire inn. What is wrong with you?”
    Granny wiped her hands off on her apron and sat in the rocker next to me.
    â€œThere’s my brooch!” Ruthie plopped in the rocker next to Granny. Sure as I was sitting there, the spider brooch was pinned on the strap of Granny’s apron.
    Granny reached over and put her hand on mine. “Please tell me what’s wrong. I’m so worried about you.”
    â€œThat Beulah Paige Bellefry is a mean old lady and has the flaming red hair to prove it.” Granny always told me to watch out for a red head with a hot temper. She should know since she and Charlotte both have red hair. I was going to wait to ask her about the brooch. If I even brought up Ruthie, I’m sure she’d make up an excuse to go inside. “I went into Higher Grounds Café to get a coffee and almost every single citizen was in there talking about the council meeting.”
    I paused and waited to see if Granny was going to spill her guts about the developer, but she only gestured me to go on.
    â€œBeulah is hardly old,” Granny reminded me. “If forty-­two is old, I’m ancient.”
    Ruthie reached out and tried to snatch the brooch, only to come up short.
    â€œYou better get my brooch back and stick it on me in that freezer!” Ruthie continued to eyeball Granny, while I continued to ignore her.
    â€œWhatever.” I waved my hand, trying to get Ruthie to go away, and focused on Granny. “Anyway, Beulah hinted around that I was only going out with Jack Henry to persuade him not to arrest you for Ruthie’s murder.” That should get her attention.
    She clasped her hands and squealed, “You are going out with Jack Henry?”
    My mouth dropped open and my eyebrows swooped downward. “Granny, did you hear me?”
    â€œNo she didn’t hear you.” Ruthie’s cheeks were balled up with red dots. “She’s a senile old lady that stole my brooch. Ask her. See if she goes to twitching.” Ruthie got up and hopped around on her kitty slippers, twitching her eyes, doing her best imitation of Granny.
    I twisted my body to focus more on Granny.
    â€œYes. You have a date with Jack Henry and I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” Granny