The Abandoned by Amanda Stevens Page A

so very aware of him. She’d never taken to anyone so quickly, though she realized the way they’d met had created a fantasy element to her attraction. A misty cemetery, a handsome stranger and a dream that had led her to both.
    Ree shivered as she forced her attention back to the present.
    “I’m afraid I can’t be of much help,” Amelia was saying. “I’ve walked the cemetery a few times in order to prepare my bid, but I don’t normally do a lot of research unless I’m awarded the contract.”
    “Can you at least tell us if there are any Tisdales buried in Oak Grove?” Ree asked hopefully. “Ilsa Tisdale perhaps?”
    “I’m sorry, I don’t know. But if you’ve got the time and enough patience, you can probably find what you’re looking for in the Emerson library. Most of the Oak Grove records are stored in the archives.”
    “Thanks,” Ree said. “And thanks for seeing us this morning. I’m sorry we wasted your time.”
    “Before you go…there is something you should know about Oak Grove.”
    Ree had been in the process of standing, but now she dropped back down on the chaise. Something in Amelia’s voice, an echo of that darkness behind her eyes, caused Ree to draw a sharp breath. Hayden must have heard because she sensed his gaze on her.
    Amelia stared down into her cup, as if divining a message from the tea leaves. For some reason, Ree was reminded of her grandmother’s cousin, the one who had supposedly been born with a caul, leaving her with second sight.
    When Amelia looked up, Ree felt an odd sense of foreshadowing, like a premonition if she believed in cauls and second sight.
    “I’ve always found cemeteries to be lovely, restful places, even the forgotten ones. But Oak Grove is different. There’s something inside those walls I can’t explain. A feeling of darkness…” She trailed away, her gaze going to Hayden, as if sensing a kindred spirit.
    “I experienced a similar sensation in a small rural graveyard in Kansas,” he said.
    “Stull Cemetery,” she said.
    “You’ve been there?”
    “Once.” Her eyes darkened. “I’ve never been back.”
    “It was a strange experience,” Hayden said. “I definitely sensed something but the readings remained static. I was only able to pick up a minor, indistinguishable sound on the DVR. Pretty disappointing for a place that’s known as one of the seven lost gateways to hell.”
    “You’re an investigator?” Was that the vaguest hint of fear Ree heard in Amelia’s voice? “Amateur or professional?”
    Hayden shrugged. “A little of both, I guess. Right now I’m doing some work for the Charleston Institute for Parapsychology Studies.”
    “You must know Rupert Shaw then.”
    “Everyone in my business knows Dr. Shaw,” Hayden said. “He’s a legend. How do you know him?”
    “He helped me find this house when I first moved to Charleston. I’ll always be grateful to him for that because I feel very safe here.”
    Ree realized she hadn’t said anything for several minutes. Their conversation about Stull Cemetery had both fascinated and repelled her. A lost gateway to hell? Seriously?
    Amelia plucked a polished stone from a basket she kept on her desk and handed it to Ree.
    “What’s this?”
    “A keepsake from Rosehill Cemetery,” she said. “When I was a little girl, I was certain these stones contained magical properties. I kept one with me at all times.”
    “I’ve never been a big believer in magic,” Ree murmured.
    “Yes, I remember that about you,” Amelia said, her tone unexpectedly soft.
    “Thank you anyway.” Ree pocketed the stone with what she hoped was the proper amount of reverence.
    Amelia walked them to the door and stood on the front porch to see them off. As they exited the garden gate, Hayden said under his breath, “Wow.”
    Ree glanced at him. “Did you like her?”
    “Like? I don’t know if I’d say that. But you’re right. She is different. And probably one of the most fascinating