Free Haunted Renovation Mystery 1 - Flip That Haunted House by Rose Pressey Page A

handyman. Throw a ladder on the back of his truck and, voilà, he
was a handyman. We inched further through the foyer. A rustling
noise came from the right, so I turned into the library. He
followed me. Our steps were practically synchronized. It was as if
a foreboding feeling was luring us into the house, guiding our way.
Nothing seemed different in the room, though. No one or thing was
in sight. I turned around and moved back into the foyer. The
handyman continued to follow on my heels.
    “Did you hear something?” he whispered.
    I didn’t answer. My heart couldn’t help but
beat a little faster. Even after ghost hunting for years, the
adrenaline rush was always present. I’d always wondered what it
would be like to own a haunted house, now I was experiencing it.
Excitement and trepidation filled my body at the same time. Anyone
who said they had no fear of ghosts was probably lying. There was
always a tinge of fear of the unknown. That familiar odd feeling
enveloped me and the house now felt menacing. As we walked across
the foyer, a noise echoed down the stairs.
    “You hear those footsteps? Someone is in
here.” His voice grew louder, full of alarm.
    I felt like Shaggy with Scooby
Doo on my heels.
    “Quiet.” I held my finger to my mouth. When
I stopped, he bumped into my back as he screeched to a halt.
    “Sounds as if someone is upstairs right
above us,” he whispered.
    Great work, Sherlock. I pressed on and he
trailed my steps.
    We made our way from one side of the room to
the next, then through to the dining room and on to the kitchen
door. I placed my hand on the wood and pushed. It swung open and I
landed smack dab on my backend on the dining room floor.
    “Ugh.” I gazed up at Reed’s wide green eyes
as he peered down at me.
    “What the hell? Are you trying to kill me?”
I asked.
    Reed stretched his hand out to help me
up.
    He irritated me—like a gnat. A smug air hung
around him like stink on a skunk.
    “I’m so sorry. Are you all right? You
shouldn’t stand in front of a swinging door like that.”
    Fortunately, my fall hadn’t hurt me, but
unfortunately, when Reed’s hand touched mine, my stomach dropped
and my toes tingled. Me attracted to Reed O’Hara? No, I wouldn’t
let it happen.
    “I’m fine. You should yell ‘coming through’
before you barge through a swinging door. What are you doing here?
How the heck did you get in?” I brushed the hair out of my
eyes.
    “Sorry, boss, I didn’t think you were coming
over here,” my shadow said.
    “Boss?” I looked from one to the other.
    “Mr. Fix-It at your service. That’s me.” He
smiled with amusement.
    “You’re the owner of Mr. Fix-It ?” My
mouth dropped.
    “You got it.” He reached in his pocket, then
handed me his business card.
    Why did I bother to use the Yellow Pages?
And what were the odds he’d be Mr. Fix-It ? I snatched his
card. The right hand corner had a small hammer, what else?
    Full service handyman.
    Maintenance and remodeling company.
    Fully licensed, insured, and bonded.
    Blah, blah, blah.
    “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you
in my house? I should call the police and have you arrested.”
    “Whoa.” He held both hands up in surrender.
“Don’t get all bent out of shape, I was trying to do you a favor.
Don’t leave the doors open and I won’t come in.”
    “A favor? You’re doing me a favor?” I tried
to keep the edge out of my voice, but found it difficult.
    “Yes, that’s right, a favor. Do you want
animals or maybe the killer on the loose to come in?” He gave a
lopsided grin.
    “You know about that? Who told you?” My
mouth twitched.
    “I do read the newspaper. I’m not
illiterate. Front page news. You’re a celebrity.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Well…thanks, I guess, for
saving me from raccoons or a serial killer.”
    “No problem, any time.” He winked.

Chapter Fourteen
    “You still didn’t explain how you got into
my house. What, do you have a key or something? Or