Free The Curse (Seacliff High Mystery Book 2) by Kathi Daley Page B

grip. “You can call me anytime you want. I’ll keep my cell on at all times.”
    “You’re going to be okay here alone, aren’t you?” Alyson asked, realizing for the first time that her mom would be totally alone, without even the protection of Tucker.
    “I’ll be fine. Blake’s coming over for dinner so I won’t even be lonely.”
    “That’s good.” Alyson kissed her mom on the cheek. “Just remember our conversation about safe sex. I wouldn’t want a little brother or sister showing up in nine months.”
    “Very funny.” Her mom swatted her on the bottom. “It looks like your friends are ready to go. Have fun,” she said, and hugged Alyson one last time.
     
    The gang piled into the Expedition, then headed out toward the barn. Alyson stared out the passenger side window at the passing scenery. The coastline along this particular stretch of road was dotted with both sandy beaches and rocky shoreline. In spite of the slight chill in the air the water was dotted with surfers dressed in black wet suits waiting for the next wave to carry them to shore.
    Although Alyson hadn’t lived all that far from the ocean in New York, she’d rarely made the trip to the beach except for those occasions when her dad had dragged them out to their house in the Hamptons. When she was younger she’d loved the family trips, but during the last few years they’d lived as a family she’d been too wrapped up in her friends to want to spend time with her mom and dad.
    Now Dad was gone. Not dead, but, in a way, dead to her. She knew he was somewhere out there in the world, but she realized she’d probably never see him again.
    “Something wrong?” Devon asked. “You seem quiet.”
    “I’m fine. I guess I’m just tired. The coastline along this road is so beautiful. I find it soothing to look at.”
    “Do you surf?” Devon asked.
    “No. I never learned. But I’d like to.”
    “Maybe we can spend a day at the beach next weekend. If the weather holds.”
    “That’d be nice.”
    “We’re almost to the turnoff,” Trevor said from the backseat.
    “I see it,” Devon verified.
    When they got to the barn a group of drama students had already set out the tombstones for the make-believe cemetery. Mac was inside, helping another group set up tables with wooden coffins on them that would be used to hold the snacks and drinks.
    “Isn’t this cool?” Mac commented enthusiastically when the group walked in. “They’re going to use dry ice to create eerie smoke around the coffins.”
    “Where’s Caleb?” Alyson asked.
    “I think he’s showing a couple of kids where to set up the scarecrows out back.”
    “Did Caleb mention where we should set up the tents?”
    “We talked about that before he went out. He said the area directly under the loft is reserved for the band and dance floor. He won’t be setting up any decorations in that area, so it would probably be best.”
    “Okay, I’ll go tell Devon.” Alyson turned back toward the barn doors. “The coffins look really good, Mac,” she added as she walked away
    By the time the Expedition had been unloaded and the tents and cots had been set up, Caleb’s crew were wrapping things up for the night. The graveyard was complete, the coffins were ready for their bounty, and scarecrows had been strategically arranged.
    “Wow, it looks like you’re almost done,” Alyson observed. “Why the big rush to get out here today?”
    “This is just the easy stuff,” Caleb explained. “Tomorrow we have to rig all the props for the hayride. That’ll take the whole day at least, and that’s only if everything goes right.”
    “Oh, I had no idea. We’re building a fire out front. Want to join us?”
    “Sure; just let me say good-bye to the crew. I’ll be right there.”
    The rest of the gang were already huddled around a fire in front of the barn and were in the process of arranging ice chests and logs to sit on.
    “It’s already getting cold.” Mac wrapped her