Suddenly Psychic (Glimmer Lake #1)(33)

“Huh,” Robin said. “They weren’t a happy crew.”

“It might have just been the time period.” Val spread a bunch of yellowing photos over the table, all of them in clear plastic sleeves. “It seems like ‘serious and grim’ was the going expression for most people in pictures.”

“Or they weren’t too thrilled about building a dam that was going to flood their hometown,” Robin said. “Helen was pretty clear on that. Other than timber men like my grandfather, no one wanted the dam.”

“Why did they build it?” Monica asked. “Was it for the electricity?”

“Mostly,” Val said. “And water for farming.”

Robin found the face she was looking for. It was hidden in the back row. He’d been a tall man, younger in the picture than when Robin had seen him.

“He’s younger.” She looked at Val. “You think?”

Val nodded. “He looks a few years younger in the pic than when I saw him, yes.”

Robin looked at the date of the picture. 1942, three years before the dam had officially finished. “And his name?”

“Look at the bottom.”

“Oh right.” There were dozens of names on the bottom of the picture, but counting across the page led her to one name to go with the familiar face.

“Billy G.” Robin looked up. “Do we have any idea what the G stands for?”

Monica shook her head. “Not so far. But we have a name at least.”

“I’m just frustrated that Grandma Helen wouldn’t tell me who he is. It’s obvious she knows him.”

He was handsome. His dark hair was unruly and his jaw was square.

And familiar.

Why did he look so familiar? There was something about him that kept tickling Robin’s memory. Did she know Billy G’s relatives? Did they still live in town, or had they all moved away like Grandma Helen had said?

“I know you guys need to get going,” Robin said. “But I think I’m going back to the lake. I want to see if Billy shows up again.”





Chapter 12





“You’re purposely going to look for a ghost?” Val asked. “Are you insane?”

“Maybe he can talk to me,” Robin said. “He saved our life. I don’t think he’s a mean ghost.”

“Because we all know so much about how ghosts work.” Monica cocked her head. “Seriously, Robin?”

“Why not? What’s the worst that could happen?”

“He could decide he’s sorry he saved you and throw you back in the lake?” Val said. “He could… get stuck to you. And then you’d have an old ghost with you all the time instead of just sometimes.”

“How do you know he’ll still be hanging around the lake?” Monica asked. “Maybe his ghost stays with his bones.”

“It’s worth a try.” Robin handed the picture back. “Oh, also, I have to figure out excuses for everywhere I go now.”

Val frowned. “Why?”

“Because Mark can see me on the Find Your Family app or something. He asked about Bridger City last night. I had to make an excuse about Val needing the hospital.” She looked at Val. “Sorry. But I figured you were the one who looked sick if Mark or Sully happen to mention it to each other.”

“Wait,” Val said. “He’s following you on this app?”

“It’s not really following,” Monica said. “We have it activated on our family plan too. For security. You don’t have that app for your boys’ phones, Val?”

Val threw up her hands. “I never know what’s going on with my phone. Jackson usually does all that. Do you think he’s been hiding stuff?”

“He’s a fourteen-year-old boy,” Robin said. “Of course he’s hiding stuff.”

“Probably stupid, mostly innocent things,” Monica said. “Don’t panic. But I’m not exactly surprised that he hasn’t told you about it.” She held out her hand. “Unlock your phone and I’ll show you how to turn it on.”

“And while you’re doing that,” Robin said. “I’m going to the lake.”

“Wait!” Monica said. “Give me a minute with Val and I’ll come with you. She’s got stuff to do, but I don’t want you going alone.”

While Monica showed Val the necessities of twenty-first-century parenting, Robin pulled out her phone and called Mark.

“Hey.” He sounded surprised. “You aren’t at the shop today. I came by with lunch, but you were gone.”

He came by with lunch? That was… weird. “Sorry I wasn’t there. I went to visit Grandma Helen this morning. Didn’t know how long I’d be.”

“Is that why there’s a mess in the kitchen?”

“I’ll clean it up later.”

“Nah, I got it.” She could hear him doing dishes. “Did she like the brownies?”

“Yeah. She did.”

“Did you save any for me and Emma?”

“They’re in the breadbox.”

“Yes!” She smiled when she heard the victory in his voice. “I’m eating all of them before the kid gets home.”