Excerpt
from The Edge of Too Late
by Jan
Sikes
As
they neared the docking area, the towering lighthouse came into view.
She
pointed. “I love that they have it illuminated at night, even though it’s not
really necessary anymore.”
“It’s
visible from a long way off. I can only imagine how beneficial it was for ships
back in its day to keep them from running aground on the rocks.” He removed his
arm from her shoulders.
“True.”
She laced her fingers through his. “When I read up on the history of this area,
I came across a story about a ship called the Zenobia that broke apart
in 1876 during a rare hurricane and almost sank. It was miraculously recovered.
Somehow, I have to think the lighthouse may have played a part in that disaster
being averted.”
“I’m
sure it did.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s move to the bow for
the approach.” He put a hand on the small of her back to steady her as the
waves rocked the schooner. They joined two other couples already at the vantage
point. He widened his stance and wrapped his arms around her. The light floral
scent from her shampoo tickled his nostrils. God, how he loved this woman.
If
she turned him down tomorrow…
His
stomach clenched. He wouldn’t think about it.
When
she stiffened against him, he followed her gaze to the top of the lighthouse.
“What is it, Angi?”
“Did
you see that?” she whispered.
“See
what?”
“It’s
that same woman I saw when we first arrived. She’s out on the widow’s walk.”
Brandon
peered through the increasing darkness, not seeing any figure.
“Perhaps
it’s only a shadow.”
“I
don’t think so. There were no shadows in the daytime when I first saw her.” She
rubbed her arms. “Look, I’ve got goosebumps. I think it’s a restless spirit.”
While
he wanted to believe her, as hard as he stared, he saw nothing but soft
illumination from the light piercing through the inky darkness.
She
let out a soft gasp followed by a shriek. “Oh, my God! She jumped.”
Brandon’s
skin prickled, and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
***
Angi
shuddered as the figure plummeted toward the ocean. Why could no one else see
it? The couples around them stared, then looked away as if embarrassed for her.
Brandon
tightened his grip.
It
stung that he didn’t believe her. For a brief instant, she thought about the
woman in the dining room. Her husband didn’t believe her either. Did Bran think
she was hallucinating? Was she?
Captain
Duke poked his head out of the wheelhouse. “Everything okay out here?”
Angi
pointed. “Sir, I just saw a woman jump from the lighthouse into the ocean.” She
fought to stop trembling.
“Oh,
matey. You’ve seen Viv.”
“Viv?”
Angi turned out of Brandon’s arms to face the captain. “She’s real?”
“Well,
she was a hundred years ago. Some say Vivian O’Shea committed suicide, but
other accounts state she was swept off the widow’s walk by a ferocious gale
while watching for the return of her lover’s ship during a massive storm.”
Angi
gripped Brandon’s arm, so hard her nails dug into his flesh. But she couldn’t
let go. “That’s one of the ghosts I read about. But I swear I saw her.”
“You
and lots of others,” Captain Duke rubbed a hand across his forehead.
“So,
you don’t think I’m crazy?”
He
laughed. “Not crazy at all.” He swept a dramatic arm around the group. “Anyone
else see Viv?”
No
one replied, but there were hushed whispers.
“Well,
I’ve seen her lots of times, always around this same spot and especially close
to a full moon.” He nodded toward Angi. “So, you’re not crazy at all. Maybe
gifted, but not crazy.” He ducked back into the wheelhouse to navigate the boat
toward the dock.
Brandon
hugged her tight. “See. You’re not imagining things. The ghost is real. I wish
I could see it.” He rubbed small circles on her back. “Like Captain Duke said,
you have a gift.”
“Or
curse,” she mumbled into his shirt.
12/05/23 | Review | |
12/05/23 | Excerpt | |
12/06/23 | Review | |
12/06/23 | BONUS Stop | |
12/07/23 | Review | |
12/08/23 | Review | |
12/08/23 | Character Interview | |
12/09/23 | Review | |
12/10/23 | Review | |
12/11/23 | Review | |
12/12/23 | Review | |
12/12/23 | Author Interview | |
12/13/23 | Review | |
12/14/23 | Review |
Thank you, Kristine, for sharing this excerpt from The Edge of Too Late!!! Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIt's an excellent scene -- and I loved having read it then hearing it when I listened to the audiobook.
DeleteIt's great to see Jan's new book showcased here.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to feature her!
DeleteLove that scene, it's the perfect blend of eerie and mysterious :D Jan Sikes does such a fantastic job setting the mood every scene!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, agreed, agreed! She's got a great short story in this one. I'm ready for more! (Read it with my ears yesterday!)
Delete