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split second, Eliza looked almost panicked, but then she composed herself, abruptly turning and looking out at the ocean.
    “I see the house has been kept up nicely and the view is still superb.” Eliza spread her arms to indicate the scenic view from their porch, which encompassed the channel and cove to the left and ocean to the right.
    “We tried to do our best. There’re still some repairs that we need to catch up on,” Morgan said.  
    Eliza was still staring out at the ocean. Jolene saw her eyes narrow as she looked at the cliff … or rather, the section of cliff that was missing.
    “What happened over there?” Eliza pointed in the direction of her gaze.
    The sisters exchanged an uneasy look. The side of the cliff had been blown away when modern day pirates came to the Blackmoore estate to hunt for treasure. Due to the unusual and somewhat paranormal circumstances, it was an event the Blackmoore sisters didn’t care to talk about … even to their aunt.
    “The face of the cliff crumbled into the ocean.” Fiona recited the story they’d all agreed on.
    Eliza turned back to them, her eyes narrowed. “Really? How unfortunate.”
    The five women stared at each other and Jolene got the distinct impression that Eliza knew they were lying.  
    Fiona broke the uncomfortable silence “I hope you’re hungry. We have a seaside feast prepared, including my famous clam chowder.” She held open the screen door then turned to Eliza. “I hope you like seafood.”
    “But of course.” Eliza stepped into the house and stood frozen in the foyer with Morgan, Fiona, Jolene and Celeste behind her. She looked to the left and right, then up the stairs. “This hasn’t changed a bit. It feels almost like I’ve stepped back in time.”
    “We’ve made some changes since your time here, but not in the foyer,” Morgan said.  
    “We think the foyer is pretty much perfect the way it is,” Celeste added. “But wait until you see the kitchen.”
    “First, though,” Morgan cut in. “We wanted to ask you to stay here with us.”
    Eliza raised her left brow. “Oh? Well, I don’t want to impose.”
    “No, we insist.” Celeste pulled Eliza’s suitcase closer, as if she would hold it for ransom should Eliza decide to go to a hotel.
    Eliza shrugged. “Well, then, I guess it’s decided.”
    “Meow!” Belladonna appeared seemingly out of nowhere and proceeded to turn figure eights around Eliza’s ankles.
    “Bella!” Eliza’s face lit with surprise. She bent down to pet the cat who rubbed her face on Eliza’s hand, purring loudly. “Wait. You can’t be Bella … Bella would be too old now.”
    “That’s Belladonna,” Jolene said. “We’ve had her for ages. I remember we always had a white cat, but I’m not sure how old Belladonna is.”  
    “We always had a white cat, too.” Eliza frowned up at the girls.
    “Maybe they’re related,” Morgan said. “She could be one of Bella’s kittens.”
    “Or even one of her kittens’ kittens.”
    Jolene looked down at the cat who slowly lowered her eyes to contented slits. They’d had Belladonna ever since she could remember—how old was she?
    “So. It’s settled, then. Celeste started toward the stairs, tugging Eliza’s suitcase after her. “I’m sure you know this place as good as we do. Which room do you want?”
    Eliza stood, her gaze drifting up the stairs. “I guess I’ll take my old room if no one else is using it.”
    “Which one is that?”
    “West wing, on the end.”
    The girls exchanged a look. They’d always felt the west wing was rather dark and foreboding. They never went there. And the room on the end was decorated in vintage gothic style, complete with an intricately dark carved wood mantle and red velvet wallpaper on one wall. It was the furthest room from the main household activity, but if that’s what their guest wanted, that’s what they’d give her.
    “It’s empty, but I’ll need do a little freshening up and put new sheets