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have their heart set on tiptoeing through Ravencrest Inn,” said Theodosia.
    Haley nodded. “Kids just want to have fun.”
    “Actually, it’s a little more complicated than that,” said Theodosia. “They also want to try to make contact with Dougan Granville’s spirit.”
    Haley smiled. “They think maybe he’s malingering over there on the other side?”
    “Something like that, yes,” said Theodosia.
    “Then maybe he is,” said Haley.
    “Probably he isn’t.” Probably, Theodosia decided, Granville rested in the arms of the Lord now. At least she hoped he did.
    “I bet Delaine wouldn’t mind if they tried to contact her dear departed fiancé,” said Haley. “She might even
like
the idea.”
    “Drayton thinks that any sort of ghost-hunting nonsense would just cause Delaine more heartbreak,” said Theodosia. “He’s of the firm belief that we should just leave it alone.”
    “Drayton thinks what?” asked Drayton, as he suddenly appeared in the doorway.
    “Theodosia was just telling me about the ghost hunters,” said Haley, as she plucked a Meyer lemon from a large bowl of lemons, grabbed a paring knife, and quickly created a small mound of lemon zest.
    “Such silly fellows,” said Drayton. “They’re under the illusion they can contact an actual spirit and then record it using a camera or some sort of tape recorder.”
    “More like a digital recorder,” said Haley. “Tape went out, oh, I don’t know, maybe with disco music and shoulder pads the size of pillows?”
    “I have no idea what you’re mumbling about,” said Drayton. He was a confirmed Luddite who basically abhorred technology. He scorned digital cameras and didn’t even own a cell phone.
    “I bet you still play vinyl records,” said Haley.
    “Naturally,” said Drayton. His brows rose slightly as he adjusted his bow tie. “Some things simply cannot be improved upon.”
    “Haley,” said Theodosia, eager to put an end to the ghost-hunting issue, “why don’t you run through our menu for today?”
    That stopped Haley in her tracks. She loved nothing better than to tick off her luncheon offerings and her tasty repertoire of baked goods. “Oh. Well. Our savories include quiche, wild rice soup, tea-simmered chicken breasts, and tomato and cream cheese tea sandwiches.”
    “And for sweets?” Drayton prompted.
    “That would be ginger scones and chocolate mint bars,” said Haley.
    “Excellent,” said Drayton. He gave a perfunctory smile, then said, “I believe I shall brew pots of Assam and Indian spice tea. Those teas should make for excellent luncheon pairings.”
    “Go for it,” said Haley, as Drayton disappeared.
    Haley grabbed a soup ladle, frowned, and said, “Oh, rats.” She stepped around the counter quickly, looking distracted, and said, “I forgot to tell Drayton about my apple crumbles. She rushed out the kitchen door and called after him, “And there’s apple crumbles, plus we’ve still got apricot scones left, too.” Hurrying back into the kitchen, she dusted her hands together and said, “Okay. So we’re pretty much set for lunch.”
    “Anything I can do to help?” asked Theodosia. Haley was a martinet in the kitchen, secretive of her ingredients and recipes, wanting to control every single aspect. So she rarely asked for assistance. Yet Theodosia always offered. It was simply good manners.
    Haley picked up a wooden spoon and gestured at her. “If you ask me, I think you should seriously consider accepting that ghost-hunting invitation.”
    “You think so?”
    “Yup.”
    “Like Drayton, I worry that any sort of foray back to Ravencrest Inn might cause Delaine more pain.”
    “Why don’t you let her decide?” said Haley.
    “You mean ask Delaine?”
    “Sure,” said Haley. “In case you didn’t know, she’s sitting out there in the tea room.”
    *   *   *
    Delaine looked tired
but composed. She sat at a window table, gazing out onto Church Street where red-and-yellow horse-drawn