Dancing With The Dead Read online

  Contents

  Dancing With The Dead

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  RECIPE!

  One More Thing

  Let's Connect!

  Disclaimer

  RETURN TO MILBURN

  A Sequel Series To “A Murder In Milburn”

  BOOK 2:

  Dancing With The Dead

  By

  Nancy McGovern

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  At the end of this story there is an offer to join my mailing list, through which you will receive updates, special offers & discounts on my future books as well as information about joining my Street Team. Plus, you will receive a FREE BOOK as a Thank You for signing up! If interested, the link is immediately after this story…

  Chapter 1

  The Ancestral Ring

  Jacob Giordano was a huge man. At 6’5, he’d gotten used to towering over most people around him since he was fifteen years old. Yet, standing in his childhood room, he felt like a small boy again. His mother had left it exactly as it had been —despite her long-time fantasy of turning it into a sewing room — when he’d moved out for college at age eighteen. And it gave him great pleasure now, ten years later, to be surrounded by posters of alt-rock bands and NBA stars. His old silver boom-box even sat on his dresser and he was reasonably sure his cassette tape of Death Cab For Cutie was still inside, ready for action should he press “play”.

  Over the years, he’d stayed in the room plenty of times. There were Christmas and Thanksgiving breaks, a couple of birthdays when his commitments weren’t overwhelming enough to prevent his spending those special days with his family and two extremely heartbreaking funerals — first his father, then his sister. Yet he’d only passed through during those visits, never rearranging the furniture or updating its decor, and so it had remained frozen in time, with all the artifacts of his teenage years still on display.

  He sat on his twin bed, leaning against the wall and considering the object in his hand — an antique diamond and sapphire ring. He raised it up above his head, letting the light filter through the stone that had once belonged to his great-great grandmother and would, hopefully, soon rest on the finger of his beautiful girlfriend, Grace Nathaniel.

  He’d spoken to Grace’s parents the week before about his desire to propose. Kind of old fashioned, he knew, but Jacob was like that. Grace’s father, Mr. Nathaniel, had been a little stiff during the discussion, but Grace’s mother had enveloped him in a warm hug and welcomed him to the family.

  “Call us Harvey and Nora,” Mrs. Nathaniel had said to Jacob. “We’ll have none of this Mr. and Mrs. stuff. It makes us feel like a couple of old dinosaurs!”

  His own mother, on the other hand, hadn’t been all too pleased. She’d never made a secret of the fact that Grace wasn’t her first choice as daughter-in-law. Jacob felt a twinge of unease as he thought about it, but shrugged it off. His mother loved him, and she’d love Grace…eventually. That was all that mattered. And, despite her reluctance, she had handed the ancestral ring down to him, which meant she’d officially accepted Grace into the family in her own way.

  Now all that was left to do was actually propose.

  Jacob sighed, still unsure about the speech he’d come up with.

  “Grace, I was a wreck when we met three years ago, and then you entered my life like a ray of light...” Too cliché? Did it sound dumb? Would she laugh at him?

  The door burst open and a six-year-old girl with buck teeth and bobbed blonde hair came hopping into the room wearing a pink tutu. “Uncle Jacob! Uncle Jacob! You’ll never guess what I learned in class today!!” Kaylee jumped into his lap, waving her hands about, and sent the ring flying through the air. It hit the ground and rolled under the dresser.

  Kaylee covered her mouth with her hands, panic in her eyes. “Sorry!”

  Jacob laughed, lifting her off his lap and onto the bed next to him. “Never you mind, kiddo. I’ll get it,” he said. “Go take a shower and get changed. We’re all heading to the hall, remember? I’m proposing to Aunt Grace tonight!”

  “Yaaay!” Kaylee jumped up and did a rather impressive pivot. “Do you think she’ll like my ballet moves?”

  “She’ll love them.” Jacob kissed Kaylee on the top of her head. “Just let her say ‘yes’ to me before you go showing off, okay?”

  “But what if she says ‘no’?” Kaylee asked, horrified.

  Jacob felt a little pit in his stomach. Leave it to kids to say what nobody else would. “Well…I...”

  Kaylee tapped her chin. “Maybe I should show her my dance moves before you ask her. To kind of put her in the mood. I could even tell her you taught them to me. You know, just to impress her.”

  Jacob threw back his head and burst into laughter. “You’d do that for me?”

  “You’re my favorite uncle. Of course!” Kaylee threw her arms around his leg and hugged him.

  “I’m your only uncle, kiddo.” Jacob grinned.

  “But you’re still my favorite.”

  “I’m flattered,” Jacob said. “Now let’s see about that ring.”

  He dropped to his knees and started peering under the dresser, wondering where the ring had rolled off to.

  Jacob’s mother, Viola, appeared in the doorway and said, “That’s a bad omen, you know. It’s a sign from above. You can still rethink this.”

  Jacob didn’t bother looking up at her. The ring had rolled all the way to the wall, just out of his reach. He made a futile attempt to reach it.

  “Seriously,” Viola said. “It’s not too late to reconsider, Jacob. The universe is trying to tell you something.”

  “Yeah, it’s telling me not to make Kaylee the ring-bearer,” Jacob grinned. “Okay Kaylee, you little tyke. Come down here and see if you can reach this for me.”

  Viola scowled. At 65, her waistline certainly wasn’t what it had once been and her hair was now more grey than the blonde it used to be, but her scowl had only gained intensity and power over the years. As both CEO of the Giordano family business and Jacob’s mom, she was used to being obeyed. And it irked her that her son was so set on this decision despite being aware of her feelings.

  “I just don’t understand what you see in that girl,” Viola said. “Especially when Ramona Fisher-Ainsworth was so eager to—”

  “Mom,” Jacob’s voice took on a warning tone, “no more of this, okay? Today’s going to be a perfect day, and you’re going to come and support me. Grace is the woman I want to marry, and that’s that.”

  Viola paused then gave a deep sigh. “If that’s what you want,” she said.

  “It is indeed. Aha!” Jacob gave a little grunt of satisfaction as Kaylee got the ring out from under the dresser. “Alright, people. Let’s go propose!”

  *****

  Chapter 2

  The Proposal

  Grace looked at her watch a little impatiently, tapping her leg. It wasn’t like Jacob to be late. She was standing by an unmarked building on Main Street, waiting for him to arrive. He’d been very mysterious about the whole thing s
o far…only telling her to wear a red dress. She stared down the street to see if she could spot his car, but saw nothing.

  She gave a little jump as the door suddenly opened behind her and Jacob, wearing a gray suit, took her by the hand and gently pulled her inside the building. He looked especially handsome and Grace found herself completely forgetting that he’d been late at all. He looked nervous with one hand in his pocket and the other tugging at his dark-blonde beard. His hair was freshly cut and Grace longed to reach up and mess up his neatly combed locks.

  “Wh-what is this?” She looked around with wonder as he silently led her into a large, empty hall. It was decked out with balloons and flowers, and on the far end stood a large table with a cake on it.

  “Jacob…what’s going on?” It was beginning to dawn on her —exactly what was going on — and there was a tremble of excitement in her voice.

  Jacob winked at her and clapped his hands. From somewhere, speakers started playing music. Grace recognized the song immediately: John Denver’s You Fill Up My Senses. It was the first song they’d ever danced to.

  “Remember how we first met?” he asked her. He began moving to the music, spinning her along with him. Automatically, she took up the steps, smiling shyly.

  “Of course, I remember,” she said. “The office Christmas party. There was an ugly sweater competition and yours came in second.”

  “Right. And you were wearing a red dress just like this one. You looked so beautiful that it took my breath away. So I asked you to dance when this song started playing,” Jacob said. “Grace, that was three years ago. And, although you didn’t know it then, I’d just gone through one of the worst experiences of my life. My sister had passed away just six months before and I was not doing so well.”

  “I know...” Grace looked at him with love and sympathy in her eyes.

  “Yeah. I don’t know what possessed me to ask you to dance that night…but I’m so glad I did,” Jacob said. “Because, although I was going through one of the darkest times of my life, you burst in like a ray of sunshine. It was like my life was black and white and you brought color back into it.”

  “Oh, Jacob...” Grace kissed him on the cheek.

  The music stilled and Jacob got down on one knee. Grace put a hand over her mouth, and her eyes started welling up.

  “This ring belonged to my great-great-grandmother, Maria. She brought it with her when my family moved from Italy to America, and it was her most treasured possession. Tradition in the Giordano family is that it’s passed down to the oldest son’s wife,” Jacob explained, pulling a small box out of his pocket. “Grace Nathaniel, will you do me the honor of wearing it for the rest of your life? Will you be my wife?”

  “Oh, my goodness! Are you serious? Yes! Of course!” Grace gave a little squeal.

  “I love you.” He placed the ring on her finger and the doors burst open. Grace gave an even louder squeal as their friends and family streamed into the hall. Music began playing again and there were cheers as people crowded around the couple to congratulate them.

  “You knew?!” Grace exclaimed, as she caught sight of her mother and father. She ran to them and gave them a tight hug. “How did you manage to keep it a secret?”

  “He told us last week that he was planning to propose…though this is a bit more than your average proposal! Hang on to this guy, Grace!” Nora kissed Grace on both her cheeks and wiped away a tear. “Congratulations, honey. I’m so proud and happy. My little girl’s all grown up.”

  “Congratulations, sweetheart.” Harvey’s voice was a little hoarse. He bent to kiss Grace on both cheeks.

  “Congratulations, Sis!” Hazel bumped her way forward and gave Grace a bone-breaking hug. “And congratulations, Jacob! She’s all yours now, bucko!”

  “Thanks, Hazel!” Jacob said. “I couldn’t be happier about that!”

  Kaylee suddenly burst through the crowd and wrapped her arms around Jacob. He lifted her into his arms. “I didn’t even have to dance for her, Uncle Jacob!” she said. “Aunt Grace must really like you!”

  “Huh?” Hazel wrinkled her brow.

  “Shush, Kaylee. Never mind that.” Jacob blushed.

  “Well, then come on over and check out this cake Mom made.” Hazel pulled Grace over to the table where a three-tiered yellow cake sat. “Pineapple and butterscotch…your favorite flavors!”

  “I can’t believe this is happening!” Grace said, admiring the gorgeous cake.

  “I can’t believe you said yes!” Jacob kissed her on the cheek.

  “Of course I said yes, you big galoot! I’ve been waiting for ages.” Grace bit her lip. “I mean…we’ve been dating for ages. What took you so long to pop the question?”

  Jacob looked uncomfortable. He didn’t answer her question, instead asking, “But you like everything, right? I didn’t mess anything up?”

  “Like it? I love it! What girl gets a full-fledged party as part of her proposal? This is amazing!”

  “Well, I wanted it to be special.” Jacob smiled. “Your mom and sister helped a lot, too. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

  “Nonsense,” Nora said. “It was all Jacob’s idea. I can’t tell you how happy I am. You two make such a lovely couple.”

  “And you’ll make a lovely grandma soon enough, huh? Huh? How’s that feel?!” Hazel nudged her mother playfully and gave Grace a mischievous grin.

  “A grandma...” Nora had repeated, seemingly dazed by the thought.

  “Oh, don’t you start.” Grace groaned. “We’re not even married yet and you already want a nephew? You’ll have to wait on that!”

  “Or a niece,” Hazel said. “Either will do.”

  Kaylee, who was in Jacob’s arms, suddenly burst into tears.

  “Oh, hey...” Jacob stroked her hair as she buried her face in his shirt. Murmuring to Kaylee, he held up a finger to tell the others they’d be right back and headed toward the exit.

  “What? Did I say something wrong?” Hazel asked, staring after Jacob. She looked at Grace. “What am I missing?”

  “Well, I’m not exactly sure but I can guess based on the subject matter. You know Jacob’s sister died three years ago and Kaylee’s been raised by her grandma, Viola, ever since. She’s also very close with Jacob and I think that maybe your talk about him having his own kids made her question whether he’ll still want her around when that happens.”

  “Jeez, what are you, the kid whisperer?” Hazel asked. “How could you get all that just from her starting to cry?”

  “Well, there’s been more than that,” Grace said. “Things she’s said or reactions she’s had in the past that make me pretty sure I’m right.”

  Hazel bit her lip. “Well, you know I didn’t mean to upset the kid.”

  “I know. I’m going to go see if she’s ok,” Grace said. “Just no more talk of babies around her, okay Hazel?”

  “Sure. Whatever.” Hazel looked crestfallen.

  “It’s not your fault,” Nora said as Grace left the hall after Jacob. “You couldn’t have known.”

  “We still don’t know that’s what it was. But if it was, then I feel bad,” Hazel said. “I don’t want to ruin the night for anyone.”

  “Nonsense,” Nora said. “They’ll be back in here and be dancing up a storm in ten minutes. No one will even remember this happened.”

  Sure enough, ten minutes later, the music was playing even louder and Grace and Jacob were dancing amidst a big group of their friends while Kaylee showed off her ballet moves. Nora smiled from a corner of the room where she sipped from a glass of white wine while Grace’s future mother-in-law, Viola, outlined her grand plans for the wedding.

  “First things first, you’re coming over this Thanksgiving,” Viola said. “Our whole family will be there and, now that you’re a part of it, you should be there, too.”

  “Well, actually, we were all planning on traveling to Laramie this year,” Hazel said. “My friend is playing a concert at—”

  Viol
a cut her off with a steely gaze. “I’m talking to your mother, dear.” Then, turning back to Nora, she said, “You will come, won’t you?”

  “Well, we do have other plans. Maybe next year?” Nora spoke sheepishly, as if she may get in trouble for her answer.

  Viola stared down at her. “That’s your choice. But, of course, now that Grace is going to be a Giordano, she has to come. I’d have thought you’d like to come, too. If only to support her.”

  Nora looked over at Grace. She’d thrown her head back and was laughing while Kaylee and Jacob did a ridiculously exaggerated chicken dance, their faces puckered and their heads bobbing.

  “After all, imagine how alone Grace will feel,” Viola said.

  “I’ll talk to Harvey,” Nora said, taking a deep breath and marveling at this woman’s mind games. She didn’t like feeling pressured this way, but neither did she want to start off Grace’s new life like this. She supposed it was a small sacrifice to make. Hazel would be disappointed by the change in plans but she’d surely understand.

  “Good,” Viola said, taking it for granted that the answer was now yes. “I’m sure we’ll all have a an absolutely delightful time.”

  If only they’d known.

  *****

  Chapter 3

  The Younger Brother

  Anybody who hasn’t lived in Wyoming can’t quite understand what “windy” means, Nora thought, looking through her diner’s front window. Outside, the wind was howling like a wounded animal as it passed through town, making the line of cypress trees along the road bow and dance. Inside, Nora shivered a little and pulled her cashmere cardigan closer to herself.

  It was twilight and the diner was mostly empty. A few regulars sat at the counter and gossiped with Tina while, in one booth, Jacob and Grace were bent over an iPad, discussing flower arrangements. Nora’s mouth curled up in an involuntary smile as she saw Jacob’s eyes glaze over with boredom while Grace excitedly rattled on about daisies versus lilies. Jacob shifted and put his arms around Grace, drawing her closer.

  Nora walked over to them and cleared her throat.