A haunted inn, a first crush, and a second chance for love with “help” from the resident ghost…
The forlorn spirit of Samuel, an 18th-century plantation owner, reaches out to Bethany, a love-wary guest in his house (now a B&B), for help in figuring out what happened between him and the love of his life, and if murder was involved. Samuel’s ghostly intrusion leads Bethany to reluctantly team up with Nick—the first boy she ever loved and the first one to break her heart—and help Samuel with his quest.
The investigation forces Bethany and Nick to work closely together, and revives their bond from years ago through shared vulnerability and purpose. As the investigation continues, sparks from their long-ago romance start to flare. Nick’s still the funny, caring person who captured Bethany’s heart as a teen, and seeing him again makes her skin tingle and heart pound. Yet the idea of reigniting the flame is terrifying. It can lead to joy… or heartbreak, and it’s hard for Bethany to trust that the opportunity for happiness is worth the risk of despair.
In the end, Bethany and Nick’s mission is more than discovering Samuel’s truth—it’s about finding closure, both for the ghost and themselves.
He opened the door and motioned her inside the large room. A vintage wrought-iron bed, as well as a nightstand with a tray of wine, cheeses, and stemware, occupied the wall on her left. An enormous stone fireplace, with an antique painting of a woman mounted over the mantel, dominated the opposite side of the room.
Nick studied the portrait as he set down the suitcase, then peered at Bethany. “Oh, wow. You look just like her.”
The woman, dressed in eighteenth-century garments, appeared to be about Bethany’s age. They had the same oval face, narrow nose, chestnut-brown hair, and caramel eyes.
“I see the likeness,” Bethany said. “Who is she?”
“One of the Worthingtons. I’m sure Aunt Margaret knows her name.”
She stepped closer to study the centuries-old canvas and encountered a cold spot in the room. A shiver coursed through her. “Is this room always so chilly?”
He frowned. “Not usually. I’ll check the thermostat.”
Bethany hoisted her suitcase onto the bed, impatient to end this unwelcome encounter with Nick. Then, without thinking, she pivoted away from the mattress and almost collided with him. He threw out his hands to steady her, his face inches away as his fingers clutched her upper arms. His dark eyes locked on hers.
“I turned up the heat.” He maintained his grasp and her breath caught as she stared back, captivated by the richness of his almost-black irises.
“Thank you.”
“And there’s something else.”
“What’s that?” Her heart pounded, sending a rush of blood to her ears. She couldn’t look away. Was he going to apologize? Explain why he’d ghosted her after that summer?
“Even though the family completely redid the inside and outside of the house, the ghost still haunts this place.”
That’s what he wants to tell me?
With a sigh, she shook off his grip and stepped out of his reach, disappointed in him for dodging the chance to explain what happened back then and frustrated with herself for letting him get to her. She’d conquered her feelings for him a decade ago and was determined to squelch any residual heart flutters.
“If you’re trying to spook me, it’s not going to work.”
Click here to read Chapter 1.
Rediscovering the person who makes our skin tingle and heart pound is exciting, yet terrifying. It can lead to joy… or heartbreak, and it’s hard to trust that the opportunity for happiness is worth the risk of despair. Ghosted is all about trust and how we sometimes need to just close our eyes, leap out of our safety zone, and trust that our soulmate is there to catch us.
Copyright 2025
by Lori Matsourani
