Strange events are heavy on Barker Christian's mind this summer at Northshire Inn along Lake Erie. Although the inn feels sleepy, romantic, and hidden, innkeeper Barker knows all its annoying in and outs, and supernatural and grating secrets. Barker's very much aware of the drug use that occurs in room 202, and there are disturbing ghosts in room 112 that haunt the paying guests. Nor can he forget about Radcliff Roberts, the famous horror writer in room 210, who is up to something naughty during the evening hours. Two other strange events occur: Matty Lavender, lead singer of The Thorns, is missing; and a watercolor artist appears on the opposite side of the pond that some guests can see and others can't. Barker stays grounded by his interest in Cal Pipp, the inn's maintenance man. Cal is breathtaking, easy on the eyes, and someone Barker's heart desires. Only problem is Cal doesn't know Barker likes him. Until summer heats up, ghosts materialize, and a different side of Cal appears ...

The Men of Northshire Inn

Terror flooded through my entire frame. My legs wobbled. The hairs on the back of my neck rose. My heart thudded wickedly within my chest. No longer could I breathe. Dizziness swept over me, but I didn’t fall to the hardwood floor. Everything about that moment caused me to become like jelly for a few seconds…a minute…nineteen minutes…at a loss for time. And I kept hearing again and again and again inside the folds of my mind: Barker…Barker…Play with me.


Chapter 5