The Mirror (The Lost Bride Trilogy #2)

“One of the reasons we’re going to block off this floor is to keep people from wandering in—or trying to wander in,” Cleo added, “to a room occupied by a very unwelcome presence.”

More doors slammed.

“Yeah,” Cleo called out, “I’m talking about you, Dobbs.”

“Hester Dobbs,” Sonya explained. “The woman who killed Astrid Poole on her wedding day. The rumors are true, Bree. The house is haunted, and it’s full of ghosts. She’s the only one who’s an asshole!”

Sonya shouted the last word.

“You’re not shitting me.” Bree rubbed the chill from her arms. “And you work up here?”

“Nothing and no one can push me out of my studio.” Cleo gestured as they reached it. “See why?”

“I’m running out of holy shits. This is… It’s just freaking awesome. I don’t know how I’d handle what’s going on down the hall, but it’s awesome. You must—”

She turned, saw the painting.

“You hung her,” Sonya said.

“I decided to let her dry on the wall so I can enjoy her until she leaves me. Don’t touch,” Cleo warned.

Slipping her hands in her pockets, Bree admired the frameless painting. “She’s really, well, she’s just spectacular. I get why Owen’s willing to build you a boat for her. Or them, seeing as there are more of her in the glass ball.”

R.E.M.’s “Redhead Walking” rocked out of Sonya’s phone.

“Ringtone?” Bree asked.

“Biological grandmother. She likes music.”

“Okay.” Bree drew out the word. “So, let’s head back down and talk about all this.”

They settled at the casual dining table with Bree’s choice of Cokes for all three. Then she took a breath, and dove straight in.

“How many invites?”

“Corrine—Trey’s mom—said about a hundred and fifty.”

Bree raised her eyebrows at Sonya. “You guys aren’t screwing around. So potentially three hundred. I wouldn’t bank on much of an attrition rate. Let’s start with booze. Beer, wine, and soft or full bar?”

“We thought full bar,” Cleo began.

“Here’s what you do. Set up for a full bar out back, another maybe in the big parlor. Then you have two more, wine, beer, soft, outside, and one in that sitting room, the turret one back there. You’re going to want to talk to Jacie at the liquor store and work out a decent discount.”

“Jacie.” Sonya noted it down.

“Or you could cut one of the wine bars down, have some servers passing through. Add a signature drink.”

“Signature drink.” Sonya exchanged a look with Cleo.

“Like The Manor Cocktail or…” When a sound like thunder rolled through the house, Bree looked up, warily. “Ghost in the freaking Machine.”

“Spirit of The Manor.”

Cleo clapped her hands together. “You’re good at this, Son. Maybe a twist on a Bellini.”

“Talk to Sylvia, head bartender at the Cage. If you can get her to work the party, you’ve got the best. Food stations.”

She took them through it almost faster than they could note it down.