Read Online Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule - Free Book Online Page B

answered after the second ring. After listening to me babble about my desire to apply for the job, he asked a few more questions. I guess I must have impressed him with my answers, because he told me he’d squeeze me in for an interview late Friday.
    When he hung up, I stared at the phone in my hand, butterflies bouncing in my belly. I had done it. I had decided to interview for a job in a haunted house. Either I was incredibly stupid or merely naïve. Or both.
    On Friday evening, I didn’t want to ask my parents for a ride, so I asked Ariana to drive me to the interview instead. Ariana already had her license. Me? My driver’s test was in another two weeks once I finished Driver’s Ed. Yay!

    Ariana sped down one street after another, slowing when the mansion, surrounded by a tall spiked-iron fence, loomed ahead. She parked on Acorn Avenue, and the headlights of the Volkswagen illuminated the entrance. Ravenhurst was colossal, ancient, and ominous. Shutters were closed, half of them hanging from the windows. They looked bare, like a mouth with missing teeth. A flicker of panic coursed through me. I had the strongest urge to lock my door.
      “You ready?” Ariana asked, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel.
    No. Change of plans! Drive me home.

    I chewed my lip and mentally stressed about this impulsive decision. Okay, so I loved architecture. I wanted this job. Ghost stories and a wraith shouldn’t stop me. Besides, as much as I believed in paranormals...a haunted house? I mean, seriously. Architecture never killed anyone, right?
    “Uh-huh.” My fingers tightened on the strap of the seatbelt.

    You can do this, Shiloh.

    I sat there, staring at the house. A terrible chill fingered its way down my spine.
    Oh, but I can’t! I can’t! I can’t!

    “Yep. I’m good. Thanks for lift,” I said, forcing myself to extract my butt from the seat. “I’ll call you when I’m done.” I waited until she backed up and drove off before I walked toward the gates.
    I stood there a moment, breathing deeply. The heavy scent of jasmine filled the evening air. Winds stirred the bone-like branches against the sides of the mansion, creating scary scraping noises. An owl hooted. I shivered, glad I’d worn my wool coat over my pink blouse and black pencil skirt. My feet already ached in my new heels. Totally cute shoes, yes—comfortable, no.
    “Can I help you?”
    A low voice came from behind me and, startled, I swung around, ready to use my purse as a weapon. “I—I’m here for an interview.”
    “But you’re a girl.” The disembodied voice resonated close to the gate. Definitely male and husky. Young. Not a shade or a wraith. Nothing to be scared of. Really.
    “Duhhh. What gave me away? My skirt or heels, genius?” It came out sounding snarky. Not what I’d intended, but I felt vulnerable out in the open. Too shadowy. Completely visible. I squinted into the darkness.
    “Smart ass.” His face was half-hidden in shadow, but by then I’d figured out who it was.
    What Trent implied ticked me off. “Even though I’m a girl,” I said, “I believe I’d be good at the job. Even if it’s getting supplies and doing mindless duties. The experience, you know, would be worth it.”
    He stepped out from under the shadows of the trees and struck a total Abercrombie pose. I weighed him with a critical squint, momentarily enthralled by his utter gorgeousness. Please, let him be as nice as he is cute.
    “Look,” I said too loudly, then swallowed to steady my voice. “I don’t have time for games.”
    “Hold up!” Trent moved into the light and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the gate. “I meant no offense. Can we start again? Do a little rewind?”
    I forced a smile. “Sorry. My defenses are up. Bad day.”
    My eyes swept past the gates and settled on the fog. The subdued twilight cast enough illumination for me to view the estate. On either side of the misty cobblestone path leading to