PINCH ME.

But not really. I hate being pinched. 🤣

T-9 days until Haunted House Flippers is here!

From October 8 to 12, you can download the ebook for free on Amazon. It’ll also be available on Print on Demand from Amazon and IngramSpark. If you do pick up a copy, I would absolutely appreciate a review. 😍

Keep an eye on my Notes—I’ll drop the links as soon as they’re live!

As always, I’m so grateful to have you here. If you do read Haunted House Flippers, drop a comment and tell me what you think—or which ghost you’d refuse to share a bathroom with. 😂

👻KLB

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Oh, almost forgot! If you want to check out one groove ghosts’ soundtrack stream, it on Spotify 🎶🎵

March 23, 1920

St. Louis, MO

“Good evening!” Henry’s voice booms from center stage. His top hat is tipped low, and the audience can only see his smiling lips. “Tonight, you’ll witness my newest feat! Prepare to be amazed, delighted, and intrigued.”

On cue, Lindsey, in a short green sequin dress, walks from behind the curtain with a straitjacket. She shakes the jacket for emphasis—the straps clank and jangle.

“My lovely assistant is going to confine me in this straitjacket and close me inside a water-filled barrel. Then it’s a race against the clock. Can I escape, or will my fate be sealed inside my watery barrel?” Henry removes his top hat and throws it off stage. The audience gasps, looking at him with wide eyes. Murmurs of “crazy”, “he’s going to get himself killed” reach the stage.

“They’re right. This is stupid,” Lindsey whispers as she tightens the first clasp.

“It’s not stupid, it’s groundbreaking. Don’t worry,” Henry replies.

Lindsey huffs. “Don’t worry? We didn’t even get a chance to practice.”

“It’ll be fine,” Henry assures her.

“Is that how it went with the spinning wheel of death? I hit your arm with a knife. It’s a miracle you didn’t bleed to death,” Lindsey hisses through her smile and moves from the back clasps to his arms.

“It was just a nick. Besides, what are you going to do? Your ankle isn’t–” Henry glances as Lindsey tightens the strap that runs between his legs.

“I’ll be better and back on the trapeze soon.” She cinches it a bit too tight, and Henry grumbles but doesn’t drop his smile.

“And now, the barrel!” Henry announces, and the stagehands, Earl and Emmett, bring out an old whiskey barrel filled with water. They aren’t careful, and the water sloshes all over the stage. Ever the showman, Henry doesn’t react, but Lindsey gives them the stink eye as she slips and slides.

“If you’re not out in three minutes, I’m pulling you out,” Lindsey says.

“You won’t need to,” Henry replies.

“Three minutes,” Lindsey repeats with a roll of her eyes as she watches Henry drop to his knees and put the lid on top of the barrel, sealing him in.

Lindsey sashays around the barrel before pulling out a pocket watch. She taps it for emphasis, but the audience isn’t watching her. They’ve fallen silent as the barrel jitters, shakes, and water trickles out around the lid.

Then the shouting starts outside the side show tent.

Shouting at the circus is never a good sign.

Lindsey rechecks the watch. Two minutes have elapsed, and whatever is happening outside of this tent is drawing the attention of their audience.

“The zebras are loose!” Katie runs into the tent.

The audience rushes out to watch the chaos unfold, with most spilling out into the midway, trying to be of use, but likely making matters worse.

“Katie,” Lindsey hisses, widening her eyes to show her frustration. She hops down from the stage to take a look at the madness outside the tent. One of the patrons tries to throw his arms around a rogue zebra, only to be knocked into the mud.

Katie grimaces. “I’m sorry. I need help, obviously, and you’re the first person I thought of. I’m still so new at this, and I’ve royally made a mess of things.”

“As flattering as that is, you shouldn’t have interrupted. Shit!” Lindsey runs back to the stage.

She rips the lid off the barrel and yanks Henry out, tipping the whole thing over and soaking herself and the stage. He still has one arm trapped in the jacket.

He’s still.

His chest isn’t moving.

His eyes are closed.

“Henry.” Lindsey shakes him, getting to her knees to lean over him. “Henry,” she repeats, tapping his cheek. “Open your eyes. Get up!” She slaps him, and his head turns to the side, and he coughs up the water.

Henry rolls to his side. “Ta-da–oh, where is everyone?”

“There’s an animal crisis,” Lindsey explains, sinking to her heels. “And, I quit. I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve nearly died.”

Henry’s laugh is hoarse. “How many times do I have to tell you I can’t die?”

Lindsey rolls her eyes. “Yeah, right. Even if that were true, you’re a horrible escape artist, and I still quit.”

“So, what are you going to do? Sew costumes? Rub Corky’s feet?” Henry teases as he removes his remaining arm from the jacket.

Lindsey hisses. “I don’t know or care, all I know is it’s better than wearing this silly dress. Come on, Katie. Let’s go wrangle some zebras.”

Katie looks back and forth between Lindsey and Henry. “Yeah, sure.”

“Are you in the market for a job, Katie?” Henry asks, mischief glinting in his eyes.

“Um…” Katie looks uncertainly at Lindsey.

“Absolutely–”

“Because I seem to be in the market for one,” Henry interrupts Lindsey, rolling to his knees.

“Come on,” Lindsey encourages again.

Katie starts to follow her when Henry snatches her hand. “Oh, you’re a troubled one, I see. A dark cloud follows you. Well, you’re in luck. I know how to banish the shadows.” Henry reels Katie into him.

“You-You do?” Katie stutters.

Lindsey tries to pull her away. “Don’t fall for his bullshit, Katie. He’s no magic man.”

Henry looks to Lindsey with narrowed eyes. “Aren’t I though?”

Lindsey shakes her head. “Katie–”

“I’ll do it,” Katie says, nodding.

“What? I thought you wanted to stay out of the spotlight…” Lindsey trails off.

Henry drops Katie’s hand, and it’s like Katie’s been released from a spell. “Well, I’m sure to be fired from animal keeping,” she says with a shrug.

“Yeah, and nothing can go wrong with the world's worst escape artist,” Lindsey grumbles. “Are you coming or not?” She asks, fleeing the tent to join the chaos outside.

“I’m coming.” Katie follows her out—but glances over her shoulder. Henry’s eyes are still on her.