In late September 1984, Rita Gallagher, a popular romance novelist, moved into an old Victorian mansion in the small central Texas town of Navasota. In her eyes, the house was the perfect writer’s retreat, for in addition to being the author of such novels as Passion Star, Shadows on the Wind, and Shadowed Destiny, Rita was a highly respected teacher of writing and one of the founding members and the first president of the Romance Writers of America. She knew that her students would love it in the rambling old mansion, so she leased the house with an option to buy.

Her first night in the old mansion explained why the lease price had been so reasonable. Shortly after 3:00 a.m., there came a rustling sound in the back hall. Then Rita heard slow footsteps, with one foot dragging, making their way from the front hall between the bedrooms and descending the main staircase.

This story has it share of bumps and chills, but I found it touching how her dog protected her during the time she and her friend lived her. Read more of this article at Fate Magazine.