Page 38 of Dark Visions (Strange Gifts #1)

The couple would survive to get kinky another day, although both claimed they would never partake of that lifestyle again. Christopher Krauss was laid to rest next to his brother, his brother’s wife and son, and their parents.

The police did not question how Kane and his team of misfits knew so much about the murders. They were only grateful to have a final resolution. A win for them was a win for the public. Kane had no interest in telling anyone that his team was part of the investigation, and the police department was just fine with that.

With the deaths of Christopher and Michael Krauss, Aislinn felt an unusual release in her chest that other nightmares had not possessed. It was as if the story had finally finished, and she was a part of the ending. The conclusion gave her peace. The horrible, disorienting feelings that Deborah had given her were gone and laid to rest as well.

Flip insisted on living in his travel trailer, saying it was more his style and easier to clean. He did not intend to leave the area, having found his family.

Adam decided to move his practice closer to Kane and Aislinn, selling his suburban home and buying a loft in the building across the street. Spook was still living the furthest away on the other side of town but at least showed up more often.

The wet, cold days of late winter and early spring gave way to the sunshine and beauty of summer. Kane and Aislinn had slipped into a steady rhythm. Aislinn became the new business manager for PPS. Personal and Private Security. She managed all of the contracts and even built their website. The resolution rate was higher than the police departments, but Kane knew if the others joined full-time, their business would turn toward more serious crimes.

Their personal relationship was on a high that didn’t seem to end. Kane had proposed twice to Aislinn. Both times, she smiled at him and said, ‘not yet.’ Kane was a patient man, but he wanted this woman as his and his only. In his mind, marriage was the way to make that happen.

As a family, they met every Sunday for dinner. Flip and Aislinn would share the cooking duties, and, more often than not, Dr. Brennan would join them as well. She was highly interested in trying to find out about their connection, particularly the exposure to the pink dust for them all.

“So, what’s happening in your world, my darling Aislinn?” asked Dr. Brennan.

“Well, we just finished two more cases this week. Kane and I bought the loft downstairs, and we’ll be expanding the space to give us an additional bedroom and more office space. I think I’m going to buy some new furniture this week, and oh, we’re going to Ireland next month to get married, and you’re all invited.”

Aislinn chewed her mouthful of food and smiled at the table as silence filled the room. Kane dropped his fork and stood abruptly, walking away. Her eyes followed him, grinning. She watched him open the bedside table and pull out the familiar red velvet box. Walking back to the table, he kneeled down as he had so many times before.

“Aislinn Carter, will you marry me in one month… in Ireland?” he smiled at her.

“I will,” she said, smiling back.

The table erupted in cheers and laughter, and Kane lifted her from the seat, nearly overturning the table. He kissed her, devouring her lips, tasting the spaghetti sauce.

“Will you always make me work this hard?” he asked.

“Always because I love you,” she said quietly.

“Congratulations!” said Adam, hugging them both. “Ireland? Why Ireland?”

“Well,” said Aislinn, smiling, “my mother and grandmother were from Ireland, and Dr. Brennan, Angela, and her sister both think some of my gift may have come from her. With the revelation of the pink dust, I’m not so sure that’s true any longer, but it would still be interesting to visit and learn more about my heritage.”

“But I’m definitely not Irish,” said Flip with a sideways grin.

“No, no, yer definitely not,” said Angela, smiling. “But there may be something to all of you being connected. Besides, there’s nothin’ like an Irish wedding. You’ll see!”

“You have this all planned?” asked Kane.

“Yes,” said Aislinn shyly. “We’re getting married at the castle ruins near my grandmother’s birthplace. We’ll be staying in Dublin for two weeks, all of us, and then spending some time with Angela and her sister.”

“You’re coming too?” asked Kane.

“I am. ‘Tis been too long since I’ve seen my sister. ‘Tis time I go home,” she said with misty eyes.

“Well then, to good friends and strange gifts,” said Adam, raising his wine glass, “Slainté!”

“Slainté!”