Page 51 of Their Haunted Hearts (Detectives Kane and Alton #27)
Halloween
The members of the team had parked their trucks outside the sheriff’s department and walked in a group along Main.
Jenna couldn’t believe how hard the townsfolk had worked to recreate a Halloween wonderland for the kids.
They’d strung twinkling orange and purple lights across the storefronts.
Carved pumpkins sat glowing on porches and all around them kids laughed as they dashed from house to house, or store to store, gathering the treats from people in various costumes with baskets of candy.
The horror of the previous week had been forgotten and everyone became involved in the evening.
As they walked the motion-sensor automatons sprang into action to surprise the children.
Witches cackled from porches, and as they passed an alleyway, they heard a werewolf howling in the shadows.
When they’d dressed in their costumes back at the ranch, and Kane had stepped out as the Grim Reaper wearing a ragged black cape, a skeleton mask, and his shoulder holster, Tauri had doubled up with laughter.
Tears ran down his cheeks and he rolled on the floor holding his ribs.
Jackson just looked at his father and then tried to pull off Kane’s mask.
Jenna had to admit that Kane looked the part when he hunched over and walked using a faux scythe, as a staff.
Although he’d been hesitant to wear the costume after the horrific murders, the other members of the team insisted that there would be many Grim Reapers wandering the streets and everyone knew that the current serial killer had been locked up.
For tonight at least, the town was safe.
As they walked, Tauri and Jaime rushed to each doorway and Kane led Jackson, but soon the little boy grew tired and before they’d walked a hundred yards, he carried the exhausted toddler on his shoulders.
Beside him, Carter, dressed as a cowboy, as usual, cracked jokes with the other parents.
He carried his own bucket and winked at Jenna every time someone filled it with candy.
She shook a finger at him. “You’ll make yourself sick. ”
“Not if I share it with you.” Carter grinned and moved back into the crowd. “Look, Tauri, the next place has chocolate. Run, I’m right behind you.”
As Tauri, Jaime, and Wolfe’s youngest daughter, Anna, took off at a run, vanishing in the swarms of children, Jo came to her side. “I’ll stay at the ranch tonight. I’ve had a long day and I’m beat. I’ll watch the kids. I’m sure Raya is exhausted as well.”
“Are you sure?” Kane looked at her. “They’ll all be asleep before long and Raya usually dozes on the sofa until we get home.”
“Yeah, I want to look into John Dimock’s files a little more.” Jo smiled. “He intrigues me. I’d really like to interview him and see how he ticks.”
Jenna bent to pick up a fallen cape and then caught sight of the little girl who’d dropped it. She held it out and the girl ran toward her and allowed her to attach it. “There you go.”
“Thank you, Sheriff Alton.” The child skipped away swinging her bucket of candy.
“We all need to thank you and Deputy Kane for saving our town once again.” A woman, stepped down from the grocery store, smiled at Jenna, and handed her a box of chocolates. “Since you’ve been our sheriff, I sleep better at night.”
Wanting to refuse but seeing Kane’s slight shake of the head, she just smiled. “Thank you, that’s very kind of you.”
By the time they’d reached Aunt Betty’s Café, Jackson was starting to fall asleep. His little cheek rested on top of Kane’s head and his eyelids drooped. Jenna held up her arms. “He’s almost asleep. I think it’s time we called it a night.” She turned to Raya. “Would you mind taking them home?”
“I can take Jaime.” Jo moved closer. “Anna too if it’s easier. I have Jenna’s SUV.”
“Not a problem.” Raya and Jo collected the children and they all headed back to the vehicles.
“We have a short time before the ball starts.” Kane checked his watch and flicked a glance at Wolfe, who was walking behind him with Norrell. “Coffee at Aunt Betty’s?”
“Yeah, sure.” Wolfe followed them inside and they took their usual seats.
It seemed suddenly quiet as the noise from the children and displays was muted when the door closed behind them. They all ordered coffee. Jenna stared at Kane, looking lovingly at a man eating a wedge of pie. “There will be plenty of food at the ball.”
“The problem is you never know what they’re giving you to eat.” Kane raised an eyebrow. “Last year they had boiled eggs that looked like eyeballs.” He shuddered. “Spaghetti that looked like brains.” He stood. “I’m getting pie. Anyone else want some?”
“I’m fine.” Carter pushed candy into his mouth. “I have this entire bucket to get through.”
“We’ll be peeling him off the ceiling before long.” Norrell chuckled. “Carter you’re too big for a kid.”
“You gotta love Halloween.” Carter grinned at her. “It’s my favorite time of the year, well apart from Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving… I guess.”
“Jenna.” Wolfe had on his serious face. “You know Raven is taking Emily to the ball?”
Jenna nodded. “Yeah, and you’ve sent Julie along as chaperone.” She shook her head. “It’s not necessary. Raven is solid. He’s a really nice guy and he’s respected your wishes and waited until Em passed all her requirements to become an ME before asking her out on a real date.”
“I know.” Wolfe gripped his coffee cup so tight his knuckles went white. “I like him but what if he wants to marry her and they move away?” He shook his head. “I want her to be happy but I don’t want to have the family scattered in the wind.”
“I’ve told you a hundred times, Shane, Raven will never leave the mountains.
” Norrell squeezed his arm. “I’ve spoken to him at length about his intentions toward Emily.
He doesn’t hide anything. He’s very honest and straightforward with people.
It may never happen. You must allow her to make up her own mind and carve her own future.
It’s time for you to stand on the sidelines and watch.
” She pressed a kiss on his cheek. “It’s our time now. ”
“Yeah, y’all are right.” Wolfe sipped his coffee. “I’m a meddling old fool.” He smiled at Norrell. “Well, not that old. I can still Texas two-step around a ballroom.” He looked at Kane. “Eat up. I want to dance with my wife.”
The ballroom at the city hall took Jenna’s breath away.
Doormen greeted them dressed as skeletons, and waiters resembling zombies escorted them to their table.
The entire hall had been transformed into a gothic setting.
Every table was covered with a black tablecloth and in the center a jack-o’-lantern glowed.
Above them, cobwebs draped over the chandeliers held large fat black spiders with red glowing eyes.
The band was playing country music but somehow they’d turned them into eerie melodies, and a man sat out front of the band playing the fiddle dressed as Frankenstein.
When Raven arrived with Emily and Julie, for once he seemed a little unsure of himself, constantly adjusting his costume, his attention frequently moving to Wolfe.
They drank spiked cider and teased each other about their costumes.
Carter was in full flight and joined in the costume contest, playing up his cowboy persona by walking with bandy legs and drawing his revolver and spinning it.
He didn’t win and returned to the table looking quite sad, and then Wendy from Aunt Betty’s Café came over and asked him to dance and suddenly the old Carter was back, toothpick and all.
Jenna and Kane wandered around the buffet. She was pleased to see Kane suitably impressed with the barbecue sliders, pumpkin pies, and caramel apples. He even took a plate from one of the committee members and grinned at Jenna.
“They’re not eyeballs.” He chuckled.
Before long the dance got into full swing with foot stomping and fiddle playing and even a few slower songs.
Jenna watched Emily drag Raven onto the dance floor and when a slow song came on, she could see the smitten expression on his face.
She turned to Kane. “If you’ve finished eating, I wouldn’t mind one dance. I promise not to step on your feet.”
They shared a slow dance, their first time out alone for the evening since Jackson was born. Jenna placed her arms around his neck. “It’s been a tough year.”
“It has but we made it.” Kane brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her nose. “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”
Jenna smiled. “Every day. I love you too.”
The song finished and Kane led her out to a balcony.
He removed his cape and wrapped it around her shoulders to keep her warm.
Jenna stared at her town twinkling all around them and turned to look at everyone inside having a good time.
She had Kane, her boys, and the best friends ever.
Contentment flowed through her as Kane’s arms came around her and his chin rested on her shoulder.
“It looks so pretty, doesn’t it?” Kane whispered in her ear.
Jenna nodded. “I’ll never leave. I want to grow old here, with you.”
“So do I.” Kane nuzzled her neck. “It looks like you’re stuck with me.”
She’d come to Black Rock Falls broken and so had he. Their jobs had thrown them together and constantly placed their lives in peril, but had also granted them this moment of pure joy.