Page 49 of Their Haunted Hearts
“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.
* * *