Epilogue
Halloween
After lunch, Jenna sat before a roaring fire in the family room with Kane, Jo, and Carter.
Kalo was in the cottage playing games on his laptop, which he did on a regular basis for relaxation.
The children ran through the house with sheets over their heads, howling like ghosts.
Jenna grinned each time Jackson went by waving a pillowcase.
“I figure they raided my linen closet.” She grinned at Jo.
“They’ll tire soon.” Jo smiled back. “I do believe there’s a nice movie they can watch on TV this afternoon. What time do you plan to leave this evening?”
“Raven mentioned he wanted to skip the Halloween ball and go for dinner at Antlers.” Carter raised both eyebrows in anticipation. “What do you say? We could do the trick-or-treat thing and then come home, change, and then have a nice meal.”
“They have live bands on Saturday nights too.” Kane smiled at Jenna. “Fancy a dinner and dance? It would be a nice, peaceful night.”
It sounded like bliss. Jenna nodded. “Oh, yeah.” She glanced at her watch. “If we can get a table.”
“It’s the Halloween ball night. Everyone in town will be there. I bet Antlers is practically empty.” He glanced at the others. “Call everyone and see if they want to come. I’ll check on reservations.”
Jenna called Rowley and got an affirmative and then contacted Rhett and Julie.
Carter called Wolfe and Emily, and they agreed.
Last came a capital YES in the message from Rio.
The replies came through as Kane waited for a reservation.
She looked at him. “We’re all going, including Rio’s brother and sister. ”
“Table for fourteen at eight-thirty.” Kane smiled at Jenna and then disconnected. “You’ll have time to put the boys to bed before we leave.”
“It’s a shame Beth and Styles aren’t here this year.” Carter removed his toothpick and tossed it into the fire. “They’ve become like family too.”
Thinking of the Jill Marsden case, Jenna nodded. “Maybe they’ll be here for Thanksgiving, or Christmas. I’ll invite them. You both always have a place here with us. You know that, right, Ty?”
“Yeah, and I appreciate it.” Carter smiled.
“We both do.” Jo stared into the fire. “Isn’t it strange how we’ve all been through bad times and yet we’ve all come through?” She sighed. “I’m sure glad none of us carry the psychopath gene.”
Jenna laughed. “Me too.”
Later that evening as soon as darkness fell, they bundled up the kids and took them to Main to take in the displays, where appropriate, and collect candy.
Jenna laughed at Jackson. He only took one piece of candy and placed it carefully in his pail, while other kids pushed and shoved and took great handfuls.
“Look, Daddee.” Jackson waved a candy bar at Kane before adding it to his stash. “That one is for you.”
“Thank you.” Kane held his son’s hand firmly, never taking his eyes from the children in their small group. “Tauri, don’t go too far. Stay close, please.”
“I won’t.” Tauri waved his pail. “Look at all my candy.” He grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll share it with you and Mommy.”
Jenna walked beside Jo; Rowley strolled along with his three children; Carter, who Jenna convinced herself had never been taken trick-or-treating as a child, was out in front with Jackson; and Kane and Wolfe brought up the rear with his daughter Anna and Norrell.
This year, Emily and Julie had remained at home to get ready for dinner.
For the first time since arriving in Black Rock Falls, the entire adult group had decided not to wear costumes.
Her boys had both dressed as superheroes, Jaime as a witch, and little Anna as a ghost. By the time they reached the end of the stores, Kane was carrying Jackson.
They turned to walk back and ran into the woman who’d come to see Raven.
Jenna nodded to her. “Jennifer, are you staying in town?”
“No, I’m leaving in the morning.” Jennifer smiled. “I came to see Raven but he called and explained he’s engaged to be married. I was devastated of course, but that man was always loyal, like his dog.”
“Maybe you should have come by sooner.” Carter raised both eyebrows. “He’s been living on his lonesome in the forest for a few years now.”
“I guess.” Jennifer sighed. “Ah, well, that’s life.” She nodded to Jenna and walked away.
Jenna watched her go and then turned to Kane. Jackson had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Beside him Tauri was yawning. “Come on, let’s get the boys home.” She took one last look at the colorful displays and then took Tauri’s hand and followed Kane to the truck.
After putting the boys to bed, Jenna showered and dressed in a pair of black jeans, an embroidered top, a fringed suede jacket, and her best boots.
She allowed her hair to fall around her face, added a touch of makeup and headed into the family room to wait for everyone.
Kane, as usual, wore black. Half an hour later, they arrived at Antlers, waited for everyone to crowd into the foyer and were taken to their table.
The steaks at Antlers were the best in town, and that’s saying something when comparing anything to Aunt Betty’s Café.
They all sat down and ordered. To her surprise, the moment the waitress left, Emily cleared her throat.
“Hey, everyone.” Emily waved her left hand to display an exquisite diamond ring. “Look at my awesome engagement ring. It’s official.” She grinned at Raven, who held her hand on the table. “We’re engaged.”
As everyone gave them their good wishes, Jenna glanced at Kane and their eyes met.
She remembered when he proposed, with just a simple declaration of his love for her.
Nothing had changed. When his hand opened on the table toward her, she clasped it.
No matter how many serial killers they fought or dangers they faced, he’d always be there, right by her side.
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