Page 19 of Crazy Little Thing Called Love
They made their way through the crowd to the main stage, where Ruth had taken her position at the judges’ table with magnificent authority. Her fellow judges—the mayor and the elementary school principal—seemed happy to defer to her expertise as she examined each contestant with exaggerated seriousness.
Faith and Jake found a spot at the edge of the crowd with a clear view of the proceedings. Without hesitation, Jake moved to stand behind her, his chest warm against her back, arms loosely encircling her waist. The casual intimacy of the position felt both thrilling and comfortable, as though they’d stood this way a hundred times before.
“Ten bucks says she picks the least conventional costume,” Jake murmured close to her ear.
“No bet,” Faith replied. “I’ve known your grandmother a little over a month, and even I can see that coming.”
True to form, Ruth awarded first prize to a seven-year-old girl dressed as Marie Curie, complete with test tubes and a sign explaining radioactivity. The crowd cheered as the delighted child accepted her blue ribbon and gift certificate to the local toy store.
“That’s my Gran,” Jake said proudly. “Always encouraging the next generation of rule breakers.”
After the contest, they found Ruth holding court near the cider stand, surrounded by admirers congratulating her on her judging prowess.
“There you are!” she exclaimed when she spotted them. “I was beginning to think you’d snuck off to find some privacy.”
Faith felt her cheeks warm. “We wouldn’t miss your big moment.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Ruth said knowingly. “Edward’s here to take me home. I’m absolutely exhausted from all this excitement.” She winked at Faith, removing any doubt about her true motives. “You two should stay and enjoy the rest of the festival. I believe the haunted courthouse is open until midnight.”
Jake shot his grandmother a look that Faith couldn’t quite interpret. “Are you sure you don’t want us to drive you?”
“Positive,” Ruth said firmly. “Edward and I have things to discuss. Costume contest politics. Very complicated.”
Before either could protest, Ruth had kissed them both on the cheek and disappeared into the crowd once more, this time on the arm of her dignified driver.
“She’s not subtle, is she?” Faith asked with a laugh.
“Subtlety has never been in the Murphy family vocabulary,” Jake admitted. “So, what do you think? Haunted courthouse?”
Faith glanced at the imposing structure at the end of the street. The historic courthouse had been transformed into a multi-level haunted attraction, with cobwebs draping from columns and eerie lights flickering in the windows.
“I should warn you,” she said seriously. “I’m a screamer.”
Jake’s eyes crinkled at the corners, a smile playing at his lips. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear it.
The line for the haunted courthouse moved quickly. As they approached the entrance, Faith felt a strange prickling sensation at the back of her neck. She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the crowd, but saw nothing unusual—just festivalgoers enjoying the evening.
Yet the feeling persisted as they entered the dimly lit building. The volunteer at the door, dressed as a Victorian undertaker, handed them each a small flashlight.
“Stay on the marked path,” he intoned dramatically. “And remember—the dead don’t always stay buried in Hollow Elm.”
The first floor had been transformed into a haunted mansion, with period furniture draped in sheets, portraits with moving eyes, and volunteers jumping out from hidden alcoves. Faith found herself pressing closer to Jake with each new scare, clutching his arm and burying her face against his shoulder whenever something particularly startling occurred.
Jake, she noticed, seemed more amused by her reactions than frightened by the attractions. His arm remained securely around her waist, his body a solid presence against the manufactured terrors.
“Having fun?” he asked as they climbed the stairs to the second level, which had been decorated as a mad scientist’s laboratory.
“Absolutely,” she admitted. “Though I think I’ve left finger-shaped bruises on your arm.”
“Worth it,” he said simply.
The second floor proved even more elaborate than the first, with bubbling beakers of colored liquid, strobe lights creating disorienting effects, and volunteers in lab coats who lunged at them from behind operating tables. Faith screamed and laughed in equal measure, feeling like a teenager on her first date.
As they neared the exit of the laboratory section, Faith felt that prickling sensation at the back of her neck again—stronger this time, like someone was staring directly at her. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing nothing but other festivalgoers moving through the attraction.
“You all right?” Jake asked, noticing her unease.
“Fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “Just jumpy.”
