Page 20 of Crazy Little Thing Called Love
They turned a corner into a dimly lit corridor where a volunteer dressed as a deranged doctor stood beside an operating table. Unlike the other performers who lunged at passing visitors, this one remained perfectly still, watching them approach. Something about his posture—the stillness, the intensity—made Faith’s skin crawl.
The doctor stepped forward, holding what appeared to be a bloody heart. “A gift for the lady,” he said in a voice that sounded oddly familiar despite the distortion.
“No thank you,” Faith said politely, trying to move past.
The doctor stepped directly into her path. “But I picked it out specially for you. Listen—it’s still beating.” He squeezed the prop heart, which emitted a wet, rhythmic pulsing sound.
Jake’s posture shifted subtly, moving slightly in front of Faith. “We appreciate the offer,” he said firmly, “but we need to keep moving.”
For a moment, the doctor didn’t budge. Then he tilted his head in an odd, birdlike motion and stepped aside. As Faith passed, his gloved hand brushed against her arm—a touch that lingered just a second too long to be accidental.
Faith stumbled, a chill racing down her spine. Jake’s arm immediately tightened around her waist, steadying her.
“You okay?” Jake asked, concern evident in his voice.
“Fine,” she said, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Just startled. These people are good at their jobs.”
Jake glanced back at the doctor, who had already turned his attention to the next group of visitors. “Maybe a little too good.”
The final floor of the haunted courthouse was designed as a graveyard, with tombstones and fog machines creating an appropriately spooky atmosphere. But Faith barely registered the decorations or the volunteers dressed as zombies emerging from behind monuments. Her mind was fixed on that voice, the uncomfortable familiarity of it.
As they exited into the cool night air, Jake studied her face. “You sure you’re okay? You went pretty pale back there.”
Faith forced a smile. “Just too much sugar and excitement. Nothing serious.”
Jake didn’t look entirely convinced, but he didn’t press the issue. “What do you say we call it a night? I think we’ve had our fill of Halloween spirits.”
“That sounds good,” Faith agreed, eager to put some distance between herself and the courthouse.
They walked in comfortable silence back toward the parking area, the festival sounds fading behind them. Jake’s truck was parked beneath a towering maple tree whose leaves had turned a brilliant crimson. Moonlight filtered through the branches, creating dappled patterns on the hood.
“I had a great time tonight,” Faith said as they reached the vehicle, suddenly shy.
Jake stepped closer, his eyes reflecting the silver moonlight. “Me too.”
He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek. Faith’s breath caught as he leaned in, and this time there was no interruption as his lips met hers.
The kiss was gentle at first, almost tentative, as though he was giving her a chance to pull away. When she didn’t, his arms encircled her waist, drawing her closer as the kiss deepened. Faith’s hands found their way to his shoulders, then slid up to thread through his hair.
Time seemed to suspend itself as they stood beneath the autumn moon, wrapped in each other’s arms. The kiss was everything Faith had tried to convince herself it wouldn’t be—perfect, intoxicating, and terrifyingly right.
When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, Jake rested his forehead against hers. “Worth the wait,” he murmured.
Faith could only nod, her heart racing too fast for coherent speech.
The drive back to her house was quieter than their journey to the festival. Faith found herself checking the rearview mirror repeatedly, scanning for headlights that might be following too closely. Jake seemed to sense her unease, reaching across to take her hand, his thumb tracing soothing circles against her skin.
When they arrived at the house, Jake insisted on walking her to the trailer door despite her assurances that she would be fine.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked, his voice soft in the darkness.
“I’d like that,” Faith replied, surprised by how much she meant it.
He leaned in for one more kiss, shorter but no less potent than the first. “Sweet dreams, Faith.”
She watched him walk back to his truck, waiting until his taillights disappeared down the street before entering the trailer. The warmth of their kiss still lingered on her lips as she flipped on the light, dropped her purse on the counter, and shrugged off her coat.
That’s when she saw it.
