Page 37 of Whisper Through the Pines

Mind spinning in all directions, Jenna turned to go. She needed to get Marty away from the Old Mitcham Ranch without delay. She turned back and looked at Marty. “There’s work all over town, this week at least and maybe next week, with Halloween coming. Do you want me to find you another job? You’ll only have a short time at the Mitcham Ranch left.”

“Yeah, I’d like that, but I can work anywhere.” Marty sighed. “I just wanted to learn more about special effects and stuff like that. It’s interesting.”

“We’ll get back to you real soon.” Kane smiled at him. “Thanks for your help.”

Thirty-Five

The wind had picked up again and a sudden blast pushed back the hood of Jenna’s jacket, sending her hair into her eyes. Kane’s hand tightened under her elbow as another gust almost knocked her off her feet. She glanced at him and smiled, pushing her hair from her face. “I suddenly thought I’d slid into The Wizard of Oz. I was just ready to click my heels and think of home.”

Behind her, Jo whooped as another blast of wind curled around them, squeezing like a giant snake. She glanced around as Carter grasped his hat with one hand and Jo with the other. The massive squall rushed them toward the truck as if insisting they leave. From inside Carter’s ride, she could hear Zorro barking. The next moment, Kane had pulled open the door to the Beast and had lifted her into the passenger seat. As he climbed in behind the wheel, she turned to check on Duke, who was fast asleep under his blanket. “Where did that come from?”

“That is what I believe is a chinook wind.” Kane slid behind the wheel. “Did you feel the temperature suddenly rise and fall again when it passed?”

Jenna nodded. “Yeah, freezing and then warmer. It feels cold again now.”

“It’s just another unusual phenomenon that happens in Montana, usually from November but everything is early this year.” Kane started the engine. “The Blackfoot people call them ‘snow eaters’ because they can melt snow fast and cause avalanches.”

Jenna shivered. “It felt like something evil, trying to suck all the air from my lungs.” She ran both hands down her face to steady her nerves. “Halloween and evil seem to go hand in hand in this town. That poor kid is frightened he might be working alongside a serial killer. What can we do to help him—like tonight? I don’t want him going back there. Do you?”

“I’ll call in a few favors and for now get him moved to the town’s Halloween decoration committee. They employ young folk to help them set up. It will get him out of harm’s way and then we’ll twist the arm of the owner of the Haunted House to give him work before or during his time in college. I figure he’ll get a scholarship if he’s a straight-A student. They’ll jump at the chance to have him.”

Relieved, Jenna ran through what Marty had told them. Jonah Pike had been on the top of her list of suspects. Now she had a witness to destroy his alibi for the night of the murders. She would enjoy pulling him in for questioning to see what makes him tick. Deep in thought, she didn’t say much to Kane on the ride home. Her mind was set rigidly on the case and she had to shake her thoughts free as she stepped inside her front door and her boys ran to greet her. She swung Jackson in the air and rested him on one hip and then bent to give Tauri a hug. “Sorry we’re so late, we needed to work.” She glanced up to see Jo’s daughter, Jaime, standing in the hallway. “Hi, Jaime. Your mom is right behind us. Have you had dinner?”

“Yes, Nanny Raya cooked for us.” Jaime smiled. “It was delicious.”

“That’s good to know.” Kane removed his heavy coat and boots and then took Jackson from Jenna and carried him under one arm into the family room, where Raya was sitting knitting. “Have they behaved themselves today?”

“Yes, as always. They’re ready for bed. It’s getting late.” She indicated toward the kitchen. “I have baked potatoes in the oven, a side salad in the fridge, and creamed spinach on the stove. I figured the steaks were for dinner tonight.”

“Thanks, you’re an angel.” Kane dropped Jackson on the sofa. “I’ll wash up and get the steaks on.”

Jenna wanted to spend some time with her sons before sending them to bed. She smiled at Raya. “It’s been a long day.”

“Well, I’ll leave you to tend to your family.” Raya gathered her things and stood. “I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight, everyone.” She smiled at the children and then headed for her apartment.

Jenna dropped onto the sofa just as Carter, Jo, and Kalo came inside. She looked at Jo and patted the seat next to her. “The men can cook the steaks. I need to be a mom for a time before my boys go to bed. We can talk about the case over dinner.”

“Tell me about your day.” Jo smiled at Jaime. “Did you enjoy your time with Jackson?”

“Yeah, he likes me to read him stories, but it was more fun when Tauri came home from school. We helped Nanny Raya bake cookies.” She indicated to the TV. “After, we watched a show about otters. It was neat.” She dropped onto the sofa beside Jo. “What about your day, Mom? Did you catch any bad guys?”

“Not today.” Jo gave her a hug. “Maybe tomorrow.”

“I’m going to help Dad.” Tauri smiled at Jenna. “That’s where the men are and I’m a man.”

Hoisting Jackson onto her lap, Jenna nodded. “Then it’s time for bed.” She snuggled Jackson into her arms. “Are you sleepy?”

“No.” Jackson laid his dark head on her shoulder and yawned. His eyes heavy.

Rubbing her little boy’s back, she looked at Jo. “These are the times I wish would last forever. The cuddles before the independence clicks in and they don’t want a cuddle anymore.”

“Oh, don’t worry.” Jo chuckled. “I know the toughest man still likes to give his mom a hug. Likely Jackson will still appreciate the connection. Tauri will be the same.”

Surprised, Jenna raised an eyebrow. “You sound so certain. How do you know these things?”

“I can tell Dave’s father was a disciplinarian. I’m guessing military.” Jo pushed a long hair behind one ear. “I’ve seen him with the boys. He is a very loving father and shows his affection. I feel that he missed that connection with his own father. Your boys feel loved by both parents, as it should be. It makes for a really settled family environment. Having kids too scared to confide in their parents, especially fathers, often leads to problems.”

Nodding, Jenna stared down at Jackson, sound asleep in her arms. “We had no idea what we were doing. We just knew kids responded to love and affection. Dave surprised me, as he can show no emotion, but that side of him never shows when he’s with the boys. He always has time for them and listens.”