Her Shallow Grave (Detectives Kane and Alton)

Jenna smiled at them. “Congratulations! Have you set a date?”

“Yeah the first Saturday after Christmas.” Sandy grinned. “It will be a very small wedding, parents and close friends. I hope you and Kane will come?” She was radiant. “Do you think Shane would allow Julie and Anna to be my bridesmaids? All my relatives are boys.”

Jenna laughed. It was good to see happy faces. “I’m sure he’d be delighted and we wouldn’t miss it.”

“That’s great!” Sandy gave Rowley a peck on the cheek. “I have to get back to work. You don’t need to walk me out. You’re needed here.” She gave a wave and practically danced down the hallway.

Jenna leaned back in her chair. “I thought you’d planned to ask her at Christmas?”

“Well, I did but we’ve had so many killers in town, I realized life is too short to wait and I didn’t want to waste a single second.” Rowley looked abashed. “Does that sound stupid?”

After a couple of weeks Jenna would never forget, at last a ray of sunshine. “No, it sounds like you’re in love.”

When Kane ducked into the room and looked at them with a bemused expression, Jenna stood and walked to his side. “Jake has proposed to Sandy. Isn’t that neat?”

“It’s wonderful news.” Instead of shaking Rowley’s hand, Kane gave him a bearhug. “About time.”

“We must throw a party.” Jenna stared at Rowley. “Unless your family is planning one, I’d love to hold one at my ranch?” She grinned. “You know, as a kid, I always wanted to be an event organizer. I love throwing a party. It’s so much easier than fighting crime.”

“That would be great.” Rowley was grinning and his eyes were wet. “I can’t believe she accepted.” He shook his head. “I thought she’d want a big wedding but she said, straight up, she’d rather elope than waste our savings. We both want a ranch and have the deposit saved up already.” He looked at Kane. “We need to talk. Got a minute?”

“Sure.” Kane winked at Jenna and turned to Rowley. “You know the sheriff might be able to sweet talk the mayor into giving you the use of the town hall for the reception. There’s not any events scheduled early January on the calendar.”

Jenna watched them walk out the door and sat down. With nothing happening in town, she’d start organizing a party. She’d made a few notes when her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number. “Sheriff Alton.”

“Hi, this is Ava Price. You saved me in the forest.”

“Hello, Ava. How are you?”

“I’m home with my folks. I just called to say thank you. If you and your deputies hadn’t dropped by, I’d be dead. It’s changed my life. I’ve had a

second chance and I’m going back to school.”

Overwhelmed by emotion, Jenna wiped a tear from her cheek. “That’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you and I bet your folks are too.”

“Thanks, and please thank Deputy Kane for me. It couldn’t have been easy for him. I hope he’s okay.”

Jenna stared out the door. “He’s a fine man and would do the same for anyone in trouble.”

“That’s good to know. I’ll be going now. Bye.” The line went dead.

After making a list of what she needed for the engagement party, Jenna spent some time ordering what she needed. When Kane’s shadow filled the door, she looked up to see him grinning. He’d been down to Aunt Betty’s again from the delicious smell of hot peach pie wafting around him. “Okay, what have you done?”

“Me? I haven’t done anything.” Kane placed the takeout on the desk and slid a large slab of her favorite chocolate toward her. “Although, I might want to sweeten you up.”

Jenna leaned forward in her chair and met his amused gaze. “Spill it, Dave.”

“Sandy was in Aunt Betty’s and we had a chat. Her folks don’t have too much spare cash for the wedding and all.” Kane remained standing. He wouldn’t look at her and one finger traced the pattern on her leather-topped desk. He raised his head slowly. “As it’s such a small wedding and you’re so good at organizing parties, I volunteered you as their wedding planner.”

Trying to hold back the rush of delight at the news, she met his gaze and allowed her smile to break through. “Really? Wow! I’d love to. I’ll go and have a chat with Sandy after work. Thanks for putting my name forward.” She laughed. “And the chocolate.”

“Great.” Kane let out a long sigh and sank into one of the chairs in front of her desk. Instead of eating he busied himself with his phone.

What could come between Kane and food? She eyed him with suspicion. “The pie is getting cold.”

“Ah… yeah. Just a minute. I have some organizing to do as well.” He tapped away on his phone and then grinned at her. “Great, I’ve ordered a private room at the Cattleman’s Hotel and eight beds for the night.”

Jenna blinked not understanding. “That’s my job and they’ll need more than eight rooms.”