Page 82 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

“Are you OK?”

She shrugged. “I feel exposed,” she said tightly.

I gave her a wink. “Only because you’re turning heads. You look gorgeous. Own it. When Henry sees you, he’ll be trying to throw a coat over you.”

That made her laugh. “Thanks.”

“No problem. You are powerful and intelligent. Never forget that.”

“I’m really lucky to have you as a friend.”

“I feel the same way about you. Now, how about we load up on some desserts?”

“I never turn down food from Jasper.”

“Smart woman,” Jasper said.

The band played an energetic tune and several people danced. It was funny to see witches dancing with jack-o-lanterns and all points in between. I visited with a few of my patients who came up to tell me they admired my costume. I’d been nervous about taking on a Scottish icon, though I hadn’t thought they would recognize her. But they did.

There was a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to find Ewan again. “Time to dance,” he said. “If you’ll excuse us.”

The music had slowed, and he pulled me into his arms. We were close, and I laid my cheek on his coat.

We more swayed than danced. “This is nice,” I said.

“I agree,” his voice was deep and rumbly. It sent the good kind of shiver down my back.

“I meant, your jacket. The velvet is very soft.” I laughed, and so did he.

I glanced around to find many sets of eyes on us.

“People are watching,” I said.

He shrugged. “So. We’re together, let them think what they want.”

I gasped and pulled back to look at him. “We are?”

“Yes, Em. We have been for months,” he gave me a crooked smile. “I’ve just been easing you into it. I wasn’t certain you were ready.”

This was the most we’d ever discussed our relationship. He wasn’t wrong. More often than not, he was at my house. We found excuses that had nothing to do with cases to spend more time together.

“I think I’ve been afraid to …”

“We haven’t had the best of luck with past—relationships,” he said. “Perhaps, we both needed a bit more time than most to …”

“Figure out who we are?”

“Exactly. It isn’t easy for me to talk about things like this. But with you, I want to be honest.”

“Same,” I said.

He pulled me tighter again. I rested against him, happy to find that we were on the same wave length. I had no idea where we went from here, but for the first time in my life, I was OK with that.

“Right,” he said.

I lifted my head.

“What?”