Juniper gasped. “Oh, Jayne. That dress.”
I smiled and did a twirl. “It was a gift from my parents. Isn’t it something? I love it.”
She turned the TV off and stood. “I can see why. Is that fae fabric?”
“Yep.”
She sighed. “Totally fit for a princess. Your parents are awesome.” Then she put her hands on her hips. “And you didn’t need my help getting ready at all.”
I held out the jewelry box. “You can help me with this.” I opened it to reveal my diamond tiara, the Winter Princess crown.
“Get out.” She grinned. “Can I try it on? No, never mind, that was wrong of me to ask.”
I laughed. “You can try it on tomorrow before I send it back. For now, help me get the combs into my hair so it doesn’t shift during the night.”
I sat in one of the kitchen chairs and ate the PB&J while she wiggled it into place. “Is that okay?”
I swallowed. “Really get it on there.” She gave it another push and I felt the combs dig into my scalp. “Perfect.”
She gazed into the jewelry box. “Are you wearing anything else out of here?”
“That crystal necklace and those diamond hoops.”
She picked up the necklace, brought it over my head and fastened the clasp. “There you go. Beautiful.”
“Thanks for the help. And the sandwich. That should hold me until I can eat some tiny hors d’oeuvres.” I put the hoops on and stood. “All I need are shoes and my bag and I’m good to go.” I looked at the clock on the microwave. “With twelve minutes to spare.”
“Which means Cooper is probably downstairs already.”
“Or will be in two minutes.” I gathered up my things—my keys, my lipgloss, my phone, some cash, and a bandaid in case my shoes give me a blister—and tucked them into my little velvet evening purse. Then I went to my closet and slipped on my shoes, medium-high strappy black heels that I hoped wouldn’t be too much to spend a long night in.
I walked back out.
“You look so good.” Juniper was waiting at the door. “You mind if I walk down with you? I want to see Cooper in his tux.”
“Sure. You can take a picture of us.”
“Great. Are you sending one to your parents?”
“Maybe.” But probably not. I still hadn’t told them Cooper was in Nocturne Falls. I would, but not tonight.
I locked up and we went down in the elevator. Cooper was standing in the warehouse, waiting, so he must have come through the shop door.
He let out a long, low whistle as Juniper and I got off. His eyes lit up and he grinned like he’d just won something. “Princess Jayne.”
As the elevator doors closed behind us, I cocked one hip out, trying not to melt at the sight of him in his tuxedo. It fit him as perfectly as I’d known it would. I remembered to breathe. Looking that good ought to be illegal. “Yes, Fireman Cooper?”
His grin widened and Juniper laughed softly behind me. He let out a long sigh. “You look absolutely amazing.”
He closed the gap between us and took my hand, lifting it to his mouth and kissing my knuckles. “Even if I have to share this night, I’m happy to be at your side for part of the evening. But I’m really glad I get you first.”
Juniper snorted. “You look great, Coop. And now I’m going back upstairs.”
I turned. “Wait a sec. You were going to take our picture.”
“Oh, yep. Forgot. Sorry.”
I fished my phone out, brought up the camera, and handed it over.
Juni snapped a few as Cooper and I posed, then gave it back. “You guys have a great evening. You both look fantastic.”
“Thanks,” Cooper and I both said.
She was about to hit the button to call the elevator when the doors opened and Tempus and Olive stepped out. She stood to the side to let them pass, then slipped in, waved and was gone.
Tempus and Olive were both in black, Tempus in his fancy pajamas and slippers—this time trimmed in gold—and Olive in a classic sheath dress with a strand of pearls and diamond studs. No heels for her, though. Patent leather flats. A smart choice, I thought, considering how much running she might have to do for Sanders at this event.
“You both look very nice.” The usual cord holding Sanders’ hourglass had been swapped out for a thick gold chain.
“As do you, Princess.” He gave me a little nod. “Very regal. And nice to see some of the crown jewels out this evening.”
I touched my tiara. “I don’t wear it often, but this seemed like the perfect occasion.”
“Indeed.”
I put my hand on Cooper’s arm. “This is Cooper Sullivan, summer elf and Nocturne Falls fireman. He’s my date for the first half of the evening.”
Sanders stuck his hand out. “Tempus Sanders. Pleasure to meet you, son.”
“Likewise.” Cooper shook his hand, then looked at Olive, whom Sanders and I had failed to introduce.
I hurried to rectify that. “And this is Olive Pine, Mr. Sanders’ right-hand woman.”
Cooper, being Cooper, took her extended hand, lifted it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles just as he had mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet the woman in charge. You look lovely this evening, but then I imagine you always do.”
Olive smiled—and maybe even blushed a little. “Thank you, Mr. Sullivan.”
“Please,” he said. “Call me Cooper. Or Coop.”
“Okay, Cooper. And please call me Olive.”
“They’re going to call us late to arrive,” Tempus grumped.
“Yes,” I said. “We should go. I’m sure the car is waiting.”
We headed out to the limo and piled in (as gracefully as people in formal clothes can pile), and twenty minutes later we were walking through Elenora Ellingham’s front doors.
Her house was half the size of the winter palace, but about equally as grand. I felt at ease because of that. And also a little homesick.
Elenora greeted us at the door. She was a handsome older woman, but she had the shape of someone much younger. I guessed that was because she was a vampire. Or good genes. But the vampire thing had to help. Either way, she was dressed modestly in a lavender-colored silk gown with tasteful beading. Her jewels were not quite so simple, however. At her ears, throat, wrists, and fingers, diamonds and amethysts sparkled in abundance.
I’d thought my mother’s suggestion that I wear my tiara a little overkill. Now I was glad I had it.
Elenora dropped into a delicate curtsey as I approached. “Princess. So good of you to come.”
I hadn’t expected that. “Thank you for opening your home…” I wasn’t sure what to call her.
She straightened and smiled, her fangs not visible although I knew they were there. “Please, call me Elenora.”
“Then please call me Jayne.” I stepped to the side and introduced my party. “Elenora, this is your guest of honor, Tempus Sanders, the Sandman himself.”
Her smile grew a little and she clasped his hand between both of hers. “What a pleasure to meet you, Tempus. May I call you Tempus?”
“Of course,” he replied. “What a lovely home you have.”
“So kind of you. Let me give you the tour.”
And just like that, they were off on their own, leaving Cooper, Olive and me in the foyer. One of the staff, a man in a butler’s uniform, stepped forward and stretched out his hand toward the open double doors a few yards behind him. “The ballroom is right this way.”
I glanced at Olive and Cooper. “Well, I don’t know about you two, but I’m going in to get a drink.”
“I don’t drink when I’m working,” Olive said.
Cooper looked at her. “Nobody’s working tonight.” He stuck his elbow out, offering her his arm. “Come on, we’ll go get one together.”
She stared at him, hesitating, then finally looped her arm through his. “Just one.”
“Just one.” He winked at me. “See you in there, Jay.” Then he and Olive strode off toward the ballroom.
I could have kissed him for being so sweet to Olive. And I would, later. I followed them into the space Elenora had set aside for tonight’s gathering.
The room was enormous, as a ballroom should be. The space was decked out in tranquil colors—dusky purple, gentle roses and deep blues. The colors of twilight. Fairy lights twinkled among the flower arrangements and off to one side, a woman in a black evening gown played a baby grand piano. The music and the decorations were all very soothing. Perfect for a party honoring the King of Dreams.
I just hoped I could keep my eyes open.
Cooper and Olive were at one of the three bars. He waved me over. “What would you like, Jay?”
I smiled at him. “You know what I like.”
He nodded and turned to the bartender. “Do you have moscato?”
The bartender lifted a bottle and started to pour. Elenora had done well. She either stocked every possible thing her guests might want, or she’d found out that winter elves liked sweet things. That made me wonder what the food situation was going to be like.
“Jayne!”
I turned at the sound of my name and saw Delaney walking in.
I waved, happy to see a friendly face. We met in the middle of the floor. “Hi there. How are you? How is George?”
“We’re both great. This is the first time I’ve been out of the house since he was born. I sort of miss him already, but I can manage a few hours.” Then she put her hands to her mouth. “Oh, you look so good. I don’t know what I like more, the dress or the tiara. I want a tiara! I wish I was a princess.”
I laughed as her husband joined us. “I’m surprised you don’t already have one. You don’t have to be a princess to wear one, you know.”
“Hugh.” She nudged him. “Did you hear that? Jayne says I could wear a tiara too.”
He put his arm around her. “Well, you are my princess.”
I couldn’t help but smile at his comment. “You two are so perfect together.”
Delaney leaned into Hugh. “We are, aren’t we? But wait until you see Sebastian and Tessa together.”
Hugh added. “My brother is besotted. It’s rather a nice change after all his years of being the family curmudgeon.”
“I’d love to meet them.” I looked around. People were trickling in but there was no sign of Elenora and Sanders returning yet. Or snacks. Blast my perpetually empty stomach.
“Why don’t I go to the bar and get us some drinks?” Hugh said. “Delaney, what would you like?”
She held onto his arm. “I’m fine. But get Jayne something.”
“I’m good too. Cooper’s getting my drink.” I looked toward the bar. “Actually, he and Olive are on their way over. What I’d really like are some truffles. You didn’t happen to bring any did you?”
“As a matter of fact…” Delaney pointed over my shoulder. “My shop supplied some of the goodies being served tonight.”
I turned to see what she’d pointed at. A slew of uniformed servers glided out from some room beyond the ballroom, their silver trays filled with sweets of every description. My heart fluttered with happiness.
“Delaney, I might be a princess, but you’re the Queen of Sugar. That is exactly what I need to get through this night.”
She beamed. “I told Elenora winter elves like their sugar. The Sandman is a winter elf, isn’t he?”
“Pretty much.” Wasn’t my place to explain the whole elemental thing.
Cooper and Olive joined us and I introduced her to Delaney and Hugh. By that time, the ballroom was starting to fill up and I still hadn’t seen Elenora or Sanders.
I only worried for about thirty seconds more. That’s when they strode through the ballroom doors together and Elenora started taking him around the room and introducing him to everyone.
I took a sip of my wine, then nudged Olive, whose eyes were locked onto Sanders. “Must be nice to have a night off, huh?”
She shook her head without taking her gaze off him. “He’ll need me for something, you’ll see. He always does.”
I checked the glass in her hand. I didn’t think she’d had a single sip. “Try to enjoy some of the evening, if you can. You’ve earned a little fun.”
She nodded, her eyes straight ahead.
Cooper slipped his arm around my waist and whispered in my ear. “How about a dance, beautiful?”
The piano player had been joined by a bass guitarist and a drummer and the music had gone from easy listening to peppier jazz.
I smiled at him, took another drink, then set my glass on the tray of a passing server. Olive might not be willing to let down her hair, but I was. Metaphorically anyway. “Let’s go.”
We made our way onto the dance floor, where quite a few other couples were getting their groove on. I rested my left palm on his shoulder as he took my right hand, and off we went.
It was impossible not to smile. “I think the last time we danced was—”
“Homecoming,” he finished.
The memory was bittersweet. We’d broken up not long after that, because of the lies of my best friend, Lark. She’d texted both of us a few months back, but Cooper had handled it (not sure how; I didn’t ask) and I really hoped that was that. But I didn’t want to think about her. “That was a fun night.”
“It was. But I like this better.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because we’re adults now.”
“You think that would have made a difference?”
His brows pulled together. “Yes. I was too easily swayed by the things Lark told me. I should have talked to you. We might have worked things out.”
I nodded. Talking about what-ifs like this always made me a little melancholy. “I should have talked to you, too.”
“Instead, we both trusted her.”
And I’d had my heart broken. I forced a smile to cover the twang of pain. “But we’re here now.”
He smiled too, but it looked as forced as mine felt. “Only temporarily, though. In another hour or so, the vampire will be here.”
I narrowed my eyes a bit and pursed my lips. “Coop. You’re getting a little mopey for no reason. It’s not like you’re never going to see me again after tonight. We can go out any time you like.”
He laughed. “True. How about every night this week then?”
I was about to answer when the music ended and Elenora called out, “Ladies and gentlemen, if I please may have your attention for a moment.”
We all turned to look at her. She stood a few steps up on the grand stairway that led to the second-floor balcony.
She lifted her glass. “Please join me in toasting our marvelous guest, Tempus Sanders.” She shifted her gaze to him and everyone in the crowd followed. “Thank you for gracing us with your presence this evening, Tempus. I think I speak for us all when I say we will sleep a little better tonight just knowing you’re in town.”
Everyone laughed appropriately and drank to Tempus.
Elenora waved at the musicians. “On with the party.”
The tunes started up again, but Cooper nodded toward someone in the crowd. “The chief is here. I should go say hi. Come on, he likes you.”
“He barely knows me.”
Cooper snorted. “Maybe that’s why he likes you.”
I poked him in the arm. “Now you’re definitely taking me to dinner. Somewhere nice too. Not Howler’s. Which is nice. But you know what I mean.”
He took my hand. “Guillermo’s it is then.”
I let him lead me forward. “Ooo… Italian?”
“Yes. Don’t wear white.”
“Why?”
He smirked. “Red sauce and all that.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “You have so little faith in my eating abilities.”
We stopped in front of Titus and Hank Merrow, the fire chief and sheriff, respectively.
Cooper greeted them. “Evening, Chief. Sheriff. You know my date, Jayne Frost.”
Both men nodded, but only the chief smile
d. Which was standard. “Miss Frost.” The chief added, “Nice to see you again.”
“Why don’t I go get us another round?” Cooper offered. “Chief? Sheriff?”
Both men nodded, lifted the bottles in their hands (something I was shocked Elenora had allowed at her party) and said, “Beer.”
Cooper kissed me on the cheek. “Be right back.”
Bridget, their sister, popped up next to us as Cooper was leaving. “Hey, gang. Fun night, huh? Anyone seen PJ?”
Hank groaned. “You brought her?”
Bridget shot him a look. “What was I supposed to do, leave her home?”
He shook his head. “You should have gotten Aunt Birdie to take her out.”
“Aunt Birdie had bingo.”
Hank and Titus nodded, like that was explanation enough. Apparently Birdie’s bingo was not to be messed with.
Titus started scanning the crowd. “She’s got to be here somewhere.”
I leaned toward Bridget. “Who’s PJ?”
“Our cousin, Penny Jo. She’s visiting for a couple weeks.” Bridget shrugged. “I had no choice but to bring her. Besides she’s thinking about moving here, so why not?”
“Because,” Titus started, “she’s a handful. And bound to cause trouble.”
Bridget frowned. “She’s just…friendly. She’s a country girl. That’s all.”
“Friendly.” Hank snorted. “I lock people up for being that kind of friendly.”
“Oh, Hank,” Bridget sighed. “Leave the kid alone. You know what it’s like to be a young werewolf with all those hormones coursing through you. She’s sowing some oats. That’s all. We all did it.”
“Not all of us.” He tipped his bottle toward something behind me. “PJ sighting, twelve o’clock. And looks like she’s found herself a fireman.”
I turned to see what the sheriff was talking about. My mouth fell open and, for the moment, I was powerless to close it.
Son of a nutcracker.
Penny Jo and Cooper stood a few feet away. Cooper’s hands were full of drinks, but PJ’s hands were full of Cooper.
My stomach tightened. Jealousy? Anger? Annoyance? I wasn’t sure. And since Cooper and I weren’t exclusive, it didn’t matter. I might feel those things, but I couldn’t act on them too much. Not without causing some kind of decision to be made, something I wasn’t ready to do.
Miss Frost Saves The Sandman: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 3) Page 5