by R J Nolan
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Author’s Note
A Treat for Halloween Tricksters by RJ Nolan
About RJ Nolan
Other books from Ylva Publishing
Acknowledgements
A big thank-you to Pam. You once again helped provide the spark my muse needed.
Thanks also go to my critique partner, Jae.
Thanks to Day Petersen for editing.
Dedication
To Pam: Happy Halloween, my friend.
Author’s Note
This short story, “A Treat for Halloween Tricksters,” takes place after the events in my novel L.A. Metro. Join Jess McKenna and Kim Donovan as they celebrate their first Halloween as a couple.
This short story can be read as a stand-alone story. You don’t need to have read L.A. Metro for it to make sense.
A Treat for Halloween Tricksters
by RJ Nolan
Kim let herself into the house through the kitchen door. “I’m home,” she called out. There was no reply. Must not have heard me. She kicked off her low-heeled shoes and headed for the bedroom to get out of her work clothes. After changing into jeans and a sweater, she walked through the unnaturally quiet house.
“Jess?”
There was no sign of Jess or Thor. Jess’s SUV was in the driveway, so Kim knew they had to be there somewhere. She looked out the sliding glass door into the backyard. Where are they? She stepped out onto the patio. That was when she spotted the open door of the detached garage. I thought we got all those boxes down earlier.
“Jess?” Kim called as she descended the few steps that led to the garage.
Thor’s booming bark sounded from inside the garage, then he came running out to greet her.
“Hey, big guy.” Kim took a moment to love on him. “What are you two doing?”
He woofed as if in answer, making Kim laugh.
She followed Thor back into the garage. The folding stairway that provided access to the eaves was down. Kim peered into the darkness above. “What’re you doing, Jess? Did we miss some boxes?”
Jess appeared at the top of the steep stairs. “That was quick. I didn’t expect you back from the hospital for hours.”
“Turns out it wasn’t a psych case after all,” Kim said. “One of your new ER residents jumped the gun calling me.”
Jess scowled, then turned around backward. “I’ll talk to the first-years on Monday,” she said as she carefully made her way down the steps.
Grinning lasciviously, Kim enjoyed the view. The denim covering Jess’s backside was flannel soft, and clung to her ass and muscular thighs. Hmm... Those are my favorite jeans. She smacked her lips.
“Earth to Kim.”
Kim gazed into Jess’s smirking face. “Hey, you.” She stepped closer and slipped her hands into Jess’s back pockets. She couldn’t resist squeezing the tempting derriere under her hands.
Jess wrapped her arms around Kim and pulled her close. “Missed you,” she said before kissing her.
Humming into the kiss, Kim rubbed against Jess. She groaned when Jess opened her stance and pulled her tightly between her legs.
A sharp poke from Thor pulled them apart.
Kim mock-glared at him. “What? Get your own woman.”
He prodded them again, then barked.
Jess laughed. “Guess he told you.” She patted the big dog’s chest. “Out.” She pointed to the door. “Go on. Outside.”
Thor gave a disgruntled snort and left.
Smiling, Jess tugged Kim back into her arms. “What do you say we continue this in the house?”
The interruption had given Kim’s brain time to clear, and she remembered her original question. “So what were you doing up there? Did we miss some of the Halloween decorations?”
Jess’s expression fell. “No. I was putting the boxes back. No sense putting them up this year.”
What? “But...why not?” It was their first Halloween in the new house, and they had been talking about decorating all week.
“Thor and I ran into our neighbor, Debbie when we went to get the mail.” Jess sighed. “She said they don’t get any trick-or-treaters, because the houses are so far back from the street.”
Kim loved the privacy their property afforded them. The only access to the house was via a long private driveway. It had not dawned on her that would translate into no trick-or-treaters. Jess loved Halloween and really looked forward to decorating and handing out candy to the kids.
“I’m sorry, Jess.” She rubbed her hand soothingly up and down Jess’s back.
Jess shrugged. “It was probably time to give it up anyway. More and more people are celebrating with parties for the kids these days.”
Despite the brave front Jess put on, Kim read the disappointment in her eyes. How can I fix this?
* * *
Kim had a spring in her step as she made her way to her and Jess’s office. Jess is going to love this. She had racked her brain for days, trying to come up with something for them to do on Halloween. Whatever they did had to involve kids in some way. That was what Jess loved the most—the chance to introduce young children to her favorite holiday and share the excitement with older kids.
With Halloween only three days away, Kim had been getting desperate. A chance encounter with a local foster family in the ER had provided the idea Kim needed. A quick phone call later, everything was all set. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I tell her.
Kim pushed open the office door without hesitation. She smiled as she remembered all the times she had stood outside this door and debated before opening it when she had first started sharing Jess’s office. What a difference a year makes.
Jess was sitting at her desk, the phone pressed to her ear. The desk was covered with piles of charts that never seemed to get any smaller, despite Jess’s best efforts. She nodded at Kim before turning her attention back to her conversation.
After adding her own stack of patients’ charts to Jess’s desk, Kim went over to the couch that sat along the back wall.
Jess joined her when she finished her phone call. “Did you get your patient captured and clothed?” she asked with a laugh.
“Yes. Next time,” Kim poked her in the side, “don’t help.”
Laughing, Jess dodged a second poke. She captured Kim’s hand and placed a soft kiss on her palm. “That wasn’t my fault. I didn’t want to leave you to deal with the guy alone, and Bates was the only one available.” Jess grinned. “I figured you could handle Bates.”
Kim scowled. She had a history with Jess’s resident. He had pursued her relentlessly when she first arrived at L.A. Metro. Several run-ins had finally led her to lay down the law, and he had backed off, but not before he got a measure of revenge by not warning her of the impending explosive exit of the contents of a patient’s stomach. She recoiled at the memory of being covered in the nasty black slurry of activated charcoal and stomach acid. That case was definitely above and beyond the call for a psychiatrist.
“I will get even with him. When he least expects it.”
“Well, you’ve got nine more months, until he finishes his residency, then he’s out of here.”
“What? You mean you won’t be recommending he stay on after his residency?” Kim asked, trying hard to keep her tone innocent. “Rodman likes him.”
It was Jess’s turn to scowl. “Those two deserve each other. Too bad Bates didn’t want to be a surgeon.”
“You know I’m just tweaking you for making me deal with Bates.” Kim placed a quick kiss on Jess’s lips. “Forget those two. I have something else I want to talk to you about before you get called away.
”
“What’s up?”
“I got a call from Sid—”
Jess grimaced, and then quickly tried to cover it with a fake yawn.
“Jess.” Kim quirked an eyebrow. Jess still had trouble dealing with the fact that Sid was an ex. Like you’d react any better if the tables were turned, and it was Jess’s ex, Myra.
Caught, Jess smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.” Her brow furrowed. “Are the kids okay?”
“Everyone’s fine.”
“So what’s up?”
“Alan’s stuck in Sacramento dealing with a bureaucratic snafu over their grant.”
A frown darkened Jess’s face. “Does that mean they aren’t going to have the funds for the college prep courses?” She smacked her fist into her palm. “Damn it. I’ve done as much as I can to help them bring their grades up and get ready for college, but Darrin and Thiago really need those classes.” Her gaze met Kim’s. “We could pay for them.”
You have such a good heart. “Don’t worry. Alan has been doing this for years. He’ll get it all straightened out.” She stroked Jess’s thigh. “But if it comes to that, we’ll make sure the kids get what they need.”
“Okay.” Jess nodded. “What did Sid need then?”
Kim smiled and gave Jess’s hand a squeeze. Jess might not be very comfortable around Sid, but she never let that interfere with doing anything she could for the teenagers under Sid’s care. “The community center sponsors an annual haunted house and Halloween party for local foster kids and their families. Each year, one of the group homes that foster teenagers is picked to host the event. This year it’s Sid’s and Alan’s turn.”
“And Alan’s not here.”
“Exactly. He thought he’d be back in time,” Kim said. “They have the haunted house all set up in the gymnasium at the community center. A local theater group takes care of all of that. The hosting foster house does all the decorations in the center’s main room and hands out gift bags at the party. As an added incentive, the teens get to be made up as zombies and such and provide the talent for the haunted house.”
“So where do we come in?”
“Sid needs someone she can trust to escort each group of kids through the haunted house. The community center’s insurance won’t cover them otherwise.”
“A tour guide in a haunted house?” Jess grinned. “That could be fun.”
The perfect solution for Jess and the kids.
“Do we get to wear a costume?” Jess asked.
Kim laughed at the eager look on Jess’s face. “Of course.”
After dreading it for days, Kim was finally looking forward to Halloween. Maybe this can become our new Halloween tradition. She grinned to herself. But it will never match our Christmas tree-lighting tradition. The memory of their passionate lovemaking bathed in the light from their first Christmas tree brought a flush to Kim’s face.
* * *
“Come on. Tell me,” Jess said as she pulled into a parking spot in front of the community center. Her gaze swept Kim’s body, and she licked her lips. She leaned across the console. “I’ll make it worth your while.” Even if you don’t tell me.
Kim put her hand in the middle of Jess’s chest and straight-armed her back to her own side of the vehicle. “Oh no, you don’t. You already tried that.”
And enjoyed every second of it, too. Which is why we’re running late.
“I’m not telling you what my costume is. You’ll just have to wait until tomorrow night.”
“Fine. Be like that.” Jess huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m not telling you either, then.” She struggled to keep a straight face. A moment later, she lost the battle and burst out laughing.
“We should go in,” Kim said. “I promised Sid we’d be here by seven, and it’s already a quarter after.”
“Let’s go.” Jess smirked. “We’ll talk about this costume thing again—later.”
As they approached the entrance of the community center, the front door swung open with enough force to bang against the wall. Darrin stormed out and brushed past them without a word.
“Darrin,” Jess called, but he ducked his head and kept walking. “You go ahead in,” Jess said. “I’ll see what’s up with him.”
“Go,” Kim said. “I’ll let Sid know you’re going after him.”
Jess hotfooted it after Darrin. She caught up with him on the far side of the lot. “Darrin, hold up.”
His steps faltered for a moment, then he kept walking.
Quickening her pace, Jess moved up next to him. “Darrin. Stop. Talk to me.”
“What?” He spun to face her. Angry blotches of color stained his cheeks. His freckles stood out in sharp relief against his otherwise pale face.
Arching an eyebrow, Jess stood silently. She kept her expression neutral and met his gaze evenly, giving him time to get control of himself.
After glaring at her for a few moments, his shoulders slumped and the anger visibly drained out of him.
“What’s wrong?” Jess asked.
“Nothing.” He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his baggy jeans.
“Really?” Right from the start, Jess had not pulled any punches with Darrin. She treated him like an adult and expected him to act like one. She always called him on his bad behavior, and this was no exception. “So you stormed out of there like a six-year-old for the heck of it?”
His eyes narrowed.
Forcing herself to appear outwardly calm, Jess tensed, waiting for the explosion. We’ve talked about how counterproductive your temper tantrums are. Show me you’re getting past them.
“It’s not fair!”
Okay, not quite what I was hoping for. We’re still in six-year-old mode. “Nobody ever said life was fair. Tell me what the problem is, and maybe we can find a solution.” Jess took a chance and gently bumped shoulders with him. “Like adults.”
“You’re such a pain in the—”
“Language.”
“You didn’t let me finish.” Darrin grinned and brushed his hands over his mop of bright red hair. “I was gonna say...’big toe.’”
Jess laughed. “Sure you were.” She led him over to a half-wall that surrounded the parking lot, and sat down. “Now, what’s going on?”
Darrin paced for a few moments, then sat down on the wall several feet away from Jess. “Sid had a lottery to see who was going to get to be part of the haunted house. You know, get made up like a zombie or a mummy and stuff.”
“And?” Jess asked when he fell silent.
Darrin hunched his shoulders and seemed to find his shoes interesting.
She let the question hang for several moments. When it became clear he wasn’t going to answer, she said, “And you didn’t get picked.”
“It’s just a stupid little kid holiday.” He launched himself off the wall, making Jess jump. “Who cares!”
Obviously, you do. “I’m not going to lie and make like it’s nothing. That sucks.” She looked up at him and met his gaze. “But that’s how things go in the real world. You don’t always get what you want, and you have to learn to make the best of it.”
Darrin kicked at a stray rock, then sat on the wall nearer to her. “T got picked to be the mummy.”
Ah. Now we get to the real crux of the matter. His roommate got picked, and he didn’t. She took in his dejected slump. What can I do to make this better for him without it seeming like I’m rewarding his bad behavior?
Inspiration struck. Jess allowed a self-satisfied smile a brief appearance. She looked away before Darrin spotted it. “That is tough. It’s going to mean a lot more work for you.”
Darrin’s head came up, his brow furrowed. “Whaddya mean?”
“An adult needs to escort every group of kids as they go through the haunted house. Sid asked me if I’d take the job, and I agreed.”
Darrin sat up straighter. He looked hopeful for a moment, then quickly tried to school his features to appear disinterested. “So what?” he said, his tone bel
ligerent. “What’s that got to do with me?”
Jess started to call him on copping an attitude with her, then stopped. She had seen this type of self-protective behavior from him before, so for the moment, she chose to ignore it. “I was going to ask you and T to help me. It’s a big job, looking after the kids, especially the younger ones, and I need some help.” She stood up and dusted off the seat of her jeans. “I guess it doesn’t matter now. T’s already got a job,” Jess shrugged, “...and you’re obviously not interested.”
Darrin drummed his heels against the concrete wall. The silence dragged on for several long moments.
Come on, Darrin. You know you want to do this.
“What exactly would I have to do?” he finally asked.
Careful not to let her elation show, Jess said, “We would work together to shepherd the kids through the different scenes. I’d need you to lead the way while I make sure everyone navigates through safely.” She held his gaze. “It’s a big responsibility. I need someone I can trust.”
Swallowing heavily, he looked away. When he turned back to Jess, his eyes were filled with determination. “I can do that.”
“Good man.” Jess gave his shoulder a brief thump. “You’ll have to wear a costume, of course.”
Darrin’s eyes lit up. “I will?”
Jess laughed. “Sure will. Let’s get back inside and see how things are going, then we’ll decide on your costume.”
* * *
Jess smiled when Darrin made a beeline for T as soon as they stepped into the main room of the community center. She took a moment to admire the decorations. Black and orange streamers hung from the ceiling. A large cauldron, surrounded by cobwebs and spiders, formed the centerpiece of a row of tables along the back wall. Colorful cardboard cutouts of pumpkins, witches, bats, and skeletons covered the walls. Pumpkins with painted faces were scattered throughout the room.
The kids did a great job.
Her gaze swept the room, looking for Kim. She spotted her deep in conversation with Sid.
As she made her way toward the two women, her discomfort around Sid once again reared its head. It’s not like you never had another lover. That was true, but she was still ill at ease with the inescapable fact that Sid had been intimate with Kim. Jess sighed. Get over it. It was years ago.