Autumn Dance (Magic Seasons Romance Series Part 4)

Cora looked out the window at the falling rain. The bright colors of the trees blurred through the heavy drops. Sighing, she leaned forward to the front seats to touch Rachel’s arm. “Please tell me we packed the rain capes.”

Rachel turned around and grinned at her. “Yes, and pants and umbrellas.”

Dade turned the speed of the wipers up. “This camp Justin found, it’s flat right, no hills and bridges?”

Steven sighed and looked at the back of Dade’s head. “From the website, it looked pretty flat.” Rachel turned to smile at him. Frowning he looked back to the man driving. “Can someone tell me again why my fiancé had to sit up there?” He scowled, they’d only been engaged for a few days for crying out loud.

Dade glared at him in the mirror. “Because I don’t need to be looking in the mirror to see you two climbing all over each other in the back seat. Its hormones gone wild near any of you couples lately.”

Cora reached up and rubbed her hand over his shoulder. “Poor Dade is feeling, um, lonely.” She smirked.

Dade winked at her in the mirror. “Guess that just leaves you and me, honey, we’ll be alone a lot.”

Cora sat back and smiled sweetly at him. “I guess we will.”

He looked at the road then back in the mirror to study her. He hit a pothole in the road and turned his full attention to the windshield. “We need to start renting a small bus for these trips and take turns driving,” he muttered.

Rachel was sitting with her feet up on the dash flashing her new ring around in front of her face. “We could have cots.” Turning she grinned at Steven, he never missed a movement she made.

Cora leaned up and pulled Rachel’s hand around. She studied the ring. “This is so gorgeous. It’s white but blue, not flashy but still sparkles. What stone is it again?”

Steven leaned down and kissed the hand Cora was holding. “Angelite.” He whispered against stone.

Dade cleared his throat. “Driving here people.” He groaned.

Cora smiled and sat back. She sighed. “It’s so lovely, the handfast is going to make me cry you know.” She smiled at Rachel. “I’m going to be the old maiden aunt when all of you have children.”

Rachel grinned. “I wouldn’t say old.”

Cora frowned. “I’m going to be twenty-eight in December, Rach. By the time I, if I ever, find a man, I’ll be too old to have any children of my own.”

Steven leaned over toward her and smiled. “You won’t be too old. I’ve delivered for women that are close to forty, people are waiting until later in life now.” Then he grinned at Rachel. “Unlike the sexy witch in the front seat, she’s just turned twenty-five and plans on having four long before she’s thirty.”

Rachel turned and grinned at him. “You have your work cut out for you, Doc.”

He winked at her. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m up to it.”

Dade swore. “A little more help here. Why does Justin always find places that have cow paths instead of roads? Rain is coming down so hard I can barely see Owen’s Jeep.” He squinted. “So, is Lee ok? My heart stopped when they pulled over so quickly like that.”

Steven nodded. “Yes, a little queasy, she had crackers to settle her stomach.” He shrugged. “Other than a few moments here and there she’s been quite lucky. I have some patients that throw up from conception to delivery.” He wondered which group Rachel was going to fit into.

“Will you hold my hand and look after me if I’m like that?” Rachel asked quietly.

“Every second.” He said quickly.

“Looks like this is it.” Dade said happily. “Let’s scout out which building is registration then we’ll make a run for it.”

Fifteen minutes later all eight stood dripping and grinning at Gwen inside the warm little building. Dade liked Gwen, she was a flower child from the sixties and always made him feel peaceful, just being in her presence was something he could use more of. He stayed back out of the way, knowing there was going to be hugs, squeals and women stuff taking place.

“You are earlier than normal.” Gwen smiled.

Owen nodded. “With the rain forecasted today we wanted to give ourselves a lot of time.”

Chris pulled his jacket off with a shake. “Is Patrick here yet?”

Gwen shook her head. “No, but he should be along soon. I know he wanted to get here early to discuss things.” She looked down at her hands. “I hope what you’re planning works, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to hold together if it doesn’t”

Leena smiled and walked over beside her. “Everything is going to be fine.” She grinned at Steven. “We have more news you might like to hear.”

Gwen looked at her a moment then smiled. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” Leena nodded. “Oh, that’s so wonderful! You’ll hardly be showing at the handfast.” She hugged her. “I’m so happy.”

Leena laughed. “There’s more.”

Gwen pulled away and looked around at the others. When her eyes settled on Rachel, she held up her hand as Steven was hugging her to him. “Oh!” She jumped up and ran over to them. “You too! This is wonderful! So, wonderful!” Hugging Rachel, she patted Steven’s cheek after examining the ring and then turned smiling eyes to Dade. “You better work fast to catch up here, Mr. Jones.”

Dade held up his hands. “Don’t go looking at me. I have my hands full helping this bunch work things out.”

She laughed and patted his cheek next, smiling at him in her quiet way. Turning back to the table, she opened the registration book. “The list of people planning to attend is pretty much the same as always.” She frowned, “but I’m sure you’ll be happy to know the councilor’s house at this camp isn’t pink.” She grinned at Dade. “It’s yellow.”

He shook his head. “As long as it’s dry, I don’t care.” He looked at Kasey. “Tell me it’s not going to be pouring the whole weekend.” She always knew what the weather planned, he didn’t ask how as some things were better left alone.

Kasey hugged Chris and smiled. “No, it should stop before this evening and then be beautiful autumn weather for the rest of the weekend.”

Gwen hadn’t been joking about the color, Dade mused, as they stood under umbrellas and looked at the neon yellow building.

“Maybe it’s a good thing it’s cloudy and raining.” Owen whispered to Leena.

Leena laughed. “Better find our sunglasses before the sun comes back.”

Dade sighed and went over to stand on the porch. “At least there’s a covered porch this time.” Opening the door, he held it as everyone filed in.

Chris grinned and ushered Kasey through the door. “Justin said this was the Ritz compared to the last one.”

Cora looked around silently for a few minutes. “There’s actual furniture to sit on this time.” She peeked into the kitchen. “And a much larger table if you need to patch anyone up, Steven.”

Steven frowned at her. “I don’t want to see so much as a scrape this weekend.”

She grinned at him. “Then we’d better keep Dade out of the harvest wine this year.”

Dade scowled. “It was damn cold last year; I couldn’t drum if my hands were numb, now could I?”

Steven laughed. “Well if your hands get cold this year at least walk away from the fire when you get up.”

Leena patted Dade on the shoulder sympathetically. “It was cold and no one blames you for almost falling in the fire.” She grinned at Rachel. “Rach tried to jump over the creek and missed.”

“I still say someone added something extra to that mead. I’ve never had a buzz like that from mead before.” She grimaced.

Kasey smiled walking of a room. “Might have been the quantity.”

Chris dropped into one of the overstuffed chairs. “What’s the bed count sweetheart?”

“Six bedrooms. Six double beds.”

“Ohh.” Rachel grinned. “We’ll have a spare bed.” She smiled at Steven suggestively.

Steven walked over and hugged her. “You can use it to nap in when I’ve worn you out, angel.” He nuzzled her hair.

“Don’t start. You have a room for that.” Dade stated loudly.

Turning, Steven pulled Rachel towards the first door in sight.

Leena laughed. “Not yet Steven, we have to bring everything in, unpack and cleanse the space.”

“I don’t think any of you are grasping the task at hand here.” Steven hugged Rachel to him. “The lady wants babies! Lots of babies and that will never happen if I never get to touch her.”

“Takes a little more than a touch my friend.” Chris snorted.

Owen smiled. “You’re a doctor, figure out when she can get pregnant.”

Steven’s mouth dropped. “Where is the fun in that?”

Rachel kissed him softly. “You’ll get your fun later. Work first.”

He dropped his arms and sighed loudly. “Fine.” He looked at Dade and pointed to the door. “Let’s go.”

The rain finally stopped falling by the time everything had been brought inside. The grounds seemed quieter without it. A more peaceful area, Cora thought, as she looked out the window. Her nerves weren’t as steady as she let everyone believe. She’d had nightmares since Lammas about men grabbing her from behind. Some nights they were bad, enough that she didn’t bother going back to sleep.

She tried a few times to seek out more information, hoping that the contact with the killer would mean she’d be able to, but had no success.

A couple outside were holding hands and dodging the puddles leading to a large building. Her heart ached for that. She didn’t hold any ill will towards the three happy couples’ downstairs. Each and every one of them deserved that happiness. Smiling to herself, she knew it was even more perfect that they were couples now, after having yearned for their partner for many years.

Cora sighed, she knew about yearning. Having lived with that feeling every day. Dade Jones, she thought with her lips in a pout. She’d watched him even when she was a young girl and should have been interested in simpler things. He’d always sat with his dark brooding eyes and silently observed those around him. Of course, as he got older, the other females at the temple, school, and anywhere else he stepped always hovered nearby.

She remembered the day she returned to the temple after being away at school for two years. Walking in, she had greeted those she knew, then saw him sitting and leaning on his drum. When he’d smiled at her she’d had to wait several minutes before going over to speak to him. If she’d been any other type of woman, she would have thrown herself at him, but that wasn’t her style.

Her cheeks grew warm whenever she recalled the few times he’d really kissed her in the last few years. His kiss told her everything she already knew, the man had the experience that she lacked and she would never be able to make him happy for long. No woman seemed to.

“Everyone’s waiting for you downstairs, honey.”

She jumped when Dade spoke from the door.

“Oh sorry, thought you heard me come up the stairs.” He offered her one of his easy smiles.

Cora turned and shook her head. “Was lost in thought.” She rubbed a hand over her stomach to sooth the knots.

Dade frowned. “You all right Coralee?” He stepped away from the door toward her.

She shrugged, “Nerves mostly I think.”

Stopping in front of her, he rubbed his hands gently down her arms and then held her hands gently. “You don’t have to do this, not if it’s upsetting you.” He searched her face.

Cora smiled and squeezed his hands. “It would upset me more to not help and have this man continue.”

“If it gets to be too much for you at any point, you let me know and I’ll get you away from it.”

She frowned. “How are you going to do your job with your drum if you’re rescuing me?”

He caressed her cheek, letting his hand trail down to play with her long curls. “Once you feel him and I’m able to call him out, the others take over. I want your word, honey, if you need distance from it all you’ll let me know.”

Cora loved when he talked to her with his voice soft. It was deep and vibrated through her. “Always my white knight?” She looked down at his tanned skin against hers. “Well, almost white.”

“Could be worse I could be ghostly white like Rach.” He grinned.

She touched his cheek lightly. “I like your skin color just the way it is, Dade Jones. And yes, if things get to be too much for me, I’ll let you know.”

He nodded, but continued to hold her hand and play with her hair.

Cora watched his dark eyes looking at her. There was always so much in them that he never said.

He lowered his head slowly towards hers until their lips brushed together softly. “We had better go down. Doc is whining again.”

“Poor man, we’re always interfering with his sex life.”

Dade closed his eyes and sighed dramatically. “Well, at least he has one.”

She turned and picked up the bag she’d need and smiled at him. “Should I have said poor, lonely Dade? All this killer hunting and meetings must have really interfered with your social life.”

He shook his head. “I’ve been telling you for two years, honey, I don’t run around like that anymore.”

She quirked an eyebrow at him as they stood in the door. “If you’re going to try to make me believe you haven’t had a date in two years, Dade Jones, I’m going to really struggle to believe that.”

“It’s the truth, Coralee Avery, I’m a changed man.” He smiled at her. “No woman out there could ever hold a candle to you, so why look.”

Cora laughed. “Are you trying for more free meals?”

“No, well, no. What I’m trying to say to you is…”

“Hello!” Steven bellowed from the bottom of the stairs. “Cleansing! Waiting!”

She turned and walked towards the stairs. “That is one determined man.”

Cora stepped into the room and grinned at Steven. “Are we ready then?”

Steven waved his arms. “And waiting.”

She smiled at him and shook her head. Reaching into the bag she pulled out a carving. Bones were formed into a cross with a skull at the base of them. Across the top was a large snake. She walked over and placed it on the little table. “For the ancestors’ protection and the wisdom to help us.”

She stood beside the table. Dade walked over and stood with her, taking her hand in his and then silently watched the others.

Rachel unwound herself from Steven and walked over with two white candles. There were symbols carved in the length of them. She set them on the table.

Steven came up behind her and reached around to hold his hand over them. The wicks flamed quickly. “For protection.” They said together and then took their place by the table.

Kasey and Chris walked over with their hands cupped as if in prayer. They held them over the table then slowly pulled them apart. A large golden stone hovered between their palms and then gently rested on the table.

Kasey smiled. “For strength and power.”

Owen walked over to stand beside them as Leena came over with a small wooden bowl. She held it in front of the table and pieces of herbs began to swirl up and circle the table. When she set the bowl down, they floated into it and began to smolder. She lifted a hand and sent the sweet scent swirling around everyone before it swept through the room and returned to the dish. “To keep us safe,” she whispered joining her hands with Owen and Rachel to make the circle complete.

Each closed their eyes and took a deep breath allowing the warmth to spread up their arms and through their bodies.

When the circle broke. Owen grinned. “Not as good as a healing circle, but not bad.” Leena smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

Steven looked around at everyone. “We’re good now?” With no objections, he picked Rachel up and started to walk to their room.

“Is it safe to enter without a knock?” Patrick stuck his head in the door.

Steven groaned and lowered Rachel to the floor. “Maybe.”

Chris motioned him in. “Perfect timing. I was just wondering when we’d see you.”

Dade tried not to laugh at the expression on Steven’s face. He turned away and looked at Patrick. “How did you get here without Rhonda?”

“He didn’t,” Rhonda said as she walked in behind him.

The women immediately surrounded her and began pulling her back into the kitchen.

Dade looked at Patrick and smirked.

Patrick shook his head and sat down on the closest chair. “Didn’t matter what I had to say, or the fact that he’ll see this as the best opportunity to finish what he started, she was coming.”

Chris chuckled, “I understand, believe me I do.”

Steven dropped down in the chair and looked like he was about to speak when Kasey came sliding into the room in the way only Kasey could do.

She stopped in front of Patrick. “Do you think you’ll fit on that couch?” She pointed.

Patrick looked at it. “It appears to be about eight feet long, of course I could fit on that.”

“Oh, good it’s settled then.” She started to run back into the kitchen when Chris reached out and grabbed her by the waist.

“Sweetheart, what is settled?”

Kasey grinned up at him. “Rhonda is going to take the extra bed and Patrick can have the couch, then she’ll never be alone and he won’t have to worry that she will be.” She reached up and gave him a kiss and wiggled out of his arm and went back to the kitchen.

“Nice catch.” Dade chuckled.

Chris grinned. “I’m getting better. I just have to remember to reach about three feet ahead of where I think she’ll be.” He looked at Patrick. “Welcome to our weekend home.”

Patrick rubbed his face. “Well, she has a point. I was wondering what I was going to do—can’t be watching her and looking for him at the same time.” He leaned back and closed his eyes. “Been the longest four months of my life.”

Dade snorted and dropped onto the couch. “It gets longer.” He grinned at him. “But at least there’s another single man in the building. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you here.”

Patrick opened his eyes. “Too many couples for you?”

Dade nodded. “Something like that.”

Patrick laughed. “I hear ya.” He turned to Chris. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”

Chris steepled his fingers together as he sat back. “I think we’ll have to play it by ear, see what Cora picks up.” He dropped his hands and looked around. “Has anyone else wondered what we’re going to do if we’re knee deep in people, not of the real magic variety, when Cora tells us it’s a go?”

Dade nodded. “Crossed my mind. I’m hoping we’ll be able to wander somewhere out of sight somehow, if I have him in my sights then I should be able to lead him to you.”

Steven pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment then looked at him. “And if we can’t wander out of sight?”

Patrick held up his hands in exasperation. “Exactly.” He sat up straighter. “I discussed this with Justin, and he’s hoping between the lot of you, Kevin and himself we’ll be able to wing up some sort of shield if needed. To protect those not involved.”

“That’s my job. We’ve already got that covered.” Chris said with a sigh. Then looked at Steven. “Could you and Lee use some sort of air wall to block out sight? I’ve seen you do it before.”

Dade accepted he couldn’t contribute here, so he just stayed silent and let the magic makers work it out.

Steven puffed out his cheeks. “That could be a broad area we’re dealing with, not like closing in a circle. This would have to be a line between us and those we hope to keep safe.”

Owen lifted his head and called towards the kitchen. “Baby, can you come here for a sec?”

Leena peaked out of the kitchen and looked around at the serious faces. “Oh, plan time” she said softly as she stepped in and sat beside Owen.

“They want to know if you and I could make a wall of wind to block the others from seeing and hearing.” Steven said looking doubtful.

“Oh…” She pursed her lips together. “We’d have to be at opposite ends of each other.” She looked up at the ceiling. “With no circle to close over and around how would we control it?”

Steven shrugged. “I’m not sure if we could.”

“Practice.” Dade offered.

Leena smiled hesitantly. “We could try. It would have to be outside though.” She looked out the window to see the day was almost at an end. “And we’d have to do it now before dark.”

Steven nodded and then paused. “You all are just trying to keep me from dragging Rachel off.”

Dade chuckled. “Hadn’t thought of that, but—bonus.”

Patrick stood up. “Let’s go give this a shot. If it doesn’t work, we’re back to step one again.”

The ten stood around the little grove.

Steven glanced up to Dade on the knoll signal it was clear. Looking over, Rachel did the same on the other side. He looked at Leena about ten feet away. “You want to start big and fall on our faces or small and work up?”

Leena grinned. “Big.”

He laughed. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Chris stood on the one side of the area and Patrick on the other. In case this worked they’d want to know if they could see each other. “Make it in a hurry,” he suggested, we’re not going to get warning when the real deal is here.”

Steven nodded and looked at Cora as he walked ten more feet from Leena. “Cora whenever you feel like it just yell go.” He stopped to gauge the distance between himself and Leena, it had to be at least thirty feet.

“Go!” Cora yelled.

Steven raised his head and his hand at the same time focusing as hard as he could, quickly. He saw the wind forming and felt it rising. Looking up he took a deep breath and tried to control the height.

Leena smiled at him as they watched it hold in place. He could see her controlling the height from where she stood and concentrating on holding it steady between the two of them. It was easier than he had thought, he didn’t have to concentrate so hard he wasn’t aware of what was going on around him.

“How long can they hold it?” Owen asked walking to Chris.

Chris shrugged and looked from Steven to Leena. “They both look like they’re enjoying it so I’d say long enough.” He pointed towards the wall. “Can you see Patrick or Rhonda on the other side?”

Owen shook his head.

“Me neither.” Chris said with a grin and then began to clap. “We have a winner folks.”

Leena dropped her hand and jogged over to Owen excitedly. “That felt sooo good.” She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Steven caught Rachel up in his arms as she ran from the edge. “Need sex, angel. Now.” He growled against her throat. “That just stirred me up like you wouldn’t believe.”

Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck and bit his lip. “Then let’s go over and see if we need to discuss plans, then we can sneak away.” She grinned. “I’m willing to give up dinner to spend some time licking your whole body.”

Steven grinned and started walking towards the others. They had better make this fast. “I’ll feed you in bed.”

Patrick looked around at everyone. “We have our barrier.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Now if we could figure out how to herd him.”

Kasey smiled over at Rachel. “Let Rach and I deal with that, we’ve been practicing a few things.”

Steven looked from one to the other. “Do I want to know?” He was about to ask to see when a slap of wind sent him back two feet. Rachel grinned at him. Another slap came from behind and sent him back to where he’d been standing.

Kasey giggled. “Try to walk to Cora.”

Steven took two steps towards Cora and hit some sort of wall he couldn’t see. He dropped his head and hissed out a breath. “You ladies scare me.” He grinned at Chris. “We have direction, or lack of.” He said trying to feel if the wall was still in front of him.

Rhonda sighed. “I want to do the slap thing, it could come in quite handy.” She pouted at Steven.

Patrick studied her for a moment. “Your words hurt enough, my dear.”

“Did I miss all the fun?” Kevin called out coming over the knoll. “My censors told me a little, ah, fun was about.”

Rachel grinned. “You’ve got a face!”

Steven studied him. Kevin had cut his bangs much shorter, taking him from his boyband look into a more mature, good-looking appearance. Damn.

Kevin stopped and ran his hand over it. “Yeah, decided to save my eyes the strain of trying to see through it.” He looked at her then followed her arm down to see Steven holding her hand. He glanced at Steven and grinned. “Caught up to her I see.”

Steven grinned. “Told you I was working on it.” He snuggled Rachel into his body.

Patrick looked from one to the other and shook his head. “You’re late. Again.”

Kevin flashed him a sheepish grin. “Was… otherwise occupied.”

Patrick sighed. “You’re going to drive Jean crazy soon.”

Chris lifted his eyebrows. “Jean from event planning Jean?”

Kevin shrugged. “Keep trying to tell her age doesn’t matter.”

Chris studied him for a moment. “Not to sound cliché, but how old are you?’

“Just turned twenty-two.” Kevin winked at Rachel. “I like women older, what can I say?”

Owen hugged Leena to him. “You can say you’re going to stay away from mine to start with.”

Kevin looked over and studied Leena for a moment then sighed. “As gorgeous as yours is, mate, my heart is set on another.”

Kasey leaned back against Chris. “Well you keep trying, Jean’s not that much older. Is she?”

Kevin shook his head. “Eleven years.” He looked around at everyone for a moment. “So, what did I miss?”

Rhonda smirked. “Kasey and Rach were slapping Steven around with wind.”

His jaw dropped. “Cool. Can you do it again? So… I can see, you never know when something like that will come in handy.” He winked at Rachel again.

Patrick sighed. “No, they’re not going to do it again. Has Justin filled you in on what’s going to be happening, or at least what we’re hoping for?”

Kevin nodded quickly. “Yep, and I’m just happy to know it doesn’t involve tree climbing.” He smirked at Steven. “I almost fell out a few times.”

Rachel turned and put her face into Steven’s shoulder. He leaned down and whispered. “Could have been worse, Cora could have seen and replayed it for everyone.” She grabbed his jacket and hid her face more.

Chris looked from Kevin to Rachel hiding her face in Steven’s jacket. “I don’t need to know,” he said softly.

Kevin grinned and put his head down to study the ground. “Probably not.” He cleared his throat. “Kathy is cooking up a storm back at camp and I missed lunch trying to get the paperwork caught up to get here.”

Owen nodded. “Food would be good, we’re eating for two.” He hugged Leena.

Leena grinned. “You always eat for two.”

Kevin laughed. “Congratulations to both of you.” He looked over at Steven. “I hear from Jean the couples handfasting is growing.”

Steven nodded and turned towards camp to follow Owen. “Yep, we bachelors are a dying breed.”

Rachel smacked him. “What do you do when you’re not climbing trees?”

Kevin smirked. “Paramedic, ambulance mostly, which is how I got to be the medic at these events. Of course, usually the worst thing I have to deal with here is sunburn or scrapes from too much mead impairing judgment. It’s like a vacation from work.”

Steven hugged Rachel. “Where do you work out of? I haven’t seen you come into the ER in Russle.”

Kevin shrugged. “I kind of float, cover for people on sick leave, holidays, although they’re going to be one short in your district soon, so maybe I’ll try for it.”

Rachel smiled. “Then we could see you all the time.” Steven pulled her around to the side away from Kevin.

Kevin held up hands. “Relax, Doc, after…well…” He let out a long slow hissing breath. “Your woman is far too much for me to handle.” He grinned at Steven. “You’re my new God though.”

Steven laughed and hugged Rachel. “That could come in handy if I need favors in the future.”

They had caught up to Dade trailing behind Cora. Kevin walked up beside him and looked over at him. Leaning closer he whispered. “She’ll never know if you don’t tell her.”

Dade whipped his head to look at him. “You have the ability to see, too?”

Kevin laughed. “I wish. No, it’s quite clear every time you look at her and the way you look when you watch her. I’ve been watching you watching her for a few years now, it’s getting old, you need to do something about it.”

Dade stuffed his hands in his pockets and sighed. “It’s like hitting a wall every damn time. Painful.”

Kevin shrugged. “I was afraid to look at her last time at the dance, thought you might remove my eyes for me. Every man there knew who she belonged with, so maybe you should let her know too.” He patted him on the back and walked ahead towards Cora.

Dade watched him talk to Cora and her laugh. Little puke, he thought with a smirk, it was too bad he liked him. She did belong with him. Problem was whenever he had the chance to tell her something else happened. They seemed to spend more time bickering than anything else.

He dropped his head and grinned. He liked getting her all worked up though, her pale eyes would flash at him and every nerve in his body would sing. Of course, when she looked at him with smiling eyes it did the same, just in a slow burn way.

He glanced up and watched old Charlie walk along pushing a wheelbarrow full of wood, as always, he was mumbling away to himself. Shaking his head, he walked over towards him. “Hey, Charlie, need a hand with anything?”

The older man’s head jerked around. Charlie studied him as he walked in his direction. Setting the wheelbarrow down, he shook his head. “No, just thought with it being so damp I’d bring more wood over.” He glanced at Dade and then back down at the ground. “Don’t want the dancers to get cold,” he mumbled.

Dade grinned at him. “No then they wouldn’t dance, would they?”

Charlie grinned at him and shook his head before looking back at the wheelbarrow.

“Let me know if you need any help, you can’t miss where I’m staying, it’s that eye sore of a bright yellow building.” Dade informed him.

Charlie picked up the handles again. “Ya, I saw. Has to be better than pink though.”

Dade laughed. “True. I’ll see you later. Don’t work too long or all the food will be gone.” He watched Charlie head towards the circle mumbling again under his breath. Strange man that one, he thought. But, without him the gatherings wouldn’t run as well as they did.

Sighing, Dade turned, it was going to be a long night and he wasn’t going to pass on the only chance to sit and relax.