With You In Spirit (The Bassinville Witches Series) by Miranda Stork

shut again. Turning, Shawna and Hannah saw Jackson walk in, looking left and right, as if searching for someone. Catherine hadn’t noticed yet, giggling away to Caden. Hannah leaned over to Shawna, chewing on one of the fries, and whispered, “He ain’t gonna like this. He’s still got one hell of a crush on her, ain’t he?”
    Shawna swallowed quickly, and whispered back, “You don’t know the half of it. What’s he doing in here? He never comes in here.”
    Jackson took a quick glance round, and this time caught sight of Catherine. His smile faded as he saw Caden with her, his expression darkening like a grey storm cloud. Shawna sucked in a breath as he began to make his way towards them. “Oh boy, we’re gonna see some fireworks now!”
    Catherine looked up from Caden just in time to see Jackson’s cold expression looking across at her. She fell away from Caden, and turned to face Jackson, biting her lip. “H-Hi Jackson. What are you doing in here?”
    He stared, fuming at Caden for a moment, and then turned back to Catherine. “Hello Catherine. Joe sent me; he didn’t know if Shawna would be with you tonight or not. Seeing as how I’m supposed to keep you away from strangers.” He directed this last comment towards Caden, who kept his steady gaze.
    Turning his full attention towards him, Jackson jutted his chin towards him. “I’m sorry; I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Jackson Perret. And who might you be?”
    Caden returned the cool look, wrapping his arm tightly around Catherine’s waist. He smiled, but it held no warmth this time. “I’m Caden Rouquette. You can call me Mr Rouquette.”
    “Well, Mr Rouquette, I don’t believe I’ve seen you in here before.” Jackson folded his arms across his chest, taking a defensive stance. Hannah, Shawna, and Catherine all stared at him in dismay, wondering what the hell he was doing. Th ey knew he cared for Catherine, but this was ridiculous.
    Caden raised his eyebrows, tipping his head back so he could look better at Jackson, staring him down. “Well, that would be because I’m new in town. I only just arrived yesterday. Is that a crime?”
    Jackson gritted his teeth. “’Round here it might be. Pretty strange that Catherine here gets a death threat around the same time that you show up. I have no idea who you are, and I don’t know what Catherine is doing hanging around with you.”
    “Jackson!” Catherine was furious with him now. Most of the bar had turned around to listen to him, and he had just told everyone about the note. Not to mention he was just being downright paranoid. “I think you better leave right now.”
    “I’m not going anywhere until he leaves. What the hell are you doing with him anyway?”
    “ He has a name. And I’m here with him on a date, if you must know. I don’t know what you think you’re doing.” She looked around herself, cheeks bright red with embarrassment.
    Shawna and Hannah silently seethed at Jackson, although she did hear Hannah lean over to Shawna and whisper, “What the hell is he on about, ‘ death threat ’ ?”
    The whole bar had fallen silent now, except for the jukebox mournfully playing a romantic rock song, and Catherine swallowed nervously, wishing the floor would open and swallow her up whole. Pursing her lips, she turned back to Jackson, feeling like she wanted to slap him. “Fine.” she snapped. “If you won’t leave, I will.”
    “No, you don’t have to do that.” Caden stepped in front of her, clasping her cheek in his warm palm. “Look, you stay here with your friends; I don’t want to ruin your night. I’ll leave and see you later, okay?” Before Catherine had a chance to protest, he pressed his finger against his lips, and then hers. He turned to leave, giving Jackson a look that would have lit him on fire had it been possible, the bar door banging behind him.
    Jackson grinned, looking pretty pleased with himself . Turning back to the girls, his face soon fell as he saw