Nodding, I relaxed. “You want some warm wine?”

He started, his wide eyes looking shocked. “No. No thanks.”

“More spiced cider, then?” I offered. “Here. I haven’t had any of mine.”

“Just put a swallow in there,” he said, extending his empty cup, and I poured half of my drink into his. I felt kinda special, sitting next to Takata with half my drink in his mug, but I stiffened as a faint twang reverted through me. I froze, not knowing what it was, and Takata’s eyes met mine.

“You felt it too?” he said, and I nodded, feeling uneasy and a little worried.

“What was it?”

Takata’s wide mouth turned into a huge smile as he laughed at me. “The circle at Fountain Square. Happy Solstice.” He raised his cup, and I automatically touched mine to it.

“Happy Solstice,” I echoed, thinking it odd that I had felt it. I never had before. But then, maybe having closed it myself once made me sensitive to it.

Feeling as if all was right with the world, I sipped my cider, finding David’s eyes pleading with me over the rim of my mug. Erica’s mouth was going nonstop, and Kisten was gripping his shoulder, trying to have a conversation around her. “Excuse me,” I said as I slid from the table. “David needs rescuing.”

Takata chuckled, and I made my unhurried way past the fire. Though he never stopped talking to David, Kisten’s eyes were on me, and I felt a warm spot start in my middle.

“Erica,” I said, coming even with them. “Takata wants to play a song for you.”

Takata jerked upright, giving me a panicked look when the young woman squealed. Both Kisten and David slumped in relief as she darted around the fire to him. “Thank God,” Kisten whispered, and I sat down in her spot. “That girl never shuts up.”

Snorting, I eased closer, pushing into his thigh, hinting. He curved an arm around me, as I wanted, pulling me close. Kisten exhaled softly, and a shiver rippled over me. I knew he felt it when my scar started tingling. “Stop it,” I whispered, embarrassed, and his grip tightened.

“I can’t help it,” he said on an intake of breath. “When is everyone going to be leaving?”

“Sunup,” I said, setting my drink down. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

“It’s not my heart that misses you,” he breathed, and a second shiver passed through me.

“So,” Kisten said loudly when David started to look uncomfortable. “Rachel tells me you asked her to be your absent partner so you could get two salaries and she could get a good rate on her insurance.”

“Ah, yes …” David stammered, looking down so his hat hid his eyes. “About that …”

I jumped as Kisten’s cold hand worked its way under my coat and touched the skin at my waist. “I like that,” he murmured, not talking about how his fingers were tracing small circles to warm my middle. “Inventive. My kind of man.”