The door shut behind us with a soft click, muffling the laughter and music inside to a murmur. Outside was a stark contrast to the revelry. The expanse between the houses was open and dark. Distant lights glowed yellow down the valley, sharp in the chilly air.
“You ready to go?”
I finished buttoning my coat and nodded. Stuart was made of hardier stuff, or else it was pure stubborn bravado preventing him from wearing a jacket. He offered an arm and I gladly wrapped myself around it, tucking my hands in for warmth and letting him guide me. I would have stumbled in the darkness, but he had no problem finding his way by starlight. He’d gone between the two houses so often I’m sure he could have made it blindfolded.
Paisley ran ahead of us and quickly disappeared into the dark. She knew the way even better and would be waiting for us at the front door.
A gust of wind made me shiver closer to Stuart’s arm. “Jeez it’s cold out here.”
He chuckled. “We could run it?”
“I’d probably turn an ankle,” I giggled back. “Let’s get there safely and I can warm up inside.”