Sensible and Sensational (The Jane Austen Diaries Book 6) Read online

  As we walked past some chattering couples in the decorated foyer and into the loud dance hall, we heard a few gasps and whispers, but it wasn’t until we stepped onto the sparkling dance floor that the real stares began. I’d forgotten that Zane was a big deal, and how only just a couple of days ago, he’d had the whole campus talking about how he lost his car because he was dating Loni.

  “Well, aren’t you the one to get the gossip going?” I asked.

  We stopped in the middle of the floor, and he placed his arms around my waist. “Believe me, the last thing they’re talking about is me—it’s all you.”

  I slipped my hands around his neck. “They probably think I’m Maralyn.”

  “Well, not for long, they won’t.” He spun me in a couple of quick turns.

  “What does that mean?”

  “You’ll see.” He grinned.

  I loved him. I couldn’t wait to get to know him more, but what I already knew, I craved. He was simply everything this heart of mine could imagine. “I don’t know what you’ve got up your sleeve, but an hour ago, you didn’t even know if I was coming with you or not.”

  “I know,” he whispered in my ear. “But I still called in a favor anyway. Just to guarantee the school knew, even if we didn’t show up.”

  I would’ve begun to feel a bit of apprehension, but I was too distracted by his arms around me to care much. “You’re lucky I like you.”

  “You love me. Admit it.”

  “How would you know?”

  He waggled his brows. “Oh, I know. I always know.”

  “Brat.”

  He suddenly dipped me low, and I shrieked as I clung to his arm. “I’ve gotcha.” Slowly, he brought me back up, with those hazel eyes shining into mine. I had no idea life could be this happy. None.

  “Forgive me for not having you break up with Loni earlier.”

  “Oh, now you tell me.”

  “I didn’t realize how this would feel.”

  “What?”

  “Being with you.” I looked away and then said, “We should’ve done this weeks ago.”

  “Yes, yes, we should have!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Enchanted Evening

  I caught sight of Loni and Zed at one point during the night. She didn’t seem too surprised to see me with Zane, but by the look on her face, I could tell she thought she’d snagged the better brother. She could have him. Gladly.

  When Maralyn and Skyler danced by, they turned around and hung out with us the rest of the night. Skyler could really move! And with Mara’s training and his skill, they cleared the floor a few times. No one watching them would ever doubt they were a couple.

  “Are you having fun?” I asked her as we hurried to the ladies’ room for a bit.

  “Yes! Why didn’t you tell me how cool Skyler was?”

  “I’m pretty sure I did.”

  “I really like him. I didn’t think I would like him this much—but every day I know him, I like him more.” She glanced over her shoulder. “And what’s with you and Zane? I thought he was going with Loni—at least, that’s what one of my friends said yesterday.”

  “He was.”

  She paused for a moment as it all clicked into place. Then her face went pale. “How long have you known?”

  “That they were together? Since we moved here. But it was a secret, so I couldn’t tell anyone.”

  She took a step forward and then whipped around. “But I saw the way he looked at you. He was falling for you—I know he was.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded.

  “But he was already taken. And you didn’t want to hurt her?”

  “Yes.”

  She shook her head and then gave me a bear hug. “I’m so sorry I said all those things to you. You had this horrid secret and no one to tell it to, and I only gave you a hard time about not understanding what was happening to me.”

  I couldn’t believe it. Maralyn actually got it. She understood what I’d been going through.

  “Don’t look so surprised.” She sniffed. “I was a jerk to you, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recognize it now.”

  “Well, thank you.”

  “Will you ever forgive me?”

  “Of course. I don’t even think about it.”

  “But I was stupid and rash, and I should’ve been more sensible, like you. I should’ve stopped and seen what I was doing and how awful I was behaving. You are and have always been the wise one.”

  I shook my head. “I think you give me way too much credit.”

  “And you’re also the modest one, too.” She grinned and looped her arm through mine. “Right. Let’s head to the loo and then get back to our super-hot dates.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  About an hour later, all Zane’s hints began to make sense. The DJ stopped the dancing, and he began to announce the king and queen. When Zane’s name was called for the king, the cheering was incredible, but then the DJ hushed everyone down. “Wait, wait. There’s something I have to read here first. This was sent to me by the king himself a couple of hours ago. Apparently, Zane had a feeling he’d need this read tonight. He was right.” The DJ cleared his throat, and Zane didn’t go up on the stand. Instead, he looked right at me.

  “I would like to dedicate my crown to the girl I love, Ellyn Dashwood. There is no other heart more honest and truly royal than hers. For that, I ask that you please give the crown to her so everyone can see who this incredible person is. I love you, Ellyn. My crown is yours.”

  “Holy—What just happened?” My mouth was gaping open in amazement. The place was roaring with excitement, and everyone was clapping, and really, I just wanted to hide.

  “Go on. Get the crown.”

  “I’m not going up there! I could actually die. I’m serious—I could.”

  Zane took my hand and walked me up to the podium. Then he placed the crown on my head and stood me up in front of everyone. “See? It’s not so bad, is it?”

  They were clapping, but the girls were in awe. “I think you just won the record for best boyfriend ever,” I hollered over the noise.

  “Does that mean you’re claiming me?” He smiled.

  “This . . .” I pointed to the crown. “Has definitely proven that, whether I like it or not.”

  Thankfully, the song began. I ignored the queen—one of Maralyn’s dance team friends—and instead went right back into Zane’s arms. “Thank you for my crown.”

  He bent down and kissed my nose and then my lips. “Thank you for loving me. I don’t know what I’d be doing right now had you not moved into my town and into my heart.”

  “Meh. You’d have lived, I’m sure.”

  He gave me a very skeptical look. “No. Life before you wasn’t living. It was just . . . there. Now I’m living. Now the whole world is mine.”

  “It always was. You just had to take it.”

  He kissed me then, long and wonderful and sweet. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the butterflies his kisses caused. There was no way this night could get any better. None at all.

  I was so wrong.

  About ten minutes later, the DJ stopped the music again, this time to make an announcement. “Skyler Brandon, your mom’s been trying to get through to you. Check your cell phone. Your dad woke up from his coma. He’s gonna make it!” The room roared to life, and Skyler actually had tears on his cheeks.

  “Your mom says to get your butt up to the hospital and give him a hug. He can’t wait to see you.”

  Skyler and Maralyn raced from the room, the crowd cheering for them.

  Much later that night, after all the hoopla of prom was over and Zane was walking me, bare feet and all, up to my house, he wrapped an arm around my waist and asked, “So, was prom everything you thought it’d be?”

  I tucked the crown under one elbow and dangled my shoes from my fingers. “I don’t know. It was fun, I guess. I’m not sure if I’d ever go again, but it was okay.”

  “And that is what makes you so much more
amazing than anyone else in this town.”

  “Because I don’t go crazy over prom?”

  “Because you’re all about the moment. Enjoying real things. You don’t let your head get turned by nonsense. Because you’re levelheaded and drama-free and just wonderful.”

  I didn’t know about levelheaded or drama-free. It seemed like I’d had my fair share of drama the last few months, but I certainly wasn’t going to disagree with the guy.

  “You know what I love about you?” I asked as we reached the door.

  He shook his head with that adorable grin of his. “I can’t even imagine.”

  “Because you see me. You care about me. And you take time to care about those around you—beyond the norm. You care more about someone’s soul than you do their acceptance. You’re pretty much perfection.”

  “Well, how can a guy argue with that?” He kissed me again—right on our small, dingy, rented front porch, under the sparkly, starry night—for all of Bloomfield to see.

  You know, when I lost my dad, I thought my world had truly ended. I had no idea what was in store. I couldn’t have imagined that all those things he used to tell me—all those silly dreams—would come true. I’d almost given up on hope, love, and life.

  But then, it took one kind person to see me. Someone to love and accept me for who I was. To encourage me to be myself and to show others that even though I was different, I was wonderful, too. I found beauty through the eyes of others.

  And I found me by finally accepting the truth that had been spoken to me all those years, by letting the negative talk out and bringing in the joy and hope around me. Once that was achieved, everything else fell into place.

  Dear Readers—

  Because of you and your love of this series, I have decided to expand the Jane Austen Diaries to include three more books: Sand & Sun, The Wilsons, and Queen Sydney. These are based on Jane’s lesser-known works, but I think you’ll find the stories just as enjoyable. Thank you for your love and for taking this journey with me. You are all amazing!

  Love,

  Jenni James

  AUTHOR BIO:

  Jenni James is the best-selling author of twenty-five books, including series that are still in the works. She has written the Jane Austen Diaries, the Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection, Andy & Annie, and Revitalizing Jane, to name a few. When she isn't writing and dreaming up even more books to write, Jenni can be found nestled on the tops of the mountains in a gorgeous little cottage. There, she has several chickens, turkeys, fruit trees, and a garden. Please follow her on Facebook: Author Jenni James to keep up with all her latest works.

  Table of Contents

  Sensible and Sensational

  DEDICATION:

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

  Table of Contents

  Sensible and Sensational

  CHAPTER ONE: SCHOOL BLUES

  CHAPTER TWO: An Awakening

  CHAPTER THREE: Confusing Messes

  CHAPTER FOUR: Butterflies and Flurries

  CHAPTER FIVE: Champion’s Cause

  CHAPTER SIX: Zane and Ellyn Sittin’ in a Tree

  CHAPTER SEVEN: Devil’s Advocate

  CHAPTER EIGHT: Bucket of Ice

  CHAPTER NINE: Surprise Encounter

  CHAPTER TEN: Black Knight

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: Stop This Train

  CHAPTER TWELVE: Speak of the Devil

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Three’s a Crowd

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Finders Keepers

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Tick-tock

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Sensational

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Prom Fever

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:

  CHAPTER NINETEEN: Break It Up

  CHAPTER TWENTY: The Guilt Factor

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Wait. What?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: It’s All Fun and Games Until…

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Enchanted Evening

  AUTHOR BIO:

  Table of Contents

  Sensible and Sensational

  DEDICATION:

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

  Table of Contents

  Sensible and Sensational

  CHAPTER ONE: SCHOOL BLUES

  CHAPTER TWO: An Awakening

  CHAPTER THREE: Confusing Messes

  CHAPTER FOUR: Butterflies and Flurries

  CHAPTER FIVE: Champion’s Cause

  CHAPTER SIX: Zane and Ellyn Sittin’ in a Tree

  CHAPTER SEVEN: Devil’s Advocate

  CHAPTER EIGHT: Bucket of Ice

  CHAPTER NINE: Surprise Encounter

  CHAPTER TEN: Black Knight

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: Stop This Train

  CHAPTER TWELVE: Speak of the Devil

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Three’s a Crowd

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Finders Keepers

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Tick-tock

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Sensational

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Prom Fever

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:

  CHAPTER NINETEEN: Break It Up

  CHAPTER TWENTY: The Guilt Factor

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Wait. What?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: It’s All Fun and Games Until…

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Enchanted Evening

  AUTHOR BIO: