All Dressed Up and No Place to Haunt by Rose Pressey Read Free Book Online Page A

with her hand.
    It was two against one, and there was no way they’d stop harassing me if I didn’t talk with the man. I was surprised that the film star was out walking around in Sugar Creek. Wasn’t he worried about being recognized? A big, muscular man walked beside him. With his towering height and thick mane of dark hair flowing all the way to below his shoulders, he looked like Bigfoot.
    Preston looked even more handsome in person. His hair was perfect, his skin was perfect, and his features were perfect. I couldn’t spot a flaw anywhere. I guess that was why he was a celebrity. I got Wind Song out of her carrier, and she hopped up in the window as if she wanted to watch the scene unfold. Luckily for me, Preston was walking in the direction of my shop.
    I wondered if Heather had opened yet. She usually got there later than I did though. I hurried down the sidewalk in the direction of the men. Alice and Charlotte walked beside me.
    â€œDon’t forget to ask him about the argument,” Alice said.
    â€œI can’t do that,” I said out of the corner of my mouth.
    The man with Preston glared at me as I approached. He stepped in front of Preston. His actions took me off guard.
    â€œHello,” I said. “I worked on the set of the movie with the costumes.”
    The man looked me up and down. His stare made me feel like running in the opposite direction.
    â€œI just wanted to welcome you to Sugar Creek. My name is Cookie Chanel.” I held out my hand.
    â€œAre you serious? That’s really your name?” Preston asked, stepping around the muscular man.
    â€œI don’t think I like this man,” Charlotte said.
    â€œMe either,” Alice sized him up taking in every last detail of his appearance.
    â€œYes, that’s my name. Well, it’s Cassandra, but everyone calls me Cookie.”
    He raised a perfect eyebrow. “Sure.”
    â€œAnyway, I’m very sorry about Nicole. My condolences.”
    His expression changed. “We were engaged.”
    â€œOh, I didn’t know that.”
    â€œIt will be hard to finish the movie without her.”
    â€œI can imagine. Will they give you some time before you have to be back on set?” I asked.
    He shook his head. “Probably not much.”
    I thought back to when I saw Nicole in the water. It was a scene I wanted to erase from my mind.
    Preston moved to step past me. “Well, we’re getting coffee. It was nice meeting you.”
    â€œTry Glorious Grits down on Main Street. Their coffee’s always fresh,” I advised him.
    â€œIs that it?” Alice asked. “Aren’t you going to ask him more questions?”
    â€œWhat else am I supposed to say?” I muttered, hoping Preston didn’t hear me. “That conversation was awkward enough. I don’t think I could have asked any more questions. Especially with that big ape hovering around him.”
    I went back to my shop. Heather’s still wasn’t open, so I’d have to tell her about my encounter with Preston later. She’d be sorry that she’d missed it. The air shifted as Alice and Charlotte moved around me. I could tell they were upset with the way I’d handled the interaction with Preston. I couldn’t help it. They’d have to learn to deal with it. With any luck they’d give me the silent treatment all day. I glanced back and spotted Preston and his bodyguard walking toward the coffee shop. There was something odd about Preston, but I couldn’t pinpoint it.
    Charlotte shooed me away from her. “Don’t just stand there. You should go back and talk with him.”
    â€œDon’t you want to get coffee?” Alice said.
    â€œNo, not really.” I started walking toward the café.
    I knew I looked like a crazy woman talking to myself while I stood on the sidewalk since no one was around. I hoped that my odd behavior had gone unnoticed. The muscular man paused in