Death of a Pumpkin Carver by Lee Hollis Read Free Book Online Page B

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    Hayley and Liddy took in the spectacle before a loud grunting noise caused them to both spin around and find themselves face to face with a prehistoric caveman. His long-haired wig was matted and tangled. He wore a fur pelt over his tall, muscled frame and he carried a big plastic club right out of the Flintstones.
    It took Hayley a few seconds before she even recognized him.
    â€œAaron?”
    Aaron snarled and growled some more.
    Liddy giggled coquettishly. “Aaron, you look so sexy as a caveman. So manly and powerful.”
    â€œI thought pirates were your sexual fantasy,” Hayley said with a smile.
    â€œWhat? I have to be limited to just one?”
    Aaron playfully bopped Hayley over the head with his plastic club. “Me drag you back to my cave now.”
    Hayley laughed.
    Liddy fanned herself with her feathered eye mask. “Oh my . . . Is it me or is it suddenly very hot in here?”
    â€œNo, it’s you. Definitely you ,” Hayley said.
    Aaron noticed someone over by the front door. “Excuse me. I just saw a friend of mine come in. I’ll catch up with you later.”
    He touched Hayley on the arm and then weaved his way through the crowd. Liddy whipped her head around to see who he was so anxious to talk to but shrugged it off when Aaron shook the hand of a golfing buddy who had just arrived dressed as a vampire.
    â€œI heard he just started seeing someone,” Liddy said, frowning.
    â€œAaron? That’s nice.”
    â€œIt doesn’t bother you?”
    â€œWe broke up months ago. No, it doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I’m happy for him.”
    â€œAre you sure you’re not just putting on a brave face?”
    â€œNo, Liddy. I’m not.”
    â€œAren’t you the least bit curious to know who it is?”
    â€œNot really.”
    â€œSo if I happened to know the name of this new woman in Aaron’s life, you wouldn’t want me to tell you? I mean it’s just a name I’ve heard in passing. I have no proof they’re actually dating . . .”
    â€œNo, I don’t want you to tell me.”
    Liddy raised her eyebrow, unconvinced.
    â€œI’m serious, Liddy.”
    â€œOkay. I believe you. You’d rather not know.”
    â€œWhy? Do you know?”
    Liddy grinned. “I knew you would want to know.”
    â€œI don’t. Forget it. It’s none of my business.”
    Liddy suddenly gasped.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œTurn around.”
    Hayley turned her head to see Darth Vader breathing down her neck behind her.
    It was a very elaborate costume complete with a black cape and light saber.
    â€œI think he’s come to kidnap Princess Leia and whisk her back to his ship to have his way with her,” Liddy said breathlessly.
    â€œThat’s just what she’s hoping will happen. There’s a lot going on inside her head tonight,” Hayley said.
    â€œDance with me,” Darth Vader said in a deep, distorted voice very similar to the actual movie character.
    He placed his black-gloved hand on the small of her back and led her out to the dance floor where they jumped around for the remainder of the Taylor Swift song before it segued into an Adele ballad and Darth Vader pulled her close to him.
    She indulged him for a few moments before her curiosity got the best of her.
    â€œOkay, who are you?”
    â€œDarth Vader,” he said, again with the strikingly real Star Wars villain voice.
    Hayley reached over and yanked up the mask.
    â€œDanny?”
    â€œHey, babe,” Danny said, flashing that charming smile, his expressive green eyes twinkling.
    â€œDid Dustin tell you I was coming to the party dressed as Princess Leia?” she demanded to know.
    â€œNo. I swear. It’s a complete coincidence. Great minds, you know? What do you think the universe is trying to tell us?”
    â€œIt’s telling me I need a drink and you’re an evil space villain bent on