The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine by Kate Angell Read Free Book Online Page B

to wear,” Grace assured her. “The costume comes with a plastic pumpkin candy bucket.”
    Libby’s lips moved, but Cade couldn’t hear what she’d asked or said. He presumed she’d asked the cost, given Grace’s response.
    â€œTwo Pixy Stix and a hug.”
    Another giggle, pure happiness as Libby launched herself into Grace’s arms. Libby rested her head on Grace’s shoulder and her whole body sighed. She was slow in letting go.
    Afterward, Grace stood. She called to another of her assistants. “Cheryl, one roll of Life Savers to go. Extra-small.”
    Cheryl joined them. She held out her hand to Libby, and the girl grabbed hold. They headed for the children’s section. Libby’s steps were light.
    Cade waited for Grace to speak to one final boy before he reminded her of the time. Over an hour had passed. Last came thirteen-year-old Ricky Riley. He was rough and tumble. All boy. His father was a janitor, and it was rumored the old man took Ricky to work with him at night, and had him cleaning. Ricky didn’t do well in school, and absenteeism had forced him to repeat the sixth grade. He was basically a good kid, chewing bubble gum, and hopped up on Halloween.
    â€œVampire, zombie, mummy, or flying monkey?” he asked Grace. “I want the scariest costume.”
    Grace focused on the teen, as if he were the only customer in the store. Ricky ate up her attention. “Vampire comes with a set of fake teeth and a neat cape. You could dab ketchup on your lip for blood,” she said. “I have a skeleton zombie that’s gruesome and grungy. Great detail, with bones sticking through the fabric. The mummy is a classic monster from a horror movie. Full body wrap with tears and tatters. Flying monkeys take you to the dark side of The Wizard of Oz . Wicked monkey mask and wide wings.”
    Ricky’s brow creased. He was slow to make up his mind. He scrunched his nose and scuffed his beat-up sneakers on the hardwood floor. “Which one do you like best?” he asked Grace.
    â€œI’m not the one wearing the costume.”
    â€œI’m, uh, attending a party.”
    Grace caught on. “A boy-girl party?”
    Color crept up his neck. “Yeah.”
    â€œWouldn’t you rather protect the girls, than have them running scared?” she suggested.
    â€œMaybe . . .” he was reluctant to admit.
    â€œHow about a superhero?”
    â€œLots of guys are going as Spiderman, Superman, and Captain America.”
    Grace lowered her voice. Cade strained to hear her. “I have a special costume that’s not on the rack,” she told Ricky. “I’ve been saving it for the right young person. A Guardian of the Galaxy Star-Lord outfit.”
    Ricky’s jaw dropped. “Wow!”
    â€œIt’s one-of-a-kind,” she confided. “You’d be the only human-alien-cyborg hybrid. The costume has padded muscle arms and torso and comes with battle gear.”
    â€œA quad blaster?”
    â€œPlastic, but it looks realistic.”
    Ricky puffed out his chest. “Can I see it?”
    She pointed to the back of the store. “Boxed in the storeroom. Let’s go.”
    Ricky darted ahead of her. Grace passed the rack of capes. She surprised Cade by separating two hangers and saying, “Batman, Superman, Zorro? One-size cape fits all.”
    â€œYou knew I was here all along?”
    â€œI know where everyone is in my store at any given time,” she said. “Your work boots beneath the hem of the capes initially gave you away. I saw your feet before I caught your reflection in the security mirrors mounted at all four corners.”
    He glanced up, spotted the two of them. They looked good standing there together. He circled the rack, tapped his watch. “We’re losing afternoon light.”
    â€œGetting the kids in costumes is as important as our decorating. Amelia would