Excerpt

Teresa looked up from the ledger where she was carefully inscribing the name of the new reservation and grinned as she watched Aby trying to push open the tall double door at the entrance to the bed and breakfast. She wasn’t quite strong enough yet. Suddenly, Noel, Aby’s adopted older brother, reached around her and pushed it open for her. The smile Aby gave Noel made Teresa’s heart squeeze. Aby had adored Noel from the moment he’d arrived at the Bed & Breakfast and, as fate would have it, they were now brother and sister.

Laughter followed the children as they piled into the lobby from outside, followed by their much older, also adopted, sister, Di. Teresa came around the tall mahogany registration counter to be engulfed in hugs from all three of her children, Aby’s fairy wings on her Halloween costume getting crushed in the process.

“Oh, no,” Teresa said, trying not to laugh, looking at the crinkled left wing.

“It’s okay, Mom,” Noel said. “It got crushed at The Shoppe of Spells when she didn’t move fast enough, and the door closed on it. But that’s okay,” he grinned as he wiggled his fingers, imitating Dorian’s ability to manipulate the power of the earth. “Uncle Dorian fixed it.”

“I am so glad.” Teresa tried to make sure her expression was very serious.

“Mommy, look what we got.” Aby turned and pulled the bag Di was carrying for her from her hand. It was so heavy that it dropped to the floor.

“I hope that’s not all candy,” Teresa said, laughing.

Just then, the bell chimed as a woman appeared to struggle to open the door.

Noel was at the door in a heartbeat, pulling it open and holding it for the woman.

“Why, thank you, kind sir,” she said, smiling at him as he stepped back to let her pass, manipulating her two forearm canes.

“Wow,” he said quickly, trying to cover for the fact that her beauty made him blush in his childish pre-adolescent temperament, “cool decorations.”

“Thanks. Hey, if I have to use these, I’m going to make the most of them.” She held up the one nearest him so he could see the Halloween-themed stickers up and down the cane.

Aby raced over. “Hey, Mommy, she’s got Snoopy and the Great Pumpkin.”

“Let’s not make her stand in the door. It’s getting chilly outside,” Di said, calling her little sister back as she reached down and picked up Aby’s bag, forgotten on the floor. “I heard rumors that Sandra has some hot chocolate with your names on it.”

They were off in a flash, rushing into the dining room of the restaurant. When Di got to the dining room door, she looked back, a frown pulling her brows together as she studied the woman in the lobby. Something tugged at her memory. She smiled, nodded, and went to join her siblings. The thing was, she still had issues with her memory. It would come to her; it would just take time. She’d grown accustomed to that.

“What can I do for you?” Teresa said and moved back around the counter, weary of any stranger, since Ruthorford was closed for Halloween, freeing up the kids to run from shop to shop and house to house, free from fear.

“I’m sorry. I got away early and, once I explained to the guard at the town gate, he let me through. I’m Andie Navarro.”

At that moment, Teresa’s phone pinged. <Woman has identification. Showed it to me on her phone. Sorry, Lizza needed something,> the text read.

Teresa looked up at the woman across from her. Recognition dawned, and she laughed. “You’re Rowe’s friend. I thought ‘Andy’ was male.”

“You aren’t the first,” the woman laughed. “Andrea Narvarro. “I spell Andie with an ‘ie’. I probably should have called. I found I could get away early. If my shop isn’t ready, I could find someplace—”

“It is, but rather bare,” Teresa interrupted her. “However, if you’d rather stay here for the night, you are more than welcome. The town is overrun today and tonight with children, and I don’t know if there’s anyone to help you get moved in.”

“The majority of my things won’t arrive until Monday. But, I admit I’m tired. If you have a room?”

“I absolutely do. We shut down the town for Halloween, so there’s plenty of room at the inn. Let me show you to a room on the first floor. It’s accessible, as well. Then, please join us for dinner. With Halloween being on Friday, you get to see us become a madhouse tomorrow and change it over to more Fall and Thanksgiving.”

Teresa came around the counter with a keycard and led the pretty woman down the hall. Two doors down, she slipped the keycard into the lock and opened the door. Walking in, she hit a switch and the lights turned on atop the bedside table, as well as the table in front of the window overlooking the back. She then walked into the bath and turned on the light in there, glancing around. It looked like everything was in place.

“Do you need any help with luggage?” she asked.

Andie held up one of her canes, hit a button on the hand grip, and a hook popped down. “I’m good. However, I might need some help tomorrow with some things in my van.”

“I will let Rowe know you’re here, and I’m sure he’s got someone who can help.”

“Thanks. I didn’t let them know I was coming early, either. I can’t wait to see them. In fact, this is sort of a surprise for Kat. My van is parked in front of the shop, so I’ll go get my overnight bag in a little bit.”

“Well, come on down to the dining room when you’re ready. If you prefer quiet, I can have a tray sent to you. We pretty much cater to the kids tonight. It can get a little rowdy.”

“Not a problem at all. I love the Halloween-decorated tree in the median and all the wreaths and pumpkins. By next year, I should have plenty of decorations to add to your decor.”

“That would be fantastic. I’ll let you get settled.” Teresa walked to the door and turned back. “Oh, I forgot to give you the keys to the shop.” Hearing commotion coming from the front lobby, she handed Andie the keys before closing the door behind her. Strolling down the hall, she grinned as she sent a text to Rowe, letting him know Andie had arrived.

Andie stepped out of the bed and breakfast and looked down the street. She smiled at the orange and yellow lights twinkling from the huge tree in the median. Children walked, skipped, and ran up and down the street, calling out to each other and to the adults opening doors and handing out candy and goodies. By next year, she hoped she would be one of those shopkeepers, making the kids grin.

She made her way down the street, past the art gallery where KC’s incredible art was housed. Right now, the windows displayed Halloween-themed paintings and sculptures. She lingered at the window of the boutique with black, orange, and purple clothing on display and promised herself to stop in. Those black suede pants with the purple sweater had her name on them. She took the key off the hook on her cane and stepped in front of what would be her shop. With a narrower storefront than the art gallery or boutique, it would be perfect for her smaller displays. She envisioned the acrylic tree she’d created based on her design to the right of the window and could visualize her ornaments glowing in all their beauty.

As she turned the key, she heard a scream. She turned to see a girl running toward her, a man running after her, his face covered. In one quick motion, she pulled the door open, grabbed the girl by the arm, and spun her into the dark shop, closing the door behind them, the lock clicking into place. The shade was pulled down on the door but not on the window. She pulled the girl to the nearest corner and crouched down with the girl, her forearm canes having fallen on the floor by the door.

“Tommy. They have Tommy,” the girl cried. Andie put her finger over the girl’s lips and shook her head.

The door handle rattled.

The girl gasped.

About Author Shanon Grey…