He stared at Honey’s last text message and realized there were really no do-overs. If he missed something, he missed it forever. He hadn’t been there when Mattie took his first steps. He’d also been absent when Sara was born. He’d missed Honey when she did a reading at the library for one of the short stories she’d won an award for. All these things could only be experienced firsthand, not heard about or seen on a video.
He’d already missed the special day he’d planned with his family, and it sucked that Troy would have to fill in.
It also hurt that Honey had agreed to go out with Troy, even if it was with Mattie and Sara tagging along.
Worst of all, he’d disappointed Honey and hurt her. First chance he’d gotten to prove that he’d changed, and he’d gone straight to his destruction like a foolish moth to the fire.
He glanced at his watch and frowned. The food trucks were toast, and he’d be lucky to make it to the Monster Mash. Mattie would be whining about the haunted house all evening, and he doubted Troy would be able to delay their entrance too long.
He thought back to all birthdays and events he’d missed.
What a fool he’d been to exchange real gold for fool’s gold.
Dread curled in his stomach. He could lose Honey once and for all. She’d accepted the “date” with Troy, and even if it was just something friendly, his buddy would be taking his place with his family, laughing and joking, enjoying the food and fun, screaming in the haunted house and dancing under the stars.
Precious shared experiences without him.
Max stared out the window and willed the plane to fly faster. He couldn’t live without Honey, and if he lost her, it would be entirely his fault and stupidity.
He hoped he wasn’t too late.
Chapter Nineteen
“Those are French fries, not skeleton fingers,” Mattie squealed when Troy dangled one before his face.
“Of course they’re skeleton fingers,” Troy said. “What do you think skeletons use to pick their noses?”
“Ewwee!” Honey laughed as Mattie tried to stick the French fry up his nose.
“They taste great dipped in vampire’s blood.” Troy crammed a few fingers, or fries, into a cup of ketchup. “Here, try some.”
Beside her, Sara picked at the cheesy brains, or macaroni and cheese served in a plastic skull bowl.
The four of them sat at an outdoor cafe table next to the pavilion where the food trucks were parked. Honey, Mattie, and Sara wore their wolf costumes to keep them warm, while Troy was posing as a pirate, complete with eye patch, a red bandana tied around his head, and a giant gold hoop earring.
A wispy trail of hair ran down his neck, like it had been missed by the barber. Honey blinked and stared at it, seeing in her mind the zombie’s neck when she’d been hoisted over his shoulder. Could it be? But no, that had to have been one of the reenactors. Max’s friend would never scare her like that. Max wouldn’t allow it.
She snapped out of her crazy suspicions and looked around at the buildings. “This part of town does look newer. It almost reminds me of the restaurant rows we have in the Bay Area.”
“We’re not so backwards and boondocky as you think,” Troy said. He opened a box of pigs in a blanket for Mattie. “Here, have some zombie toes.”
It was a brisk and partially cloudy fall evening, and colorful leaves were twirling in circles. The “Monster Mash” music was piped through speakers hidden in the street lights, or so she’d been told, and pumpkins and dried corn were arranged in the sapphire blue planters along the shopping area.
“I could see myself living here,” Honey remarked. “This place is really booming.”
“The Spencer brothers from Vegas brought in a lot of money, and we’re the headquarters for a big agribusiness concern,” Troy said. “Who knows, maybe Max can take over the local bank. Everyone needs loans for their businesses.”
The thought of Max reminded her why she could not move to Sapphire Falls. What his parents said was true. If they couldn’t make it work in San Francisco, they didn’t stand a chance in Sapphire Falls, either.
“I’d rather not talk about Max,” Honey sighed. “I know he’s your buddy, but let’s just have fun tonight with the kids. I owe it to them to make this weekend festive.”
“I agree.” Troy quickly switched tack. He pulled out his camera and said, “Say cheese, you little munchkins.”
Honey put Sara on her lap with the brain bowl and hugged Mattie close. They laughed and hammed for the camera and then finished their meal—Franken sandwiches for the grownups, and zombie toes in the blanket and braincaroni and cheese for the kids.
After dinner, the four of them wandered around the square, visiting booths and marveling at the crafts.
“Mommy, we didn’t get your bear,” Mattie said when they passed the petting zoo.
“There’s probably nothing left,” Honey said. “It’s okay, because I have you two little wolves.”
All around the square, people waved and said “hi,” both strangers and townsfolk and Troy asked several friends to take pictures of them. Honey held Mattie’s hand while Troy let Sara ride on top of his neck and shoulders.
For all anyone knew, they were a happy family of four out and about, enjoying the Halloween festival.
“When can we go to the haunted house?” Mattie pointed to a spooky looking older house across the square. “I took a nap and you promised.”
“Let’s go get in line.” Honey took his hand, despite her misgivings. Surely, the volunteers who staffed the house would see the children and not jump out and frighten them.
“The line’s too long,” Troy said, hanging back with Sara. “How about we look for that monster bear for your mommy at the petting zoo?”
“Okay,” Mattie said. “And then, we go to the haunted house? I want to see a ghost.”
He skipped ahead of them toward the petting zoo, which had been filled with locally made stuffed monsters for charity.
“What’s the haunted house like?” Honey asked. “I need a little mental preparation before I go inside.”
“It’s awesome!” Troy said. “They have a fog machine, haunted graveyard, ghosts and spiders dropping from the ceiling, monsters …”
“Some of the ladies told me it’s a make out place.”
“Oh, yeah. That.” He chuckled as his cheeks reddened. “There are quite a few closets and hidden corners.”
“Anyway, nice job of distraction back there,” Honey said. “It almost felt like you didn’t want us to go to the haunted house.”
“Yeah, well, it might be too much for them. It’s for teens and above, really bloody and gruesome. I might be able to get a few ghosts to jump out at the petting zoo.” He passed Sara to Honey and took out his phone to text.
“That sounds like a more family friendly alternative. But would Mattie fall for it? He’s heard all the screams coming from the real one.”
“Why don’t you pretend to be scared so he’ll think it’s real? Scream and jump when the spiders fall on you.”
“Good idea, then we can go home and not worry about the kids getting lost in the real haunted house,” Honey agreed.
She caught up with Mattie in front of the “haunted” petting zoo barn. The animatronic wolf still howled and blinked, and the zombie still tried to crawl out of its grave. The black cat still arched and hissed. The half-buried jaw bone still chattered, and even though Honey had been inside and knew that everything was in good fun, she still felt the chills creep down her back.
“Mommy, can we go in? I want to find a big, ugly, scary monster bear for you.” Mattie tugged her hand.
“Let’s wait for Troy. I’m too scared to go into this haunted house. Do you see anyone inside?”
“No, because this haunted house is creepier than the one with the long line,” Mattie said. “And that’s why no one wants to go in.”
Great! Everything was set. All she needed to do now was stall for time and let Troy arrange his buddies inside
to dress as ghosts for the kinder and gentler haunted house.
Honey pointed to the Scott’s Sweets booth. “Who’s up for chocolate spiders?”
“Me want candy.” Sara drooled and clapped.
Yep, candy was definitely a good distraction. Maybe by the time they got back, Troy and his buddies would be ready to play, and children Mattie and Sara’s age wouldn’t be traumatized by the gruesome frights or sexy sights in the real haunted house.
Although …
If Max were here, she wouldn’t have minded trying some of the closets, nooks, and crannies with him.
* * *
Max stared at the zombie costume Troy left in his truck. The bloody, gruesome bandages had been splattered with paint and the face mask had wisps of honey-colored hair stuck to it.
A zombie had kidnapped Honey and tied her up, and now, that zombie, even though he was supposedly his buddy, was out at the festival with Max’s wife and children.
Max turned on the overhead light and snooped around the truck’s interior. Honey had said she’d been tied up and that the gypsy fortuneteller had cut the ropes. At the time, no one had seen the rope and the supposed stake she was tied to. Or maybe the ropes and stake had been there, but it had been dark and his main goal had been to get Honey away from the scene of the crime.
He found a flashlight and dug through the junk accumulated in the back of the truck, looking for a telltale sign.
Honey had never told him what the zombie had said to her. She only claimed he hadn’t hurt her, or at least seriously, as if frightening her and tying her up wasn’t serious. He’d stupidly forgotten about it because all he thought about was getting into her panties and letting her know he wanted her back.
He was about to give up when he pulled a dirty blanket back and found the paintball gun among broken and frayed strands of rope. The most damning was the four-foot-long metal spike. The pointed end was still encrusted with dried mud.
Max’s heart thumped hard against his ribcage, and he could barely catch his breath. Troy Caine was the zombie who’d kidnapped Honey.
Troy Caine was with Honey and the kids right now.
What was his end game?
Max fumbled with his phone and texted Troy. Where are you now?
Troy texted back. Instead of going to the haunted house, go to the petting zoo and hide there.
Why?
Because Honey and the kids are going there to buy her a monster bear, and the line’s too long at the haunted house. Plus Honey’s a chicken. She’s afraid of horror movies.
A chill shuddered down Max’s spine. Honey must have gotten really close to Troy to tell him her fears.
Did she tell you that? Max texted.
No, but this is better. Trust me. She’ll be so surprised.
Okay, then. I’ll head over there.
Max pocketed his phone and turned off the flashlight and overhead light on Troy’s truck.
Troy could be asking him to go to the petting zoo to get him out of the way while he waltzed with Honey and the kids to the haunted house.
On second thought … how did he know Troy had the kids with him? What if he’d talked Honey on a date with him and they’d dropped the children off with his parents?
If so, taking Honey to the haunted house was no longer innocent friend stuff. Honey was a beautiful and kind woman, and now that the town knew she was no longer married …
How safe was Honey with him?
Troy had majored in abnormal psychology and dealt with maladjusted people. He would be familiar with the underbelly of society and the seedy side of Sapphire Falls. What was his real game plan?
Max texted his parents to check if Honey had dropped off the kids, but they never responded to text messages. He called the home phone and no one answered.
Everyone at Sapphire Falls would be at the square for the Monster Mash dance party and the announcement of the contest winners.
Max pulled his mask over his face and headed for the town square.
Honey was his.
And no one would ever substitute for him again.
Chapter Twenty
“Everything’s set,” Troy said, grinning. He picked up Mattie and tossed him in the air. “Ready for the haunted house, big guy?”
“Yes!” Mattie shouted. “My mommy’s afraid, but I’m going fight all the monsters.”
“And ghosts,” Troy said. “But beware of the zombies. They’re going to eat you.”
He made a growling, crunching noise with his mouth and pretended to bite Mattie, making the boy squeal with laughter.
Honey snapped pictures with her phone and texted them to Max. He was probably in a meeting, but she wanted him to know that she and the children were having the time of their lives.
We ate at the Fright Fest Food trucks, too. She texted. Sapphire Falls sure knows how to put on a party. Troy’s so good with the kids. Miss you.
“Ready to go?” She nuzzled Sara who slobbered her with a gooey sugary kiss. “Let’s see some ghosties.”
The four of them approached the petting zoo and this time, it felt familiar. The “Pet or Die” sign looked childishly drawn, and the animatronics were exactly the same. Someone even added a fog machine, and balloon headed ghosts hung over the entrance.
“Mommy, are you scared?” Mattie asked.
“Oh, so scared.” Honey pretended to shiver. “I don’t want to see any ghosts.”
Her act made Mattie laugh his cute four-year-old laugh. But as they stepped through the doors, he held on tighter to Troy and his eyes grew wider.
A low moan sounded from a dark corner, and something squeaked like a loose floor board.
“Spider, spider!” Sara said as a large fuzzy spider dropped in front of her.
“Ahhh!” Honey jumped and danced away from it, but Sara only laughed.
Okay, so her baby girl was like Max. Wonderful. Father and daughter could enjoy horror films together.
“Whoooo …” A ghostly white figure fluttered across the rafters.
“I see a ghost.” Mattie cackled. “And there’s a witch stirring a pot of bones.”
Honey’s eyes hadn’t adjusted as fast as Mattie’s, but when she squinted, sure enough, a Raggedy Ann doll wearing a witch’s hat lurked behind a black pot full of bones. It was Phoebe, of course, and she winked to Honey and Sara as they walked by.
Sara waved and said “hi,” and the witch gave her a piece of candy.
Honey took a deep breath and relaxed. She could handle this type of haunted house. Maybe next year, she’d volunteer for the kiddie version and hold a children’s party in here.
She gave Sara a kiss on the cheek and whispered, “Isn’t this spooky?”
“Oh, oh!” Sara pointed over Honey’s shoulder.
A deep growly moan drew Honey’s attention, and she turned slowly, expecting another fuzzy and friendly monster.
A figure rose from behind a counter of crates and came toward them.
Honey’s gaze traveled from his bandaged hands and the blood soaked T-shirt, to the jagged wounds marring his chest and neck and stopped at the hollow face covered with bloody bandages splattered with paint.
The zombie!
Making that deep, eerie zombie groan, the creature lurched toward her with his head hanging at an angle and hands out front.
Honey gasped and turned, looking for the exit.
“It’s a real zombie,” she shouted a warning to everyone in the building. “We have to get out of here.”
Sara squealed and Mattie laughed.
Two strong hands grabbed her by the shoulders and she screamed, clutching Sara tighter.
Creeps and chills radiated over her body at the clutching of the undead fingers, but she wasn’t going to let him get her babies.
No way. She’d fight him tooth and nail.
He pulled her toward him, and she snapped her head back at the same time, slamming the top of her skull into his nose and mouth.
“Ow!” The zombie let her go. He hel
d his nose as blood soaked through the bandages, fell backwards and hit his head. His body slumped, and he collapsed, out cold on the ground.
“Good job!” Troy grabbed onto Honey as she staggered in shock. “You nailed him good.”
“Is he the one who kidnapped you at the paintball tournament?” Phoebe came to her side, along with two other “ghosts.”
One had silvery blond hair highlighted pink, purple, and green, and the other was wearing a hard hat. Hope and Delaney.
“Yes, he looks exactly the same.” Honey trembled. “We should call the police.”
Delaney strode to the zombie and ripped his bandage mask from his face.
It was Max.
“Max? You?” Honey handed Sara to Hope and flung herself over his prostrate body. “You scared the hell out of me. You set this up and then had the gall to call the posse over and act like you rescued me.”
“Wow, just wow,” Delaney said. “This one takes the cake.”
“I’ll call Ed,” Phoebe said, getting out her cell phone.
“It wasn’t me,” Max mumbled, regaining consciousness. He slowly sat up, holding his head and pinching his bloody nose. “I organized the search party. How would I have had time to kidnap Honey, tie her up, and then search for her?”
“Uh, that sounds exactly like how it happened,” Delaney said, as footsteps trampled into the barn.
“Police. Put your hands up!”
Honey picked up the mask, which had scraggly, matted hair on top of a scarred flesh-colored scalp. Hanging from the back was the single rattail length of hair that she’d thought belonged to Troy.
“It wasn’t me,” Max yelled. “It was Troy. He’s the one who kidnapped Honey. The rope, everything’s in his truck.”
Honey ripped Mattie from Troy’s arms and backed away from him. How could she have trusted Troy? At best, he was in cahoots with Max. At worst, he could be dangerous.
“Mommy, Mommy,” Mattie cried. “Why are they taking Daddy away?”
Honey hugged Mattie tightly. “It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”
Sapphire Falls: Going Haywire (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 12
