Now at work, she shifted restlessly in her chair. Highlighted by sensation. Her pulse skipped. Her skin tingled. She crossed her ankles, squeezed her thighs together.
Oh . . . my.
Paula soon made her morning appearance. Her assistant approached the conference room table, flattened her palms on the top. She stared at Lara with one eyebrow raised. “Wow, you and the mayor have the same dazed expression.”
“Pardon me?”
Paula blinked. “That’s exactly what he said a minute ago when I checked in with him. He has no attention span. I asked him twice if he liked my T-shirt, and he answered, ‘Pardon, come again?’ ”
Lara managed to focus. She checked out Paula’s shirt and smiled. Another perfect shirt for Halloween, designed with a smiling ghost gripping a triple-scoop chocolate cone. The caption read:
What do ghosts serve for dessert?
Ice Scream
The ice cream reminded Lara of her dinner with Jack at the soda fountain. She was momentarily lost to the thought. Deeply lost.
“Earth to Lara,” Paula called to her.
“I’m with you.”
“You sure?”
“I’m certain.”
“Another busy day ahead,” said Paula. She fisted a handful of messages. “Some news on the parade and festivities.”
“Good news, I hope.”
“Halloween is coming together. Slow, but steady.”
Relief settled bone-deep. Yesterday Lara hadn’t been sure whether she could pull everything together. She’d made a dozen lists with a dozen thoughts and ideas per page. The parade alone was an outlandish amount of work. It would start at one o’clock in the afternoon and end several hours later. Once the last float passed, businesses along Pumpkin Lane would throw open their doors and encourage children to trick-or-treat. At twilight, the downtown area shifted to a big street party. Music, singing, shopping, and socializing. A night to remember.
Lara was smart enough to realize she couldn’t handle it all herself. Even with Paula’s assistance. Not at this late date. Halloween was an event that should’ve been in development months in advance. Not just two short weeks. She’d do her best, and hope it was good enough.
Throughout the previous day she’d suggested to those with true Halloween spirit that they should volunteer. She’d hoped that someone would step up to handle some of the many tasks that still needed doing. She’d received a few maybes and several we’ll sees. No one had fully committed. Maybe today.
“Your news?” she prodded Paula.
Paula grinned. “The mayor and I arrived at the courthouse early this morning. He asked what I planned to accomplish today, and I shared my list. At the top is pulling permits and licenses for the parade. Jack’s a facilitator. We stopped by the police chief’s office, filled out the necessary forms, and the chief signed off when he arrived.”
Lara was amazed. “That was fast.”
“We’re moving forward,” said Paula. “I’ve also received good news from Caleb Dimitriou.”
Lara shook her head. “I don’t recognize his name.”
“George Castellanos owns the Greek restaurant in town, and Caleb Dimitriou is his nephew,” Paula explained. “George and his wife are presently traveling in Greece. Caleb, from Philly, is running the restaurant while they’re away. I’m sure you’ve seen George driving the Pumpkin Queen in the parade every year. She rides on the top of the backseat of his classic convertible Cadillac. This Halloween, Caleb will be behind the wheel.”
Lara nodded. “Works for me.”
“Have you chosen the queen?”
“I haven’t given it much thought.”
“The name of the queen is kept secret until Thursday afternoon, before the Saturday parade. Whoever’s running the parade stands on the courthouse steps and makes the big announcement.”
“That’s quite a responsibility.”
“It’s a pretty big deal,” Paula noted. “In years past, the scarecrow marching high school band has always led the parade. Energetic music sets the mood. The queen in the Cadillac comes next. She’s front and center and gets a lot of attention. People cheer her on.”
Lara grew thoughtful. She’d have to give the selection of the Pumpkin Festival Queen considerable attention. It was part of her job. A very important part.
“I have even more news,” Paula said. “I bumped into sisters Lana and Louise Stratton at Bennett’s Grocery Store last night. We had a lengthy convo. Both are great organizers. They’ve headed numerous courthouse committees over the years. They will be stopping by to see you today.”
Lara released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “It’s all taking shape.”
“Great shape, actually. You’re getting there. What’s on your agenda for today?”
“We need to establish the order of the parade. Who will fall in where? We know the marching band comes first, followed by the Pumpkin Queen. I’ll go down my list of all those who’ve signed up to participate. We’ll do a tentative lineup, from floats to pets.”
“Does that include the big, pumpkin-faced Mickey Mouse balloon?” asked Paula.
“A tough fit, but we’ll give it a try.”
“You are one fair events coordinator.”
“Fair, my ass,” Glen Meyers said sharply from the doorway. He stood large and irritated, his expression ornery. “I’ve asked three times now for you to lengthen the parade.”
“Four times, actually.” Paula included today. “That’s three times too many.”
Glen shot her a death stare. He crossed to the table, leaned over Lara. Intimidatingly close. “How difficult could it be? Five additional blocks is hardly out of your way.”
Lara kept her voice even. “It’s a long-established parade route that begins and ends on Pumpkin Lane. The progression takes a turn at Moonbright Park, where there’s plenty of open space. That’s where those involved in the parade disperse.”
“Long-established? Bullshit,” Glen scoffed. “You’re in charge of the parade and could make it happen if you wanted to.”
“Wanted to is the operative word, dude,” Paula injected.
Glen clenched his fists. Silence hit like a punch. Until he hissed, “It’s all because of our breakup, isn’t it? You’re getting even with me by excluding my family business from the parade.”
Lara held her ground. “We have a very short time to pull this event together,” she told him. “I’m not making unnecessary adjustments. What’s worked in the past will work in the present. Sorry.”
“You’re a bitch.”
“You have bat breath.” No one had noticed Edna Milner’s arrival. Yet there she stood, next to Glen, a small woman overshadowed by a large man. She nudged him aside with her elbow. A brave move. Lady was fearless. She then glanced at Lara. “I have business with Pumpkin Head. So move along.”
Pumpkin Head, again? Lara blanched. Better than Pumpkin Butt, she supposed. Still, not a pretty image.
The conference room bristled with the older woman’s presence. No one argued with Edna. Ever. Not even Glen. He curled his lip, snarled low in his throat, and then took his leave. He shot Lara an I’ll-get-even look, which left her slightly uneasy.
She drew a relieved breath, glad that Glen was gone. “Good morning, Ms. Milner,” she initiated. “Can I be of some assistance?”
“No,” Edna flatly said. “I was down the hall at the DMV getting my driver’s license renewed. I had difficulty with the eye chart. It now says on my new license I have to wear my glasses to drive.”
Lara was amazed she was still operating a vehicle at eighty. “New photo, too, then?”
“One wearing my glasses. All bug-eyed.”
This was the longest Lara had ever conversed with Edna. It was going fairly smoothly, until the older woman asked, “How was supper with Jack-O’-Lantern?”
Jack-O’-Lantern? The mayor. Was Edna being snarky or silly? Lara was not certain. Edna seemed to have a Halloween name for everyone.
Paula perked up. Her expression was as curious as Edna’s own. “A meal, huh?”
Lara gave them little. “Our work carried over to supper.”
“I didn’t hear much shop talk.”
Edna must have eavesdropped at the soda fountain counter. “We were quietly discussing the parade,” Lara informed her. On a whim she asked, “There’s a great deal left to do. Care to help out?”
Edna sniffed. “I’ve already done enough. I got rid of Bat Breath for you. The Meyers boy wants his own way, and has never compromised.” She tugged her gray wool cape tighter about her thin body. Then inched toward the door. “Get busy, Pumpkin Head and Tricksy Treats.” She disappeared like a ghost.
Paula’s eyes rounded. “Tricksy Treats? Really? What’s with Edna?”
Lara shrugged. “Maybe she’s trying to be funny.”
“I’m not laughing, are you?”
“A little on the inside.” Lara grew thoughtful. “Evil eye for evil eye. Edna started the Halloween name-calling. If she can dish it out, she should be able to take it. Paybacks are now part of the festivities. We need a name for her, too, for when we next see her.”
“How about Grumpy Mummy?”
“That makes her sound grouchy and old.”
“She is both,” Paula defended. “Guess that rules out Rattling Bag of Bones.”
“Despite the fact she can be testy, we don’t want to purposely hurt her feelings. All things considered, Edna was on target today with Glen.”
Paula giggled. “You mean Bat Breath?”
“He was in my face, and I can attest to his breath.” She rearranged the papers on the table. “We’ll come up with the right name for Edna. Give it time.”
They returned to work, which lasted all of five minutes for Paula. She tapped her ink pen on the table, got Lara’s attention. “So . . . tell me about supper with Jack-O’-Lantern.”
Lara gave the easy answer. Truthful, without details. “I was tired, and he was considerate. He took me out to eat.”
“Where did this romantic meal take place?”
“The soda fountain at Morgan’s Apothecary. I had a sandwich, he had a burger.”
Paula’s face fell. “That’s it?” There was disappointment in her tone.
“What did you expect?”
“I’m not sure, but counter stools fall short of a private table and candlelight.”
“It’s all about the company.”
“The mayor is hot. The best-looking man in Moonbright. In all of Maine.”
Lara silently agreed. She went back to work while Paula doodled on her notepad. “So . . . what caused your distracted looks this morning?” she asked. “He was dazed and you were dreamy-eyed.”
“Enough said. You’ve an active imagination.”
“When people say enough, there’s usually a whole lot more.”
“Not between us.”
Paula seemed skeptical.
Lara got serious. “The parade’s not going to plan itself.”
Townspeople slowly trickled in to volunteer for one aspect of the parade or another. Everyone was cooperative and orderly, and Lara was pleased by the turnout. She’d had no idea how the folks of Moonbright would react to her being in charge. They seemed to fall in line just fine. They received their assignments and took off to achieve them.
Midmorning, Paula stood up and stretched. “Coffee break?” she asked Lara once the conference room had cleared out.
Lara was hesitant. She’d yet to see the mayor that morning, and wasn’t certain she was ready to face him after their kiss. How should she react? Should she show how glad she was to see him, or should she play it cool? As if their kiss meant nothing. . . when in actuality it meant everything to her.
She waved Paula off. “I’m good. You go ahead.”
“Passing on Bellaluna’s is a courthouse sin.”
“Perhaps you could bring me back a cranberry-orange scone.”
“Better yet, get it yourself.”
“Whatever, Tricksy Treats.”
“Bye, Pumpkin Head.”
“Ladies, what’s with the name-calling?” The mayor now stood in the doorway. He raised a brow, only to smile seconds later. “I see Edna Milner’s made her morning rounds. She’s tagged my whole staff with Halloween names.”
“Jack-O’-Lantern,” Paula called with a grin as she squeezed past him, left them alone.
He turned to Laura. Met her gaze squarely. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee? I heard you mention a scone.”
“I was going to work through the break.”
“Why?”
“Because . . .” She had nothing.
“Because you’re stressed and unsure over our kiss,” he said so casually, so easily, so unaffectedly. “Were you avoiding me?”
She peeled a label off a file folder, unintentionally. “You’re here. I’m here.”
He came to the table, took a chair beside her. He looked so handsome, Lara thought, in his brown suit, cream-colored shirt, and dark blue tie. His hair was brushed back off his face. His features were masculine and strong.
“The second floor is fairly quiet. Let’s talk.”
“About what?”
“Us.”
“I’m not sure what to say.”
“I am. I like you, Lara Shaw.” His voice was deep, assured. “We’ve been aware of each other for years, but never acted on it. Am I right?”
She’d side-eyed him hundreds of times, but was surprised he’d noticed her. “You’ve thought of me?”
He nodded. “Of the shy girl in school who studied in the library and seldom socialized. I started to approach you dozens of times, but you always looked down and buried your nose in a book. You blew me off.”
“I wasn’t ignoring you,” she rushed to say. “You were popular and a hockey jock. I couldn’t imagine you speaking to me, for any reason. Ever.”
“I had my reasons. I have a soft spot for shyness and sincerity. For blondes with light hazel eyes and tilted hairbands.”
Oh . . . my.
“I don’t want to go too fast for you or make you feel uncomfortable. You not taking a coffee break at the bakeshop has me believing I’ve done just that.” He laid his hand on hers atop the table, squeezed. “I’m sweet on you. We can make as little or as much of the kiss as we want. Although it meant a lot to me.”
“A lot to me, too.”
He grinned then, all sexy and pleased. “Good to know.”
Yes, it was.
“So shall we go to Bellaluna’s?”
“Together?”
“Together will actually cause less talk than you entering and me following five minutes later, as if planned.” He winked at her. “I want to spend time with you. People will get used to seeing us in each other’s company.”
“Pumpkin Head and the Jack-O’-Lantern.”
“They match just fine. Edna named us well.”
They strolled to Bellaluna’s, ordered coffee and bakery treats, and settled at a large table with the rest of his courthouse staff. Paula gave her the eye, but no one else seemed to notice their arrival. The conversation centered on Halloween costumes. Which reminded Lara that she needed to stop at Charade and try on the Queen of Hearts. She would do so after work. Anticipation quickened her heart. Warmed her. If it fit, she would buy it. She was grateful for her job and the money she was earning.
Twenty quick minutes and the mayor’s watch alarm beeped. Their coffee break was over. Sofia called to Jack on his way out. She had a bakery bag to take back to Stella the receptionist. Lara stood by the door, overheard their exchange.
“A carrot cupcake with white chocolate frosting for Screaming Scary Claws,” said Sofia.
Jack shook his head. “Edna Milner, at it again.”
“Stella recently had a manicure. Long, bright red nails. The name does fit.”
“Anyone mad at her over the nicknames?”
Sofia shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of. She’s dubbed me Spooky O’Sweets. I
look upon it as a badge of honor. In my opinion, she’s irritable on a good day, but close to Halloween, she picks on those she secretly likes.”
Lara agreed with Sofia. She told Jack so as they headed back to the courthouse. “Paula and I plan to come up with a name for Edna. Soon. I want her to feel part of the festivities.”
“Good luck with that. She’s sarcastic and critical, and she’s never taken part in anything.”
Back at the courthouse, Stella greeted them. “Pumpkin Head, Jack-O’-Lantern.”
Lara couldn’t resist. “Screaming Scary Claws.”
Jack handed off the bakery bag, and Stella wiggled her fingers. “Not too frightening. I can live with it.”
Lara and Jack took the elevator to the second floor. He lightly touched her on the shoulder with a faint hint of affection. Nothing notable, but still her entire body flushed. She fanned her face as she entered the conference room. Paula was already seated at the table. Fortunately for Lara, she didn’t look up. Pen in her hand, she was busy checking off a long list of to-dos.
They put their noses to the grindstone, and the day zipped by. Paula split at five sharp for a date. Lara slipped on her Windbreaker. She had her own mission. To try on a costume for Halloween. She debated telling Jack of her destination, but decided to go it alone.
The elevator door was open, making for a quick exit. She wished Stella a good evening. Outside, she ducked her head against the wind, which was sharp and crisp. Winter was giving autumn a hard shove. But autumn would hold out for another month if Moonbright was lucky.
Charade was packed with wall-to-wall people. Lara inched in the door. She squeezed between customers until she located the store owner. She crooked her finger at Catwoman Grace Alden and pointed toward the window display. Grace understood. She went to the window, withdrew the mannequin, and carried it to the back room. After removing the Queen of Hearts costume, she hung it on a padded hanger and passed it off to Lara.
Grace crossed her fingers. “Good luck; I hope it fits.”
So did Lara. A man carrying a pirate costume vacated one of the dressing rooms, and she slipped in behind him. It was a small space with a short black stool and an elongated mirror. She carefully hooked the hanger over a wooden peg. Then stood back and admired the costume fully. She lightly stroked the velvet and lace. It was truly elegant.
The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice Page 26
