Death by Pumpkin Spice Read Free Page A

“I won’t know anyone and I’m sure I’m going to look like an idiot.”
    â€œI’ll be there,” Vicki said, glancing around the shop. It had opened its doors only a week ago and would be gone by the end of next week. “Mason will be there. And of course, Will.” She winked at me and grinned.
    I sighed, unable to get into the spirit of things. “Yeah, well, there will be a lot of other people there, too, many of whom won’t want me there.”
    â€œYou’ll be fine.” Vicki patted me on the arm. “You’re just nervous. It’ll pass.”
    â€œYeah, I guess.”
    â€œTrust me.” She gave me a winning smile and then turned to start poking through the aisles.
    Halloween Queens was full of costumes and decorations fit for the holiday. There were the requisite gravestones and giant spiders, along with a battery-powered witch’s broom that swept the floor all by itself while it cackled madly. Screams and moans filled the air, all mechanical, and all a bit tinny. I breathed it in, hoping to regain some of my love for the holiday, but I just couldn’t manage it.
    It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go to the Yarborough party with Will, because I did. It’s just that I’d never felt comfortable around a large number of strangers who might expect me to be social with them. Stick me behind a counter, and I’m fine. Put me in public with others, and I turn into a scaredy-cat of the highest order.
    I think the reason I was so frightened was because Rita had told me how big of a deal the party was. If it’s so important, did that mean the mayor of Pine Hills would be there? What about out-of-town guests; people with money and social standing? Why would they let someone like me into a place like that? I would stick out like a sore thumb.
    â€œWhat do you think?” Vicki drew my eye, saving me from more self-deprecating thoughts. She was holding up one of those sexy fairy costumes that always left so little to the imagination, it made me wonder, why bother?
    â€œIt doesn’t really cover much, does it?” It consisted of what looked like a green bra, green panties, and strap-on wings. Oh, and the tiny little wand with glittery streamers on it. Couldn’t forget that.
    Vicki replaced it on the rack and laughed. “You’re right. Why can’t women’s costumes be a little less . . .”
    â€œRevealing?”
    She nodded.
    There was no way I was going to a party of any kind, Halloween or otherwise, dressed in a sexy anything. I didn’t have the figure for it, and while I’m not obese, I was pretty sure I’d look twice my size the moment some ultrathin sexpot strutted up next to me in her sexy she-devil outfit. It was best I stuck to something a little less exposing, and a whole lot more concealing, like maybe a full-body wardrobe, mask and all.
    â€œI’m not sure what I want to do,” I said, eyeing a naughty policewoman outfit. I’m pretty sure no officer worth her salt would ever wear a midriff–exposing shirt pulled that tightly.
    â€œFind something that catches your eye,” Vicki said. “Mason told me to choose something I feel comfortable in and not to worry about anything else. He’s going as a gangster, if that tells you anything.”
    I raised my eyebrows at that. “His dad got him the invite, so I’m assuming Raymond is going, too?” I wasn’t Raymond Lawyer’s biggest fan, nor was he mine. I doubted he would tolerate his son dressing in something that put him in a bad light.
    Then again, he didn’t tolerate much of anything now that I thought about it.
    â€œI think so,” Vicki said. “Mason said he was going to try to get his dad to go as one of the Godfather characters so they’d match, but Raymond balked at the idea. I don’t know if that means he’s not going, or if he’s going to go dressed as