by Holly Quinn
Sammy’s hand flung to cover her gaping mouth for fear she would speak out of turn. Her cousin stood before them in a tightly fitted blue velvet dress. Blue-and-white-striped leggings elongated her long, lean legs, and the dress lifted a few inches from her knee, leaving little to the imagination. Her shapely round bosom was front and center, with a tight silver belt sucking in her already narrow waist. The costume, a far cry from Heidi’s normal oversized scrubs that she wore working as an ER nurse at the local hospital, took Sammy completely off guard.
“You don’t like it.” Heidi dropped her jazz hands, placed them on her slender hips, and forced a laugh.
Ellie cracked up immediately, and fat tears began to roll down her cheeks. Sammy wanted to join in, but Heidi looked suddenly crestfallen. Sammy inhaled a deep breath, placed a hand to her heart, and said, “Wow.”
“Wow bad or wow good?” Heidi’s ruby-lipsticked bottom lip came out in a pout. “This isn’t exactly the reaction I was hoping for.”
“I’m not sure.” Sammy answered honestly. “There are going to be children here tonight.” Her pencil-thin eyebrows knit together, and she held back a smile.
Heidi shook her head in disgust, and Ellie hiccupped in laughter before saying, “Yeah, she’ll surely get the votes from the thirteen-year-old boys.”
“Well, at least I’m making an honest effort to win the contest; isn’t everyone? Since I’m the first one in the window, I thought dressing like an Ice Princess would give me a leg up!” Heidi threw her arms into the air in defeat. “Do you know how hard it’s been for me to grow my nails working at the ER with gloves on over washed hands all day?” Heidi flung her silver-glittered manicured nails in front of her cousins. “I’ve worked really hard on this costume!”
“Where’s the hat?” Ellie giggled. “You have to show Sammy that part of the costume too!”
“Hat?” Sammy’s attention turned from her sister back to her cousin.
“Yes. It has jingle bells on it. I’m not wearing it yet; it makes too much noise. The bells attract too much attention.” Heidi waved a hand airily.
“I think you’re a little past that.” Ellie bent over at the waist in laughter. Sammy couldn’t help but join her sister in laughing aloud as a snort leaked out of Ellie’s nose. Her amusement was catchy.
“You guys suck.” Heidi turned on her heel and stomped away from the office in a huff, while Sammy’s round hazel eyes met her sister’s and the two roared until they were both crying.
Ellie lowered her voice. “You know, she even brought something for Bara to wear. I’m not sure your dog will go for it.”
“I meant to ask you, where is Bara?” Sammy rushed past her sister to look for her golden retriever.
“Randy and Tyler stopped in, and I had them take him for a walk. I figured, with all the excitement tonight, you wouldn’t have time to take him out.”
Sammy breathed a huge sigh of relief, grateful that her brother-in-law and young nephew would take the time to do that. She hugged her sister tight and then released her. Holding Ellie at arm’s length, she said, “Thank you. You know how overwhelmed I get before these big events.”
“Yes, I do. That’s why family is here to help,” Ellie responded, patting her sister lightly on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement. “But it always works out just fine. And besides, the store looks b-e-a-utiful. You did a great job decorating; it looks like a storybook in here. Don’t forget to breathe and have fun—you earned it,” Ellie added with a smile.
Heidi approached from the bathroom and eyed the large clock on the wall above the cash register. “I don’t have time to come up with another costume,” she said with disgust.
Sammy and Ellie rushed to her side.
“It’s okay; I think it’s actually starting to grow on me.” Sammy reached for her cousin’s arm and encouraged Heidi to spin in front of them. “You just surprised me is all. I wasn’t expecting participants to show up in costume. Honestly, the thought had never crossed my mind, but you’re right, it was a great idea. And hey, we need to get you inside the window. You’re the first out there to perform. Let’s go and get you set up before the others show up and it gets crazy busy in here.”
“But I need Bara! I brought a costume for him to wear,” Heidi said over her shoulder as they maneuvered like a train of cars through the merchandise racks toward the front of the store.
“It’s snowing pretty heavily. I think he’ll be soaked by the time he gets back from the walk,” Ellie said firmly, encouraging Heidi with a quick pat on the backside to move at a quicker pace so they could shove her into the large storefront window.
“I wasn’t self-conscious until you two started picking on me. Now I’m not sure I can go through with it!” Heidi slowed her steps and backed away from the window. The strong look of second thoughts crept across her face.
“Get in,” Sammy ordered with a pointed finger. She didn’t have time for nonsense. The event was about to begin! The last thing she wanted was folks to pass on the sidewalk and see nothing but an empty window display.
Heidi took a timid step up the small footstool into the front window of Community Craft before looking back at the sisters hesitantly. “I don’t know …”
“You’re fine,” Sammy said, dismissing her cousin’s concern and waving her hands to mimic a push, prompting Heidi to step inside the makeshift winter scene ornamented with fake snow. A slender, artificial fireplace, adorned with handcrafted finery sold within the store, was tucked in the corner, which Heidi was cautious not to bump.
Sammy and Ellie closed the makeshift black velvet curtain so the display would not be visible inside the store. Then the two hurried out the front door into the cold to see the window from the street side. Heidi remained poised in a mannequin position, her head tilted to one side and eyes wide open with childlike wonder.
“She looks adorable.” Ellie shook her head and nudged her sister. “The costume actually turned out to be a great idea. I shouldn’t have teased her, because in the window, her costume really works!” Fat frozen flakes began to land on the sisters’ heads as they stood, eyes fixated on the window.
“I think we’re just jealous of her figure.” Sammy looked down to eye her flatter chest and her stomach that had rounded out a bit in the past few years. “And besides, that’s what we do when we’re in each other’s company: revert to our youth.” Her eyes returned to the window.
“Yeah, whatever.” Ellie waved a hand in disgust, never one to be able to stick with a diet plan herself, and then changed the topic. “The artificial felt snow that you put on the floor looks good. It kinda sparkles in the light, doesn’t it? I love it.”
Sammy nodded and pointed to Heidi’s silver ballet slippers that stood atop a blanket of white. “Speaking of light, I think we should adjust the light a bit; the curtain looks as if it’s blocking one of the up-lights. But the display definitely has the effect I was looking for.” Sammy clasped her hands together in delight. “Yay! I’m so happy!”
Crowds began to form around the window, and she could hear laughter and cheers over her shoulder: “There’s a real person in there!” “Oh my, look! Sooo cool!” “I think she’s the Ice Queen for Fire and Ice!”
Sammy looped her shivering sister by the arm and led them back inside the warmth of the shop.
“Success! It’s going to be the hit of the evening. I just know it!” Ellie said as she shook the snow out of her hair and combed her fingers through it.
Sammy opened the velvet curtain for a moment and adjusted the up-light. “Heidi, we were wrong to tease you. You look ah-mazing! Now don’t move a muscle,” she reminded as she closed the curtain tightly.
Community Craft was slowly filling with customers, and those who were next to take a turn in the window display were gathering inside the glass craft room located in the interior of the store. The noise and chatter soon exceeded the background instrumental mood music overhead. Sammy encouraged her sister to return to her spot behind the cash regist
er. “You only have to work the register a few minutes longer; Deborah is going to release you as soon as she gets here. I sure hope I left the roster for the window display inside the craft room. I need to make sure my mannequins rotate every twenty minutes.” She said this more for her own confirmation than Ellie’s. “Thanks so much for your help today. I couldn’t have pulled all this off without you.”
Ellie disregarded the thanks with a casual wave of her hand. After all, it was probably the third time that day Sammy had expressed her appreciation to her sister.
Sammy made her way to the craft room in the center of the store. The glass-enclosed space allowed craft classes to be seen from inside, prompting visitors to want to participate in learning a new skill. The room also held numerous fund-raiser and community events that had been started by the previous owner, Sammy’s best friend from high school, Kate. When Kate had died unexpectedly, Sammy had taken over the store, and she wanted to continue her best friend’s legacy by promoting community involvement. Sammy organized fund-raisers, gathered knitters to knit baby caps for the newborns at the hospital, made lap quilts for the sick and elderly, and hosted meetings for the Beautification of Heartsford Committee—the amazing group of locals who covered the town with flowers, plants, and seasonal decor. It was a ton of extra work, but in the end, it brought people together in a way that encouraged and uplifted the community and made Heartsford a very special and unique place to live. Sammy was only sorry Kate wasn’t around to take part in the mannequin challenge. She would’ve loved it.
The craft room door was ajar, and several participants had already seated themselves around a long table in anticipation of their performances. The chatter stopped suddenly when Sammy entered the space.
“Thanks so much for coming and your willingness to take part in the contest!”
The room erupted in applause. The excitement for the evening was palpable.
Sammy cleared her throat before continuing. “Some of you might want to take a peek at Heidi performing in the window so you have an idea of what you signed yourself up for. No backing out now!”
Collective laughter filled the air.
As soon as the room quieted, Sammy continued, “The voting box will be by the front door and customers will be encouraged to vote, so let’s see who can hold the best mannequin pose without moving the longest.” Sammy smiled as she reached for a clipboard off a nearby countertop aside the table. “Wanda, looks like you’re up next.”
A slender, middle-aged woman with deep-brown hair styled fashionably in a pixie cut stood and reached for a quilted bag next to her feet. “I brought props!” Wanda Wadsworth opened the bag to reveal a beautifully crafted lap quilt that looked like a family heirloom painstakingly pieced and sewn by hand. “I want to sit in the window and pretend I’m quilting this one. Is that possible?”
“Sure! What a great idea. I’ll grab a folding chair from the office and meet you by the storefront window, okay?”
“You’re going to sit?” another participant named Cheryl piped up. “Seriously? You’re a yoga instructor. I thought for sure you’d strike an uncomfortable pose. Then maybe someone would want to try out your impossible classes.” There was a hint of snarkiness in her tone. “I don’t know how anyone is expected to contort their body that way; it’s not natural.”
Sammy hoped this wasn’t an indicator of how people were going to behave tonight. Couldn’t everyone play nice in the sandbox? Especially for one of the best nights of the year, the night of Fire and Ice! Sammy stepped in front of where Cheryl was seated in hopes of deflecting any more irritation, but her block was ineffective because of her mere size.
Wanda shot Cheryl a dagger look and impatiently snapped back, “I’m not exactly feeling up to par tonight. In fact, I’m going to make a run for the restroom before I go.” Wanda gathered her props and moved past Sammy, then turned and handed her a stainless travel mug. “I almost forgot, I can’t take my peppermint tea with me. I drink it when my stomach acts up like this. Guard it with your life!” Wanda winked a lightly mascaraed eyelash and then handed the travel mug over to Sammy before making her way toward the restroom. Meanwhile, Sammy’s eyes quickly darted to the clipboard and scanned the next name on the list. “Mary, it looks like you’re up after Wanda. Twenty minutes, people! Twenty minutes … so please don’t disappear!”
Sammy placed the travel mug on the counter along with the clipboard, then quickly exited the craft room and moved purposefully toward the office to retrieve a metal folding chair. There was a large line beginning to form at the cash register, and Ellie was feverishly making sales. Apparently, the mannequin idea was working and drawing customers into the shop. This brought a smile of satisfaction to Sammy’s lips as she rushed through the growing crowd to bring Wanda the chair. She’d have to get that dish of Marilyn’s cookies out soon, she thought as she opened the velvet curtain to relieve her cousin from the display.
“That was so much fun!” Heidi said as she stepped down out of the window. Her face flushed crimson and a big smile revealed her dimples. “The up-lights do feel hot after a bit. It’s a good thing you’re only keeping us in there for twenty minutes. Any longer and I might have roasted to death.” Heidi waved a hand to cool her face. “Oy! I need a cooldown. Or maybe a cocktail?” she hinted.
Sammy rolled her eyes at her cousin and said, “Cocktails later. First, we have a big night to get through.” She unfolded the metal chair in the display, situated the fake snow around the bottom to hide the unsightly metal legs, and then Wanda appeared. The yoga instructor gracefully stepped up on the footstool and into the window, where she took a seat and covered her lap with the quilt. “Have fun!” Sammy gave her a thumbs-up before closing the black velvet curtain.
“Oh my goodness. That was so fun!” Heidi said again. “People were trying so hard to make me laugh, but I wouldn’t crack. You should’ve seen the funny faces they were making at me. One guy even put his lips on the window and blew up his mouth like a blowfish! But I stood my ground. I didn’t break character. No sirree!”
“I hope you didn’t blink those eyes of yours,” Sammy teased. “Boy, they really pop green with that glitter eye makeup you’re wearing … and that costume.” Sammy chuckled. “Do you think you can stick around and hand out candy to customers? You look so jolly! My sweet little Ice Queen.” Sammy threw her arm around her cousin’s shoulders and gave her a light squeeze.
“Oh sure, now you’re loving my costume!” Heidi laughed as she continued to fan her face with her hand.
“Yes, Ellie and I agreed we were wrong to tease you. Sometimes we just can’t help but act like children around each other. I apologize for both of us.”
“No worries.” Heidi grinned and continued to fan her flushed face with her hand.
“Step outside and check out Wanda in the window. You’ll get a chance to cool off and an idea of what you looked like from the outside. Now that it’s getting darker outside, the display really pops. If I do say so myself, I hit the mother lode on this great idea. I have to run back to see if Mary is going to need anything for her turn.”
Sammy turned from her cousin and rushed toward the craft room. Twenty minutes wasn’t really a lot of time between mannequins. The rushing around was making Sammy rethink her time schedule and whether she should have made it thirty minutes instead, although after what Heidi had said about the heat of the lights, maybe not. As she was mulling this over and going over the list on the clipboard, Heidi rushed back in her direction.
“Oh, I think I’m already beat in this contest. Wanda is doing an amazing job! People are even tapping the window and she isn’t budging! Not even a little! Hasn’t moved a muscle!”
Sammy’s eyes lifted from the clipboard, and she regarded her cousin. “Yeah, but as Ellie mentioned, all the young guys will vote for you. Am I right?” Sammy winked and poked Heidi in the side with the end of her capped pen.
Heidi batted her long natural lashes in response. “Okay. Where’s that candy you wa
nt me to hand out?”
“Lollies are on my desk in the office. You mind grabbing them?”
Just as Heidi was about to leave to retrieve the candy, Sammy heard loud arguing coming from the front of the store, and she reached for her cousin in alarm. The quarrel seemed to be quickly escalating. “Do you think I need to go break that up?” She stepped out of the inner craft room and lifted onto her tiptoes for a visual.
“Who is it? Can you see?” Heidi raised her thin frame, mimicking her cousin, to see if she could catch a glimpse over the merchandise racks.
“You’re taller than I am. Surely you can see better.” Sammy stood barely five feet. What was her cousin thinking? Heck no, she couldn’t see a thing. And darn it, she had even bought cookies to avoid any altercations! What was wrong with people? Sammy’s face tightened.
“I guess you should go and encourage them to take it outside. Do you want me to call Tim?” Heidi continued to crane her neck and swayed from side to side to see who was causing such a ruckus.
Sammy didn’t think they needed to call Heidi’s police officer boyfriend, Tim Maxwell. At least she hoped not. She took a deep breath and then decided she had no choice but to confront the disruption within her store. As she made her way toward the couple, she noticed it was Cheryl arguing with her husband, Craig. Cheryl was obviously no longer waiting inside the craft room; instead she was flying into a rage, and her voice had risen to an uncomfortable decibel. Craig must have noticed Sammy approaching, and quickly the pair moved outside. The argument continued, though, and those who were standing outside watching Wanda in the display window turned their attention and became engrossed in watching the couple argue. The crowd slowly began to dissipate, and Sammy and Heidi stepped outside as well to encourage Cheryl to either return to the craft room alone or kindly take her marital argument home with her. Sammy glanced at the window, and through all the commotion, Wanda still didn’t move.
“You’re right, Heidi. She is good.” Sammy flicked her finger toward Wanda, who sat completely still, seated in the chair, quilt covering her lap.