When her father told her how proud he was of her for remembering how to create the recipes her mother had perfected, Maisy just smiled even though she’d realized she had forgotten that itty bitty detail. The Daniels family always handled the cooking for the party themselves. It was tradition. Sigh.
Maisy had left him with some Jell-O and hightailed it over to the kitchen. She’d started driving as fast as her Ford allowed her to go, which, in all honesty, hadn’t been very fast. Still, she made it and three hours and several dozen batches later, she was more than satisfied with her efforts. After filling her trunk with the goodies, she drove them to the now decorated old barn which dated back to when the farm had first been built.
“Wow,” she sighed as she took in the scenic appearance of the sturdy old building.
Heck, she’d attended formal events and parties that had been designed to try and mimic this view but failed to recreate such a beautiful rustic panorama in more ways than one. An idea began to form in her head as she took in the white roof and red siding of the building.
It had probably been power washed at the end of the summer, as it was every year. The old barn was lovingly cared for probably since its creation. The interior boasted wide plank floors that had been refinished about four decades earlier but were still in excellent shape. A small stage had been erected for the band and some tables lined the walls. The high windows were open and several large ceiling fans were whirling to cool the large space which had heated in the Autumn sunshine.
Outside you could see downhill to where rows upon rows of vegetables had been planted and were recently harvested. The view of the apple and pear orchards was superb as well. There was a gleaming white fence surrounding one of the fields directly in front of the barn with plenty of benches and places to sit and enjoy the weather nearby. They only kept a few horses, donkeys, cows, chickens, and goats on the place, but the animals were all out by the new efficiency barn with air conditioning and heating. That was a huge plus since it did not smell in the vicinity of the soiree.
The idea that had begun to take shape in Maisy’s brain positively burned now, though she tried to dismiss it. How many times had she done the books for restaurants or catering services that had booked places like this for exorbitant amounts of money? Hell, she worked in New York City at a crappy little job and lived in a crappy little apartment, but what if she’d chosen wrong? Getting away from Barvale might have been the whole point once upon a time, but what about now?
The city wasn’t bad, but it was crowded and expensive and she was lonely. Clients like Mr. Peterson were plenty, and she’d had enough of being hit on by men she was not even slightly interested in. Maybe it was time for a change. Maybe she could earn her keep without adding to her father’s responsibilities. Just maybe, she wondered as she unloaded tray after tray of cinnamon sugared donuts to the back booth that had been set up.
Tommy, one of their managers, was busy hanging up the last of the Autumn décor, which included large bales of hay and dried out cornstalks. Fall colored bows and wreaths, which she herself had a hand in making back when she was younger, decorated the corners and the walls. The lighting was good, and the sound system was currently being checked. Everything looked great so far. Truth be told, it was exciting being home for this event.
Maisy had always loved Halloween and the harvest. The spooky stories and pumpkin spiced air were some of her favorite things. She could almost forget the last time she was here for this. She’d been wearing a Goldilocks costume and driving the tractor when a bunch of idiots in bear masks chased, hooted, and hollered at her from the woods that lined the path the Daniels Farm tractor took every year.
Crazy Maisy!
Crazy Maisy!
Hey, Fatty-locks you still seeing bears?
Jerks. But she wasn’t in high school anymore, and she would never have to listen to those bullies again. It was silly for her to let the past dictate who she was. Maisy wouldn’t be a victim for anyone. Maybe when her father felt better she would tell him about her idea for the barn. Maybe then, Maisy could come home for good.
“Hey Maisy, you got a donut for me?” Tommy walked over and took the tray from her and she grabbed another and followed him inside.
“Always Tommy,” she smiled at the white-haired man she’d known since her childhood and reached under the plastic wrap for a fresh donut.
“It’s been a while, Tommy, how are you today?”
“Good, thank you. We’re getting’ there,” he motioned to the barn.
“Hopefully, we’ll be done by seven,” she agreed, memories of Tommy dressed as the Scarecrow and Tin Man year after year choosing characters from his favorite flicks as he entertained the children with spooky and not-so-spooky tales during the hayride, “You got your costume ready to drive the tractor? What is it gonna be this year?”
“Oh, uh, Miss Maisy,” Tommy scratched his head, “you see, I don’t drive the tractor anymore on account of my night blindness. I can’t see well enough with my glasses to drive after dark and I can’t wear contacts. I am sorry, I thought your father would’ve said something-”
“Oh, of course! Uh, don’t worry. I must’ve gotten mixed up,” she smiled brightly and internally winced.
“Are you sure, Maisy? I can try-”
“Of course! Tommy, I might have been away the past few years, but I grew up on this farm. I know how to drive the tractor,” she smiled and reassured the man.
“Good girl,” he grinned, “I’ll be wearing my new Hagrid costume the missus made for me. How about yourself?”
“Oh, uh, I’m not sure,” she returned.
Shit. She definitely had to wear a costume now. Tradition again, dang it. Oh well. Daddy had done so much for her his whole life, this was the least she could do. Farm families knew the deal. Everyone had to pitch in and truth be told, well, she kind of lost sight of that while she was running around New York City.
Truth was, she missed this. Her job was blech, and if she was being honest, she’d admit she was starting to hate city life. It was so impersonal and rushed. There was no air, no room, no place for her to just chill and be. Barvale wasn’t exactly the country, but it was a far cry from smelly subways and the dirty hallways of the apartment building she paid a king’s ransom to share with three other people!
The pace back home suited her. It always had. She inhaled the fresh cut grass and warm, earthy smells of her childhood home laced with the cinnamon sugary goodness she’d spent all morning baking and frying and closed her eyes for just a small moment. Was coming home to stay even possible? Was she a fool for thinking it?
Her father’s health was the top priority and she could do so much more for him if she were living back home. She didn’t even need to stay in the big house. There was a large, mother-in-law apartment over the garage that would suit her just fine if he wasn’t agreeable to her coming home, but who was she kidding? Her dad would welcome her home with open arms. Always. It was just who he was.
Grandma Daniels had lived in the in-law suite until Maisy was about four-years old. She’d loved the sweet old woman who’d allowed her to sit in her lap while she sewed and let her lick the brownie bowl clean whenever she’d baked. Maisy couldn’t remember many details, but the amount of love she’d felt stood out more than anything else, and that sure as hell had to count for something.
“Boo!” Maisy jumped before turning around to see Tommy shaking one of the old farm scarecrows at her.
“Tommy! You frightened me,” she laughed and play swatted the man.
“I sure used to when you were little,” he wiped his brow with an old handkerchief and stuffed it in his pocket, “I better get home to get dressed. I don’t drive the tractor anymore but me and the missus will be here to meet the band and serve the snacks to all the families,” he said and waved goodbye.
Maisy took one last look around before getting in her car and heading back to the house. She had about three hours until the first group of visitors were due to arriv
e. She’d love to take a nap but figured that was impossible. Nope. She’d have just enough time to grab a sandwich and shower and change into one of her old costumes. Fun times, she thought and shook her head as she tuned into the Sounds of the Season local radio station for some of her favorite Halloween jams.
Scary Monsters by David Bowie was on, and Maisy sang along and rapped her hands on the steering wheel. The fall leaves were in full effect on her family’s land, and she smiled widely as she passed the rows of birches, walnuts, maples, and more with their bright foliage in varying shades of red, orange, and yellow.
You don’t see colors like that in the city, Maisy, she told herself and bit her lip as the idea of returning to Barvale for good began to take hold. Half a cheese sandwich and a shower later, she was still having those thoughts as she towel dried her choppy blonde hair and ran her fingers through it. One of her roommates was an aesthetician and had been learning new ways to highlight and layer hair when Maisy let her have at it.
The woman had added platinum highlights to Maisy’s already blonde hair, but it was the funky cut that she really liked. Falling just above her shoulders in layers, Maisy was now able to just run her fingers through it and go. Not bad for a chick with extra thick hair and no desire to style it. After the usual deodorant, lotion, and makeup ritual, to which she added heavier eyeliner since it was Halloween after all, Maisy stood in her old room in her bra and panties and frowned as she laid out her three Halloween costume choices.
Slutty nurse, slutty waitress, and Goldilocks. Damn. She had forgotten the “slutty” costume phase she’d gone through in an effort to keep up with her peers. There was simply no way her ass was squeezing into the tight mini or the ruffle skirts.
Nope. That only left one option.
“Crap,” she groaned as she struggled to fit her boobs into the blue-checked Goldilocks costume, grimacing at the copious amount of cleavage on display.
Still, it was the only one of the three that came down past her ass cheeks. And when she tied the little cape around her neck, her boobs would be covered. Perfect! Or, well, kind of. Maybe she should just change.
Ugh. Just as she was about to throw on some jeans, the doorbell sounded and someone began to knock loudly. Maisy checked her watch, she wasn’t due to get the tractor from Hector for another ninety-minutes.
“Maisy!” Mrs. Ramirez’s voice called to her from the front door, and Maisy ran down the stairs.
“What is it? Is it Daddy?” she pulled the door open breathlessly and she gripped the doorknob, waiting for the older woman to shake her head before she released it and took a breath.
Her father was fine. Good. Nothing else really mattered. She smiled and rolled her eyes at her silly overreacting.
“Come in,” Maisy said, and practically dragged Inez into the hallway.
“Maisy? What are you wearing?” the woman asked.
“Oh, uh, I don’t have a costume, so I was trying on my old ones. It has a cape,” she looked down and felt her face heat up.
“Good, because you are going to make some of those mom’s crazy if they catch their husbands checking out your tatas,” she whistled.
“I guess my boobs are on blatant display, I’ll just wear jeans,” she groaned in embarrassment.
“Absolutely not! It is tradition for the family and employees to dress in costume, and you know better than to monkey with that,” Inez mock scolded.
Inez Ramirez had known her since she was about ten years old, so yeah, it was a bit embarrassing to have her cleavage spilling out of her dress. Still, she knew she was right. Sighing she grabbed the cap and tied it over her shoulders and curtsied at the woman who had managed the shop while her husband ran the crew that tended the fields and apple orchard out back for as many years as Maisy could remember. Inez simply sighed and shook her head.
“Well, at least that covers you when you take the families out for the fun hayride. The older kids and adults, however, might not mind one bit seeing you like that during the spooky ride, mija.”
“Gee, Inez, thanks,” she laughed, “oh, that reminds me, did Janie and Miguel get her friends to volunteer again? I have been so busy I forgot to ask you,” Maisy asked while discreetly pulling up her stockings and tugging the hem of her dress down.
Stupid old costume. Why did she think it would fit? Sure, she’d always been on the curvy side, but everything had gotten bigger since high school. She’d added about two inches to her shorter than average stature, and a few more than that around the old boobs and butt. Sigh. It was what it was.
“Oh, yes, my Janie and Miguelito both have the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams at our house getting their make-up on. They are heading over to operate the spooky sections of the haunted hay ride at eight o’clock. But Maisy, there won’t be any rides-”
“What? Why not?” she asked as she poured the woman a glass of water and grabbed some cookies from the tin, motioning for her to sit down.
“Thank you,” Inez smiled, and shook her head, “Maisy, listen please, you see, the tractor is not starting again. It’s not the battery because Hector just changed it. He even told your father it was giving him trouble the other day, but poor Mr. Daniels had so much on his mind, he must’ve forgot-”
“Oh no! It’s after six, who will be open to help now?”
“Here,” Inez said and handed Maisy a card, “call this repair shop. They are open till seven, but I didn’t want to overstep.”
“Oh no, please, thank you. I’m going to call right now.”
Maisy ran to the old landline phone still screwed in to the kitchen wall and looked at the card. Oh crap. Just who she was trying to avoid.
“Lance’s Auto Repair? Affordable auto care you can’t bear to refuse,” she read aloud, “Arthur Lance’s place, right? Inez is there anyone else in town who could maybe-”
“But he is the best!” Inez said brightly placing her water glass down on the table, “He has done very well for himself. Has three or four shops now. Hector and I won’t go anywhere else ever since he fixed the struts on my old Chevy.”
“I see,” she tried to smile but from the look on Inez’s face, failed miserably.
Maisy closed her eyes as waves of emotion threatened to topple her to the ground. Dang it! She couldn’t decide if it was dread or anticipation that made her heart thunder inside of her chest. It didn’t matter. This wasn’t personal, and she wasn’t in high school anymore. Besides, what were the odds the man himself would be answering the telephone?
With three stores, he had to have a lot of people working for him. That made her feel only slightly better. One look at the blinking display on the microwave told her she only had forty minutes left till they closed. She’d better stop stalling. Dialing quickly she closed her eyes and waited for someone to pick up.
“Lance’s Auto Repair, Arthur Lance speaking.”
Well. Damn.
Chapter 4
“Lorna, as I have explained repeatedly there is nothing wrong with your car. We have looked it over three times today, and Marty ran a computer diagnostic. Here is a copy for your records.”
“Well, I am sure I heard rattling, maybe you can come outside and check under my hood,” she leaned over suggestively and it was all he could do to not roll his eyes.
Arthur might be single and eligible, but his Bear was not having any of what Lorna Manning had to offer. The beast growled inside of him. Arthur’s Black Bear didn’t have patience for these shenanigans. He’d told Lorna in no uncertain terms he wasn’t interested. And yet here she was.
It was still another forty-minutes till closing time, and here he had been hoping to leave early and drive by the Daniels Farm store. Any glimpse of Maisy would be all he needed to make sure he was right about her. Afterwards, he would go for a run and stretch his furry legs.
Shit. The way this woman was sitting there like she had all the time in the world told him he wasn’t going to get rid of her anytime soon. Calling on patience he wasn’t even sure he had, Ar
thur leaned back and read over the report determined not to allow his personal feelings or lack thereof to cause him to make a mistake.
“We changed the oil and all the filters, rotated the tires, did a wheel alignment, a brake test, and ran a computer diagnostic. Lorna, the car is solid. Top notch. Truly,” he said.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Your car is safe as can be.”
“Well, maybe you can go for a ride with me, just to be safe? I have a little picnic basket all packed and we can lay the seats down and-”
“Lorna, I appreciate it, but I think we better leave our relationship at the professional level. Oh, uh, excuse me a moment,” he jumped at the sound of his phone ringing.
Fucking hell. Truth was, he’d never been so grateful for a phone call. The timely interruption was just what he’d needed. Arthur smiled noncommittedly and reached for it, anxious to end the positively painful encounter. How many times did a man have to say he wasn’t interested? Sheesh. His Bear grumbled and Arthur turned in his chair and rubbed his eyes while speaking.
“Lance’s Auto Repair, Arthur Lance speaking,” he frowned as the pause on the other end of the line stretched a little longer than usual.
“Uh, hi. This is Maisy Daniels over at Daniels Farm-”
Holy. Fucking. Shit. The second he heard the familiar, though admittedly more grown-up voice, his Bear began to chuff and growl. It was her. He had been right all those years ago. The sweet sound of her voice hit him like a punch to the gut. Closing his eyes he savored the dulcet tones and did his best not to roar aloud. Maisy Daniels was his fated mate. His one and only.
Mine, growled the animal side of his dual nature so damn loudly he couldn’t hear what she was saying.
“Maisy,” Arthur’s voice was filled with longing as he said her name.
A Cursed All Hallows' Eve Page 112