Page 42 of Trick or Stalk

She smiles and leads Penny and me back toward the front.

By the time we finish the tour, I’m even more excited than I was when I arrived.

This place is weird. Old. Slightly crooked. And somehow comforting.

Basically, it’s perfect.

Margaret shakes my hand. “I’ll see you Monday at nine.”

“I’ll be here.”

“And Penny is welcome as long as she behaves.”

I look down. Penny is sitting beside me like a tiny angel.

“She’s a good girl.”

“I see that.” Margaret reaches down and pets her.

“Have a great day.” I give Penny’s leash a gentle tug. “Come on, girl.”

We exit the bookstore.

I pull my coat tighter around me as the cold air hits my skin.

“Let’s go get a coffee. Then go home and decorate outside.”

I put my hands on my hips and survey my work. “I like it.”

Two pumpkins flank the front door.

Black lanterns line the steps.

Fake cobwebs stretch between the porch railings.

A wooden sign reading TRICK OR TREAT hangs beside the door.

Small ghosts sway from the porch ceiling whenever the breeze blows.

Penny sniffs one of the pumpkins.

“Grandma would've added twice as much.”

Probably three times.

I glance toward the boxes scattered across the porch.

I sigh.

I’m worn out.

Maybe I’ll call it a day and finish decorating tomorrow.

Penny trots down the porch steps and immediately starts investigating a pile of leaves.

My phone buzzes from inside my pocket. I pull it out.

It’s Stella, calling me back. I left her a voicemail earlier.