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“Ana,” Betty Ann Eustace said, peeking her head out the door. “Come on in.”

“Oh, thank you,” Ana said, succumbing to the older woman’s kind smile. “I guess I was lost in my own world for a second there.”

“Well, you’ll be busy enough in half an hour,” Betty Ann chuckled. “Let’s head over to the library and I’ll show you how everything works.”

Betty Ann had a perfect coat check system in place. There were racks right outside the school library’s doors, and rolls of tickets on a fold-out table. Grace Bell already sat on one of the two chairs behind the table.

“Hi, Ana,” Grace said with a big smile. “I’m your partner in crime tonight.”

“Grace already knows my system,” Betty Ann said proudly. “She volunteered the last time we had a coat check at an event.”

“Sure did,” Grace said. “It’s my favorite job because it’s low-key. Check-ins get a little busy, but checkouts are slow and steady.”

“Ana’s just here for the check-ins,” Betty Ann said. “We have another volunteer joining us later, so you can enjoy the event once it gets swinging, Ana.”

“Thank you,” Ana told Betty Ann, wondering how to tell her that she would much rather hide out at the coat check station with Grace.

“How’s Izzy?” she asked as Betty Ann hurried off to snag another volunteer who was carrying in a tray of snacks.

“Oh, she’s great,” Grace said with a huge smile. “I can’t believe that by this time next year, she’ll be in kindergarten.”

“I can’t imagine,” Ana said, shaking her head and trying to picture her little guy in kindergarten.

“Two more years for Theo, right?” Grace asked.

“Don’t remind me,” Ana laughed. “It’s hard enough to leave him at preschool every day.”

“Oh, incoming,” Grace said excitedly.

Ana turned. The mayor and his wife were headed in, pulling off their coats and revealing their costumes as they approached.

Ana smiled when she realized they were dressed up as Thing One and Thing Two from The Cat in the Hat.

“Hi there, ladies,” the mayor said with a friendly smile.

“Mayor Zuckerman,” Grace said. “It’s great to see you. Let me get your coat.”

“It’s just Ben,” he said, handing her his coat. “How’s your husband?”

“He’s doing very well, Mayor Ben,” Grace said, looking pleased. “Thank you for asking.”

“Hi, Mrs. Zuckerman,” Ana said to his wife. “May I take your coat?”

“Thank you so much, dear,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to the event. There is a costume contest, right?”

Ana would have smiled, but the first lady actually looked a little worried.

“I sure hope there is,” Mayor Ben chuckled, his gray eyes twinkling. “Or we’re going to have a lot of explaining to do. You know I think the Trinity Falls Gazette sent a photographer…”

“Oh, Ben,” his wife said, shaking her head. “Don’t tease me.”

“Don’t you worry, Sandy, my love,” he said winking and offering her his arm. “You’re the first lady of Trinity Falls. If you’re the only woman in a costume, everyone else will just follow your lead.”

“Benjamin Zuckerman,” she scolded him fondly as they went into the library. “You’re completely bananas.”

“They’re so cute,” Grace said, watching after them.

Ana nodded. Ben had always been such a warm and humorous man. His fearless and welcoming attitude made him the perfect candidate to lead their little town after Mayor Ellis passed years ago.