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“Remove that coat, Mandy,” Aunt Sarah said in her best schoolteacher voice.
“I think you made a mistake with this costume. It’s…. Well, it shows off too much flesh. I don’t know why I let you force me into it.”
The truth was, it hadn’t felt so revealing when she’d pulled it on at her aunts’ house. They’d bustled her into it and her coat, then out the door before she could protest. Besides, she’d felt confident in it when no one was looking. Her confidence had dwindled to zip now. “I might just go home and change. I’m not sure it’s the right fit for what we’re trying to achieve.”
“Mandy Robbins, you take that coat off now,” Aunt Marla demanded again.
She was seated in the tea cup on the float, as she didn’t want to stand too long on her leg. “You’re looking for excuses is all. Right fit,” Aunt Sarah scoffed. “That’s the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard. You look young, beautiful, and exactly like the woodland fairy we want you to be. So stop all the silly talk.”
“Yes, dear, your face is quite red now, and you must be sweltering under all that material,” Aunt Marla added.
They wore silver and green. Silk underneath, with sheer overdresses that came to their ankles. On their gray hair were flowered wreaths.
“My dress is a great deal more revealing than yours. I think you did that deliberately.”
Neither of them showed any sign of remorse at her words.
“You’re young, have a lovely body, and are trying to change. Besides, it’s not like you’re naked.”
“I may as well be.”
Aunt Sarah held out her hand, and Mandy reluctantly took off her coat. To be honest, it was a relief. She was sweltering under there.
“You look lovely, darling,” Aunt Marla said, looking like a queen sitting in that cup.
Looking left and right, Mandy saw everyone was busy and no one seemed to have noticed she was wearing a short, tight, and revealing woodland fairy outfit.
Taking Aunt Sarah’s hand, she helped her up the steps and into the tea cup beside her sister. She then handed them the small basket filled with sweets.
“Try not to bean anyone this year with them,” Mandy said.
“I only aimed for that obnoxious Brantley Oaks. The boy needs to learn some manners,” Aunt Marla said.
The tea cup was painted in the colors of a toadstool, red with white spots. Around it were smaller cups and saucers in various colors. On top of plates were muffins and scones made of foam. They’d put flowers and greenery, and soft toy rabbits and bunnies all over the place too.
“I think this is the best float yet,” Aunt Sarah said.
“It does look good, as do you three ladies. Nice outfit, Mandy.”
“Hi, Luke.” Mandy resisted the urge to tug up her bodice and down her hem. He was dressed in his firefighter uniform and this year was once again on the Trainer family float.
“You need anything or good to go?”
“We’re good to go, thanks, Luke,” Mandy said.
“He’s such a sweet boy,” Aunt Sarah said when he walked away. “They all are. Ted looks annoyed about something.”
Searching for him, she saw the Falls Lodge float. They’d gone for a safari theme, and some of the staff were dressed as animals. Ted wore what looked to be a ranger uniform. He was walking away from the float.
“He’s frowning,” Aunt Sarah added. “Go and see what’s wrong with him, Mandy.”
“Why me?”
She’d spoken to him a few times since they’d had that heated, in more ways than one, discussion in the broom closet.
“Because he’s our friend. And friends look out for each other,” Aunt Marla said.
Mandy had decided not to overanalyze whatever this was between her and Ted, but to let it take its course in whatever form it did. Besides, they both had to live in this town; she’d rather do that harmoniously.
