Page 41 of A Cup of Autumn
Talk about being foolish. “Find anything useful in the bin?”
“The results from a survey from last year’s event was eye-opening. Most parents sounded like Robin. Less candy. More activities.”
Of course they did.Raine slumped in her chair. “I get it. I really do. But candy is so much easier. I don’t remember if there were other activities because I was in the shop passing out candy to all the trick-or-treaters. That was chaotic enough. The thought of more sounds like…”
She gulped.
“A lot more work,” Keaton finished for her.
Raine nodded and ate more pizza. A good thing she’d bought an extra-large. She needed lots of food to take her mind off this.
“The goal of the Boo Bash is…”
“For the kids to dress up and have fun. The Wednesday before Halloween is a half day at the elementary school. The event starts at one. Kids wear their costumes and go to each First Avenue Shop. Some shop owners dress up.”
“Did yours?”
“We did.” She expected him to ask what as, but he didn’t. “The candy was provided so that was easy-peasy.”
“You sound like Taryn.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It was meant as one.”
Their gazes met. Something passed between them. Raine didn’t know what. Nor was she sure she wanted to know. She stared at the half-eaten slice on her plate.
“The first time I came to Silver Falls, First Avenue had been barricaded on both ends. There was a stage set up. A choir sang. People milled about.”
“That’s when they name the winner of the Christmas window decorating contest. It’s the biggest event of the year, so they go all out.”
“I was thinking the Boo Bash could do something similar.”
“Have a choir?”
“Entertainment. Games. Crafts.”
Her jaw dropped. “That sounds like a lot.”
“Candy would be easier.”
She nodded.
“But easier isn’t always better.” Keaton sounded like he was trying to convince her.
It wouldn’t work. “I don’t have time.”
“I do.”
“Professor—”
“My name’s Keaton.”
“Fine, Keaton.” Tension settled between them. She shifted in her chair but couldn’t get comfortable. “I get what you’re saying, but that would be a lot for a committee to take on let alone the two of us.”
“I’m not talking a haunted house or hayrides.”
“Is that what you had in Beverly Hills?”
