Behind the Mask Excerpt

She danced, okay, levitated herself through the half-filled shelves and displays. She was so happy. Another day and she would be able to hang the Open sign on the door and pull the window curtains back.

“What do you think, Phinehas?” She turned and looked around for him. “Phinehas?” She sighed. He probably had gotten bored and walked back to the house. Had she left the window opened enough for him to get in? Well, if she hadn’t, it was his fault for insisting he come with her today and then giving up before the work was finished.

She looked around again with her hands on her hips. At first, she had thought to mix all the displays together, but had changed her mind and set them up in little groups throughout the small area so if a patron were interested in figurines, all of them could be seen in one place. She glanced quickly to make sure the curtains were closed and the blinds were pulled down on the door and then turned back and lifted her hands in the air.

Figurines floated from boxes and settled onto bright-colored satins draped over small displays. It was like a mythical dance, she thought as she watched the fairies float by the dragons before settling onto their space.

When all those boxes were empty, she turned and did the same with the candles. The shop started to fill with the pleasant smell of scented waxes. Each candle she made with love so they’d be sure to reflect that upon the person who purchased it.

Her little dream world was coming alive right before her eyes, and it was honestly the best day she’d had in many years.

Going over, she looked at the sign sitting on the counter. It listed the hours and days. All but one day of the year her shop would be open at some point. The one day being Halloween.

* * * *
Maybe it was the clean air of the little town, or lack of food. He wasn’t sure what had been responsible for him grabbing a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store checkout, but here he was, pulling up outside the Dreams store that wasn’t even opened yet.

He knocked on the covered door with the flowers in his hand. A chill passed over him briefly, and then his stomach growled loudly. He grinned. Clearly, his body was telling him something. For a moment, he thought he’d sensed magic.

The blind moved on the window before the door opened a few inches. “May I help you?”

He smiled at the woman he couldn’t yet see. “I was just passing by and thought I’d come and welcome you and wish you well on your store.”

“Oh!” The door opened completely. “Thank you so much. That’s very nice.”

He paused for a moment at the woman in front of him. She was breathtaking. It took him a moment to realize he still held the flowers. He held them out and was rewarded with possibly the warmest, genuine smile he’d ever seen. “You’re welcome.” He laughed. “Oh, I’m Evan Dermott.”

She played with the flowers for a moment. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Arianna Thorp, and thank you again. They’re lovely.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I’d show you around in here, but I’m afraid it’s a bit of a mess just yet.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I don’t mind. I understand.” He glanced behind her to the shelves of candles.

Another warming smile. “Oh, then please.”

She stepped back and let him go through the door. He paused and looked around at the shelves she had set up. An intriguing little shop, and well within his tastes. Dragon sculptures sat on pedestals, right next to some rather fantastic castles. He turned and grinned at her. “I think I will be spending quite a bit of money here.” She laughed, and he was caught off guard by the exquisite sound of it. It was rare to find a woman who appealed to the eye and was easy on the ears at the same time.

She quickly walked by him to the counter. “I won’t feel the slightest bit guilty to take your money either, Mr. Dermott.”

He went over and leaned on the counter, not caring about the papers all over it. “Evan.”

A slight color filled her cheeks as she paused and smiled at him. “Evan.”

The way she said his name sent heat through him. He cleared his throat. “It’s lucky for you that I have too much money then.”

She laughed quietly. “Indeed it is.”

Wanting to find a reason to stay a bit longer, he straightened up and weaved his way through the boxes to look at the dragons. “When do you plan on opening?”

“Tomorrow, I hope.”

He turned and watched her arrange the flowers in a tall vase. “It looks like you’ve got things moving right along.”

She nodded and looked up from the flowers. “Yes, I might actually get out of here before midnight and fit in a nap before I have to open the doors.”

He laughed. “I understand. I just moved in yesterday, and so far today, all I’ve managed is to shift things around a lot but not figure out where I want them.” He crossed over to the counter. The urge to take her fine-rimmed glasses off so he could see the soft brown eyes beneath them was a little too strong, so he put his hands in his pockets again.

She pushed the vase to the front edge of the counter and smiled at him. “You’ve just moved here as well?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

She leaned on the counter and looked up at him. “Then welcome to the neighborhood, Evan.”

“Thank you.” He realized he was staring, and she knew it as well when her cheeks flushed lightly again. He sighed. “Well, I guess I’ll get out of your way.”

“Oh.” She walked quickly around the counter. “Thank you again for the flowers.”

He paused at the door and looked down at her. “You’re very welcome. I’ll be seeing you again, Arianna Thorp.”

He quickly went back to his car and got in. He sat there for a moment and looked at the store. He would definitely be seeing her again, and perhaps as often as possible.