“Can I help you find anything in particular?” The fifty-something red-haired knockout flashed a welcoming smile.
Sure,Addy thought,I’d like a big, fat neon sign pointing me in the right direction. And a solution to Kieran’s nightmares. And a pet unicorn, while I’m at it.
“I’m looking for a Halloween costume. For the party at Salty Dog Saloon.”
“Oh, you’re coming to Ryan and Lilo’s party?” She beamed. “New in town? I’m Annie, by the way.”
“I figured as much.” The sign above the door readAnnie’s Vintage Treasures, and in her 1950s black and white polka dot frock, its wide collar accented by a sparkly jack-o'-lantern brooch—this woman was a walking advertisement for vintage fashion.Had Addy ever worn something so deliciously flashy?
“Vintage fashion is my passion.” Annie grinned. “Benefit of being the owner—I get to snap up the best pieces.” She extended her hand. “And you are?”
“Addy Connor. I’m just here for the week, but—” Uh oh, would Kieran want his neighbors to know they were dating? There was so much about him she didn’t know. “Someone invited me to the party, and it sounds like fun.”
“It’ll be an absolute blast. Come, let’s see what we can find.” She took Addy’s arm and towed her toward the women’s clothing section. Other antiques shops were dominated by out-of-date furniture and kitschy glassware, but half of this large emporium was taken up by racks of garments from cocktail hats to tuxedos, shoes from 1920s-style spats to 1970s disco platforms, and cases of colorful costume jewelry. A peacock’s paradise, and so different from Addy’s usual functional, outdoorsy look, it made her want to try something daring.
“Soooo.” Annie rubbed her hands together, her pretty face alight. “What are you feeling this Halloween? With your dark hair, you’d make a lovely Audrey Hepburn.” She held up a classic little black dress. “Or a groovy hippie chick?” She displayed a fringed suede vest. “Or a zombie bride? I’ve got lots of bridal gowns.” She continued, flipping through the racks until she came to a white lab coat. “Or a sexy doctor?”
Addy laughed. “No thanks. That’s my day job—the doctor part, not the sexy part.”
Annie raised an eyebrow and gave her a quick up and down glance. “Think again, doll. Okay, something wider afield.” She turned to a display of lace curtains. “How about a ghost? We have a local one, the White Widow. Someone always turns up dressed like her.”
There was no way Addy would dress up as that poor, tortured woman. “No thanks.” She pointed to a ruffled red blouse. “This looks promising.”
Annie’s grin widened. “Oh, yes. Excellent. This color is great with your skin tone. Now, where are we going with this? Flamenco dancer? Fortuneteller?”
Addy plucked a black satin skirt from the rack. “Pirate wench?”
“Love it!” Annie crowed. “Let’s accessorize.”
While Annie scurried off, Addy felt a buzz in her pocket. Right, she’d left her phone on silent so as not to wake Kieran—a useless precaution, as it turned out. She fished it out, tapped Accept Call, and her best friend’s smiling face filled the screen.
“Liv! What’s up?”
“Girl, today has beenaday. I need a shot of sanity. Show me your beach town.”
“I’m actually in a vintage shop, picking out my Halloween costume.”
“Annie’s place? I love that store!” Liv’s cackle shot a pang of loss through Addy. What was she going to do without her friend’s laughter? Liv had another six years to go before retirement and planned to ride it out with the Army, which meant she’d be transferred somewhere else.
“Ah ah ah,” Liv scolded. “No boo-boo lip, young lady. Quit your pouting and show me something pretty.”
Addy turned the screen around and pivoted slowly.
“Ooo, those cocktail hats! I’ll take the one with the blue feathers. I’ve gotta get my ass out to Trappers Cove. It’s been too long. Now, seriously—” Like flipping a switch, Liv dropped her playful tone. “I bumped into Colonel Okafor. She told me about the accelerated deadline. Are you any closer to a decision?”
“Maybe. I…” She threw a glance over her shoulder and spotted Annie with an armful of colorful cloth.
“Take your time,” Annie called and pointed to a velvet loveseat near the window.
Addy sank down and lowered her voice. “Yes and no.”
“Nope, huh-uhn. None of that wishy-washy bullshit. I need specifics,” Liv demanded.
“Well, I’m closing in on what I don’t want: Nebraska.”
“Duh.” Liv wrinkled her nose. “Your family is a classic case of toxic parents not wanting their children to outshine them.” She scowled and stabbed the screen with her forefinger. “If you let those shit-stirring fools reel you back in, I’ll have to haul my overworked ass out to the cornfields and drag you home.”
Addy huffed a laugh. “Yeah, but where is home?”
