Nothing like small-town life to keep the classics alive. We’d had that movie in rotation for as long as I could remember.
An old memory surfaced of Amber Dalton and me watching it one summer night. The town was famous for playing older movies in the park during the summer block party. I’d broken up with Meri Scott when I found her with her tongue down my teammate’s throat. Funny I couldn’t remember that kid’s name anymore, but I did remember stalking off to lick my wounds. Meri had always been a flirt, but I never imagined she’d do that.
I hadn’t been in love with her, but my pride had taken a hit. I didn’t want to go get drunk with my friends, but I hadn’t wanted to be alone either. I found Amber sitting off by herself watching the movie intently.
We didn’t even speak. Just quietly watched the movie together then I walked her home.
She let me vent about Meri without making me feel like a jerk.
I wasn’t sure when she’d grown up either. She’d always just been Amber—until that night. Her big, gray eyes looking up at me with so much intelligence and empathy. I’d almost leaned in to kiss her until I’d come to my senses.
“Tate?”
“Sorry.” I shook off the past. I hadn’t thought about Amber in a damn long time. Then again most people knew her by Ambrose these days. It was wild to think one of the biggest pop stars in the world lived next to me most of my life.
I jumped into the truck to help out with the last animatronic. I hadn’t been able to resist the massive Demogorgon fromStranger Things. It was going to look awesome at the end of the small maze.
Seeing all of them together got me excited again about the plans I had.
As tired as I was of all the setbacks, I loved being able to make the farm useful again. And I was going to get theHaven Winter Wonderlandup and running if it killed me.
And it just might.
5
amber
“Areyou sure no one will recognize me?”
My mom laughed. “You’re a far cry from stage sparkles in this costume.”
I smoothed down the fuzzy orange sweater. It had been white two days ago. Finding a Velma orange sweater on short notice was outside of even my wheelhouse. But some natural dyes had made for a bright saffron color. My mother’s handiwork with a sewing machine took care of the swingy pleated red skirt.
Luckily it ended up being a mild night so I could go with a pair of orange knee socks and red Mary Jane shoes I found in a thrift store a few towns over. I was glad some of my old places were still open. I’d had to make my own costumes at the start of my career and money had been scarce.
I adjusted the brown wig until the bangs were straight, then gave them a little fluff. It was the best part of the disguise. The dark hair so very different from my pale blond. Add in the tinted glasses and...
“Wow.” I fussed with the skirt. The pleats were damn near perfect, but it was a touch short. “You outdid yourself, Mom.”
She came up behind me in the mirror. “I did, didn’t I?” She smoothed the hair of the wig. “No one would recognize you, I promise.”
A little anonymity tonight sounded really nice.
I’d been cooped up in the house for the last four days. My brother hadn’t been able to get away from the hospital, but what I’d really needed was rest anyway. As exhausted as I had been, there was only so much sleeping a girl could do.
I’d been hiding all my hair under a slouchy hat when I did leave the house.The extensions definitely needed to come out. I just wasn’t sure if the Natalie’s Hair Hut would be the best place for that to happen. I was tempted to fly Harini here to take them out, but she deserved her own vacation.
My crew, dancers, makeup, and hair dressers all worked harder than I did.
I would figure it out.
They were heavy as hell, so it needed to be soon. But for now, they were braided and pinned down under the wig.
I turned around and gave my mom a tight hug. “Thanks for this. I love it.”
She folded me in against her. “Are you sure you don’t want us to go with you?”
I laughed. “No. I know you guys go with your friends. I don’t want to bring any attention to you. People will figure it out if you stand by me.”
