“I told her about the scarecrow in the movie,” Alex piped in. “She’s never seenThe Wizard of Oz. I said she can come to our house and watch it, and we’ll make popcorn balls.” He looked at Grace and added, “I’m going to be the Cowardly Lion for Halloween.”
“I’m going to be a fairy, but Papa won’t let me go trick-or-treating.”
“We’ll be in New York,” Mr. Wyndham said with a scowl. “And I’ll take you to a few homes of people we know.”
“But you always talk about boring business stuff with them.”
“You could go trick-or-treating with us next year. We knoweveryonein Huckleberry Falls,” Alex said and then went into a description of what he wanted to be next year.
“We don’t really knoweveryonehere,” Merry said, trying not to laugh at her son’s enthusiasm. “Though my mother used to. The city has doubled in size since I was born. I’m glad the powers-that-be are working hard to keep the small-town feel while growing the Swiss theme. I think that’s why we have so many visitors.” She pulled into the busy parking lot of the community center.
“It’s a charming town. I must say, considering this crowd, it would have been difficult to miss that some kind of event was going on tonight.” Mr. Wyndham glanced at her for the first time since she’d asked about his development project. “Thank you for inviting us to come with you. This means a great deal to Grace.”
“It’s our pleasure. I’m glad you could rearrange your schedule to accommodate her. They’re little for such a short time.”
Merry unlocked the doors and went around to help Alex from his car seat while Mr. Wyndham did the same for his daughter. Merry then grabbed the box from the back of her SUV.
“You’ll find the people of Huckleberry Falls take their scarecrow-making very seriously,” she said. “After tonight’s event, many of the scarecrows will end up on Main Street in front of the stores where the children go trick-or-treating.”
“I can carry that for you.”
“If you want.” Merry handed him the heavy box. “And I’ll keep track of the children.” She extended a hand to each of them.
They made their way along with the throng from the parking lot into the building. When they reached the tables at the entrance, she looked inside the box and pulled out the large bag of canned goods she’d put together that morning.
“What’s this?” Mr. Wyndham asked from beside her.
“The purpose of this event is a fundraiser for the local food bank. The price of admission is canned goods or twenty dollars which they then use to buy canned goods.” When he put down the box and reached for his wallet, Merry put a hand on his arm and said, “I brought lots of food.”
“This is a good cause. I’m happy to contribute.”
Merry agreed and didn’t argue further. He pulled out several fifty-dollar bills and handed them over. Was he flaunting his wealth?
Her mother’s dress shop customers included a lot of wealthy clients, and some had entitlement issues. Her mom had always told Merry it was unfair to judge people when she’d complained about their attitudes. She’d tried to see them as her mother did, but too many of them had still managed to intimidate Merry. So, she’d gone to cosmetology school instead.
And Mr. Wyndhamhaddone a good thing by donating so much money. It was lucky for the food bank that he’d changed his schedule to make his daughter happy.
* * *
Carlisle followed Mrs. Hurst inside.As her son had said, she seemed to know everyone, stopping to chat with people.
“Merry,” a deep male voice called from behind them.
Carlisle turned to find three young men—one of them practically a giant—striding toward them.
“Ezra!” Merry gave the young man with horn-rimmed glasses a hug while Alex clung to his leg. “How long can you stay?”
“We’re just passing through.” Ezra picked up Alex. “I couldn’t come this close to Huckleberry Falls and not see my favorite cousins.”
“Right.” Merry glanced at Carlisle. “Mr. Wyndham, this is my cousin Ezra Savage.” She pointed to the giant of a man beside him. “This is his brother-in-law Coop Montgomery, and this is Trace Barton. They live in northern Washington, where Ezra’s dad owns a castle.”
“A castle?” Grace interrupted before Carlisle could respond.
“Manners,” he whispered, putting down the box and picking her up.
“Sorry, Papa.”
“It’s all right.” He extended a hand to each of the men. “Do you all work at the castle?”
