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“Sienna and I are coming to Fall Fest tomorrow morning,” I said. “She’s been talking about the pumpkin-carving displays all week, and I promised we’d get there before the crowds picked up. I’d like you to come with us, if you can get away from the Factory for a while.”

Goldie turned toward me, clearly pleased by the invitation.

“I’d love to. I’ve spent so much time inside that building that I haven’t had a chance to enjoy the festival. And I think Sienna would make an excellent tour guide.”

“She’ll have the whole morning planned before we leave the house. She’s been studying that festival flyer for days.”

Goldie laughed, but then her expression softened. She stepped closer and rested her hand against my chest.

“I was hoping you’d ask me to spend some time with you both. I just didn’t want to invite myself into something you and Sienna usually do together.”

I slid my arm around her waist. “I wouldn’t have asked if I thought you were intruding. I want you there, Goldie. We’ve spent two days working together, and I’d like to spend some time with you when neither of us has a broken piece of machinery to worry about.”

She smiled up at me, then rose onto her toes and kissed me.

Behind us, another group emerged from Factory of Screams, laughing and talking over one another. Goldie glanced toward the entrance, checking that the next group was moving through smoothly, then turned her attention back to me.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” she said.

I brushed a curl away from her cheek and kissed her again.

“So am I.”

Chapter Five

By ten-thirty Saturday morning, I’d had five hours of sleep, two cups of coffee, and enough excitement to make up for at least some of the difference.

After Factory of Screams closed around two last night, Duncan had driven me back to his property to collect my SUV. I’d finally crawled into bed at the cottage close to three, exhausted but ridiculously pleased with how the evening had gone.

Our haunted house was working. People were screaming, laughing, and coming out eager to tell their friends about it.

And Duncan had invited me to spend Saturday morning with him and Sienna.

That last part was responsible for most of my excitement.

I finished checking the messages from my crew and set my phone beside my coffee mug. Everything was on track for tonight’s second opening, which meant I could enjoy a few hours away from the Factory without worrying that someone might decide to improve a perfectly functioning mechanical head.

I’d chosen a fitted lilac sweater, dark jeans, and my favorite ankle boots for the outing. My curls were cooperating for once, and I’d added a pair of small gold earrings because I felt like looking pretty.

Not that Duncan had complained about how I looked yesterday.

I was still smiling over that thought when the familiar rumble of his truck reached me through the cottage window.

I grabbed my coat and hurried to the door.

Duncan climbed out wearing jeans and a dark jacket, looking unfairly handsome for a man who’d gotten even less sleep than I had. He glanced toward the porch and smiled before turning to say something through the open passenger door.

Sienna hopped down a moment later, a canvas overnight bag hanging from her shoulder.

“Goldie!” She waved enthusiastically. “Mary-Kate showed me pictures of the pumpkin-carving displays. There’s one with a dragon, and Dad promised we’d go see it first!”

I laughed as I stepped onto the porch. “Then we’d better not keep that dragon waiting.”

Sienna hurried up the path, her dark hair swinging against the shoulders of her orange sweatshirt. The curls from yesterday were almost gone, but she’d kept the little purple clip-in beneath one section.

“Mary-Kate thinks the dragon’s going to win the carving contest,” she informed me. “But I haven’t seen the others yet, so I’m not voting until I’ve looked at everything.”

“A sensible approach. I wish more competition judges were that thorough.”