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Sienna paused to watch them before spotting a booth selling decorated sugar cookies.
The cookies won.
By the time we turned toward Maple Lane, I had a small paper bag containing a pumpkin bar from a bakery stall, Duncan had acquired a jar of local apple butter, and Sienna was carrying her paper flower like a valuable piece of art.
The Book Nook occupied an inviting brick storefront with warm lights in the windows and a display of children’s autumn books beside the entrance.
A little bell chimed when Duncan opened the door.
The smell of fresh baking greeted us before the owner did. Pumpkin cookies and thick chocolate brownies occupied covered trays near the counter, while shelves of books stretched toward a cozy reading corner at the back.
“There’s my helper!”
Esther Shelly came around the counter wearing a green cardigan and a broad smile.
Sienna hurried toward her.
“Ms. Shelly, I brought the bookmarks I made!”
She opened the little pocket of her overnight bag, which Duncan had retrieved from the truck, and produced several decorated bookmarks.
Esther accepted them with delight.
“These are lovely. I think the children are going to be especially excited about the bats.” She held up one with tiny purple wings extending above the top edge. “You must have spent a lot of time on these.”
“I made them last weekend. Dad helped me cut the thick paper.”
“He did a good job too.”
Duncan made a quiet sound of protest. “All I did was hold the ruler.”
“That’s important,” Sienna informed him.
Esther laughed, then turned to me.
“You must be Goldie. Sienna’s told me about you, and I’ve been hearing very good things about the Factory.”
“I’m happy to hear that. We’ve had a wonderful crew helping us.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying. It’s nice to have people enjoying the haunted house again.”
She glanced at Duncan with an affectionate familiarity that suggested she’d known him for years.
“And it’s especially nice seeing this one out enjoying the festival instead of disappearing into the woods.”
“Good morning to you too, Esther.”
Her smile grew.
Sienna had already moved toward the reading area, where a small group of young children was gathering on a rug surrounded by cushions. A stack of picture books waited on a low table, along with baskets of crayons and blank paper.
Esther explained that Sienna would help distribute materials, choose books with the younger children, and read part of one story aloud.
Duncan watched his daughter arrange the bookmarks in a little basket.
“She seems to know exactly what she’s doing.”
“She’s been helping me get ready for weeks,” Esther said. “It’s been a pleasure. She’s patient with the little ones, and she takes her responsibilities seriously.”
