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She smiled.

I moved a box of unused modeling supplies onto the bench and showed her a few pieces of soft sculpting material.

“Next weekend, if you’re interested, we can start working on one of your creature designs. Something small enough to finish without taking over the whole shop. I’ll show you how to build the shape before you worry about all the details.”

Her eyes widened.

“Can we make the little monster from my drawing?”

“We can try. I think that one would be a good place to start.”

She touched the edge of the box but left the contents alone.

“Could Goldie help?”

I looked down at her.

Goldie had been in this workshop Thursday night, helping me test the mechanical head that had become our best effect at the Factory. She’d stood beside me with her hand on my forearm, smiling up at me as if there were nowhere else she’d rather be.

I’d kissed her because I couldn’t help myself.

Since then, I’d spent every available minute wanting her closer.

And this afternoon I’d sent her away.

“I’d like that,” I told Sienna. “But I need to talk to Goldie first.”

She nodded.

“Can we go see her?”

I looked at the costume we’d spent the afternoon making, then at my daughter, who had trusted me enough to let me try again.

“Yes,” I said. “I think we should.”

***

By the time we reached Goldie’s cottage, the last of the daylight had disappeared behind the trees.

The narrow road was dark, with dry leaves skittering across the pavement whenever the wind picked up. Farther back toward town, we’d passed families already making their way between houses, children carrying glowing buckets and adults following with flashlights.

Sienna had been watching them eagerly from the back seat.

Now, as I turned into Goldie’s gravel drive, she grew quiet.

Goldie’s dark-blue SUV stood beneath the oak. The cottage windows were dark except for a soft glow coming from the room at the back.

Her porch light was off.

I parked beside her SUV and shut off the engine.

“Remember what we talked about,” I told Sienna. “Goldie might not want company tonight. If she doesn’t, we’ll respect that.”

“I know.” She adjusted the small trick-or-treat bag she’d brought along. “I hope she likes my costume.”

“I’m sure she’ll think you did a wonderful job.”

We walked up the path together.