Hollow Places by Michelle Massaro

Author:Michelle Massaro [Massaro, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orange Grove Press
Published: 2021-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

~~~

Grace House was abuzz with excitement about the costume party. The younger ones were already getting dressed, the teens were helping with last-minute preparations. The scent of cookies baking wafted from the kitchen. David ducked into his office to stow his Robin Hood costume. He hung the hanger neatly on the coat rack then lifted a piece of the fabric for examination. What was he thinking?

“Nice tights.” Alli stood in the doorway smirking. “Can’t wait to see them on.” Her golden hair flowed in waves past her shoulders down her arms. Her tall, fur-lined boots and ivory peacoat made her look like a wintry angel.

He hid the rounding of his eyes by squinting at her. “Har har.”

Alli had been less prickly and standoffish the last couple of weeks. She’d been around a lot, too. He liked that. The glimpses he’d caught of the woman behind the granite wall intrigued him.

He thought often of what she’d said about turning trash into treasure. Whatever past she blamed God for, she didn’t seem as far out of reach as he first believed. He’d noticed less flinching on her part when someone quoted Scripture or said a prayer. Once during a devotion he was leading, David thought he saw her eavesdropping. He liked to think they’d even made a connection.

He eyed her as he straightened up his desk. “And what are you dressing as?”

Expecting friendship was probably asking too much of her. But maybe he could coax her out from behind the walls she kept up with him. With everyone. Prove to her it was safe.

“Here’s a hint.” She reached into the bag on her shoulder, pulled out a headband with a snake on it and placed it on her forehead.

David felt one side of his mouth inch up. “Cleo!”

Alli pulled the prop off her head and stuck it in her bag. “Ya know,” she said around a smile, “I’m actually really looking forward to tonight. I haven’t done something like this since . . . well, ever.” She tossed the bag onto her office chair and ran her fingers through her hair. His own fingers itched to know the feeling.

He cleared his throat. “Really? What do you usually do?”

Her smile faltered. “Oh, you know. Hand out candy. Maybe put on a pair of cat ears or something like that.”

“Alone?”

She pulled in a breath and tucked her hands into her back pockets. “Yeah. Just me and a stack of horror flicks.”

David scratched at his jaw. “What about as a kid? What did you do growing up this time of year?”

A beat passed before she spoke, eyebrows rising. “So. What else do we need to do to get ready?” A ray of light from the early-setting sun cut through the room and illuminated the discomfort on her face.

Mentally kicking himself, David closed his eyes and exhaled before opening them. “I think I’m in charge of the pizza run. The rest of the snacks and drinks should be taken care of. Then we just . . .

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