Page 19 of Cookie

Charlie

T onight was Halloween. We’d been working on decorating the bookstore for weeks and making sure we had every detail exactly how Ryan wanted it.

I saw a new side to him as we worked together.

He was picky. Very picky. He had a very clear idea of how he wanted things done, and he wasn’t happy until it was exactly how he had planned.

As I hurried across the street from the auto shop to Ryan’s bookstore, a car horn blared, and someone waved out the window at me.

It was still light out, but we decided it was better if I arrived in my costume since they were already wearing theirs.

As they’d decided before, I was the scarecrow from the book.

It wasn’t a hard costume, but the hay shoved up my sleeves itched like crazy.

I hurried inside the store where Avery was at the cash register dressed as a witch with a funny shaped hat that somehow looked perfect and a spider hanging from a web on the brim.

She’d painted purple streaks in her hair and wore a lacy black dress that reminded me of Stevie Nicks and looked perfect.

“Hey, Charlie, you look great,” she said and clapped her hands to her cheeks. “Is the straw itchy?”

Just the mention of it made me want to scratch, but I forced myself not to.

“A little,” I said just as Ryan came rushing out of the backroom.

He wore black jeans that were ripped at the knees, a white button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a black vest that showed off his trim waist. He’d gelled his hair back and wore a headband with ears attached.

Heavy eyeliner made his blue eyes look dark with mischief, and the nose and whiskers he’d painted on completed the look.

“Charlie, you look amazing,” he said before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Are you ready to go?”

“I think so. Is there anything else that needs to be done?” I glanced around and everything looked perfect.

They’d decorated the area where Ryan would be reading the book into what looked like a tent by hanging a pole and curtains.

They were tied back enough to see the chairs inside and the little battery-powered lanterns that each child would hold and get to take with them.

There was a larger lantern on the table next to a big candelabra with battery powered lights for show, but the lantern would give Ryan enough light to read by.

Not that he needed it. He’d memorized the book.

“We’re just waiting for the kids. Do you think they’ll like it?” he asked for the millionth time.

Rumor had spread, and everyone was curious about the Halloween event at the bookstore.

“Babe, the parents are as excited as the kids, and the kids are about ready to burst. They can’t wait to see what you’ve been working so hard on.

” The treats table was ready and looked just as magical as the rest of the store.

The cookies Ryan had ordered were all behind the counter to keep them hidden until the end of the reading.

“Are you ready for us?” a voice I recognized asked from the door.

“Caspian,” I mumbled before turning around. He stood there with the three older kids.

“Welcome, of course we’re ready,” Ryan said and walked over to greet them. “Did you need a snack before we start reading?” The kids’ eyes all widened, and they lunged for the table before Caspian stopped them.

“Stop right there,” he said, and all three turned to look at him. “I expect you to introduce yourself to Uncle Charlie’s boyfriend, and then you are welcome to choose one snack.” He crossed his arms and the three of them walked over to Ryan.

“I’m Joey,” my oldest nephew said. He was seven, but looked more like a nine-year-old. He had his mother’s coloring with dark hair and eyes. But since he was also related to my brother, he was a handful.

“Pleased to meet you, Joey, I’m Ryan Stone.” He held out his hand, which Joey gripped by the ends of his fingers, and quickly moved to the snack table. He was dressed as Thor, with extra muscles and a hammer I hoped he wouldn’t start swinging around.

“I’m Kelsey,” his sister said. They were similar in coloring, but she was tiny. Which made zero difference when they were fighting. She fought dirty and was a little scary, to be honest. She was dressed like a princess, so she curtsied to Ryan, making him grin.

“Welcome, Princess Kelsey,” he said with a bow and waved his arm in the direction of the snacks. She giggled and hurried over to where her brother was still deciding.

“I Joey,” the youngest said and grinned. Ryan looked at Caspian, who stepped closer to little Jake.

“Joey’s your brother. What’s your name, Jake?” Caspian whispered next to his ear.

“I Joey,” he said and laughed.

“Well, Joey Jake, welcome,” Ryan said, not missing a beat. Jake was dressed like a race car driver, and Caspian watched as Joey helped him choose a treat.

“Caspian, I want you to meet Ryan,” I said, and took Ryan’s hand.

“Oh, we go way back. I’ve been over here a few times to order books,” Caspian said, like I should just know this. Ryan looked between us and laughed before shaking Caspian’s hand.

“How is that last book working out?” he asked.

“Well, we’re still working on it, but it has a lot of good advice,” Caspian said.

“We needed some help with potty training. Jake is fighting it for all it’s worth.

” He’d told me this, but he hadn’t said he’d ordered a book.

The fact he was willing to do that touched me.

Then he walked over to the treat table and shoved three finger sandwiches in his mouth before looking at me and grinning, reminding me he was still the pain in the ass he’d always been.

I was about to say something when another group of kids arrived.

There were three more, and I knew it had been decided this was the perfect number for the reading.

Ryan nodded at Avery, who walked over to where the small group stood.

“Happy Halloween, everyone. Are you ready to hear a Halloween story?” All the kids nodded, and when Ryan handed each of them a little battery-operated lantern, their excitement grew but they were content to listen to what happened next.

“Follow the black cat and he’ll lead you to the magic tent where he’ll tell you a story all about another black cat, a witch, and a scarecrow,” Avery said, and motioned toward Ryan.

“Right this way, everyone,” Ryan said. “Don’t worry, the scarecrow will stand watch outside the tent in case any trick or treaters try to sneak in.

Everyone, take a seat and we’ll get started.

” He hurried around the small space, making sure they were all settled while Avery attached a fake crow to my shoulder and showed me where to stand.

Caspian stood next to me while Ryan took out the book, and after showing the kids how to turn their lanterns on, he began to read.

Not the way he’d been practicing, no, he acted out every part and every voice.

He made the book so magical that even Caspian was entranced, and I had to admit even though I knew the ending, I held my breath as I waited for him to tell us what happened next.

“He’s great at this,” Caspian whispered.

All three of his kids listened to every word, and at the end, when Ryan handed out the special cookies and told them they got to keep the lanterns, they all took the time to thank him.

Each of the parents bought a copy of the book, including Caspian, and everyone seemed very happy with the entire experience.

Ryan walked over to me as they were leaving and waved to the kids. “Do you think they liked it?” he whispered.

“Are you kidding? They loved it.” Just then, the door opened again, and the next group of kids started to gather. “Looks like you’re popular,” I whispered.

He leaned in and kissed me softly before mouthing a thank you and hurrying off to greet everyone. He was so good at this, and my heart opened a little more to him. The sweet man dressed like a black cat that had the biggest heart I’d ever seen.