Trick or Tea by Lori Wolf-Heffner

Author:Lori Wolf-Heffner [Wolf-Heffner, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781989465202
Publisher: Head in the Ground Publishing

A giant wolf ran through the front door at Claire’s Tea Shop and jumped over the counter, landing squarely on both feet.

“Pauline!” Claire scolded her costumed daughter.

Pauline’s voice was muffled as she spoke. “You’re the one who paid for gymnastics lessons. Be glad I grew so tall, otherwise you’d be worried sick about me on the unevens instead!” She hugged Claire tightly, and Claire had to admit her daughter was right. Watching Pauline do gymnastic stunts at such a height always brought Claire’s stomach to her throat. But when the coach awkwardly told Claire that Pauline—who had reached six feet—was too tall for competitive gymnastics, Claire was secretly relieved, believing Pauline’s days of stunts were over.

She had been wrong but she was still very proud of her daughter.

Pauline stepped back and removed the wolf head. Her cheeks were rosy and her bangs were matted to her face. “I handed everything out! All two hundred bags! Your idea was a hit!”

Claire breathed a sigh of relief. She and Jan, who ran the hair salon in Belmont Village, had asked the other store owners if they would participate in a giveaway. Each bag contained candy and coupons, and read, “Happy Halloween from the Shopkeepers at Belmont Village!”

To make sure kids didn’t eat the candy and then discard the bag, Pauline had handed out bags to workers exiting from their shift at the nearby factory. Once she’d handed out what she could, she walked back to Belmont Village, continuing to hand out packages as she passed people. Claire had given away another fifty packages to kids and adults who passed the store.

“I couldn’t have done it without yours or Jan’s help,” Claire said. “I only hope those coupons bring more business to all the shopkeepers.” The thought made Claire nervous, because a lack of sales on their part might undermine her reputation, which was excellent. But she didn’t beg, and she didn’t borrow any money. She only offered a service.

Pauline set her wolf head on the desk in the back room, removed her wolf paws, and reached into the fridge for the sandwiches her mom kept there.

“Wouldn’t you rather eat at home?” Claire asked.

A tuna sandwich already unwrapped, Pauline answered, “Nope. But you need to get home. Jan’s waiting for you to do your hair.” She took a bite.

“What?” Did Claire have an appointment she’d forgotten about? No, wait. Pauline had said Jan was at their house. To do her hair?

“Just go home, put on your best Claire’s Tea Shop outfit, and Jan will do your hair. Then come back here in two hours.”

“Why?”

“There’s going to be a party.” Pauline placed the sandwich on the wrapper on the desk and stood up. “Now get going.” She gently pushed her mother toward the front door.

“What party?”

“You’ll see. Now go!”

Claire could just barely grab her purse as the half-wolf/half-daughter continued leading her mother to the front door.

Claire laughed. “All right, all right! But this had better be good, Pauline. You know I—”

“Don’t like working late,” Pauline finished.

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