A Home Come True. Cheryl Harper

and said, “I guess I’m fortunate to have that explanation to offer. What’s your excuse for bad manners?”

      Cece stepped back. Had she managed to catch her by surprise? Nice. The boost to her confidence made it easier to enjoy her French fries.

      “You guys are so much fun. I don’t know what I’d do without our joking banter.” She slipped a pamphlet on the table. “Guess what? Halloween is coming!” She did a cutesy kind of bounce and Jen could feel the snarl forming on her lips. “We’ll be doing our usual trick-or-treat with the businesses around the square, but you all must enter the best-decorated house contest.” She flipped open the map and tapped the smiling jack o’lantern at the corner, right over her home. “Not that you’ll win. This little guy has marked my place for the past three years, but it’s nice to have new blood in the competition. However, there is an entry fee and since you, Sarah, don’t have a house per se, that knocks you right out of the running. Sorry.” She made a moue as if she was so sad about that. “But Rebecca, you’ve always been a popular stop on the tour. Kids go crazy over your pumpkin cookies. I’m sure I would, too...if I ate sugar.” She winked at Sarah and Jen felt the hamburger take a dangerous turn in her stomach.

      “You’ve never had a shot at this, have you, Jen? It’s an expensive competition, but the kids love it so.” Cece pursed her lips. “You would make an excellent witch. You should work that into your theme.” She flipped her sleek bob. “The red hair, you know.”

      “You’ve got that covered, Cece,” Rebecca said. “Maybe two witches is one too many.”

      Everyone turned to her in surprise. Usually, Sarah did the talking for them. Rebecca’s pleasure at coming up with a good one was easy to see. When Sarah held up her hand for a high five, all three of them celebrated.

      Even Cece seemed impressed. “I can’t tell you my theme, of course. That would give you an unfair advantage.”

      Jen nodded. “Sure, and I’ve already got one of those. Millions in the bank is such an unfair advantage.” Her breathy sigh was so satisfying.

      Then she blinked innocently around the table and held up her hand for her own high five. Rebecca and Sarah were grinning as they answered.

      Cece rolled her eyes. “Oh, sure, dumb luck can compare to hard work.”

      “About as much as marrying rich does,” Sarah said slowly. Then she held up her hand. The high fives were raining down as Cece stepped back from the table.

      “Fine. The entry form is on the back. As you know, Rebecca, all the money we raise goes to help the fire and police departments buy gifts and food at Christmas for our town’s less fortunate families.” Cece slyly smiled. “I will refrain from mentioning who at this table could have qualified for that in the past or...even right now.”