Final Masquerade (37 page)
Authors: Cindy Davis
The month of August saw profound changes in many lives of the Brandon, Vermont residents. With the help of her new friends, Paige renovated the shed into a shop called
Paige's From the Past
where she began selling collectible books and handmade quilts—since it wasn't long before the house was overflowing with them. Her book clientele came from all over the world, most especially Minneapolis where there was one store owner, who frequently made time to visit Vermont. Max Baumgartner stopped drinking and smoking. Unfortunately he gained over fifty pounds from the prodigious taste testing his new wife, Polly, asked of him. The reason he hadn't been around—the newlyweds had gone on an extended book-buying trip.
Attorney Harry retired after the second beating by Stefano's men. Harry and his wife bought a house in town and visited often.
Paige spent hours clearing and pruning the rose garden. Within weeks the straggly brown stems were a riot of vibrant color.
The final and most noteworthy of the summer's occurrences: Paige and Chris were married at the inn where Paige was proudly given away by both Alf and Harry. Almost everyone in town attended the ceremony and reception.
Chris soon tired of Paige teasing him about the way he held his cigarettes and gave up smoking altogether.
Debbie the hairdresser was put to work restoring Paige's original hair color and style, which Paige had a devil of a time recalling.
Cindy Davis pursues her many interests in scenic New Hampshire. Any given time in her professional life might find her writing, reading, editing or critiquing. She spends her spare time gardening, reading, hiking, raising exotic finches, reading or doing needlework. Lovingly interspersed is time spent with her family and traveling with her husband to research settings for her mysteries. Did she happen to mention she enjoys reading?