39. Caitlin
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
caitlin
Are you almost ready? We’re going to be late if you don’t come out!” I sing-songed to the closed bedroom door.
“I look ridiculous,” Jake grumbled.
“It’s Halloween. Everyone looks ridiculous,” I pointed out. Apparently, it was time to pull out the big guns. “Do it for Whit.”
A heavy sigh told me I’d won the discussion, and I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth to suppress a smile.
However, I still made a small fist pump at my victory.
From the stories I heard from Ellison and Isa, Jake was not a fan of Halloween.
He never dressed up, which I found funny, considering he was one of the wildest of the bunch behind Mikey.
My costume was admittedly more casual than Jake’s.
I wore a white maxi skirt with a blue puffy-sleeved top.
My hair was partially tied back with a bow.
The only item that made this outfit look more like a costume was the pink shepherd’s hook I’d made with a hollow Christmas candy cane lawn decoration I’d found at the dollar store.
I spent the last few nights after getting home from work making Whitley’s costume.
It was a fairly easy concept, but executing it with a mischievous child was a lot harder in practice.
At least she’d be warm tonight. Her costume—a sheep—was black leggings, and a black long-sleeve with the body covered in cotton balls.
I’d also made a little headband for her with black ears and more cotton balls.
“Are you dressed yet?” I tapped my foot against the hardwood floor.
The bedroom door squeaked as Jake reluctantly stepped out.
I had to purse my lips to stop myself from bursting into laughter. For someone who hated Halloween, Jake really went all out.
He wore a yellow button-down with a type of checkered pattern, denim jeans that were tucked into brown cowboy boots, and a brown cowboy hat, but the pieces of the outfit that gave his costume away were the cow print vest, Sheriff’s badge, and red bandana tied around his neck.
“Can I untuck my boots, please? I look ridiculous.”
“No, you have to keep them tucked or everyone is going to think you’re just a regular cowboy.” I snickered.
He rolled his eyes. “Doubtful.”
“Ah, c’mon, Woody, have some Halloween spirit,” I teased, meeting him in the doorway to straighten his bandana. Leaning forward, I whispered in his ear, “If you go through with this, maybe you’ll get lucky and I’ll wear that cowboy hat tonight. Just the cowboy hat.”
A low groan rose from his throat, and I backed up before he could grab my waist, giving his chest a pat.
“Such a tease,” he muttered.
“Come on. If we don’t get going, all the good candy will be taken.” Raising my voice, I called for Whitley. “Let’s go, bug! We need to meet up with Uncle Colt and Auntie Ell!”
Thundering feet echoed through the house as Whit ran down the hallway with her giant jack-o’-lantern basket in hand.
The moment she got to us, she stopped in her tracks to point at Jake and laugh at him.
“You look goofy!” she squealed.
“I know,” he sighed. “You owe me, kid.”
“Thanks for doing this. She’s going to be so happy that everyone dressed up with her.” My gaze flicked down to the ground then back up as I pulled my lip between my teeth. “It means a lot to me, too.”
“Anything for my two favorite girls.” He pressed a kiss to my temple when Whitley wasn’t paying attention.
“Let me get a picture of you two. Go stand by Jake, bug.”
She stood next to Jake, but he hauled her up into his arms.
With a smile on my face, I snapped a few photos.
“Now you, Mama.” Jake reached for my phone after putting Whitley down.
Heat rose into my cheeks, but I squatted down next to Whitley so he could get a few photos of us together. When he handed the phone back to me, I scrolled through the pictures, warmth filling my chest.
Happy Halloween!
*4 photo attachments*
Bec
OMG you guys look so cute!!!!!
Also, cowboy neighbor/landlord/brother’s best friend looks GOOD
Stay safe tonight!
Bec
You too. I’ll try to get a picture of Noah, but he’s already jacked up on sugar if you can believe that
I laughed, because I definitely could believe that. Jake and Whit were waiting patiently for me, so I shook out my arms and reached for Whitley’s hand. “All right, everyone. Ready?”
Whitley nodded, jumping up and down excitedly. “I want sugar!”
Jake leaned in, his lips brushing my earlobe. “I want sugar, too. Just not the kind she’s thinking about.”
I swatted him away with a laugh, mouthing, Later. With Whitley’s hand in mine, we walked toward the car to leave.
“Knock, knock!” I called as we walked through Colter and Ellison’s front door.
Feet shuffled from the kitchen in response, followed by a quiet cry from baby Levi.
“Hi, guys, sorry!” Ellison gave us a breathy greeting.
“Baby boy’s been a bit fussy.” Her hair was tied back in pigtails, and she wore denim overalls over a plaid button-down with cowboy boots.
Colter emerged from the bedroom, wearing an almost matching outfit.
Levi was strapped against his chest in a cow print baby carrier, although, I was pretty sure he had on a cow print onesie as well.
“Ah, why didn’t we do that as our costume?” Jake groaned.
“That would have been too easy for you, my guy.” Colter laughed, greeting Jake with a one-armed bro hug. “Besides, I think the Toy Story theme suits you.”
He shrugged. “Not sure what that means, but I’m not gonna ask. Where’s the rest of the crew?”
Ellison glanced at her phone. “Isa and Reid are on their way. Not sure about Mikey since Juniper couldn’t come. It’s her birthday, so I think he wants to call her. Who knows how long that could take. I think Hayden and Sierra were going to meet us.”
The timing of his question couldn’t have been better, because shortly after, knuckles rapped the front door.
“Come in!” Ellison called out.
“Happy Halloween!” Isa practically floated through the doorway.
“What are you supposed to be?” Jake raised his brows at her gray mini skirt and white corset top.
She pointed to the ears, rolling her eyes. “I’m a mouse, duh. Well, a rat, but you get the gist.”
I giggled a bit, but I didn’t think Jake understood the movie reference she was trying to make, because he fired off a joke and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Isn’t this supposed to be a family-friendly Halloween?”
Isa gave him a light shove. “I have a cardigan to go over the top, don’t worry.”
“You shouldn’t be looking anyway,” Reid’s low voice scolded. His costume was a white button-down with an apron and a chef’s hat.
“Let me guess, Ratatouille?” I laughed.
“Yes!” Isa clapped. “I also like the Bo Peep and her sheep reference.” She bent down to Whitley’s level. “You look very cute, Whit.”
“What do you say, bug?”
“Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed pink, and she shied away, hiding behind me.
“You’ve never been shy before.” I laughed. “What? Don’t like all the attention today?”
She shook her head before running away.
“I’ve got her,” Jake offered, taking off behind my small child.
I flashed him a grateful smile, and Ellison nudged me with her elbow, raising her brows suggestively.
Instead of saying something that would fuel her fire, I just shrugged. “He’s been really helpful with Whit.”
Of course, saying anything would get her going, though.
“Oh, I’m sure he’s been really helpful.” She winked. Then she gave my arm a gentle squeeze. “You seem really happy. I’m glad to see Adam’s bullshit didn’t change that.”
I pursed my lips in a soft smile. “Me, too.”
“All right, who’s ready to trick or treat?” Jake had Whitley hoisted up on his shoulders, and she waved around her basket, nearly smacking Jake upside the head with it. “Whoa there, bug. You just about knocked me out.”
She giggled, but this time when she swung her basket, Jake caught it.
“We’d better get going before the best candy is gone.” Colter clasped his hands together.
“I said the same thing,” I pointed out in agreement, prompting us all to exit the house and pile into our vehicles.
Hayden and Sierra met us in town, dressed up as Hercules and Meg, and our entire posse started walking door to door.
We only got weird looks from a few people who probably didn’t understand why a bunch of grown adults were dressed up and escorting a single child through the neighborhood.
I’d told everyone they didn’t have to dress up, much less spend their entire evening trick or treating with Whitley, but they all insisted they wanted to come.
I was sure most of them would head to the bar after, but it was the thought that counted.
“Whit, go knock on that door and then when they open it you say, ‘Trick or treat!’” Jake pointed to the house in front of us. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Up until this point, Whitley hadn’t been the one knocking on the doors, too shy to do anything but hold my hand and pick out her candy.
She looked up at Jake with wide eyes, and he nodded, encouraging her. She took a few ginger steps up to the front door and tapped on it lightly. A few moments later, it opened to a kind-looking older woman.
“Trick or treat,” she squeaked out.
“My, you look adorable. And look at all your friends who dressed up with you!” She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Here, pick out some candy.”
Whitley gave her a toothy grin and grabbed a couple pieces of candy, tossing them in the pumpkin basket Jake now carried. It had gotten too heavy for her after the first five houses, because people would give her more candy after she politely took only one.
We would be stocked up on candy for weeks, and I’d definitely have to hide it in a cabinet where she couldn’t reach. I was also pretty confident she’d eaten at least six pieces since we started, judging by the chocolate smeared on the sides of her lips.
“Mommy, look at all my candy!” she shrieked, hopping up and down like a mini Energizer Bunny.
“You’ve got so much, bug! Where are we going to put it all?” I pretended to be shocked.
She patted her stomach. “My belly.”
A laugh escaped my lips, and I shook my head. “Not all at once, I hope.”
“Uh-huh.” She nodded, a devilish smirk creeping across her lips. “I’m going to eat all the candy tonight.”
“Sure you are.” I shook my head before looking around at everyone. “Are we ready to be done? I don’t think there are many houses left for us to go to. You guys can all head out to the bar if you want.”
Hayden, Sierra, Reid, and Isa all looked at each other.
“If we head to Rudy’s, we’ll be able to make it in time to enter the costume contest,” Sierra said, and the rest of them nodded in agreement.
“We should probably head back. He’s already sound asleep.” Colter looked down at Levi.
“How about you?” I looked at Jake.
He reached out to take Whitley’s hand. “I’m with you.”
“All right. Looks like it’s settled, then. Thanks for coming trick or treating with us,” I thanked our group of friends. “It meant a lot to me and to Whit.”
“Of course!” Ellison replied. “We’re a family. We stick together.”
We all exchanged hugs and said our goodbyes, but Ellison’s statement stuck with me.
In the last three months, nothing had been truer, and a wave of gratitude washed over me for the family I’d come back to in Silver Creek.
The family Whitley would get to grow up with.
The one that would never make her question if she was loved.