“I didn’t like kids even when I was a kid. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my niece and nephews but uh, I’m not known to take part in these Halloween things.”
He kissed my forehead, then asked, “So what have you been thinking?”
“Well I saw this video online about someone painting their horse with glow in the dark paint. Like patterns and stuff. It’s completely safe. I thought what if we paint a couple of horses to look like skeletons?”
Carter grinned. “That sounds amazing.”
“It is. Actually, let me show you that video….” I grabbed my phone off the bedside table and for about fifteen minutes, we watched and analyzed everything about the clip and the paint options that were safe to use on animals and humans alike.
“Tell me more about this event,” Carter asked, pulling me more firmly into his arms. I snuggled in without hesitation.
“Mom and Fern are the brains. It was actually Fern’s idea for her thirteenth birthday. I mean, her birthday is the second of November but she’s always loved all things spooky. She wanted an epic event, like the kind you see in movies. Hay rides and bobbing for apples and a corn maze and the whole thing. Well, they made it work for what we had available, and invited everyone in town. As soon as it was over, they were ready to do it again the next year. It evolved from there. Now we have food trucks and hot drinks, the trunk or treating I mentioned, as well as the classic staples. Straw bale maze, which was what they did that first year. Kids running around in costume, people coming and going for hours until we shut it down.”
Carter chuckled and kissed my hair. “Yeah, I can see how it would definitely makeyouhide. I think it sounds like a blast.” He paused for a second, his whole body stilling. “You think I can help?”
I pulled out of his hold so I could lift up and look at him. The hesitancy in his tone was kind of surprising. And he sure did look hopeful and a little nervous. “You want to?”
“If they need me….” He took a breath and I practically watched him pull his confidence on. He gave me a sort of lopsided grin. “Like I said, it sounds fun. I’d love to get involved. However and wherever they need me. Even if it’s just my wallet.”
He was trying to be playful, but there was something underneath his tone I didn’t like. I knew that he was used to throwing money around to make things happen. And I’d learned that he was actually incredibly generous. The offer was sincere. But I wanted him to see that he was more than just his money.
“We’ve got the funds covered,” I said firmly, making sure to hold his gaze. “There’s something about marketing write offs or some other shit. Don’t worry about that. But Mom can always use another hand. I’ll have her get in contact with you, okay?”
The smile that bloomed on his face was filled with excitement. “Excellent. I’ll wait for her call then.”
I kissed him, fast and hard, then settled down once again. We curled up to sleep together, and I felt… settled. Safe. Respected. All the good things.
The next day, I caught up with Mal after lunch.
“Hey, can I borrow you for a minute?”
He smiled. “Absolutely. I was going to go check up on my girl anyway.”
“Awesome, that’s actually good for what I had in mind.”
We went to the paddock where Jaina was gently teaching some manners to the weanlings who were trying to exist without their mommas.
“So, you know that Halloween thing we’re having?” I asked as we leaned to the fence and Jaina started to amble over for her favorite human.
“Oh yeah, Crew told me about that. Payton is excited for once. Some of his classmates are coming, apparently.”
I smiled. “I’m glad he has friends now.”
Mal widened his eyes dramatically. “You have no idea.” Then he grinned.
“He’s been doing better, right?” I wasn’t very on point with all the things, but I’d heard Mom talking about it with Crew one day.
“Yeah. He likes most of the kids well enough now. Has some friends, even. He talks like a regular kid now.” Mal’s smile was proud.
“Ah yes. I’ve noticed.” I smiled back.
Payton had talked very formally and properly when they first moved here. It wasn’t that he’d done it on purpose, it had just been who he was, but it’d made other children his age look at him a bit funny at first.
“He’s been riding a few times, too. With Crew and I, and with Mike.”
That made me grin. “Dad’s over the moon to have a little buddy again.”
“And soon Aria will be old enough and then the twins.” Mal chuckled. “Mike actually told me he’s glad he got a bigger grandkid to train for the younger ones.”
