Page 73 of Wood You Knot

“Wow, the whole family got in on it,” I remarked, impressed. They’d taken Nellie’s idea and ran with it.

“My family rarely does anything half-assed,” Nix replied, his voice a little muffled behind his Gillman mask. I giggled because he sounded so ridiculous and squeezed his hand.

Daphne spotted the twins and raced toward them, her bucket swinging out behind her. We joined them all, and Nix introduced Nellie to his family, pointing out who everyone was.

“Whoa! Uncle Nix, is that you?” Bella asked, her zombified eyes widening.

“Yup! My mom’s a mummy, and Nellie’s Dr. Cackle and Mr. Hyde,” Daphne informed them proudly.

“It’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” I corrected with a smile.

“We’re going to win the group costume for sure,” Brielle declared. It had been the kids’ idea to enter the Halloween costume contest at Tout de Sweets. The girls took off toward the action, forcing the adults to follow.

We hit up every shop along the way to the café, watching as the girls collected candy and the townsfolk fussed over their costumes—and ours.

We finally made it to Tout de Sweets just as the Hartley triplets were calling everyone who wanted to participate in the contest forward. They were dressed as the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus. Dorothy’s hair was styled up in two curly buns and sprayed red like Winifred Sanderson, while Betty was rocking a black wig with purple streaks like Mary. Alice had an arm of bangles and a long blond wig, which she kept tossing over her shoulders.

The Hartley sisters shared a microphone between the three of them, and Dorothy was speaking into it, explaining the rules. “We’ll be choosing winners in three separate categories: Best Individual Costume, followed by Best Couples Costume, and finally…the Best Group Costume.”

“Please stay where you are and allow the three of us to come around and check out your wonderful costumes. Then we’ll pick the winners,” Betty added, and the sisters started their rounds.

The kids munched on candy as patiently as their excitement allowed them, while the adults in our group chatted amongst themselves. Tabitha and Parker were trying to keep Bryson entertained, who was beginning to get restless in his costume, while Preston and Paxton were both hitting on Nellie. From the sounds of it, they were trying to see which one she’d prefer—which was hysterical, considering they both looked ridiculous in their costumes. Nellie seemed to enjoy the attention, though.

Keith and Laurel were chatting with Auntie Em and Uncle Ed, who’d surprised us all and shown up in costumes that fit the theme too. Uncle Ed was a werewolf, while Auntie Em had dressed up as Dracula. She’d even worn her hair pulled back in a braid and done a fake widow’s peak.

Daphne was ecstatic they’d shown up, and when the Hartley sisters approached us to find out the inspiration for our costume, she happily informed them we were “from the ‘Monster Mash’ song.”

Dorothy, Betty, and Alice had all exchanged impressed looks with each other before moving on to judge the rest of the costumes.

My cheeks hurt from smiling, and my heart practically burst with happiness to see my daughter surrounded by so many people who cared about her. And not just her, either…but me as well.

This town and the people in it had embraced me as one of their own the moment I’d relocated here, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. It felt like my own personal Stars Hollow; only instead of a grumpy diner owner, I’d fallen in love with an affectionate, compassionate carpenter who knew how to keep me laughing.

Nix put his arm around me, pulling me close to him, and brought his fish-mask-covered face close to my ear. “These costumes were a great idea. I can’t wait to unwrap those bandages later,” he murmured, tugging at one of the loose ones.

I laughed, trying to push him away a little. “You’re lucky I love you.” I shook my head.

Nix pulled his mask up, revealing his face and the euphoric grin on it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that?”

“I said—” I turned toward him, wrapping my arms around his waist and peering up into his warm brown eyes. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I really am,” he said, lowering his lips to mine. He gave me a soft kiss with the promise of more to come. His tongue ran along the seam of my lips for a fleeting moment that weakened my knees. All too soon, he was pulling back, his eyes shining with devotion. “I love you too, Sage. So very much. You are my entire future.”

“Ehem!” Alice cleared her throat, back at the front of the shop. Her eyes twinkled as she took in the crowd. “We have decided on our winners. For Best Individual Costume, the honour goes to Elena Rodriguez, come on up here, honey!”

A young woman made her way to the front of the shop to accept her trophy and a little gift bag from the Hartley sisters. She was dressed as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, her makeup elaborately done so her entire right eye was covered with a sparkling red heart. Her lips were also painted the same, sparkling red colour.

“For Best Couples Costume, we have Marvin and Donna Gauthier,” Betty announced. Marvin Gauthier was wearing a chef costume and his wife, Donna, was dressed as a rat. If I had to take a guess, they’d drawn inspiration from the Ratatouille movie. They approached the front, and Betty passed them their trophy and gift bag before motioning for them to go stand beside Elena Rodriguez.

“And finally…for Best Group Costume, we have the group that dressed up as the ‘Monster Mash’ song! I believe it’s the Hutchinsons, the Alcotts, the Whitakers and Co,” Alice announced, smiling wide. “Very impressive group effort!”

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a group entry this big before,” Betty added, chuckling.

Daphne, Bella, and Brielle all let out a cheer and took off as fast as they could to the front of the shop. The crowd parted for the rest of us, and soon all fifteen of us gathered around the Hartley triplets for our trophy and a gift bag.

The trophy was of a pumpkin that said ‘Hartwood Creek’s Halloween Spook, Best Group Costume’ with the date. In the gift bag were a bunch of coupons and gift cards to local shops, and small chocolates from Sweet Indulgence.

Betty, Alice, and Dorothy took to the stage again to congratulate all the winners and offer free beverages. “And don’t forget, tonight is the Witches’ Ball at the Hartwood Creek Inn! Adults only!”

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