Page 58 of Second Chance Baby

Bridget tapped her lips. “What happened to your cat costume idea?”

Carrington wrinkled her nose. “Eh. I think I’m in my witch era.” She held up her hands, curling her fingers into claws as she tried out a perfectly witchy voice. “You pretties better watch yourselves.”

Bridget laughed. “Where is the Halloween section here? That can’t be all of it.”

“This way. C’mon.” Carrington rushed off, leading her mom through the aisles while I hung back to give them a moment.

And to once again, thank my lucky stars.

Dude, you’re becoming as big of a sap as Christian. And Moose. And even Maddie.

All three of them were big domestic types, investing themselves in their cozy family lives with the zeal only a missionary could fully appreciate.

I was just fine with joining that particular club.

“What are you looking for?” Carrington asked, rifling through racks of costumes like a pro. She drew out a Wonder Woman costume and cocked her head, holding it up to her mother. “I like it.”

Bridget frowned. “But my hair isn’t right for this one.”

“Who says?” Carrington tossed back. “We get to make the rules on Halloween. Right, Dad?”

It took me a minute to get my head back in the game. When had my daughter become so wise?

“Absolutely right. The whole point of Halloween is being whomever you want. Channeling whatever personality you want most. For one night only.”

“Yeah. Except if you really like the changes, you should find a way to incorporate them every single day.”

Yep, Carrington was so wise, I almost couldn’t believe she was mine.

Giving in to my need to hug her, I planted a kiss on top of her head while she pretended to fight me off, giggling uproariously. Then I snagged an arm around Bridget’s waist and dragged her into our little circle, hugging her as tightly as Carrington.

“Ugh, gross,” our daughter wailed, but she made no move to get free.

I squeezed her tighter. “Do you have another word?”

Carrington rolled her eyes. “Sickening.”

“Fine.” I released Care who took off with the cart, but I kept my arm around Bridget. “I guess we need to actually pick something.”

She peered at the chaos of costumes pulled off the hangers and nearly reaching the floor. “I guess.”

“I’m thinking the witch is sticking for Care,” I said drily. “Are you gonna get that Wonder Woman one? Think you’d look hot in it.”

“In your current mood, think you’d say I’d look hot in anything.”

“Well, I do have eyes.”

She poked me in the side. “You’re far too sweet. Though I gotta say, what about my eye candy? Besides just you to begin with. I didn’t even see you look at any of them.”

“Oh, I have one in mind.” I reached for the cape on a mannequin and tugged it lightly. “Vampire of the manor at your service. I mean, look at that sweet top hat. And the fangs.” Grabbing a sealed package of them, I popped them out and pushed them into my mouth before I flashed what I hoped was an evil smile at her.

From her laughter, I must’ve succeeded.

Carrington wandered back with our cart now full of brightly colored spray bottles. “Sticky string,” she announced. “And look at these awesome hair colors. Pink, orange, purple and lime.”

“Are those for the skeletons or for you?” I said through my plastic teeth.

I was pretty sure her eyes were going to roll out of her head at her current rate. “Dad, the skeletons have no hair, remember? They are for me and Mom.” Then she started to giggle. “Though you can have one too if you’re interested. Now let’s go. It’s getting dark soon and we gotta get this stuff up in the yard.” She pointed in the cart. “Got a bunch of batteries too because we probably are out, and I don’t even know all the different kinds we need for the decorations we bought. But we got a ton. My witch’s cauldron bubbles up in rainbow colors too.”

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