Page 27 of Nesting With My Three Alphas
"Sarah? Yeah. This was her favorite fall tradition. We always tried to come back to Hollow Haven around this time of year." I glanced at Kit, checking for any signs of discomfort, but she just looked genuinely interested. "She always insisted on finding the most perfectly round pumpkin, and Charlie inherited that particular obsession."
"That sounds lovely. Having traditions like that."
There was something wistful in Kit's voice that made me want to ask about her own family traditions, but I'd learned torecognize when she wasn't ready for certain questions. Instead, I just said, "Well, now you're part of this one. Fair warning, Charlie takes pumpkin selection very seriously."
As if to prove my point, Charlie called out from across the patch: "Dad! Kit! Come look at this one! I think it might be perfect!"
We made our way over to where Charlie was kneeling beside a medium-sized pumpkin, running her hands over its surface with the concentration of a scientist.
"See? No soft spots, good stem, nice round shape." Charlie looked up at Kit expectantly. "What do you think? Does it pass the test?"
Kit crouched down beside Charlie, examining the pumpkin with equal seriousness. "Well, the color is excellent. Nice deep orange. And the ridges are very symmetrical." She gently lifted one side. "Good weight to it, too. I think you've found a winner."
"Yes!" Charlie pumped her fist in the air. "One perfect pumpkin acquired. Now we need to find one for Kit."
"Oh, I don't need..." Kit started, but Charlie was already off, scanning the field with renewed determination.
"Everyone needs a pumpkin," I said. "It's practically a law."
Kit smiled, and I caught a thread of something warm and pleased in her scent. "In that case, I better start looking."
We spent the next hour wandering through the patch, Charlie leading the expedition with military precision while Kit seemed to relax more with each passing minute. I watched her interact with other families, accepting compliments on her sweater from Mrs. Carrington and listening patiently to old Mr. Corbin's explanation of optimal pumpkin-growing conditions.
"You've got a natural way with people," I observed as we watched Charlie attempt to lift a pumpkin nearly as big as she was.
"Do I?" Kit looked surprised. "I always feel like I'm pretending to be normal."
"You're not pretending anything. This is just you." I paused. "You fit here, Kit. I hope you can feel that."
Something shifted in her expression, vulnerable and hopeful. "I'm starting to."
"Kit! Dad! I found the perfect pumpkin for Kit!" Charlie called from a few rows over. "Come see!"
We found Charlie standing proudly beside a pumpkin that was smaller than hers but perfectly shaped, with a curved stem that gave it character.
"It's beautiful," Kit said, and I could tell she meant it. "Are you sure this one's for me?"
"Positive," Charlie said firmly. "It's got personality, just like you."
Kit looked touched by the simple compliment, carefully lifting the pumpkin and cradling it like something precious. "Then I guess this one's mine." She paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I wonder what Micah and Reed will think of my choice. They both have such good taste."
"They'll love it," I said, ignoring the small twist of happiness in my chest at the mention of my friends. "Excellent choices all around. Ready for the hayride?"
Charlie cheered, and even Kit looked excited by the prospect. We loaded our pumpkins into a wheelbarrow and made our way to the barn, where a tractor was hitched to a large wagon filled with hay bales.
The wagon was already half full of families, everyone bundled in jackets and scarves, kids wiggling with excitement. We found seats near the back, Charlie between Kit and me, as the tractor rumbled to life and began its slow circuit around the orchard.
"This is perfect," Charlie sighed contentedly, leaning against Kit's side as we rolled past rows of apple trees heavy with fruit.
I found myself watching Kit more than the scenery, noting how naturally she adjusted to accommodate Charlie's weight, how she pointed out interesting things along the route with genuine enthusiasm. The afternoon light caught the auburn highlights in her hair, and when she laughed at something Charlie said, the sound went straight to my chest.
You look like you belong here, I wanted to say, but the words felt too loaded, too much like a confession I wasn't ready to make.
Halfway through the ride, Charlie's chatter began to slow, her eyelids growing heavy in the warm sunshine. Within minutes, she was fast asleep, her head pillowed on Kit's lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Kit looked down at my daughter with such tenderness that something shifted inside my chest. This was maternal instinct, protective care, the kind of love that came naturally to someone with a generous heart.
"She trusts you completely," I said quietly, not wanting to wake Charlie.
