Chapter 24

T he entire house is decorated with Halloween decor. Since I was a kid, I have loved putting up holiday decorations. My mom always did it. And her mom did too. But this year was different for me. I got to have a little helper. Amelia and I both wore our skeleton pajamas while we decorated the house and baked pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

"I almost forgot my pumpkin bucket!" Amelia says before bolting toward her bedroom. Her cow tail wiggles as she runs, and it's absolutely adorable.

It's been a few weeks since she recovered from RSV, and I'm so happy that she's back to normal. Although I'm always worried that she'll catch another sickness and wind up in the hospital again. After all, it's getting cold here in New England. And that's when all the germs come out to play.

I look at Logan in his Highland cow onesie, and I can't stop the loud laugh that bubbles from my lips. I cover my mouth up with my hand, but it's useless because I can't even contain myself.

"Laugh it up, Farmer Brown," he says, eyeing over the costume Amelia picked out just for me before leaning over to put his lips to my ear. "You won't be laughing when this cow is plowing the farmer from behind later, will ya?"

"Nothing about that sounds sexy, Logan." I scrunch my nose up, putting my hand on his chest. "Hey, I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but not everything has to be perverted."

Pulling back, he frowns at me with a completely unimpressed look resting on his handsome face. "Um … yeah. Yeah, actually. It does."

"What are the guys going to think of your getup?" I giggle, unable to stop myself from staring at his costume. "Didn't you say we are going to Kolt's first?"

"You think I give a fuck what they think of my costume?" he says matter-of-factly. "Fuck no, I don't. I look good."

"You're dressed up like a cow," I deadpan.

"Male cows are hung like horses, I hear." He shrugs, giving me a slight smirk. "If you ask me, it's the perfect costume for me."

"I got it!" Amelia calls, rushing toward us in her own Highland cow costume.

I painted her face a bit, and even though I'm no expert and certainly no artist, I watched a YouTube video, and it actually didn't come out as terrible as I'd expected it to. And she loves it, so that's all that matters.

"Ready to go?" I lift her up, spinning her around. "Time to load up on candy."

"And then Daddy gets to raid your stash after you go to sleep," Logan mutters proudly. "Perks of being a dad right there."

"Daddy! Don't eat all my candy!" she scolds him, scowling. "Last year, you ate all of my Reese's, and I only got one!"

His lips form a straight line. "My bad, babe. I … got a little carried away. This year, I'll contain myself. I'll go for the Rolos instead since you hate them." He pauses, dropping his voice so low that he knows Amelia won't hear him. "Maybe."

Once I set her down, we make our way toward the door when Amelia stops, turning toward Clyde. I already know what's coming next. And in my mind, I'm trying to think of something, anything, to answer what she's going to say.

"Clyde can't spend Halloween alone," she says sadly. "We have to bring him."

Logan looks at me, undoubtedly wanting me to be the bad guy here. So, I sigh.

"He's so big, sweetie. It would be pretty tricky to bring him into places." I cringe, glancing over at Clyde. "And he'd drool all over everything. Oh, and likely pull my arm out of the socket because he is terrible on a leash."

" Please, Maci."

Her bottom lip pokes out. Also known as … my kryptonite. Because how am I supposed to say no to that?

I look at Logan for backup, only that asshole is already reaching for Clyde's leash.

"She's right. It's Halloween. What's he going to do? Sit here by himself and watch scary movies?" He glances at Clyde. "I don't think so, buddy. Not on my watch." He gives him a quick whistle. "Wanna go for a ride?"

At the word ride , Clyde is up and by the door before I can even give it another thought.

Huffing out a breath, I give Logan a thanks for making me the bad guy look before shaking my head. "All right, fine. Let's go."

I lean into Logan, driving my finger into his chest. "But if he pisses on anything he isn't supposed to or humps anything or anyone … this is your fault, and I'll say he's your dog."

"Deal." He presses a peck to my lips. "Love you."

"I love you. Even though you are an absolute baby."

"Only when it comes to my girls." He winks, giving me a grin. "And I'm not afraid to say that when it comes to you two, I'm a little bitch."

Suddenly, every bit of annoyance that I had inside me melts away. Because when Logan Sterns winks or gives you that grin … good luck staying mad.

"Daddy! Put a quarter in my jar! You said bitch !" Amelia scolds him, scowling with her eyebrows, and Logan and I look at each other, trying not to laugh.

A few days ago, I typed the end on my book, and I sent it to my editor, who I know is going to help me make it perfect. Holly promises me that it's my best work and that my readers are going to love it, and yet I find myself incredibly nervous about it making its way into the world. Something about having so much of Logan, Amelia, and me in it makes it sacred. I'm terrified that someone will pick apart the characters. The main female character, fine. She's a bit annoying and way too organized. She also worries about issues far before they are even real. But the other two—the guy and his daughter? I'll accept zero criticism on them. Simple as that.

I follow Amelia, Logan, and Clyde out the door. We're all decked out in our Halloween costumes, and I just can't get over that this is my life. I can take a breath, and it doesn't hurt. I get out of bed in the morning with a smile on my face. It no longer feels like everything is hopeless.

I still have trying days and moments where the past likes to creep up, but I refuse to let it pull me back. Instead, I keep moving forward.

And it's all because of them. Because with them, I am who I want to be again.