Page 99 of The Scars We Heal

“Let me get a picture of you two. Go stand by Jake, bug.”

She stood next to Jake, but he hauled her up into his arms.

With a smile on my face, I snapped a few photos.

“Now you, Mama.” Jake reached for my phone after putting Whitley down.

Heat rose into my cheeks, but I squatted down next to Whitley so he could get a few photos of us together. When he handed the phone back to me, I scrolled through the pictures, warmth filling my chest.

Happy Halloween!

*4 photo attachments*

Bec

OMG you guys look so cute!!!!!

Also, cowboy neighbor/landlord/brother’s best friend looks GOOD

Stay safe tonight!

Bec

You too. I’ll try to get a picture of Noah, but he’s already jacked up on sugar if you can believe that

I laughed, because I definitely could believe that. Jake and Whit were waiting patiently for me, so I shook out my arms and reached for Whitley’s hand. “All right, everyone. Ready?”

Whitley nodded, jumping up and down excitedly. “I want sugar!”

Jake leaned in, his lips brushing my earlobe. “I want sugar, too. Just not the kind she’s thinking about.”

I swatted him away with a laugh, mouthing, Later. With Whitley’s hand in mine, we walked toward the car to leave.

“Knock, knock!” I called as we walked through Colter and Ellison’s front door.

Feet shuffled from the kitchen in response, followed by a quiet cry from baby Levi.

“Hi, guys, sorry!” Ellison gave us a breathy greeting. “Baby boy’s been a bit fussy.” Her hair was tied back in pigtails, and she wore denim overalls over a plaid button-down with cowboy boots. Colter emerged from the bedroom, wearing an almost matching outfit. Levi was strapped against his chest in a cow print baby carrier, although, I was pretty sure he had on a cow print onesie as well.

“Ah, why didn’t we do that as our costume?” Jake groaned.

“That would have been too easy for you, my guy.” Colter laughed, greeting Jake with a one-armed bro hug. “Besides, I think the Toy Story theme suits you.”

He shrugged. “Not sure what that means, but I’m not gonna ask. Where’s the rest of the crew?”

Ellison glanced at her phone. “Isa and Reid are on their way. Not sure about Mikey since Juniper couldn’t come. It’s her birthday, so I think he wants to call her. Who knows how long that could take. I think Hayden and Sierra were going to meet us.”

The timing of his question couldn’t have been better, because shortly after, knuckles rapped the front door.

“Come in!” Ellison called out.

“Happy Halloween!” Isa practically floated through the doorway.

“What are you supposed to be?” Jake raised his brows at her gray mini skirt and white corset top.

She pointed to the ears, rolling her eyes. “I’m a mouse, duh. Well, a rat, but you get the gist.”

I giggled a bit, but I didn’t think Jake understood the movie reference she was trying to make, because he fired off a joke and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Isn’t this supposed to be a family-friendly Halloween?”