Page 74 of Already Callin’ You Mine

Cart, horse, in the correct order.

“Sounds like a deal to me. So, whaddya say? Let me take you and Otis around Truck or Treat? We can hit up all the games and trucks and whatever Little Man wants, and then help Miss Belle hand out candy?”

“You’re not in charge of something for the event?” she asks.

I pull my lips into my mouth, biting down, trying to do my best not to look guilty. Yes, technically I am supposed to work the event. Like all Hickory Hills town events, Hayes Industries is a sponsor, and we make our presence known. The main Hayes truck is always parked right next to the haunted house that is set up in the field house at Newton Field, Miss Belle outdoing herself every year with the spectacle she puts on. Anton handles hayrides around the town square, while Milo and Brandt have a Southern Brothers Brewing beer tent, and Ewan sets up a game where kids can “fish” for prizes. Somewhere in all this, Dolly will be selling caramel apples, and all the other businesses and organizations will be handing out more candy than any one child should be on the receiving end of, all out of the back of pickups.

Small-town life at its best.

“I’m technically on treat duty,” I admit. “But pretty sure I can sneak away for a little bit to hang with you guys. Especially if Otis is willing to flirt with Miss Belle a little bit.”

It’s no secret that my mama is dying to be promoted to grandma—or Glam-ma as she keeps calling herself. If I didn’t know better, there is a part of me that wouldn’t put it past her to start tampering with birth control methods. I do know better, however.

“I think that can be arranged.” She winks. “Just one question—how scary is this haunted house?”

Errr, good question. I haven’t been through it in God knows how long. It’s just not my thing. I also have no idea what Miss Belle has up her sleeve this year. All I know is that dry ice is involved, and really, that’s only because of the so-called emergency Gus told us about.

I look to my brothers, hoping one of them can help. They look just as clueless as I am though.

“Medium, ish?” Anton shrugs, looking to Gus, who mirrors his gesture.

“I don’t think it’s a house of horrors, or anything like that,” Gus tacks on. “For one, it’s not all that big—takes maybe five minutes to walk through? But also, it’s a kids’ event, so by no means is anyone going over the top with anything. Mostly just people jumping out at you. I think.”

“Miss Belle does have these little ghosts that she gives to people to hold as a signal that you want a milder experience. So, less jumpy stuff,” I add, remember the tactic that was added a few years back. “Are you worried about Otis?”

She nods. “He’ll be curious, and may or may not be willing to understand that it’s a grown-up thing. Especially if he sees other kids going in, even if they are bigger than him.”

I wrap an arm around her, leaning in and pressing another kiss to her temple. “We’ll figure out something. Miss Belle won’t let him do anything she feels is unsafe or might upset him, and neither will I.”

Squeezing her, I pull back just enough to look her in the eye.

“I got you.”

“Then you better dust off your boots, Sheriff.”