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“Damn, baby.” I groan, adjusting myself.
“Later,” she teases, tracing the shell of my ear with her tongue.
“I might have to get you back for this…” I warn.
“I’d love it,” she admits.
Creating space between us, I go to the driver’s side.
“Did you remember your hat?” she asks with a sly grin.
Reaching into the back seat, I pick up the scarecrow hat and put it on. “Yep.”
“Did you get Kane on board to be the lion, or was he still fighting you about it?” I ask as I turn on to the main road that leads to the school.
A chuckle escapes her. “I told Grandma on him.”
“Oh, you played dirty.”
She shrugs. “Don’t I always?”
“Yes.” I laugh. “Yes, you do.”
“So is it a coincidence you made Kane the cowardly lion? Or did the costume fit too well?”
“You mean, Hadleigh and him admittin’ his feelings to her, or rather not admitting them?” She chuckles. “It might’ve been a shot at him.”
“He needs to get over himself and go for it. Better to just get it out there and know than sit back wondering,” I say.
“Not sure he ever will.” She shrugs.
“Guess we better start placin’ bets, huh?”
“Oh my God, yes. Maybe I’ll actually win some extra cash!”
I laugh as we pull into the parking lot across the street from the school.
Grabbing Kenzie’s hand, I interlock my fingers with hers. “Did you get the yellow brick road figured out?” It was the last piece of the puzzle she needed to finish the design on her booth this year.
“I did! Elle helped me,” she tells me as we make our way there. Kenzie wanted to do a Wizard of Oz theme and finally got enough adults together to play all the characters. Her sister is even dressed as Glinda the Good Witch.
“Ya nervous about today?”
“Nah. I know it’s gonna go off without a hitch…” Her voice lowers. “Because of you.”
“Me?” I lift a brow.
“Yeah. You took care of a lot of the stressful things, which made it easier on me. I’m grateful, babe, and I appreciate it so much. You have no idea.”
I grin. “I can’t take all the credit. You busted your ass to make this happen. But with that bein’ said, I’d do anything for you, Kenzie.”
“Anything?” She pops a brow and licks her lips. I’m tempted to pull her aside and kiss the fire outta her, but we’re interrupted by one of her students.
“Miss Bishop,” a little girl calls. “You look awesome!”
“Thank you, Ashlin.” Kenzie bends down and gives her a hug. “You’re the most gorgeous witch I’ve ever seen in my life.”
The little girl blushes just as a woman walks up. “Miss Bishop, so happy to run into you. Thought you’d like to know the adoption was finally finalized yesterday.”
Kenzie’s eyes light up, and she exchanges a hug with her. “Congrats. I’m so happy for you all.”
“Thank you,” she says before they’re called away by other parents.
“Ashlin was in foster care, and her foster mother submitted for adoption a while ago. Now it’s official, so it’s a big deal.”
“Wow, that’s incredible,” I say, wrapping my arm around her.
“I hope that’s us one day.”
“It will be, sweetheart. Can’t wait to have a home full of kids with you.” I lean over and steal a kiss. “Maybe Grandma Bishop is on to something after all. The bigger the family, the more fun.”
She grins wide. “Or drama, but yeah, having a house full would make me happy. I wish I could adopt all the kids who need parents. I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
“That’s because your heart is huge, Kenzie Bishop.”
She sucks in a deep breath, and I can tell she’s thinking about it.
“You know I’m gonna bust ass on gettin’ the house perfect for you,” I tell her.
“I know, Grayson. Don’t know what I ever did to deserve you.”
“I could say the same about you. It was meant to be.”
After we pass at least twelve other booths, I finally see the yellow paper that’s taped to the ground. Kenzie loops her arm with mine and we skip to her version of the Emerald City. Hadleigh and Kane are filling small bags full of candy for us to hand out just as Maize comes over with Mila Rose and Maddy. They’re our little munchkins.
Elle walks up carrying Elisa, who’s dressed like Toto, and I can’t help but snort.
“Now that’s adorable,” Kenzie admits, stealing Elisa and placing kisses on her chubby cheeks.
“Where’s Gavin?” Kane asks.
“The tin man should be here any minute. He was parking the truck,” Maize explains.
“I’m ready!” Olivia raises her voice and spins around for us to see her lollipop guild costume. When Gavin arrives, I hold back laughter at how huge and perfect he looks for the part.
Once the festival begins, people of all ages arrive. Kenzie knows nearly every student’s name that comes to our booth, and I love how attentive she is as she listens to them. They look at her like she’s their hero, and I understand why because Kenzie’s nothing short of amazing.
