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“I love you, too.”
“Mummmmm.” Edie groaned behind Caroline and Hannah. When they both separated and faced her, Edie pulled a face. “Stop kissing each other in the middle of a field.”
“Excuse me, Edie Caffrey. I’ll kiss Caz wherever I like.”
“Fine. But we need to start looking for the best pumpkins because I think Gail has something up her sleeve. She looks a bit shifty.”
“You leave Gail to me. She’s been my best friend since we were twelve, and if I tell her we need to win, wewillwin.” Caroline strolled hand in hand with Hannah while Edie walked ahead of them with their wheelbarrow. She’d always wanted to go pumpkin picking in the autumn, and this evening, she’d successfully done so.
Wasn’t that sad? Forty-eight and never picked a pumpkin. Huh, not anymore.
Hannah let go of Caroline’s hand and slid an arm around her waist instead. She rested her head on Caroline’s shoulder, the burgundy bobble hat she wore this evening quite cute.
“I love this,” Hannah said, sighing as she squeezed Caroline’s hip. “Having someone to hold while we pick pumpkins. Edie and I have been doing this since she was walking. But now? It feels like we’re going to have a really cosy autumn and winter.”
Caroline’s heart skipped a beat at that. They’d spent a lot of time together last year once the dark nights rolled in, but she agreed. This yearwouldbe different. Even if she’d woken up with Hannah and Edie last Christmas, something about being an official part of their household made it all feel different. “I can’t wait for those nights.”
“And we’ve decided we’re not calling it girls’ night anymore.”
Caroline’s brows drew together as Hannah lifted her head. “Oh. Why?”
“We’re calling itfamily nightinstead now.”
Caroline’s lips spread into a face-aching grin. God, she loved that far more than anything else she’d loved today. “Family nights.” She nodded slowly, lifting Hannah’s chin and drawing her into a kiss. “I can’t wait for family nights.”
“With your girls?” Hannah quirked a brow.
“With my girls.”
“Mum?” Caroline and Hannah cast their gaze towards Edie as she stopped close to what could only be described as the biggest pumpkin in the field. “Mum!”
“Yes, love?” Hannah turned away reluctantly.
“Notyou!”
Caroline’s heart pounded. Edie…had just called her Mum?
“Edie, what are you talking about?”
Edie rolled her eyes, standing heavier on one leg, her scarf pulled up around her chin. “Myothermum.”
Caroline turned her face away, her eyes closing as she took her bottom lip between her teeth. She tried to force the emotion down, but the tears brimmed in her eyes regardless.
“You heard her,” Hannah said, laughing as she nudged Caroline. “Edie seems to want her other mum.”
Caroline puffed out her cheeks, turning back to face Edie. “Yes?”
“Do you think this one is perfect for carving out Hocus Pocus?”
Caroline strode towards Edie, inspecting the pumpkin. She crouched down, checking it in its entirety, then nodded. “I think it’s absolutely perfect.”
Edie leaned down and whispered, “I can’t lift it. Can you help me?”
“You get the wheelbarrow, and I’ll get the pumpkin.” Caroline winked, standing upright. She glanced over her shoulder and watched Hannah, their interaction clearly stirring something inside her. “Are you just going to stand there watching?”
“Yes. I am.” Hannah’s voice trembled, those blue eyes tear-filled. “I definitely am.”
Caroline turned back to the pumpkin, lifting it and then dropping it into the wheelbarrow. Edie wrapped her arms around Caroline, squeezing her. “Thanks.”
