“Okay, buddy, let’s catch up with everyone else,” Liam said with a grin, glancing back at Chloe. She was dressed as a fairy, complete with shimmering wings and a glittery tiara, but her usual sparkle seemed dimmed tonight.
When they caught up with Oscar’s school friends and their parents, Liam placed his hand on Oscar’s shoulder. “Stay with your friends. I’m going to talk to your mom.”
Oscar nodded and adjusted his dinosaur hat when it slid forward. “Can Trixie walk with me?”
“Will you be able to hold her leash and your basket of candy?”
Oscar looked down at the candy, then up at Liam. “I think so.”
Liam handed Oscar Trixie’s leash. “If it’s too much, let me know. I’m happy to hold your candy.”
Oscar grinned. “That’s what Mom says, but it’s because she likes candy.”
With Oscar happily walking with his friends, Liam joined Chloe. “Are you okay?” he asked gently as they walked along the street.
Chloe forced a smile. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so distracted. It’s just—” She hesitated, glancing at Oscar to make sure he was out of earshot. “It’s the whole situation with Paul.”
Liam nodded. “I figured it might be on your mind.”
“It’s hard not to think about it,” she admitted. “I want tonight to be fun for Oscar, but I keep worrying about how everything might change.”
He touched her arm reassuringly. “If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”
“You’re already helping,” she said, her eyes meeting his. “I know how busy you are, so coming trick-or-treating with us means a lot.”
He grinned, trying to make her feel better. “Are you kidding? I haven’t had so much fun in years.”
A genuine smile lit Chloe’s eyes. “It must be the pirate costume.”
Liam wiggled his eyebrows. “Arrr, matey! The pirate life chose me,” he said in a playful pirate accent.
“Well, Captain Liam, it suits you.”
He grinned. “Thanks. Though I have to admit, your fairy costume is amazing.”
She touched the edge of a fluffy jacket she was wearing. “I had to add the jacket because it’s so cold, but I made the rest of the costume for Oscar’s fifth birthday. We had his party at The Fairy Forest.”
Up ahead, Oscar joined his friends on the veranda of a large two-story home.
“That’s Oscar’s teacher’s house,” Chloe told Liam. “Mrs. Thompson’s been looking forward to tonight as much as her students.”
When the front door opened, Oscar’s teacher greeted everyone warmly before dropping candy into their bags and giving Trixie a pat. After a few more words to each child, she smiled and waved as everyone walked excitedly toward their parents.
Oscar hurried down the driveway toward them. “Look, Liam! Trixie got a treat too!”
The dog biscuit wrapped in orange ribbon would be a definite winner. “She’ll enjoy that,” Liam told Oscar.
Trixie sniffed the treat, then sat in front of Oscar, ears pricked forward and her eyes never leaving the cookie.
Oscar smiled and gave her a hug. “It’s okay, girl. You can have it when you get home.”
Liam almost laughed when Trixie’s eyes lifted to Oscar’s. Instead of giving in to the pleading in her gaze, Oscar found a small leftover treat from earlier in the evening and gave it to a very happy Golden Labrador.
“Come on, Trixie. We need to catch up with my friends.” Oscar held his candy basket tighter before catching up with his friends.
They all continued down the street, stopping at houses decorated with ghosts, spider webs, and glowing broomsticks in their front yards. Oscar and his friends loved meeting the people who handed out treats. They eagerly shouted “trick-or-treat!” at every doorstep, their bags growing heavier with each new piece of candy.
As they approached The Welcome Center, Oscar bounced with excitement. “Can we listen to the ghost stories? Please?”
