Page 76 of Black and White, Twice the Might

Jude wraps Connie up in a little coat and puts mittens on her hands and a little hat on her head, as Sal carries out a bouncing chair so she can sit and watch everyone.

That’s something I’ve noticed about baby Connie. She watches everything, very rarely cries and is always smiling.

We all head outside and stand by the long table in front of a pumpkin.

“Okay, people. Start to carve ... Now,” Ernest says, hitting the start button on his phone stopwatch.

I cut a hole in the top of my pumpkin and start scooping out the middle. It’s so messy and sticky. I glance at Sly and my brothers, and they are all at the scooping out stage.

We’re all laughing and joking as we carve our pumpkins.

Mine’s a dragon, his tail swirling around the pumpkin.

“Sixteen minutes left,” Ernest calls.

“No, it’s not long enough,” Ben gripes out.

I’m not the only one who laughs at that, and I think we all start cutting quicker.

I’m surprised to see Ernest has finished so soon, and he flops down next to Connie. The next time I look up, she’s sat on Ernest’s lap, and he’s holding her little, gloved hands, waving them around and making her giggle.

“Less than ten minutes,” Ernest announces.

“I’m finished,” Enoch announces, turning his pumpkin around so the carving faces Ernest.

“Nice, Enoch,” Ernest praises.

“I’m done,” Nora turns hers to show him as well.

We all saw Cam helping Nora at times, but because of her cast, no one complains.

“Nice Nora,” Ernest again praises.

One by one, we finish and turn our creations to face Ernest. Ben is the last to finish, with one second to spare.

“Just in time, Ben,” Ernest tells him, grinning.

“Let’s see them all,” Nora says, walking around the table. “Wow,” she exclaims.

Everyone moves around to look. Some of the carvings look like works of art. With town scenes, wolves, dragons, and cats. They are all amazing.

“Who gets to pick the winner?” Xander asks.

“Connie can,” Ernest says, turning her to look at him. “Now, Princess, we need to pick a winner. I’ll walk you past all the pumpkins, and you point to the one you like the best.”

He walks slowly, showing her all the masterpieces and explaining them to her, and she really looks like she is thinking about it. He walks her back along the line, and she holds her little hand out at one.

“And Grandpops is the winner,” Ernest announces. “Good choice, Princess.”

John gets congratulations from everyone. His pumpkin really is amazing. He carved the bookshop; he has some serious pumpkin carving skills.

John takes Connie out of Ernest’s arms. “Thank you, Princess,” he says, blowing a raspberry on her cheek.

She laughs and pats his cheek.

“Let’s set these pumpkins up along the path and put fake candles in them. Sly, Ebby, are you and the boys taking yours to your house?” Adhan asks.

“Yes, we totally are,” Xander says before either Sly or I can answer.