“They have the power to run really fast. Does your Coco run fast?”

She nodded her head. “She does!”

“That’s what I thought. Is she a really good hider?”

“Yes!”

A woman who sat near Victoria chuckled quietly. Her own blonde curls were pulled back into a ponytail and her blue eyes crinkled with a warm smile. She turned to Victoria and whispered, “She never talks like this.”

Victoria shared her smile. “She must really love her bunny.”

“Last year, we got Coco for Katie’s anxiety,” the woman explained. “I think it’s been working for her self-esteem.”

Victoria nodded as she felt her heart bloom. When she glanced back at John and the girl, she couldn’t stop grinning at the two of them.

“Now, Katie, do you take good care of Coco?”

“I do.”

“Does everyone want to know how you’re supposed to take care of a magic bunny?”

Hands shot up following a chorus of “I do, I do.” John nudged Katie. “Go ahead, Katie.”

The little girl sat up straight and addressed the group of children with her expert opinion. “You have to change their water every day and give them fresh hay to eat.”

John nodded. “It’s probably magic grass, huh?”

“Yeah, and you have to give them vegetables too. And I help Mommy change out her litter box so it doesn’t stink.”

“Do you give Coco carrots?” another little girl asked.

“Sometimes, but Mommy says that carrots are really sweet and you can’t give too many.”

Ooohs and ahhhs ran through the group as Katie educated them. Victoria glanced over at Katie’s mother, who was quietly wiping her eyes and trying to busy herself. The pride she had for her daughter’s effort spread to the other mothers who watched with affection.

“Okay, you little ghosts and goblins, Halloween is coming soon and I need you to keep an eye out for the witches in your neighborhood,” John said as he set Katie down. She returned to the floor beside his leg. “They’re very nice folks.”

“But don’t they turn you into toads?” asked the squirmy boy who had managed to end up near the other side of the room.

“Oh no, nothing like that. Those are just rumors for us regular humans. No, witches help out with their chores, they take care of animals, they share with their friends, and they go to bed on time.” He paused to furrow his brow at the children. “Wait a minute...”

The kids looked among themselves with sneaky grins. The realization was dawning on them.

“I think we’ve got a group of young witches here!” John cried. “How did I not see it before?”

The kids squealed with excited laughter as he stood up and placed his books on a nearby shelf.