This use of a descriptive verb / い adjective becoming a true verb with the suffix がる is not just used when talking about wants. (I.e. It can also be used when we are speculating/commenting on others' feelings)
い adj = take away い + がります
verb = polite stem (e.g: 行き) + たがります
そのおばけの話がこわいです 。- That ghost story is scary. 👻📖
子供たちはそのおばけの話をこわがりました 。- The children (plural!) were scared of the ghost story. 👻👧👦
この猫はとてもかわいいですね 。- This cat is very cute. 😻
彼女はこの猫をとてもかわいがっています 。- She loves (continuous) this cat very much. ("cute" in a verb form = to love/to cherish/to "dote on") 👩😽