Page 21 of Wolves' Midlife Reunion
“I’m sure,” Tina promised her. “Samhain is an old Celtic tradition that my coven and many others celebrate every year. We honor the dead and take time to feel grateful for everything we have. It’s kind of like our way of doing Halloween.”
“And you have a party?” Sage’s eyes always gave her away, and they were shining once again.
Tina hadn’t quite made up her mind whether or not to take up Nia’s advice on inviting Dex to their Samhain ritual. It felt like a big step, especially since it meant inviting him into her childhood home and letting him meet all the rest of her friends and family.
Suddenly, though, it felt right. It would be a good chance to let Dex get to know who she really was, plus it could only benefit Sage on her magical journey. “Yes. The two of you are more than welcome to come, if you’d like.”
“We wouldn’t want to intrude,” Dex began.
But Sage had already accepted the invitation. “Yes! I want to go! Should I wear my princess dress?”
Tina smiled. “You can wear anything you like that makes you happy.”
Dex managed to shoot Tina a look. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, and it’s not an intrusion at all. We like to invite people to come and share the celebration with us. I think we could have a good time.”
“All right,” he relented with a smile. “Then we’ll be there.”
8
“I’m so excited!”Sage squealed as she skipped up the walkway to the covenstead. “I love parties!”
“It won’t be like your birthday party,” he reminded her. “This is like a big family party, sort of like Thanksgiving.” The hot, heavy dish in his hand proved it. When Dex had understood there was to be a meal, he wanted to make sure he contributed.
Tina had told him at first not to worry about it, but then she’d relented. “Just bring anything that speaks of fall to you. Something a little different than what we usually make might be a nice change.”
He’d slow-cooked up a batch of his white chili, bringing along corn chips and shredded cheddar for anyone who wanted to add them.
“It’s still a party!” Sage insisted as she skipped up the porch stairs and rang the doorbell.
A woman with grey hair down to her waist and a surprisingly youthful face answered the door. Her eyes lit up when she saw Sage, and she clasped her hands in front of her chest. “You must be Sage!”
“How did you know?” Sage asked, instantly charmed.
“Well, I was told that a beautiful young lady was going to be one of our guests today,” the older woman explained. She held out her hand. “That couldn’t be anyone but you! My name is Maeve. I’m Tina’s mom.”
“Tina’s…mom?” Sage asked, casting a confused glance at her dad.
“Everyone has parents,” Dex reminded her, “just like your grandma is my mom.”
“Speaking of, you should come in and meet the other kids.” Maeve opened the door wider and gestured them inside. “Corbin! Arden!”
Two boys nearly Sage’s age came clamoring into the room. “Corbin, Arden, this is Sage. She’s going to be joining us today.”
“Aw, she’s a girl,” Corbin complained. “When you said another kid would be here, I thought it would be a boy. Then we could play cars.”
“Corbin!” A woman with curly red hair came marching forward with her hand on her hip. After a second, Dex recognized her as Tina’s sister, Chelsea. “Don’t be rude. Sage could still play cars if she likes, or maybe the three of you can find something else to play.”
“I guess,” Corbin reluctantly agreed.
The other boy had dark hair and catlike hazel eyes and was smiling at her. “Do you want to go look at the dessert table?”
“Sure!” Sage followed him toward the other end of the house.
“Don’t take any just yet!” Chelsea called after them before turning to Dex. “I’m sorry about Corbin. He’s just going through one of those phases.”
“It’s completely fine.”
