Page 51 of Wolves' Midlife Reunion
Sage pulled back so she could look Tina in the face. “She wanted me to tell you something.”
Tina swallowed and tried not to let the shock register on her face. It was unusual for a spirit guide to deliver a message intended for someone else. “What’s that, honey?”
“She said to say thank you.” Sage shrugged. “I don’t know for what. That’s all she said.”
“That’s all right.” Now Tina had to fight back the tears that burned the backs of her eyes. “I understand. It looks like it’s about time for us to wrap up for today. Do you remember how to close down your altar?”
“Yep!” Sage bounced off her lap and began methodically turning off her LED candles, thanking any spirits who came to aid her.
Tina used that moment to compose herself. Dex had asked her to teach Sage, and she’d been more than happy to resume the role. They’d been working together for several weeks now, and every day, Sage’s powers and intuition seemed to grow. Dex seemed appreciative, always politely thanking her. Sage greeted her at the door every day with a smile, always asking her questions or showing her what she’d been practicing. Tina knew she was valued.
But to know that even Marie approved of her and what she was doing for Sage meant so much. To hear those two simple words, spoken through Sage, moved her deeply. A mother’s love was strong and powerful, and so was her acceptance.
The doorbell rang as Sage and Tina emerged from the spare room. “It’s Aunt Debbie!” Sage announced, running to answer it. “We’re going to a party!”
“You certainly do love those,” Tina murmured.
Sage opened the door. Savannah and Colton came running in, with their mother trailing in shortly after.
Debbie beamed at Tina. “Hey! We didn’t get here too early and interrupt your lesson, did we?”
“No, not at all. We just finished up,” Tina told her. She’d never gotten to know Debbie all that well while they’d been in school together. Lately, however, Debbie had been coming around a bit when Tina was still at the house and taking a little time to chat. Tina was finding that she really enjoyed her company.
Debbie watched as the kids ran down the hall to Sage’s room. “Listen, I just want to tell you how wonderful all of this is.”
“What do you mean?”
“What you’re doing for Sage,” Debbie clarified, lowering her voice a bit. “It’s the lessons, sure, but it’s so much more than that. Sage has always been a pretty bright and happy kid, and she seemed to deal with Marie’s death pretty well. Almost too well, really. But now I see a real difference in her, and I think it’s thanks to you.”
“That’s very kind of you. I do my best, but I could never take the place of her mother.”
“No,” Debbie said hesitantly, “but I think you’ve earned a pretty darn special place in her life.” She winked.
Dex walked in from the kitchen. “What are you two conspiring about?”
“Not a thing.” Debbie straightened up and called down the hall. “Kids! We’d better go, or we’ll be late for the party!”
Sage, Savannah, and Colton came barreling back out into the living room. Sage hugged Tina and then her father before following her cousins out the door. Debbie followed the whirlwind, pausing to give them a finger wave before she left. “Awhole night of kids eating cake at a trampoline park. Wish me luck that no one pukes!”
When the door closed, Tina went to get her purse off the side table where she’d left it. “Sounds like you get a nice, peaceful evening at home. Unless you have to work, that is.”
“Later I do, but do you have time to stay for a bit? I’d like to talk to you about something.”
Her stomach trembled, but she forced it to calm down. “Sure. I’ve got a minute.”
“Have a seat. I’ll pour us each a glass of wine.” Dex disappeared into the kitchen before she could protest.
Tina sat on the couch, still trying to settle her nerves.
Dex returned a moment later with two glasses of wine and handed her one. He sat down next to her. “I want to thank you.”
It was a night for that, apparently. Tina sipped her drink—Moscato, her new favorite. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m really happy to do this. Sage means a lot to me, and I enjoy seeing her abilities blossom.” At this point in her life, Tina would probably never have children of her own. Her experiences with Sage, however, satisfied something very deep within her.
“It’s that,” Dex said, staring down into his glass, “but it’s a lot more.”
“What do you mean?” Tina took another sip. She wasn’t as nervous now, but her wolf was churning inside her, being so close to him. If she just turned a little further to her right, their knees would touch.
“You fought for her,” he said, a catch in his voice. “You put your life on the line that night that Chris showed up at the covenstead. You also fought with me on her behalf, for her right to continue her education. That says a lot about you.”
