Page 49 of Dragon's Golden Mate
“Mom?” Chelsea’s voice came from down the hall and through the open doorway. “We’ve got dinner ready.”
“Unca Kennick!” Corbin came racing into the room, plowing straight into Kendrick’s legs.
He let out a big, booming laugh that Maeve loved so much and swooped the boy into his arms.
Chelsea stepped into the doorway. “I told him he had to stay out of the way while you guys got things arranged, but it was just killing him to know youwere here! This looks nice, by the way. It’s a real blending of the two of you.”
“You live here now?” Corbin asked his great uncle.
“I do, but you’re still going to see me all the time,” Kendrick promised.
They made their way downstairs into the busy kitchen. All the leaves had been put into the dining table so that everyone could fit. Jamie had command of the stove and was directing everyone else on when to put out what dishes so they’d be served at the right temperature. Walt and Chain were mostly in the way, trying too hard to be helpful while also showing off for their love interests. Gavin had arrived, having just gotten off his shift at his part-time job, and he and Nia had been sure to grab seats next to each other. The clattering of plates and silverware filled the air, and drinks were being poured all around.
“You two are right over here,” Lucille directed, guiding Kendrick and Maeve to the head of the table. “I’m going to say a few words before we get started.”
“You didn’t have to make such a fuss,” Kendrick told her.
Lucille puckered her mouth slightly. “I’ll fuss whenever I want to, and you can’t stop me.”
Maeve shrugged. “It’s easier to just go with it.”
Soon, when they were all seated or at least close to it, Lucille clinked her fork against her glass. “Thank you all for joining us. I’m thrilled that we have almost the entire coven here tonight, as well as the Alexander clan and our other special guests.”
Walt and Chain looked particularly excited to be recognized.
“I know you’re all eager to dive into your meal, and I promised Jamie I wouldn’t yammer on too long and let it get cold, but I wanted to take this opportunity to formally welcome Kendrick into our home. We look forward to many happy years here with you as a part of our family.” She raised her glass high. “So shall it be!”
“So shall it be!” the rest of the company echoed.
Serving plates were passed. Forks were dropped, retrieved, and replaced. Drinks were refilled, and plenty of napkins were passed around.
Tina turned to Kendrick. “Hey, you’re good at building stuff. I was wondering if you might be able to help me build some new shelves for the shop. The ones I have are just the cheapies that I bought whenI started the place, but I want to scale everything up a bit.”
“You beat me to it,” Kristy said. “I was going to ask him if he knew how to build a small trunk to carry all my tarot supplies in.”
“Ladies, ladies, he doesn’t have time for any of that,” Maeve told her daughters. “I need him to check some spots in the roof!”
Kendrick laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I can make all of that happen.”
When dinner was finished, they’d all had a generous helping of Jamie’s delicious raspberry cheesecake, and all their guests had gone home for the night, Maeve brought Kendrick back up to their room.
“I wanted to show you one of my favorite places to go after dinner,” she explained. “It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a big meal.”
Maeve opened the French doors and led him out onto the terrace. Fresh, cool air blew in from the sea. With the covenstead situated on a slight rise, it felt as though they were above the rest of Salem. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s just big enough.” He was scratching the side of his face as he turned from side to side, measuring the area with his mind.
“For what?”
“For this.” He let his dragon loose. His deep green scales shimmered darkly in the starlight, and his tail scraped as he moved it across the deck boards. “My favorite way to work off a big meal is with a nice flight.”
“Let me just get my broom,” she joked.
He tipped his head. “You can leave it at home this time.”
Carefully, Maeve situated herself across his shoulders, just behind his long neck and in front of his wings. “Is that all right? I don’t want to hurt you.”
His laugh was deeper in his dragon form. “You’d have to work pretty hard to hurt me, Maeve. Are you ready?”
