Page 90 of Waltzing With Witches

Morgan rests her head on her aunt’s, stroking Lou’s ginger-blond braid.

The other two triplets join them, holding one another tight. As our group begins to disperse, they still cling together, happily oblivious to everyone else leaving.

“You are miracles, my girls,” Lou says softly. “We’ll figure this out, okay?”

I almost feel like I’m intruding, watching Lou encourage her nieces. But then Morgan lifts her hand, gray eyes full of promise. When I take it, she pulls me into their group. To my complete surprise, Wren and Thea each wrap an arm around me, and then I’m smushed in between the four women. I should find it awkward. Maybe I would have a month ago. But these women are my mate’s family, which means they’re my family.

From this angle, I can’t see anyone’s face to attempt to read how they feel, but my mate bond tells me her emotion is peaceful.

That’s the moment I fully understand why all Keepers take mates. Our job is hard, but having a mate and family means we’re not alone. Morgan tempers me, burns and molds me into someone I’m proud of. And without experiencing her furious emotions through our bond, I feel more settled.

We stand for long, quiet moments before Wren looks up at me, her green eyes glossy with tears. “Welcome to the fam, Keeper.”

“Drinkin’ Lincoln for the win!” shouts Thea.

For a moment, everyone drops their embrace and turns to her.

Wren chokes out a hysterical laugh. “What did you call him?!”

Lou and Wren fall to pieces, doubling over as I resist the urge to join them.

“Drinkin’ Lincoln?” I barely hold in a laugh. Maybe the first deep laugh I’ve laughed in years.

Thea nods, wiping tears from her eyes. “Yeah, like Abe Lincoln, you know?!”

I cross my arms. “I am aware of who Abe Lincoln is, thank you very much. I was there when he ran for the presidency!”

My stern response only sends all four of them further into hysterical laughter. Hana glances at me over their heads, her lips twitching.

When I scowl, she purses them together and looks away from me.

But the thing is, I don’t hate it. Not at all.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

MORGAN

“Oh my gawd, Thea!” I shriek. “You are a crazy bitch!” I can’t stop laughing. And the serious, almost disappointed look on Abe’s face is making it worse. He looks so disgruntled, except that the corners of his eyes are wrinkled. I think he’s trying not to laugh.

When we manage to calm ourselves, he opens an arm wide and points at the door. “If you’re finished, shall we attend Leighton’s ceremony?”

That puts a damper on the group. Thea’s smile falls, although she nudges me in the ribs as we follow him out of the auditorium and toward the front of Town Hall.

“That was pretty good, right?” she asks in a hushed tone, but Abe glances over his shoulder.

“Super hearing, Althea. I’m sure Lou mentioned it to you.”

“Noted!” she shouts to him over the group.

I zip my lips together but wrap an arm around her for a hug. Wren and Lou walk hand in hand, and Hana brings up the rear with Thea and me.

The streets are full of monsters headed back down Main toward the movie theater. We follow the crowd through the walkway between the bowling alley and Fleur and into the back parking lot. Like the last time I was back here, music ricochets off the building, echoing around the big open space. A band plays soft music outside the bowling alley’s back doors.

In the middle of what’ll be the dance floor, Richard stands with Leighton’s parents. They’re both misty-eyed, and I’m thankful when the band quiets and he speaks on their behalf. “Leighton was an amazing male and good friend. We lost him to a tragedy, but tonight is about celebrating who he was to this vibrant community. Please dance, celebrate, love, eat in his honor.” He pulls Leighton’s parents in for a quick hug, then steps aside.

“Oh, this’ll be quite lovely,” a voice says to my left.

When I glance over, Dirk winks at me, glacier-blue eyes shocking every time I see them. They flick over my shoulder to Lou. “I’ll need a dance with yeh, Louanna. Don’t leave without takin’ me up on my offer.”

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