“Nope, we’ve got the kids working in the kitchen today,” I said. “Anita and Drake wanted some extra college money. I hear they’re going to Crown Academy.”
“Exactly. And next week Mae and I are going to fly out and talk to our kids and see if they want to attend as well,” Bianca said. “Who knows, we might get a whole group of Coven kids at Crown Academy.”
I started laughing. “You guys can all show up for parent’s day and embarrass the crap out of all your kids. It’ll be fun.”
“Not all kids are embarrassed by their parents.” Hilda said, giving me a pointed eye.
“I adore you, Mother,” I said. “You don’t embarrass me in the slightest.” I reached over and squeezed her hand. I’d come so close to losing her I would never take her for granted again.
I raised my glass toward the ladies of Cougar Creek Coven. “Here’s to defeating the River Styx and incorporating it into our beautiful town.”
“Here’s to the women who made it happen,” Mae grinned, reaching forward and clinking her glass against mine as the other four women brought their glasses forward.
“Here. Here,” we all said in unison. Jag leaned forward and kissed my cheek. I closed my eyes basking in the warmth of friendship and the Southern Oregon afternoon sun.
* * *