Chance nodded, stepping in close. He hovered like he wanted to hug her, or at least clap her on the back, but settled for a brush of his hand over her sleeve. "Did anyone follow you up here?"
"Negative," she said. "Xavier swept the approach twice. Nothing but wind and ghosts. Damon and Evan are here as well. The girls are fine."
I tried to remember how to breathe. "Kira said to tell you she was here," I murmured.
Livia nodded. "Thank you. I'll talk to everyone about that later."
The entryway opened onto a main room straight out of a cozy magazine spread. A big fieldstone hearth, a banked fire still smoldering. Blankets everywhere, tossed across couches, draped over reading chairs, even one crumpled on the rug with a cat carrier set dead center.
That's where I spotted Lola, nose smashed against the wire door, both paws raking at the latch with psychotic determination.
She glared at me and gave a high-pitched yowl that would've melted the glass in the windows if it hadn't been fortified. I bit my lip and tried not to laugh.
"Let her out and she'll be up the chimney before you can blink," Chance stage-whispered. "Last time,she nearly took a chunk out of Evan's shin. She hates it here."
The mention of Evan made something in Livia's jaw tighten.
In the far corner, Xavier was on the floor, crouched over a battered game board with the twins. Cards and plastic pieces littered the carpet. Mere leaned in, explaining the rules with her ‘please, underestimate me' tone. Fifi barely glanced up when we came in. She was busy grinning at Xavier, who acted like losing to a teenager was the highlight of his week.
A whiff of warm cider hit me. On the sideboard, three mugs steamed, cider rich with a blend of spices. Livia and Maeve's glorious cooking rivalry continued.
The biggest shock? Huey. He wasn't watching the door, or even circling for snacks. He was in the lap of a mountain of a man with dark hair and hands big enough to break rocks for fun. The resemblance to Chance was obvious.
He looked like he hadn't slept in days, but Huey burrowed into his arm.
The man patted Huey with hypnotic rhythm, then glanced up, locking eyes with me. "Nice dog."
Chance wasted no time with pleasantries. He corralled us near the fire, motioned for the twins to join. "Everybody, we're doing this the right way."
EvenLivia blinked at the command.
He started with me, hand braced at my lower back, grounding, but not possessive. "This is Tash," he pronounced, as if I was the new sheriff in town. "And my daughters, Fiona and Meredith. I know you’ve probably met earlier, but now it’s official."
He turned next to the couch and the mountain of a man. "This is Damon."
Damon gave a shrug-nod. "Good to meet you. Heard a lot."
Chance pivoted to the kitchen, where the afternoon sunlight hit a second hulking guy, this one with bare feet and a mug that said "Go ahead. Try me." He was taller than Damon, but carried himself with a kind of floating quiet, like maybe he'd spent his life ducking for cover in small rooms. His weathered face told me he’d seen a few things.
Chance squared his shoulders. "Evan. He travels a lot, enjoy what may be your only chance to meet him."
Evan twitched a nod at us, then cut his stare straight to Mere, who held it right back.
No handshake. No smile. Typical. I'd have wondered if he was an android, but the lines scoring his face said otherwise.
Chance finished the roll call. "You all know Xavier, our sheriff, and pain in my ass since Ican remember."
There was a beat, then the man himself barked out a laugh. "You say that like you weren't always the instigator."
Livia closed the gap. "And you know me."
“And me,” Maeve chirped.
She pressed mugs into Chance and my hands. The twins sipped theirs.
I tasted mine and holy hell, it was perfection. Warm and sweet, a complex taste that left you wanting more. The kind of drink that sledgehammers nostalgia straight into your veins.
Mere found a spot near the fire, curling her feet under. Fifi dropped beside her, both girls balancing mugs on their knees.
