“Maggie.”
“No, I mean it. We’re about to get an overdose of each other’s company. Go to Aaron’s.”
Kelsey tucked her hands into her lap and tried to figure out the best decision. If something happened while she was gone…
“You’ll be less than ten minutes from me,” Maggie said. “And I’m willing to bet they’ll send you home with leftovers, which we’ll be glad for in the next few days.”
“But…”
“Don’t defy your aunt when she’s hurting and in need of barbecue.”
Kelsey gave a teary laugh. “Fine. A few hours only. And call if you need anything, even a small thing. I’ll turn my ringer all the way up.”
“If you don’t get a signal out there, tell Aaron you need the cordless from the house and prop it up by the bonfire or something. I’ve got his number in my phone.”
It wasn’t necessarily tear-worthy that Maggie had Aaron’s landline saved in her contacts list, yet Kelsey’s eyes burned for this too. She exchanged her yoga pants and graphic tee for dark-wash jeans, a blousy cream top spattered in lavender and mint, and a navy cardigan. Then she shook her head at her image in the mirror—overdressed for an outdoor hangout, nothing to prove to old friends—and changed into a sturdy brick-red sweater. By the time she drove up Aaron’s inclined driveway, it was nearly 1:30, and her stomach had growled twice on the drive.
Kelsey joined a line of vehicles parked in the grass, perpendicular to the driveway so no one was blocked in. In the mix of vehicles sat multiple pickup trucks with oversized cabs. She followed voices and laughter around the side of the house just as Aaron stood up from one of the picnic tables and headed her way. He motioned to a petite brunette, and she broke away from a cluster of people to join them.
“Well, I made it,” Kelsey said with a little shrug. She didn’t need to be shy, not with Aaron, but…what about the rest of the pack? Would they really want to see her after so long?
Aaron smiled. “Good to have you. How’s Maggie?”
“Rough day, but she insisted I come anyway.”
“We’ve got a care package for her.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to—”
“It’s from all the pack. We wanted to.” He tugged the brunette’s hand, and his smile grew. “Kelsey, meet my mate Ember. Ember, this is Kelsey.”
“Hi, Kelsey,” Ember said. “I’m sorry your aunt’s had so much trouble. I hope her recovery is quick, as painless as possible.”
Some people spoke well wishes as if obligated, or as if reciting words that held no meaning for them. Ember’s voice held real warmth. “Thanks. It’s… Well, I’m nervous. I’m single and I blog for a living; I’ve never been in this kind of role before.”
No telling what brought on such unsolicited disclosure. Heat rose in Kelsey’s cheeks. To the credit of both Aaron and his wife, neither mindlessly promised her that she’d do a great job.
“Anything you need,” Ember said, “you call us day or night. You’re not alone.”
“Thanks,” Kelsey whispered. Apparently today was the day for unexpected tears. She blinked a few times. “It helps to know that.”
Someone called Aaron away, and Ember walked with Kelsey to the buffet table. “So you’ve known the wolves forever.”
Kelsey took a heavy-duty paper plate and began to fill it: chicken, green salad, a baked potato. “I’ve known Trevor and Ezra forever. The rest of them—we were introduced in middle school. Until then the boys didn’t know if they were wolves or not.”
“That must have been weird.”
“Well, Robert is one. Trevor and Ezra’s dad, I mean. I guess you’ve met him?” She tried to spot Robert Sterling, having not seen him in so long.… His hair was dark brown like Sydney’s, but height and build were so similar among the wolves she couldn’t spot him.
“They’re both here, Robert and Ann.” Ember pointed. “They’re great as far as I can tell. The family seems to get along really well.”
Kelsey nodded. After her parents ceded her to Maggie, she privately thought of Robert and Ann as her surrogate dad and mom. “Being a wolf’s sons, it was always this question for Trevor and Ezra, would they change or not. You know how it works?”
“I know a little,” Ember said. “My nephew is a new pup, which is how I met Aaron. I was entirely wolf-ignorant when I showed up here a couple months ago.”
Kelsey’s hand, halfway to pouring dressing on her salad, went still. “Showed up?”
“I needed to know he was safe, and I didn’t trust anything but my own eyes.”
