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Ava and Hunter were still exclaiming over this change, and Joan and Rex were patiently listening. As Sarah joined them at the table, she decided Max was right. It was as though this family had always known what would happen; they just had to wait for the right time. She looked at Max, serving up a piece of cake to his mother, joking with his brother, laughing with his children.
He was worth the wait.
19
“Getthose plates out onto the table.”
“Did you see where I put the napkins?”
“Please tell me Rex already has the burger patties made up. We’re running short on time.”
The Glenwood kitchen was complete chaos as everyone scrambled to get ready. The extra picnic tables had been pulled out of the garage the day before, and Max had given them a thorough once-over with the pressure washer. Hunter had ensured the lawn was mowed and trimmed, although he grumbled about it along the way. Ava had planted new flowers in the big pots on the back porch. Jimmy had even put most of his automotive tools away and pushed his current restoration project to the back corner so the Glenwoods and their guests could easily grab drinks from the fridge in the garage.
“What else do we need to do?” Sarah captured her lower lip in her teeth and knitted her brows together as she looked over the backyard.
Max put his arm around her. “Honey, I don’t think there’s much else wecando. It’s perfect.”
“I don’t know.” She leaned into him, but he could feel her practically vibrating with nervous energy. “There’s got to be something I’m missing.”
Knowing it would make her feel better, Max took a look around for himself. Dusk was upon them, casting a deep red-gold light on the property. Strings of bulbs zigzagged over the tops of the picnic tables, which were already laden with food even as more was brought out. Soft instrumental music came from speakers set up in the eaves of the porch. Rex and Brody stood at the grill, arguing over when the meat should be taken off. Between the two of them, there was no doubt the meal would be incredible. The Glenwoods liked their barbecues, but this was more trouble than even they usually went to.
“I really can’t think of anything,” he said honestly. “It looks perfect, and so do you. I like that shirt on you.”
Sarah looked down and then back up with horror in her eyes. “I’ve got to go change my shirt!”
“What’s wrong with the one you’re wearing?” The soft fabric of the t-shirt clung nicely to her curves, and Max liked the way it felt under his hands.
“This is the one I’ve been cooking and sweating in,” she explained quickly. “I brought a different one with me. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” He watched her go running back into the house.
Brody set a platter of pork steaks on the table and smiled at his brother. “I’d say she’s a little nervous.”
“I can’t blame her.” Max took another look at the back door Sarah had just gone through, even though she was probably already in the downstairs bathroom, changing her shirt and checking her hair and makeup. She wasn’t the type to worry about making sure she was dressed up just to run to the grocery store, but he knew she wanted to make a good impression. “This is a big deal for her.”
“It is for all of us, really.” Brody stepped up onto the porch and flicked a switch, turning on the lights that’d been strung over the party area. “We’ve never had anything like this happen in the history of our pack, or at least not that I know of.”
Max felt the conflicting emotions over that deep within him. “It’s not right that it’s had to come at such a cost.”
Brody nodded. He knew what Max meant. None of them were happy to know what Sarah and Ava had gone through, even if the end result was such a good one. “I know. How are things going with having double the people at your place now? Is it driving you crazy yet?”
Max didn’t mind the change in subject. “Crazy in the sense that Ava has suddenly figured out what shopping is and wants to do it all the time, yes. We’ve been to every store in Eugene at least twice. But I’m not complaining. There’s nothing better than seeing her happy. And then Sarah looks at her, andshe’shappy, and then I’m happy all over again.”
“And Hunter?” Brody continued. “I know how excited he was to have a little sister, but you know how kids are. That sort of thing can wear off fast.”
It only took a slight turn of his head to see the siblings near one of the tables, arguing over who would get to sit where. “They fight like cats and dogs. Hunter thinks he knows everything and wants to impart his wisdom. Ava gets annoyed and uses her magic to irritate him. But then you look at them five minutes later, and they’re playing video games or asking to go to the movies. They’re good.”
“I’m happy for you, man.” Brody clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m also happy for me because you’re a lot less dark and moody these days. It makes you easier to get along with.”
“Kiss my ass.” Max gave him a light punch in the arm.
Joan came to stand beside them. “Boys, I think it’s about time.”
Max hadn’t been paying attention, but his wolf was instinctively on alert. He told it to calm down, reassuring it that everything was okay, but it wasn’t easy as several pairs of eyes appeared in the darkness of the tree line. They moved easily but slowed as they reached the yard, leaving their wolves behind and coming forward in human form.
Sarah came out of the house and stood next to Max just as Janice arrived. Max could feel her fidgeting nervously with her shirt and bracelets, chewing her lips with anticipation.
Janice gave her a sweet smile, but she first came to Rex, who stood waiting. “I, as Alpha of the Greystones, officially extend an offer of peace. It is our desire that we have goodwill and community between our packs in a true alliance.”
