The Werewolf Meets His Match
There was too much to do to worry about Sam until he got here. She and Birdie went to work helping Marigold carry arrangements in and set them where they were directed. The flowers were gorgeous, and once again, Ivy was swept away by Birdie’s generosity.
They were all busy with the flowers when Bridget suddenly straightened and let out a low whistle.
“Hello there,” she purred. “You lost, honey? I’m pretty sure I can help you find your way.”
Ivy turned to see Sam standing in the midst of the wedding decorations with a befuddled look on his face. She gave Bridget the side-eye. “Bridget, that’s my brother.”
But Bridget just shrugged and kept staring. “So he’s a Kincaid. I can overlook that. Introduce us.”
Ivy put down the centerpiece she was holding. “Bridget, this is my brother Sam. Sam, this is Hank’s sister, Bridget.”
They shook hands, then Ivy peeled Bridget off her brother and sent her to help Birdie and Marigold with the flowers on the other side of the room. She led Sam to the booth farthest away. “What’s going on?”
He frowned. “Dad told me what happened. I want to hear your side of it.”
She crossed her arms. If Sam thought their father was even a little bit right, they were done as brother and sister. She wasn’t willing to have that kind of backward thinking anywhere near her son now that she had a choice about it. “It’s simple. Charlie called me, crying and scared. We flew up to get him and found out Dad had locked him in the shed out back. We got him out, Dad threatened us and Hank punched him. Twice.”
Sam’s jaw notched to one side, and he looked away for a second. “Dad locked Charlie in the old shed?”
She nodded. He’d done that to Sam at least once too.
His eyes went gold with anger. “That son of a—I’m so sorry, Ivy. About everything. I haven’t been a great brother to you lately or a great uncle to Charlie and…I’m sorry.”
“That’s nice to hear. I have to admit, I kind of felt like I’d lost you. We were always so close and then, I don’t know. You started siding with Dad. And against me.”
Sam sighed. “Yeah, I’ve been an ass. I admit, I drank a little of his Kincaid Kool-Aid, but this whole thing with Charlie has cured me of that. I’m sorry I said he was a mutt. I didn’t mean it. And I will never say it again. And I will lay out anyone who says it about Charlie.”
She hugged him. It was good to have her brother back. “Thanks for saying that. And for apologizing.”
“Hank punched Dad, huh?”
“Twice.”
“Damn.” Sam whistled. “He’s not just going to let that go.”
“He does anything to retaliate and Hank will bring him before a tribunal for his treatment of Charlie. And me, when I was a kid.”
Guilt clouded Sam’s eyes. “You haven’t had it easy, have you, sis?”
“No, but that’s all different now.” She smiled, ready to put the past behind her. “You going to stick around for the wedding?”
“Does that mean I’m invited?”
“Yes! You’re my brother.”
He looked at the room again. “Are you getting married in here?”
“No, this is for the reception. The wedding is at the justice of the peace at five.”
He glanced at his watch. “I didn’t exactly bring any nice clothes.”
Ivy grinned. “Go see Corette at Ever After. It’s a little bridal boutique about four blocks away. Tell her you’re my brother and I can pretty much guarantee she’ll fix you up.”
He gave her a curious smile. “You’re really all in for this wedding stuff, huh?”
“Now that everything is out in the open, yes. I love Hank. He’s a great guy. His family is pretty awesome, too.” She threw her hands up. “So why not go a little crazy? It’s not like I’m ever going to do this again.”
“Good point.” He gave her a wave as he headed out. “See you at the wedding.”
She watched him go, unable to stop smiling. She’d been so worried he’d come to tell her about some new wrinkle of bad news, but instead, she’d gotten her brother back. Maybe she could talk him into staying. He’d have a hard time of it if he went home and didn’t toe their father’s line.
She looked over her shoulder and realized Bridget was watching Sam leave, too. Ivy laughed softly. Maybe she wouldn’t have to talk him into anything.
Hank and Charlie walked through the woods behind the house, the soft earth quiet beneath their feet. For once, Charlie seemed content just to observe and not ask a thousand questions. Hank took that as a good sign that the boy felt at home in the woods.
When they were far enough that there were no other houses visible, Hank stopped. “What do you think, Charlie? It’s nice out here, huh?”
Charlie nodded, his face turned toward the sun, eyes slightly closed, his expression peaceful. “I like the woods.”
“Me, too.” Hank smiled. “You know that besides today being the day your mom and I are getting married, it’s also the day of the full moon.”
“I know.”
Hank bridged into a more delicate subject. “After the ceremony and the big party, there’s going to be a run. You know what that means, right?”
Charlie scowled and kicked at the ground. “I guess.”
Hank put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “No one’s going to try to make you shift again.”