Page 3 of Soaring into the Midlife

"Hailey Whitfield, admitting a flaw? Color me shocked," Izora said while Courage yapped approvingly.

"Ha-ha," I said dryly. "I'll have you know I'm perfectly patient... when it doesn't involve training my brother."

"Speaking of responsibility," Kendra said, "I say after we drop off these fine gentlemen, we treat ourselves to some well-deserved victory shakes."

"Definitely. I was thinking ice cream, but a double chocolate shake sounds even better." I grinned, already tasting the sweet victory.

"Only if you promise not to spill it in Jax's precious SUV," Izora said.

"Deal," I said, the precinct now in sight. "But let's get these guys booked first. Then, my friends, we feast like the champions we are."

"Here's hoping Cleo doesn't turn Luke into a milkshake before we get back," Kendra added with a wink.

"Please," I scoffed. "If anyone can handle my brother, it's Cleo. Plus, she's got Grim and Nash to keep her sane."

"Good point," Kendra said. "Now, let's wrap this up. My taste buds are staging a protest."

"Patience, dear witch," I said. "Justice before dessert."

"Fine, fine," Kendra said. "But if we don't hurry, I'm using my powers to conjure up a milkshake. Rules be damned."

"Keep it up, and I'll have Izora put you on a leash next." I pulled into the station's parking lot with a mix of triumph and the promise of sugary rewards dancing in my thoughts.

2

We pulledup to the house, and the car's engine went quiet. I stretched my legs before stepping out, feeling every one of my forty-something years. The evening air was crisp, hinting at the night's antics we'd just survived.

"Home sweet chaos," I MUTTERED as Kendra marched across the street with the determined gait of a woman who'd had enough shenanigans for one day.

"Speak for yourself," Izora said as she cradled the tiny dog in her arms. "I'm off to Wade's, where peace reigns, or so I pretend." The house that Izora and Adalinda stayed in, along with Zara, belonged to Jax and me, but it would forever be called Wade’s.

She strolled away with a grace that made me feel downright clunky in comparison.

With the twins gone, our neighborhood had played musical houses. The once simple block now resembled a vampire-witch-what-have-you commune.

"Night, ladies," Kendra said from her porch, her tone exhausted and held a hint of 'don't you dare drag me into anything else tonight.'

"Goodnight." I nudged the front door open, the hinges squeaking their own sort of welcome as I stepped into the living room. Luke was sprawled on the couch with a flourish only he could manage, animatedly gesturing as he recounted some tale.

"So there I was, minding my own business when in walks this so-called 'superstar' who thinks the sun shines out of his?—"

"Hey, watch it. You're not alone." I dropped my keys in the bowl by the door.

Luke barely glanced my way, too caught up in his own story. "Anyway, he demands a private viewing. And would you believe it? He sipped his champagne like it was battery acid and had the nerve to ask if we had anything more... 'avant-garde.'"

"Sounds dreadful." Janice sounded all dreamy and weird.

I paused mid-step, really noticing Janice for the first time. She was perched on the edge of the armchair, gazing at Luke as though he'd just painted the Sistine Chapel single-handedly. Her eyes were wide, fixed on him with an intensity that was downright comical, and completely unlike the hard-nosed hunter I'd come to know.

"Janice, you okay?" I asked, frowning. "You look like you've seen a unicorn."

"Luke is justfascinating." She sighed without tearing her attention away from my brother.

Jax descended the stairs with Xander trailing behind him.

"Uh, we have a guest?" I asked with confusion. But before I could even unravel that mystery, I caught sight of Janice's lovesick puppy eyes still glued to Luke.

"Luke," I said, a mix of annoyance and incredulity threading my tone. “You’re charming her.”