She nodded. “I also saw a spirit in the stairwell, after Caleb left.”
“You saw a spirit at the college?” Sawyer asked.
“Yes. I know. It was stupid. I’m sorry. I just—”
Logan put a finger over her lips. “It’s over now. You’re right. You should have told us. But we understand why you wanted to hold on to your independence. I would be furious if someone told me not to leave the house indefinitely.”
“Is it over?”
Sawyer kissed her forehead. “What do you mean?”
“Sounds like there are about three groups of people who would still like to chase me out of town.”
Sawyer smiled. “And they will not succeed. We’ll be diligent. I don’t honestly believe the people from the church or Pete Sandhouse and his groupies intend to kill anyone. I think they’re just bigots. Nevertheless, we will be careful.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not gonna let me go to work on Monday morning, are you?” She glanced back and forth between her men, her eyes growing heavy.
“Of course we are,” Sawyer said. “We just need to put some safety measures in place.”
“I would never tell you not to do your job,” Logan continued. “And this research is important to our two counties. It’s a valid point that until we can all learn to live and work together, we’re doomed.”
Sawyer stroked a hand down her temple. “Go to sleep, hon. You’re so exhausted you can’t keep your eyes open.”
“You won’t move…” she muttered.
“Never,” they both responded at the same time.
Epilogue
Six months later…
Amanda stood at the door to her new home and held it open while every female member of the family arrived and busied themselves putting together a wide spread of snacks that appeared to be more like a meal.
Girl time. The men had been ejected, and the women were planning to spend the entire evening chatting over food and beverages. Even the babies had been left at home with their fathers.
The last six months had been a whirlwind of activity, getting acclimated to her new job and helping Logan and Sawyer finish the plans for this house and building it. She still couldn’t believe they’d managed to do it in such a short time, working throughout the winter in between storms.
It was amazing and far bigger than anything she ever would have imagined living in prior to meeting them.
She smiled as she watched Mimi take a seat next on the couch. The older woman looked exactly like her daughter, Joyce, sitting across from her on the love seat, her legs curled under her. The third woman to take on the family characteristics, Melinda, wandered in next to set a bowl of chips on the coffee table. She had to push several other dips and drinks around in order to squeeze her addition into the mix.
Amanda knew all three of them had powers that were unexplainable to the general public. Even Laurie, who took a seat with Joyce, her mother, was growing into the same abilities, and she was a half sibling.
Rebecca handed Amanda a pink, fruity-looking drink. “Made it myself, so it’s up to human consumption.” She winked at Amanda. “These wolves can hold more liquor than us. Don’t take beverages from them if you want to find yourself sober at the end of the evening.” She giggled.
The front door opened and Sharon came in with her mother, Carlie Masters. Sharon was the youngest of the Masters siblings, and the only girl. It was understood she was destined to mate with Cooper, Sawyer’s younger brother, who had yet to make an appearance in the state of Montana for that very reason.
“Welcome.” Laurie rushed forward to take a platter from Carlie. “Come on in.”
Sharon looked exhausted when she plopped into a chair and rolled her shoulders.
Melinda smiled at her. “What have you been doing? You look like you haven’t slept in weeks.”
Sharon glared at her. “Do you have any idea what it’s like? Knowing he’s out there and too stubborn to face me? What am I, a leper?” She tipped her head back and then righted herself again. “I can’t sleep anymore.”
Amanda wandered closer. “Isn’t that a sign he’s coming soon? I mean, I had trouble sleeping for about a month before I met Logan and Sawyer, and then I found out they did too. Do you dream about him?”
Sharon shook her head. “No. No dreams, but you might have a point about the sleeping.”
Mimi spoke next. “It’s not unheard of. Sometimes mates get restless right before they meet.”
The front door opened again, and Amanda turned around to find her sister, Mary, and Jazmine coming in with more food. There would be enough for an army at this rate.