I’m wishing for demons by Thursday and keep looking into the woods while I ride Mystery around the outdoor arena. Bob is in his place, being creepy and awkward like usual, and none of the horses grazing in the pasture next to us are on high alert.
Ethan is at his dad’s, doing something for the Order again. His dad, Sam, and Julia just got back from the job of clearing ghosts out of that apartment complex, and I can just hear Sam giving Ethan shit for staying here when things have been mellow.
“It’s not even winter and I’m already sick of the cold,” Leslie says when I get back into the barn. She has her horse in the cross-ties and turns on the warming light above them.
“The temperature did drop a lot,” I reply, debating if I should bust out Mystery’s blue blanket. He looks so handsome in it, but I know he shouldn’t wear it just yet. I like him to get a longer winter coat of fur so he doesn’t get too cold when we go on rides through the snow later in the season.
“And I was the idiot who didn’t wear a jacket,” she grumbles.
“Take mine,” I tell her and pull it off. “I’m leaving anyway. Ethan is having dinner at my parents’ tonight.”
“Ohhh, sounds serious.”
“Really?”
“He’s meeting your parents, totally serious.” She takes my jacket and puts it on. “Thank you. You are seriously a life saver. I have two more horses to work and you know how much I hate the cold. I seriously don’t know why I live here.”
“It’ll warm back up…and then get cold again. I question New York winters every year too.”
“If California weren’t so damn expensive, I’d be there in a heartbeat.”
“Hah, me too,” I say, though Aunt Estelle’s house flashes in my mind. I miss that place for some reason, and it’s the same feeling I get when I dream about the magical door that appears in between two trees. “I’m gonna take off. I need to rush so I can make it home in time to shower and get ready.”
“Have fun at dinner!”
“I’m sure I will.” I give her a wave and hurry out, realizing we’re the some of the last ones at the barn. Now that the sun is starting to set later, not as many people as usual are here at this time. I don’t think Hollow Creek Stables is of any interest to vampires, but whatever, right? If people want to stay home once the sun sets, then that’s their issue and they can miss out on life.
I call Ethan once I’m home and about to get in the shower needing to wash the smell of horse off my body. He’s on his way, and arrives right after I get out, answering the door in just a towel…which comes off only seconds later.
Once I’m finally dressed and semi-put together, I get into Ethan’s Jeep and direct him on how to get to my parents’ house. To be safe, we decide to take Hunter. It’s been a while since he and Buster have had a playdate, anyway.
“Harrison is here,” I note, seeing his black BMW in the driveway, and then I laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Ethan parks behind Harrison’s car.
“This is the first time I’m having a family dinner where the number of believers outnumbers the nonbelievers. Well, it does if I count Hunter.”
“So, I take it you don’t want me to introduce myself as Ethan Bailey, demon-hunter.”
“You know what? I wouldn’t mind at this point. My mom will think you’re crazier than me and I don’t know what it’s like to be the second-least sane person at the dinner table.”
Ethan laughs. “I’ll keep that detail until our second dinner then.”
I unbuckle Hunter, and he runs ahead, going around to the side gate. Buster is outside and starts yipping with excitement.
“That’s Buster,” I tell Ethan. “He’s friendly but a little spastic. He will jump on you, so sorry in advance.”
“I don’t mind,” he says as I let Hunter through, stepping in behind him. The dogs take off, chasing each other and wrestling right away. Taking Ethan’s hand, I lead him into the house, coming into the kitchen. Harrison is at the island counter, drink in hand, and Mom is at the oven, checking on whatever she made for dinner.
“Hey, honey!” She closes the oven and comes over for a hug. “And Ethan, it’s good to see you again.”
“You too,” he tells her.
“Where’s Dad?” I ask.
Mom rolls her eyes. “Answering student emails. He’s such a workaholic.”
Harrison gets up, taking a drink of his beer, and looks at Ethan. “I was about to turn on the game. Wanna watch?”
“Yeah. My money’s on the Bears for this one,” Ethan says.
Harrison laughs. “Get ready to lose then.”
They go into the living room and I stay in the kitchen with Mom.