Page 53 of What the Hex

“I guess so. I tend to think everyone is interesting in their own way.”

“Some people are just jerks,” Bailey argued.

King shrugged. “Even jerks can be interesting.”

The way he saw it, everyone had a story. Owen had just proven that.

“That’s right.” Robert pointed a finger at his daughters. “You two listen up. You might just learn something.”

The girls rolled their eyes, but otherwise, didn’t comment.

“I’m going to get a drink,” Robert announced and pushed out of his seat. “You boys want anything?”

“Just water,” Storm said. “I have to be on stage in a couple of hours.”

“Yes, dear, and we don’t want a repeat of the lake.”

“Mom!”

Bridget and Bailey fell into a fit of giggles, and even King was having a hard time not laughing.

“What?” Shelby demanded.

“I can’t believe you watched that.”

“Oh, please, I was wiping that ass long before you even knew what to do with it.”

That did it. King couldn’t keep it together, and he fell against his mate, gasping for breath as tears streamed down his face.

“See?” Storm whispered into his mind. “I told you it would be fine.”

It was more than fine. It was perfect.

It was family.

Epilogue

Six months later…

“This is a farm?” Inching as far forward in the passenger seat as the safety belt would allow, King stared through the windshield with his mouth hanging open. “Are you kidding me?”

To Storm, it was just home, but he could understand his mate’s reaction. Cat’s Cradle was a working cattle ranch situated on one hundred and eighty thousand acres. In his defense, they did use a portion of the land for greenhouses and hydroponics. Mostly for his sisters to sell at the local Farmers Market, but it still counted.

They also owned horses, goats, chickens, and one very fat pig named Clarabelle. She and the twins had taken first prize at the last FFA Stock Show.

“Oh, look!” King pointed excitedly as they reached the end of the gravel drive. “The scarecrows are so cute!”

They were pretty cute. And the pumpkins and gourds that littered the lawn were a nice touch for Thanksgiving as well. His mom had always gone all-in for the holidays, decorating both inside and out.

It had been a while since he’d really appreciated it, though.

Post-production for Checking In was complete, and the first episode of the drama was scheduled to air on Christmas Day. Storm and Damien had been making the promotional rounds, and he was definitely ready for a little R&R.

Maybe permanently.

The past few months had been hectic, and his grueling schedule hadn’t left much time for his mate. King hadn’t complained, and he never held it against him, but to Storm, it was unacceptable.

Which was why he had turned down the role for the new paranormal action series.