Kelly caught his wrist, her slender fingers closing tight enough to bruise. When he didn’t tear his arm away, she released him and took a careful, cautious step back, herding Sera behind her.
Sera’s hopeful expression had started to crumple. Her shoulders slumped. “Maybe we should come back another day.”
“Hush.” Kelly still watched him, her narrowed eyes staring at him as if she could see more than just the physical world. She cocked her head and listened to the wind as it teased at the flowers on the tree above their heads.
The scent of magnolias curled around them. Sera shifted her stance, giving him a helpless look that melted into hope as Kelly returned to her chair. “Mama?”
Kelly arched one eyebrow. “I’m waiting for a proper introduction. You weren’t raised in a barn, Seraphina.”
Sera cleared her throat and slipped her hand into Julio’s. Her fingers trembled until they clenched tight, clinging as she forced out the too-casual words. “Mom, this is Julio Mendoza.
He’s a member of the Southeast council, and I’m going to marry him. Soon.”
“Julio Mendoza.” Kelly Sinclaire smiled. “Welcome to the family.”
