An Inner Darkness Book 5 Bay City paranormal

“Deal.”

    Sam held out his uninjured hand. “Shake.”
    She clasped his hand, and they shook. At that moment Bo entered the room with Sean in his arms. His eyebrows went up. “What’s going on?” Janine turned to smile at him. “Sam and I have agreed to bury the hatchet.” Bo beamed at them both. “That’s wonderful. Thank you both for being willing to set aside your differences.”
    Letting go of Sam’s hand, Janine walked over and kissed Sean’s head. “I’m burying the hatchet with you too, Bo. I’ll call my lawyer Friday. I still think we should work out a new custody agreement, but I’ve decided that it should include equal time with the boys for both of us. I’d also like for all of us —you, Sam, Lee and myself—to spend more time together. I think it would give the boys a more stable environment.” Provided we can all get along. Sam kept the small doubt private. He knew from personal experience that nothing changed your perspective quite like almost dying. If tonight’s experience couldn’t change their group dynamic for the better, nothing could.
    The smile on Bo’s face lit up the room. “I agree.” Dean cleared his throat. “Okay, I’m off. Y’all take care.” www.samhainpublishing.com 169 Ally Blue
    He waved and walked through the foyer to the door, followed by a chorus of goodbyes. Sam walked beside him out onto the porch. “Thanks for coming over, Dean.

    Maybe it’s dumb, but I’d really rather have you patch me up than some paramedic.” Dean laughed. “Well, dumb or not, I don’t mind doing it. Just make sure you call me if it gets worse. I’ll look at it and tell you if you need to see a doctor.”
    “I will.” Gazing around the dark, quiet neighborhood, Sam shook his head. “I still can’t believe none of the neighbors called the cops.” “Maybe they did. Maybe the 911 operator didn’t believe them.”
“Oh my God, would they really say they don’t believe someone?”
    “Hm, let’s think this through.” Dean held his thumb and pinkie up to his head, mimicking a phone. “Hello, 911? Yes, my neighbor’s house is shrouded in otherwordly fog and is about to fall into another dimension. There might be monsters too.” His eyes widened in mock surprise. “No, I haven’t been drinking, why do you ask?” Sam laughed. “Okay, I see your point.”
    “Uh-huh. Just be glad either no one noticed or they couldn’t get anyone to come out, because the cops would not have been amused by your story.” “Tell me about it.” Sam reached out to touch Dean’s shoulder. “Hey, you want to come over tomorrow?”
Dean blinked, obviously shocked by the invitation. “Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving.”
“I know. That’s why I’m inviting you.”
“But you and Bo have the kids, and—”
    “And Bo’s going to invite Lee and Janine over for Thanksgiving dinner, since they can’t be here at their house, and there’s always room for a friend.” Sam shrugged. “I don’t like to think of you being alone.”
    Dean stared at him for a moment, then pulled him into a tight hug. “Thanks, Sam.”
“Hey, it’ll be great to have you there.” With a pat on Dean’s back, Sam pulled away.
“We’re not eating until around six, since we’re going to have to make a trip to the store first, but you can come over any time.” 170
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An Inner Darkness
    “All right. See you tomorrow, then.” Grinning, Dean descended the steps and climbed into his green Civic. Bo, Lee, Janine and the boys walked out onto the porch as Dean backed into the street. He waved before driving away.

    Sam slid an arm around Bo’s waist. “Dean’s coming over for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I hope that’s okay.”

    “Of course it is. He never seems to spend time with his family on holidays, and it worries me how often he’s alone.” Bo shifted his grip on Sean, who had fallen into an exhausted sleep on his father’s shoulder. “Janine, I wish you and Lee would stay with us.
    The sofa makes out into a bed, Sam and I would be glad to camp out there for a while.” Janine shook her head. “We don’t want to intrude. And I know we would be, no matter what you say.” She slipped her hand through Lee’s elbow and leaned against his arm. “Lee’s sister gets back in town Sunday. We can stay with her while we’re looking for a new place. She has plenty of room. In the meantime, we can afford a motel room for a few days.”
    “Thank you for inviting us for