by Maddy Barone
“Yes,” Marty began, but her father cut him off with an outthrust arm.
“She was stolen from you.”
“Yes,” Marty tried again.
Her father glowered and raised his already considerable volume. “You ran for two hundred miles with four bullets in you to bring her help.”
“Actually, only two bullets were in me,” Marty said quickly, probably trying to get his words out before her father cut him off again. “It was—”
“Brave!” her father boomed. “It was a brave thing to do. Worthy of a wolf warrior.” He stepped forward and enveloped Marty in a tight embrace.
“Dad.” Victoria rushed forward. “He’s still hurt.”
Her father opened his arms and turned to face his Clan. He put an arm over Marty’s shoulders with a huge grin. “This is my son,” he roared.
The Clan erupted in howls and cheers. Jaw sagging, Victoria stared at her father. “Mom?”
Her mother came and hugged her. “Your father hates to be wrong,” she remarked, “but when he is, he’s a big enough man to admit it. Oh, Vic, you’ve had a hell of a time, haven’t you?”
“It’s been pretty awful,” Victoria agreed. “And it’s not over.” She looked through the crowd to Aunt Carla, Colby’s mom, and her daughter Patia. “No sign of Cole yet?”
Her mom shook her head. “No. But his body hasn’t been found, so we think he’s alive.”
Lisa Madison, her new sister-in-law, stood by Carla and Patia. Eddie had said he and Lisa would head back to Omaha to be with their son in the hospital. Marty would be the acting mayor while they were gone. Victoria shook her head. “And Ray is still in a coma. But the doctors are hopeful. He could come out of it.”
“I hope so. Even in the Times Before, doctors couldn’t save everyone. People think that the world back then was full of miracles, but people died all the time of illness.” Her mom gave her shoulders a squeeze and let her go. “You’ve had a miracle of your own.”
“Marty,” Victoria agreed.
“Have you two had sex?”
“Mom!”
Her mom was unruffled. After nearly three decades with a clan of wolf warriors, she was generally unruffled. “Just wondering. He was badly hurt.”
“Not that badly.” Victoria spoiled her primness by giggling. “We’ve managed to enjoy ourselves a few times in the last couple of days.”
“My hope of grandchildren is restored.” Her mom chuckled. “We better go rescue your husband before your father kills him in gratitude for saving you.”
An hour later, exhausted by the Clan’s exuberant welcome, Marty plopped down beside her in backyard of the Plane Women’s House. The couch had been carried out especially for them. The celebration had been put on hold so the leaders of Kearney and the Packs could meet. The space was smaller than where most councils took place, and there were more people present, but they made it work.
Eagle, Hawk, Victoria, Renee, and Eddie Madison took turns explaining what had happened when the President of Kansas-Missouri tried to take over Omaha. Everyone listened in polite silence. There was very little discussion. Wolf’s Shadow stood with a grim face to speak.
“The man who calls himself President Todd sent his killers to murder innocent people, including my new son and his blood kin. He is responsible for my daughter being shot. Colby of Taye’s Pack, blood of our blood and bone of our bone, was wounded to the point of death. Colby’s mate has been taken by this man.” He raised a hand, fingers spread, and slowly clenched it into a fist. “He has promised to bring war against our people.” He paused to look around the gathering. “If he wants war, we’ll give him war.”
Approving murmurs rose to a shout.
“That day will come.” The alpha turned to look down at Victoria and Marty. “But not today. Today we celebrate.”
“My,” Marty murmured into her hair a little later. “Your family likes a party. Was that the Chicken Dance?”
She swayed with him in time to a soft ballad crooned by Aunt Carla. “I think that’s what it’s called. Look. Isn’t it sweet, watching Hawk and Renee dance?”
“It’s sweeter dancing with you.” He put his mouth against her throat and touched his tongue there. “It was only a few months ago that your dad would have killed me for dancing with you like this.”
They were pressed together from breast to knee. It made her think of other activities they could be doing. “I like dancing with you like this, but it’s been a long day. Are you tired?”
“A little,” he admitted, turning them in a lazy half circle. “Not too tired, though. It’s only a fifteen minute walk to my house in the compound. I have a bed there.”
Victoria looked over his shoulder to see who was watching. “I don’t think anyone would notice if we slipped away.”
They made their way stealthily to the edge of the party and made a break for it. They came to the gate in the wall of the mayor’s compound, laughing and panting. The guard there smiled as he opened the gate for them. Marty waved as they passed through. He didn’t speak until they were several yards away. “Did anyone notice our escape?” he asked.
“Just my mom,” she said, and snorted a laugh. “And she won’t tell. She wants grandchildren.”
He hurried her down the street and behind the white mansion Eddie and Lisa Madison lived in. There was a small house there that he led her to. “This is a small house,” he said apologetically.
“It’s cute,” she said politely. “It’s big enough for the two of us.”
He opened the door. “For now, it’s just two of us. Our house will be built before children come.”
Children. Victoria smiled at the thought and pulled his head down to give him a quick kiss.
“Not yet,” he chided, and tugged her down a hall to a bedroom. Not that she needed any urging. She followed his tugging with enthusiasm.
“I’ve heard that the Lakota have special conditions about sons-in-law and mothers-in-law.” He kissed her, a gentle slide of lips over her jaw. “I bet one of them is that the son-in-law must obey his wife’s mother. So if my mother-in-law wants grandchildren it is my duty to make some for her, right?”
His lips hovered tauntingly right over her mouth. “Uh, right. You better get on that.”
He kissed her deeply, then paused to look down at her seriously. “I don’t know what will happen with Todd. We’ve gotten away this time, but it’s not over.”
The memory of Major Ellis’ threats tried to intrude but she pushed it away. “No, it’s not. We still need to find Colby. Gina Summer is still with Todd. And Ray is still out.”
“He’s going to be okay.” Conviction rang in his voice. “Part of me wants to go to Omaha with Lisa and Eddie, but the rest of me knows I need to stay here. Someone needs to mind the store while Eddie’s away. The most important thing is we’re here together.”
“We’ll keep each other safe,” she agreed. She laced her fingers behind his neck to bring his lips closer. “Now, can we please get on with the grandchildren project?”
He laughed and got on with it.
THE END
About The Author
Maddy Barone has held many jobs in her life, including medic in the US Army, sales clerk in a craft store, and financial examiner for Medicare, but her favorite job is that of writer. For fun she knits, spins, and sews historical costumes for her alter ego in the SCA, a historical re-creation organization that recreates the best parts of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
She lives in North Dakota, USA with her three rescue cats, and a percentage of her royalties go to a local no-kill cat shelter called CATS Cradle. To receive exclusive excerpts and deleted scenes, visit her website at www.MaddyBarone.com and sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/g64uU
Other Books By Maddy Barone
After the Crash series in order:
Sleeping With the Wolf
Wolf’s Glory
Wolf Tracker
Wolf’s Oath
> Sherry’s Wolf
Eddie’s Prize
Ellie’s Wolf
Wolf’s Vengeance
Wolf’s Lady
Wolf’s Princess
Daughters of the Wolf Clan
Olivia’s Mate
Victoria’s Cat
