Mitch had been standing in front of the cabin’s picture window when we came down the stairs, staring at the night sky. He turned and the light from the dying fire caught in his eyes, making them glow as they once did, before. “Miss it?” His voice was steady and firm. “Not really, no. But sometimes on nights like tonight, with the sky clear and the moon full, I feel the Wolf again. I miss him. And the Cat.”
I smiled. “Yes, I never thought I would say it, but I miss the Cat, as well. And then there are times when all that has happened feels so far away, so distant, like a dream. All of the years and sorrows and deaths don’t seem to matter much, not when compared to the smell of a clean baby and the touch of sunlight on my face.”
“I’m going to make some coffee,” he said. “I’m on morning shift at the station this week. No sense going back to sleep now.”
The baby finished nursing and drowsed in my arms. I followed Mitch to the kitchen and sat down with her at the table, patting her back gently.
Mitch poured two mugs of coffee, added sugar and cream to his, and set mine in front of me. “How’s that tooth coming in?”
“Fine. But it’s sharp.”
He laughed at me. “What else would you expect?”
When he went upstairs to put his uniform on, I trailed after him, lay the baby in her crib, and sat down on the bed.
“What’s on the agenda today?” he asked, fastening his tie and settling his hat on his head.
“Elly’s taking us into town for a doctor’s appointment. And then I’m cooking you something special for dinner.”
“Oh? What?”
“Fettuccine Alfredo.”
“And life is good,” he said, giving me a kiss on the top of the head. “See you tonight.”
I watched him from the window, driving down the dirt road under the rising sun.
“So, after everything,” I whispered to the baby, “life is good.” I pulled a blanket over her, softly touching her cheek while she slept and dreamed. “And never forget, little one, life goes on.”
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2004 by Karen E. Taylor
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-8501-0
eISBN-13: 978-0-7582-8923-0
eISBN-10: 0-7582-8923-5
First Kensington Electronic Edition: August 2013
Blood Red Dawn Page 23
