Page 112 of Undone

CHAPTER TWENTY

A Long Winter’s Night

MY PHONE’S BEEN SILENT—heck my whole world has been silent, since we came home weeks ago. I shove into my thick, waterproof parka and new snow boots. Trapper waits eagerly by the door. I smile at him, pick up his leash, and add a few logs onto my crackling fire. I still haven’t heard from Smith other than a few frantic calls assuring me he’s alive and hunting down the “dogs” who came after us.

“All right boy. It’s time for our evening walk.”

I hook the leash on his collar. He cocks his head and whines as if I’m not fast enough. I never knew Dev was such a dog lover, but I see how the four-legged furballs grow on a person. It didn’t take much arm twisting for me to agree to foster him. The local kennel life sucked for him and it feels nice having his wagging tail to come home to. I feel bad leaving him when I’m at school, but the clerk at the shelter assured me he’s happier in my silent house than in a kennel.

Trapper licks my hand as I pull my gloves on and open the door.

“Easy boy!” He darts out quick. Trapper is a mix of probably five different breeds. He’s massive. I probably only outweigh him by twenty pounds.

He bounds down the porch steps and into the snow, barking happily. The big mutt pulls me through deep drifts. Laughing, I unclip his leash. “Just don’t go chasing deer again! I froze my butt off trying to get you back last time!”

My boots crunch, sinking a bit under my weight as I look up at the sky. The nights are dark, silent and cold. Quiet—except for the wind blowing through the bare trees. You’d think I’d be lonely, but strangely, I’m not. My new routine consists of walking Trapper after school, cooking dinner using my new slow cooker, and then reading a book by the fire while Trapper snoozes at my feet.

I’ve learned something about myself—that there’s a strength in solitude. Your mind needs quiet to think. My heart feels less lonely the stronger my mind gets.

The snow get deeper as I follow my furry friend. He’s been with me for three weeks and already knows the route through the yard to the logging road behind the property. My head tilts up. The sky is clear tonight. The stars shine like diamonds. Trapper barks excitedly, as he waits for me.

“What is it now?”

He yips, then takes off, charging through a path he’s already made since we’ve walked here every day.

“Shit. Trapper! Trapper! Come back boy!” I feel in my pocket for the small flashlight and shine it ahead, but it’s too weak to beam far enough. “Dammit! I knew I should’ve left the leash on you!” I smack my hands against my coat. I continue to call after him for ten minutes, but he doesn’t come back.

“Stupid dog,” my throat thickens, fighting tears. “I fed you—loved you and the first chance you get—you run. Typical,” I mutter, as hot tears fall. I take out my phone calling Dev.

“Luce? How did the recipe I gave you turn out?”

“I don’t know. Trapper’s gone.”

“What do you mean, gone?”

“I-I don’t know. I took him on our nightly walk and … he just loves the snow, so I took him off the leash.”

“Again?”

“I know. He barked excitedly and took off.”

“How long has it been?”

“Maybe twenty minutes?”

“Hold on. I’ll ask Rog.”

“That’s okay—”

But the next thing I hear is the silver fox’s husky voice in my ear. “Luce. Go home. The dog ain’t stupid. He’s used to being on the streets. Sometimes a dog just needs to run, but he’ll come home—where there’s food and a warm bed. He’ll turn up.”

“Typical male,” I mutter.

“Don’t go all man-hating now. We’re expecting ya’ for Creed’s Mardi Gras party. It’ll mean a lot to Dev if you come. Duke and Shanna will be there.”

“I don’t want to be around couples.”

“Federico and Mac will be here, too.”

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