Page 19 of Black Dog

“Hey,” she replied. “I may not have been with Blackie every minute since he was freed from that cage, but until now, there’s never been a minute when I didn’t know where he was and that he was okay.”

“I know, love.”

“Does this have a happy ending? Or do I need to brace?”

He kissed her temple before saying, “No’ a soothsayer, but ye know the Hawkings are tough. And buoyant. And that dog is one of us.”

She let that hang in the air for a few beats before correcting him. “Laiken-Hawkings.”

He chuckled. “Aye. If we can find our way to the dog, we will. If the dog can find his way to us, he will.”

She sighed and squeezed Ram’s hand. “Don’t let us leave anything untried.”

The moment was interrupted by an excited knocking at their bedroom door. They both got up to go see who was there and what they wanted.

It was Helm. “Auntie saw somethin’ else. You might want to come down?”

Elora hurried down the stairs with Ram close behind.

Song looked up when they entered the living room. “I got somethin’ else. Blackie’s in a little room by himself. It almost looks like a horse stall.”

“A horse stall,” Ram repeated.

“He’s had food and water, but he’s agitated about somethin’.”

“What?” Ram pressed.

Song shook her head. “I can no’ pinpoint it. Crowd of people maybe.”

Storm and Ram couldn’t help exchanging a look. Though brief, Elora caught it.

“What was that?” she asked, looking from one to the other.

“What was what?” Ram tried to cover.

She shook her head. “Don’t even try that.” She turned to Storm. “What just passed between you and Rammel?” Storm inhaled deeply and looked away. Elora simply moved two steps so that she was once again in his line of vision. “What are the two of you keeping secret?”

Ram leaned over and spoke in her ear. “We were tryin’ to protect you from disappointment. We might have a lead, but we might no’. We’re waitin’ on a phone call.”

“Tell me everything. Right now,” she demanded.

“Let’s step outside then. Helm does no’ need to know this,” Ram replied.

“Too late,” Helm said. “If you know somethin’ else about Blackie, I have a right to know. He’smydog!” Everyone stared at Helm for three full beats before chuckles went round the room. “What’s so funny?”

“Helm,” Ram said. “The dog has an uncommon fondness for ye and you’re no’ wrong about that. He’d die for you without ponderin’ the decision. He may sleep on your bed at times. He may accompany you when you ride out. But when roll is called, Blackie’s your mum’s dog, son. If he looks at you like you’re the most wonderful thing in the world, ‘tis because you’reherchild. That bond was sealed long before you were born.”

Helm stared at his father like he was processing that.

Storm leaned down and asked Litha how she was. “Terrible,” she said. “I tracked Blackie to a few yards from here. Pathetic.” She blew into a tissue.

“You tracked Blackie?” Aelgavain asked.

“Tried to,” Litha answered.

Gale and Gavain looked at each other before Gale said, “I didn’t know you were trying totrackBlackie. Why didn’t you use Dol?”

Everyone stared at the girls. When no one said anything in response, Duff said, “Who’s Dol?”

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