Shiver(43)

“So, Mr. Harte could have had a rightful claim to the mine?”

“Whether he had a legal right to it or not, it didn’t justify the means he used to get his hands on it. And all of it was for nothing.”

“Because after the first strike my grandfather found, no other gold was recovered?”

Aidan had been right, this kid was one smart cookie. “Right. Greed always brings out the worst in people.”

“That’s what Mom always says too.”

“She’s right. You need to listen to her.” They turned a corner on the path, and the trees opened up to reveal a home. A two story log cabin blended with the wilderness, adding rather than taking away. A smaller building was connected to the cabin by an enclosed walkway. He knew without being told that the building was Raven’s studio. He wanted a peek. The workspace of an artist told so much about them. He wanted a chance to get to know this new side of Raven he never knew existed.

To the left was Fox’s team. Six dogs sat or lay next to their own dog houses dotting the open land. Bales of straw were spread next to the houses, adding much needed insulation for the extreme winter temperatures. The huskies caught sight of Fox and leaped to their feet, their excited yips and howls echoing over the open area.

Fox beamed and ran to his dogs, ruffling the fur around their necks, allowing them to lick his face. It was clear that they loved him and vice versa. Aidan found a wide grin splitting his face as he watched the interaction. Every boy needed something like the unconditional love that these animals had for Fox.

Fox motioned him over. “Come meet my team.”

Aidan limped into the writhing bodies of fur. The first dog—must be the alpha male—stuck out his nose, his nostrils flaring, his mismatched brown and blue eyes flickering. Aidan offered his hand, palm up. It was sniffed and then the husky rubbed his head against him. Aidan smiled, his heart swelling as he was accepted into the pack. No judgment to be found here. The others followed suit. They had no idea who he was. Who he came from. But judged and accepted him with their own insightful brand of measurement. Why couldn’t it be that easy with people?

“Fox, you are the luckiest kid in the world.” Aidan smiled. “I’d have loved this.” He laughed as one of the dogs pushed him over and licked his face.

“Yeah, they’re really cool.” Joy lit Fox from within. “Wanta go for a ride with me? Not now, it’s getting too late, and Mom will say no. But maybe Saturday?”

“You got it.”

They shared a connection. Aidan didn’t know how to explain it, but something at that moment connected him to Fox. To cover up the swelling he felt in his heart, he asked, “What are their names?”

Fox’s face fell, and he suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Uh…I don’t want to creep you out but…”

“Creep me out? How?”

Fox bit his lips and then in a rush pointed to each dog and named them. “Nanook, Kenai, Siku, Miki, Senyea, and my lead dog, Lucien.”

Aidan was stunned and needed a moment to collect himself. He slowly got to his feet, his bad leg complaining—he’d obviously put it through too much today—and brushed the snow off his jeans. He looked at Fox who seemed apprehensive. “You named your dogs after the characters in my graphic novels?”

“I love the Spirit of the Totem series,” Fox rushed on to explain. “I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen now that Lucien had to sacrifice Senyea. I really hope you bring her back. I loved her.”

Aidan had no clue what was going to happen with Senyea. He had the novel halfway written but hadn’t touched it since this summer. Since his dad’s death, he’d lost the desire to write, to draw, to escape. He thought it was some kind of cosmic punishment. The gift of escapism he’d been given by a higher being to be able to deal with his father had been snuffed out with his father’s death. Ironic in a twisted sort of way.

Raven pulled up in her Suburban along the plowed driveway. She climbed out of the vehicle, and as soon as Aidan saw her, his heart jumped. Her long hair blew away from her face with her fast gait. He just stared. This could have been his life. She could have been his wife—should have been—Fox his son, these dogs, this place. All of it. The pain in his chest flared.

“I thought you’d appreciate a ride back. Besides—” she looked at her son “—Fox needs to get his chores done and math homework started.”

Aidan also heard the unspoken message. She didn’t want her son spending too much time with him. Not that he blamed her. Though it was hard not to take personally. He laid his hand on Fox’s shoulder. “Thank you for showing me your team. They’re impressive.”