Iris Johansen - Dark Summer

The heat was flushing her cheeks. "I'm not into one-night-" She stopped as she met his gaze. Be honest, he had said. Heaven knows she was tired of avoiding the truth. "What do you want me to say? You know what I'm feeling. But I made one gigantic mistake, and I'm scared to death of making another one. It wouldn't be a smart or responsible thing to-" She hurried her pace to the helicopter. "And I'm a responsible woman, dammit."

"I see you've got Wiley." Walt had opened the helicopter door for them. "Have any trouble?"

"A little." Marrok gestured, and the dogs jumped into the helicopter. He reached out a hand to help Devon, but she was already climbing into her seat. "Sid will be coming to the ranch later." He got in and fastened his seat belt. "Now there's only Nika to bring in."

"Do we pick her up today?"

"Maybe. I'm going to stop at Paco's cave on the way back, and it depends on how much time it takes there."

Devon's eye's widened. "Why?"

"I told you that I've been meaning to find a way to get Ned to go up to the cave that would ease it for him." He nodded at Wiley. "An old friend to share his memories."

"Will it work?"

"I don't know. I'm going to try." He told Walt. "Give us a few hours."

"Heaven forbid I rush dog therapy," Walt said as he took off. "Even though Danner may be on our heels."

"Don't worry, Bridget would be on the phone drawing me back into the fold at even the hint of that happening." His lips twisted. "Maybe even if there wasn't a hint if she thought she could get away with it."

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE HELICOPTERset down on the plateau where Walt had flown the jet once before. Marrok got out of the copter and gestured to the dogs. Wiley jumped to the ground. Ned cringed back against the wall of the aircraft.

"Come on, Ned," Marrok said quietly. "Time to face it."

Ned didn't move.

Wiley gave a low whine, tilting his head as he stared up at the Lab.

Ned stared back at him, then slowly got to his feet and jumped out of the helicopter.

"Good boy," Marrok said. He turned back to Devon and held out his hand. "Are you coming?"

She looked at his hand. Strong hand, beautiful hand. It was the first thing about him that had caused her to notice how magnetic he could be. She hesitated. She could refuse, and he would not insist.

She should probably do that.

Dammit, she was tired of doing only what she should, she thought recklessly. Maybe, as with Ned, it was time to stop hiding her head and face it.

She reached out and took his hand and jumped out of the copter. His grasp was strong, warm, but that was all of which she was aware before he released her and turned away. He started across the plateau. "Two hours, Walt."

"Right."

Devon had to hurry to keep pace with Marrok as he started up the slope. "Where are we going?"

"The cave. Ned and the other dogs sometimes used to sleep there when Paco was alive." He was watching Ned and Wiley trot up ahead of them. "Ned doesn't want to go. You can see how stiff he is."

"But Wiley doesn't seem to mind."

"I told you, Wiley led a hard life before Paco took him in. He's used to hard knocks. He loved Paco, but he's learned to live with losses."

She smiled. "Good Lord, you sound like a canine psychiatrist."

He shrugged. "I know these dogs. They're all different, with different needs." He glanced at her. "Just as we are."

"What if Ned won't go into the cave?"

"I won't force him. I'm hoping he'll follow Wiley."

"Why do you think it's so important that Ned come to terms with Paco's death?"

"Because I had so much trouble coming to terms with it." His gaze was once more on the opening of the cave at the top of the slope. "I did everything Paco wanted me to do regarding his death. I got the dogs back from Danner and gave them safe havens. Yet I couldn't face going back to the cave for over a year." His lips tightened. "I don't like not being in control. I finally forced myself to go back to the cave, and I stayed there for two weeks. The first few days were hell. Nightmares, memories, guilt, and sorrow. Mostly guilt. It got better. I worked my way through it. By the end of the second week the memories were kinder. The guilt was there, but I'd accepted it. The sorrow never went away."

"Paco wouldn't have expected you to feel guilt, would he? It doesn't sound like him from what you've told me."

"No, but that didn't stop me from feeling it. It should be easier for Ned. He doesn't have all my baggage. All he knows is sorrow and bewilderment." He was still staring at the cave opening. "You know, I felt as if Paco was with me during that last week. It… helped me. Maybe he'll decide to help his old friend, Ned. Pretty crazy, huh? That's probably carry ing a bond between dog and human a little far."

She didn't speak for a moment. "No, it isn't. After Tess died I was heartbroken. It was like losing a child or a best friend. But after a little while I began to feel as if she was still with me, that if I turned around, she'd still be there. It brought me comfort. I felt that maybe that's what she wanted. If a creature is so loving and giving in life, why shouldn't that spirit live on? Yes, I believe in bonds that exist after we're separated." She smiled. "So I'm counting on Paco helping out Ned. Why not?"

"Why not, indeed?" he asked gruffly. "You did love your Tess, didn't you?"

"She died too soon. They all die too soon. Even if the spirit lives on, I still wanted her here, with me." She added, "And if I'd had access to Paco's panacea that would have made her one of your dogs of summer, I would have jumped at it. Anyone who has a dog they love would do the same. Even if your shi'i'go didn't have the potential to help humans, I'd still throw in my lot to protect it. That's why it's a matter of-" She stopped as she saw that Ned had stopped on the slope and was staring at the cave opening. He was shaking. "Poor boy." Devon covered the distance between them in four strides. She knelt beside the Lab and put her arm around Ned's shoulders. "It's going to be fine," she whispered. "We're all with you."

"Let him go, Devon," Marrok said. "Look at Wiley."

The German shepherd had run up to the cave and had turned and was sitting down, looking at Ned. He was waiting, she realized. Silent, alert, strangely wise, waiting to help his friend.

Her arms fell from around Ned, and she sat back on her heels.

She was waiting, too.

Ned's gaze was fixed on Wiley as if he were listening.

He finally gave a low whine. He began to climb the slope toward Wiley, his tail tucked between his legs.

"He's afraid," she murmured to Marrok.

Marrok didn't reply.

Ned had reached the top of the slope and was standing there, gazing at Wiley.

Wiley got up and went into the cave.

Ned hesitated, then slowly followed him.

"Remarkable," Devon said. "Did you realize that Wiley would have that powerful an influence on Ned?"

"No, I only hoped," Marrok said. "That's all you can do." He was climbing the slope again. "Now we have to see if it worked."

"Are we going inside?"

"Yes, but not immediately." He stopped at the large flat rock where they'd sat that first time they'd been here. "We'll give Ned a little time."

"And maybe give Paco a little time?"

"I'd never demand help from Paco, dead or alive." He sat down and linked his arms around his knees. "He gave me more than I deserved."

She dropped down beside him. "That's entirely possible. But it doesn't seem to matter. You give what you want to give. And he'd probably approve of everything you've done since he died."

"I didn't kill Danner. Paco believed in revenge." He shrugged. "But it's only a minor delay." He closed his eyes. "The sun feels good, doesn't it?"

"Yes." Her gaze was on his face. "I remember that you said the sun healed you. You don't seem to need much healing. I haven't seen you favor that wound in your shoulder. How is it doing?"