Page 94 of Strictly Forbidden

While she hadn’t been specific, she’d opted to tell me that the concept of the ‘old boys’ school’ remained in places out west. Yes, a few women had managed to find significant places inside what she called the power plan, but not enough to mention or to allow Zoe to climb the ladder but so much.

Women had their places, you see.

I snickered at the thought as I took a sip of wine, trying to calm my nerves, gain some patience, and put myself in the mood to write. All hell might break loose when Kage returned but the next little bit of time at least I could control.

As soon as I headed toward the couches, Max started whining, moving to the front door. I didn’t need a watch to tell me it had been a long time since he’d been outside.

“I’m sorry, boy. I’m a bad mommy dog. Let me get a coat on and we can go outside. Okay?”

And what did my beautiful pup do? He dutifully went to the basket of toys, grabbing a tennis ball.

“Buddy. It’s yucky out there. The tennis ball will get lost.” He gave me that look like, ‘Um, Mom. It’s bright yellow.’ Sighing, I struggled into the boots that were two sizes too big, grabbing my coat. “Okay but only for a few minutes. I can’t use you as an excuse for not writing either. Even if you are the cutest little pup in the entire world.”

He woofed with his head in full motion as if he was telling me ‘duh.’ Who said dogs couldn’t communicate very well? They were much better than humans at it in my opinion.

It took me a few seconds to remember how to turn off the security system, but I managed, happy with myself for doing so. As soon as I opened the door, the cold air hit me smack in the face. Ugh. While the chimney smoke was prevalent, so was the scent of snow.

“Come on, boy. Let’s have a little fun before it starts all over again.” Maybe I’d call Kage when I got inside, letting him know the storm was quickly approaching.

And get a lecture over the phone? Nope. He was a big boy. He could listen to a weather forecast just like anyone else.

Max bounded off toward the trees, his favorite place to poop while I moved to the snow-covered grassy area, peering up at the sky. Soon, it would be a blanket of white, another indication of how close the storm really was.

At least we were snug as a bug in a rug inside the cabin.

Some of us.

When Max didn’t bound back right away, I groaned. He was fascinated by the woods. “Max. Where did you go?” While so much of the previous snow had melted, I still had to trudge through a few inches in trying to find him. I realized by the crunchy sound the temperatures had already dropped, enough that the stuff already down was starting to pack all over again.

I noticed a flash of his tail and laughed. “You are a little naughty boy. Come here and bring me the ball and we can play.”

He darted out from behind a tree, the yellow ball sticking suspiciously from his mouth, his fluffy tail wagging. This time he was telling me to bring it on. I rushed toward him, which made him huff and race from one side to the other. The little brat led me deeper into the woods, but I could tell he was having fun.

Even I was laughing at that point.

“Come on, little man. Give me that ball.” I bent over, catching my breath as I gave him a wonky look. He snorted all over again and I lunged forward, wrestling with him for a few seconds until I was able to wrangle it from his mouth. “You already got it all slimy!”

How could I not laugh? He was such a delight, bringing more joy that I thought I could have.

So does that hot man.

Oh, great. Now my libido was kicking in all over again? Bad girl. Down. Down. I tossed the ball and my aim was like a girl, as Kage had told me. It smacked against the tree before coming down on top of Max’s nose. He wasn’t able to get it, the yellow thing bounding away even in the snow.

As he rushed off deeper into the woods, I was the one groaning. But I followed, even though every muscle was already aching.

Tension?

Fear?

Sheer exhaustion?

At this point it was likely a combination. I was drained from the ordeal. That was easy to figure out.

I started taking long strides toward Max’s location, catching sight of him. He was staring at something. “What is it, boy?” I moved closer. Now Max was sniffing at whatever he’d discovered. He allowed me to walk closer and as soon as I realized what he was looking at, every muscle inside my body tensed immediately.

Not only were there several cigarette butts that had been tossed onto the ground, there were also footsteps in the snow.

Fresh ones.

---