Page 68 of Out of the Cold

“It took a couple of tries, but we got there. Watching her in the snow could be a cure for depression.”

Her smile was soft and full of affection as she looked down at Hilde. “She’s what got me through these past few months. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” She glanced back up at him. “You should get one.”

“No dog could ever compare to Hilde, though,” he said, shucking all his winter gear.

She beamed at him. “Very true.”

He wanted to kiss her, and he was having trouble remembering why he shouldn’t. He was also wrung out and a little dazed from his confession.

“I’m pretty wiped,” he said. “I guess I’ll head to bed, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. I put some towels in the bedroom next to mine. It’s um...I think you’ll be warmer there.”

“That sounds fine.”

She checked the locks on ?all the doors, then went over to the kitchen table and blew out the candles.

The flickering shadows disappeared.

She picked up both lanterns and gave one to him. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, thanks. I’m all set.”

“Help yourself to anything in the kitchen if you get hungry or wake up before me.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. But don’t worry about me.”

“Well, good night.” She hesitated, then gave him one of her small, private smiles.

“Goodnight, Lucy.”

Grabbing his duffel bag from where he’d set it next to the door, he headed into the nearest bedroom and placed it on the floor. Moving quietly so as not to disturb Lucy, he used the bathroom and brushed his teeth by lantern light, then returned to his room. At first he didn’t hear anything but the wind, but in the moments when it died down, Hilde’s snores made their way to him through their open doors.

He changed into sweats and got under the covers, strangely at peace considering the fact that he’d spilled his guts.

There was nothing to hide anymore. Now that he’d told her, he wasn’t even sure why it had taken so long. Maybe someday he’d be able to separate grief from guilt and find a way to live with Ricky’s death.

Maybe he could even start now.

?

---