Page 109 of Scarred Savages
“Thank you,” she says as we leave the shop and make our way back to the cars.
Oli is bouncing with impatience. What took so long? Did you buy the whole store?”
Luna holds up the bag with a shy smile. “Just a dress.”
“Put it on!” Oli exclaims. “I want to see!”
“Later, we should get back on the road.”
The rest of the journey passes peacefully. Luna falls asleep against Oli’s shoulder, and I catch myself watching her in the rearview mirror more often than necessary—the steady rise and fall of her chest and the occasional flutter of her eyelashes.
We reach the lake house in the late afternoon. The convoy pulls up the long, winding driveway, and I watch Luna wake and sit up straighter as she gets her first glimpse of the place.
Most people don’t picture the lake house when they hear the term. It’s large, almost a mansion, with a rustic exterior that belies its modern security features. Positioned on a rise overlooking the lake, it offers excellent visibility. The trees have been strategically trimmed to eliminate hiding spots, and the perimeter is fitted with motion sensors disguised as landscape lighting.
But none of that is what makes Luna gasp. It’s the view: the crystal blue lake stretching before us, surrounded by forest and mountains.
“It’s… It’s like a postcard,” she whispers.
The cars stop in the circular driveway, and everyone unloads. Luna slips out, clutching her dress bag, and takes a few steps toward the lake.
“Want to see inside first, or explore the grounds?” I ask, coming up beside her.
She turns to me, and the joy on her face hits me straight to the heart. “Can I change first?”
Ten minutes later, she emerges from the house wearing the purple dress, her silver hair loose around her shoulders. Oli whistles, and even Axel looks appreciative. Hudson nods with something like approval, while perpetually sour-faced Damien looks slightly less annoyed than usual.
“It looks even better here,” I tell her softly.
She smiles, then does something that surprises me: grabs my hand. “Show me the lake?”
We walk down the path to the shore together, her hand warm in mine. I’m constantly scanning our surroundings. I can’t help it, but part of me is fully present with her, savoring this moment.
At the water’s edge, she kicks off her shoes and steps up to her ankles, laughing at the cold. The purple dress flutters around her knees, and the scars on her legs catch the sunlight.
“Thank you,” she says without looking at me.
“For the dress?”
“For making me feel like a person again.” She turns, fixing those remarkable eyes on me. “You all did. But especially you.”
I’ve always been the healer, the one who fixes what’s broken and tends to everyone’s wounds. But now, all I want is to make one silver-haired female happy. And seeing her standing in the water, strong and unbroken, wearing a purple dress, makes my heart soar.
“Luna,” I start, unsure of what I will say.
She waits, head tilted.
But before I can continue, Oli comes bounding down the path, excitement rolling off him in ripples. “Luna! Come see the rope swing! I promise not to let you fall!”
She laughs, a sound I’ll never tire of hearing. “Coming!” She looks back at me. “You too?”
I nod, smiling despite the interruption. “Right behind you.”
30
Luna
Notebook: OMG! I claimed the best tree!!!
