63DaysLaterisaholidayNovellabasedoffofthecharactersfromWILDafull-lengthnovel.
Thisstoryisdedicatedtoallofthosewholoved
AugustandKeeganfromWILDsomuchyouneededmoreofthem.
AspecialthankyoutoLaneMcCulley
forbeinganexcellentbetareader.
Copyright2017AdrienneWilder.ArtbyAdrienneWilder.
Nopartofthisstorymaybecopiedorreproduced,electronically,print,cavepaintings,smokesignals,morse
code,transmittedtootherpeople,aliens,orpets.
Inotherwords,don’tbeadouchecanoeandrespectaperson’swork.
Thecharactersinthisstoryarefictionandrepresentnoonealiveordead.Howevertheydorepresentpersons
inanalternateuniversewheretheeventsofWILDtookplace.Anyresemblancetoyouraunt,uncle,friend,neighbor,
sister,brother,cousin(first,second,third,fourth,orremoved),boss,friend’srelative,someweirdguyyoumetwho
insistedontellingyoutheirlifestory,iscompletelycoincidental.
Roughlyeighteenmonthsand63DaysLater
Augustleanedagainstthedoorjambwhilecradlingacupofcoffeeinhishands.In
theshorttimehe’dbeeninthekitchen,Keeganhadalreadyspreadacrosstheking-size
bed,atoeateachcorner,hisarmsunderthepillow,andthesheetstossedtotheedge.
Sunlightfellacrosshisthighs,theswellofhisass,andtrickledawayatthemiddle
ofhisback,paintinggoldstreaksontohisbronzeskin.
Augustwouldalwayssavorthesequietmoments.There’dbeenatimewhenno
suchpeaceexisted.Whereeveninsilencethefearofdeathwasimminent.
Thatwasalmosttwoyearsagoandoverfourthousandmilesawayinaworld
wheremagiccameintheformofdancinglightsinthesky,icecrystalsintheairsplitting
thesun,andaherowrappedinanimalskins.
AlaskawasnothingmorethanamemoryforAugust.Butsomenightsitwasstill
Keegan’snightmare.
Tenyearsoutthereinthebush,tenyearshe’dsurvivedinaplacenomanshould.
Adesolatecountrysidewherewinterswallowedthedaysandsummerburnedtheskies.
EverydayKeeganhadlivedtherewaswritteninjaggedscarsdownhisbody.Theworston
hishipwhereagrizzlyhadtriedtokillhimasaboy.
Keegansighedinhissleepandreachedoutsmoothinghishandovertheempty
spaceunderAugust’spillow.Hewalkedoverandsethiscoffeecuponthebedsidetable.
Keeganhuffedandwrinkledhisbrow.AugustfeatheredhistouchupKeegan’sarms.
Thefirstyearthey’dbeenbackthesimpleactofAugustrollingoverwouldhave
wokenKeegan.Butoncehismindfiguredouthenolongerneededtobehyper-vigilantof
danger,heslept.
Andgodwhenheslepthesleptlikethedead.
Whichcouldbeentertaining,really.
AugustmovedtotheendofthebedandtracedalineupthebottomofKeegan’s
foot.Hepulledaway.Augustrestedakneeontheedgeofthebedandeasedhimself
betweenKeegan’sthighs.WithonehandoneithersideofKeegan’storso,Augustlowered
himselfuntilthetinyinvisiblehairsbetweenKeegan’sshoulderstickledAugust’slips.
Heblewabreath.GoosepimplesracedupthebackofKeegan’sneck.Hegrunted.
AugustfollowedthevalleyofmuscleedgingKeegan’sspine,exhalingagainsthis
skin,stoppingatthetopofhiscrack.Thedownyhairsshimmeredinthepatchofsunlight
sweepingoverhisback.Augustchasedthebrightpatchwithhistongue.
Keeganmoanedandrolledhiships.Augustreturnedhisattentiontothebackof
Keegan’sneck.OnegentledkissaftertheotherhemadeapathtoKeegan’scheek.
Heopenedhiseyes.Hisgazeasfierceasanywildanimalandatthesametime
overflowingwithabsoluteadoration.“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Wakingyouup.”AugustnuzzledthesoftspotunderKeegan’sear.“Merry
Christmas.”
“Christmasisn’tuntilnextweek.”Keeganturnedenoughtoputanarmaround
Augustandpullhimdown.HewounduponhisbackandpinnedbesideKeegan.
AugustmadeaweakattempttopushKeeganoff.“Yep,soyoubetterbegood,or
Santawillleavecoalinyourstocking.”
“Accordingtoyou,Iamgood.”KeegannippedAugust’sear.
AcrackleofpleasuretickleditswaytoAugust’sballs.“Suckingdickdoesn’t
count.”HetiltedhisheadgivingKeeganaccesstohisthroat.Keegannibbledalinedown
toAugust’sshoulder.
“Whataboutrimming?”LowerKeeganfoundanippleandlatchedon.
Augustgasped.“Mmm—nopesorry.”
KeeganpartedAugust’srobeandgrippedhiscock.“Handjobs?”
“AbsolutelyNnn—”
Keeganscrapedhisthumbnailovertheslit.
Augustjerked.“Fuck.”
“I’msorryIcouldn’tquitehearyou.”Lower,KeeganbittheedgeofAugust’s
navel.
“Okay,nowyou’recheating.”
“NotyetI’mnot.”KeegantooktheheadofAugust’scockintohismouth.Allthat
warmth,gentlesuction,andhowKeeganslidhistongueovertheglans,hadAugusthard
inseconds.Hemoanedanddroppedhisheadbackonthepillow.KeegantookAugustto
thebackofhisthroat.
ThespiralofpleasuretightenedinAugust’sgutandspreadthroughhislimbs.Fire
andice,itsearedhismuscles.HegrippedKeeganbyhishair.Thedarkbrownlocksmade
lazycurlsoverAugust’sfingers.
KeegansmiledaroundAugust’scock,andlaughterdancedinhiseyes.
“Sogood…”Augustundulatedagainstthemattress.
KeeganreturnedhisattentiontotheendofAugust’sdick,suckingharder,bobbing
hishead,puttingenoughpressurewithhistonguetosqueeze.Blissbecameeuphoria.
“Keegan…ohfuck…babythat’s—”
HetookAugusttothebackofhisthroatagain.Theunbrokenslidewasthefuel,
andtheswallowingaroundAugustputthesparktotheincendiary.Everythingshattered.
AugusttwistedhishandinKeegan’shairwhilethrustinghiships.Shockwaveaftershock-
waverippedthroughAugustandheshotdownKeegan’sthroat.
ThelastwaverecededleavingAugustfloppedonthemattress.Starsdancedin
frontofhiseyesandhisthroatburned.
KeeganmovedupandpressedhislipstoAugust’s.HeopenedasKeeganfedhim
theaftertasteofcum.
“Mmm—breakfastofchampions.”
Keeganlaughed.“Champions,huh?”
“Championcocksuckers.”
“Hey,that’sanotaverynicethingtosayabouttheguyyoulove.”Keegantook
August’shandandkissedthespotonhisfingerrightbelowthepalegoldweddingband.
“Imeantitinagoodway.”AugustranhisthumboverKeegan’sbottomliptothe
lineofhisjaw.Withhisbeardcutshorttohisskin,theanglesofhisruggedfacewere
sharper.“HaveItoldyouIloveyoutoday?”
Keeganleanedcloser.Augustinhaledhisexhale.
“I’mprettysuresomewherebetweenharderandfasteryoudid.”
Augustwrinkledhisbrow.“WhendidIsaythat?”
“Somewherebetween,oneAMandthreeAM,butitmighthavebeenaslateas
four.”
Ifthey’dmadelovethatlongthennowonderAugust’sassburnedwhenhe
showeredthatmorning.KeeganpushedhishandsunderAugust’srobeandaroundhis
body.Hisgentletouchturnedintoaslowmassageoftenpointsofpressuredigginginto
August’smuscle.
Augustgroaned.“Don’tstop.”
KeeganchuckledandkissedAugust’schest.“I’llneverstop.”
“Good.Wait,no,notgood,youhavetostopsometime,orI’llmelt.”
“Yousaythatlikeit’sabadthing.”Keeganmovedhishandslower,workingthe
hipofAugust’sbadleg.
“Onlyifyouneverwantbreakfastagain.”Augustclosedhiseyes.“Orblowjobs.”
HepettedthebackofKeegan’sneck.“Orsex.”
“TheonlythingIneedisyou.”Thewordswerenothingmorethanalightbreath
againstAugust’searbuttheweightoftruththeyheldcinchedhisthroatandsqueezedhis
chest.BecauseKeegantrulybelievedwhathesaid.Andhe’dprovenittimeandtime
againinthatdangerousalienworldnorthofCanada.
AugustcaressedKeegan’sjaw.Theshorthairsraspedagainsthisfingertips.
“Haveyouhadbreakfastyet?”KeegancontinuedtomassageAugust’sassand
thighs.
“Idon’tthinkIcouldcarelessaboutfoodrightnow.”Hesmiled,andsodid
Keegan.
“Youneedtoeat.”
“AslongasIhaveyourmagicfingersI’llneverneedtoeatagain.”
“Wantmetomakewaffles?”Keeganworkedhishandshigher.
ThemusclesacrossAugust’sbackliquefied.“Withblueberries?”
“Sure.”
“Walnuts?”
“Ithinkthere’ssomeleftinthecabinet.”
“ThenmoremassageswhileIeat.”
Keeganrolledaway.
“Awww—thatwasjustgettinggood.”
“C’monlet’seatbreakfastthenI’llletyouopenoneofyourpresents.”Keegangot
outofbedandheldouthishand.
*****
ThesimpleactofAugustslidinghisfingersbetweenKeegan’sgroundedhimto
thehereandnowrefusingtolethisthoughtswanderbacktothatdesolatemountainside
wherehe’dlivedforfartoolong.
SomemorningsKeeganwassureescapinghadbeenadream.Somenightsthe
nightmaresconvincedhimnothinginhislifenowwasreal.
UntilthatmomentwhenAugustwoulddosomethingassimpleaswrapanarm
aroundKeegan’swaist,kissthebackofhisneck…
Orholdhishand.
AugustsnaggedKeegan’sboxersoffthefloorandhandedthemover.“Justincase
Daisytriestoplaytug-o-war.She’sbeeninamoodlately.”
Keegangrowled.
Augustheldupahand.“Shehasn’tdoneitsinceshewasapuppy,butitwould
bettertobesafethansorry.”
“There’senoughofhernowIcouldmaketwohatsandprobablyapairofboots.”
“Andwhatwouldyoudowiththem?Icanbarelykeepclothesonyou.”August
grazedalookoverKeegan.“NotthatI’mcomplaining,butyoudidscaretheUPSman
lastweek.”
“Heshouldn’thavebeenpeekinginthewindows.”
“Andthemaillady?”
“ItwasJuly,andIwashot.”
“Youweretakingoutthegarbage.”
“Yeah,andthatonlytakestwominutes.Iwasn’tgoingtogetdressedfortwo
minutesinandout.Wedon’thaveneighborsfortenmiles.”
AuguststeppedinfrontofKeegan.“Ithinkyou’rejustanexhibitionist.”
Perhaps.BecausetheonethingKeeganlovedaboutthisclimatewasthewarmth.
Eveninwinter,thankstomodernamenities,hecouldgowithoutwearinganythingand
nevergetchilled.
“Speakingofyourmangywolf,whereisshe?Herusuallayerofhairwasn’tspread
alloveryourpillowthismorning.”NormallywhenAugustgotup,Daisyclaimedhisspot.
AslongasAugustwasn’ttheretowatch,Keeganwouldscratchherbehindtheears.He
owedDaisyeverything.She’dsavedmorethanjustKeegan’slife,shesavedhisheart.
“Probablyoutsidechasingsquirrels.”Augustheadedintothelivingroom.
“Ithoughtweagreedtokeepthedogdoorlockedatnight.”Keeganhadnot
enjoyedwakinguptothefamilyofskunksinthekitchenortryingtogetthemtovacate
withoutgettingsprayed.
“Sorry.IthoughtIdid.Butthankstoyou,Iwasalittledistractedlastnight.”
Keeganwalkedintothelivingroom.Whitelightstwinkledbetweenthebranches
oftheChristmastree.Thedogdoorleadingouttothebackdeckwaslatched.“Yousure
youdidn’tletherout?”
“Positive.”AuguststoppedbesideKeegan.“Youdidn’tforgettoletherindid
you?”
“Ofcoursenot.”IfKeeganhadDaisywouldhaveadamantlyremindedhimwitha
seriesofbalefulhowls.
“Daisy?”Augustwalkedthroughthekitchen.
Keeganmadealaparoundthelivingroom.Hecheckedbehindthewoodstove,the
othersideofthebookcase,betweenthelargepottedplantsinthecorner.
Nothing.
Itwasn’tlikethecabinwasallthatbig.
Hemadeanothercircle,doublecheckingeventhoughtherewasnowayhecould
havemissedher.
Wherethehellcouldanalmosthundred-poundwolfhide?
AsoftsqueakcamefromthedirectionoftheChristmastree.ThepresentsKeegan
hadstackedwerepushedover.
“Icheckedthelaundryroomandtheguestbedroom.”PanictingedAugust’svoice.
“Wherecouldshehavegone?Andhowcouldshehavegottenout?”
“Idon’tthinkshegotout.”Keegankneltbythetree.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
Greenblotchesstainedtheskirtwrappedaroundthestand.
“Keegan?”
“Shh—”Keeganmovedafewoftheboxes.Redstainsfollowedthegreen.Keegan
loweredhimselftothefloor.Daisylaycurledinaballatthefarsideofthetree,against
thewall,wherethebrancheshunglowcreatingamakeshiftden.
Augustgotonhiskneesandpeekedunderthetree.“Daisy,whatthehell?”He
widenedhiseyes.“Isthatblood?”
“Andmeconium.”
“What?”
“Afterbirth.”
August’sconfusedexpressionfell.“What?”
KeegantuggedatthetreeskirtsmoothingoutthematerialwhereDaisyhad
buncheditaroundherself.Tuckedagainsthersidethreetinybodieswithtawny-colored
hair.“Takealook.”
AugustcrawledupbesideKeegan.
“Arethose—”
“Puppies.”
“Daisyhadpuppies.”Augustcrawledfartherunderthetree.
“Thatmightnotbesuchagoodidea—”Itwasagoodwaytoloseanose.Butof
course,Daisydidn’tevengrowl.AsifshewouldevergrowlatAugustforanything.
Hebackedoutwithapuppyinhishands.Theumbilicalcordglistened.“Ohmy
god,shehadbabies.”AndthetoneofAugust’svoicesaideverythingKeeganfeared.“I
didn’tevenknowshewaspregnant.”AugustlookedatKeegan.“Didyou?”
“No.”Ifhe’dknownshewasinheat,hewouldhaveputherunderlockandkey
andstoodguardwitharifletoshootanywould-besuitors.
“Wow,yousoundabsolutelythrilled.”Augustduckedbackunderthetree.
“There’sthreeofthem.Doyouthinkshe’llhavemore?”
“Notifwe’relucky.”
Augustsatupagain,thistimewithoneineachhand.Hecradledthemagainsthis
chest.“What’swrongwithyou?”
Keeganstood.Daisyhadscootedclosertotheedgeofthetree.Herbaleful
expressionpeeredathimbetweenthebranches.“Shehadpuppies.”
“Yeah,puppies.Yousoundlikeshe’ddugupabodyorsomething.”
“Iwishshehaddugupabody.ThatIcouldcleanup.This…”Keeganshookhis
head.“Puppies.”
Justwhattheydidn’tneed.MoreDaisiestochewupunderwear,cartindead
squirrels,andjumponthebedjustwhenKeeganhadfallenasleep.
“Maybeweshouldcallavet?”AugustreturnedthetwopuppiestoDaisy.She
scootedarounduntiltheywereburiedinthecurlofherbody.
“Why?”
“Shemightneedhelp.”
“She’sawolf.”
“So.Whatifonegetsstuck?”
“Wolveshavebeenhavingpuppiesontheirownforthousandsofyears.”
“Whatifshe’sinpain?Dotheyhaveshotsforthat?”
“August.”
Hehadhischeekagainstthefloor.“Ihopethere’smore.”
Fuck.Keegandraggedhimselfoffthefloorandwentintothekitchen.
“Whereareyougoing?”
“Togetadrink.”
“It’seightinthemorning?”
Keeganfoundthedecanterofscotch.Hesnaggedatumblerofftheshelfandfilled
it.
Augustappearedinthekitchenandsnatchedtheglassaway.“Whyareyou
drinking?”
“’CauseifshehasmorepuppiesI’mgoingtoneedit.”Hetooktheglassback.
Auguststoleitagain.“Ineedyousober,justincase.”
“Incasewhat?”
“Sheneedshelporsomething.”
Keeganreclaimedthetumbler,andbeforeAugusttookitawayagain,hethrew
backtheshot.Histhroatignitedandhiseyesburned.
Puppies.
Goddamnpuppies.
Keeganpouredhimselfanotherdrink.
*****
AugustlayonhissidebetweenthevalleywallsmadefromChristmaspresents.
Pineneedlestickledthebackofhisneck,buthecouldn’tbringhimselftocare.
NotwhenlookingatthepileofperfectwigglingbabiesDaisyhadgivenhim.
Puppies.Eightpuppies.
Holycrap.
Puppies.
Hestrokedhisfingeralongthebackoftheoneclosesttohim.Darkhairsmadea
stripedownitsback,andtheedgesfadedintothechestnutbrowncoat.Themuzzle,ears,
andtopoftheheadwerealsoblack.Overtheeyes,thereweretwodotsofgold.
“Whatcolordoyouthinkthey’llbe?”
KeegansatintheLa-Z-Boywithhiseyesclosed.“Wolfcolor.”
“Gray?Brown?Black?”
Evenbrokenupbythelayersoftreebranches,Keegan’sglarewashot.
Hehadtobetheonlypersononearthwhodidn’tsmileatthesightofpuppies.
AugustreturnedhisattentiontoDaisy.“I’msoproudofyou.”Hescratchedher
behindtheears.“Andnomatterwhatthegrumpyoldmansays,he’sproudofyoutoo.”
“No,I’mnot.”
AugustgrinnedatDaisy,andshepanted.
“Ithinkshe’shot.Maybeweshouldturnontheairconditioner.”
“She’skeepingthepuppieswarm.”
“Oh.”Augustcountedthetoesonthemiddlepup.Ittuggedatthenippleitwas
attachedto.“Howdoyouthinkshegotpregnant?”
“ThatshouldbeobviousAugust.”
Herolledhiseyes.“Yeah,Iknowhowbabiesaremade.Butwhen?”
“Gestationisroughlysixtythreedaysgiveortake.”
“Andhowdidshefindanotherwolf?”
“Shedidn’t.”
Augustpusheduponanelbow.Awaywardbranchtriedtopokehimintheeye.He
pusheditoutoftheway.“Thenwho’sthefather?”
“Probablyastraydog.Oracoyote.”
“Butitcouldbeawolf.”
“They’renotverycommonaroundhere,mostaremixeswithcoyotes,butyeahit
couldbeawolf,oritcouldbealltheabove.”
“Youmeanamix?”
“No,Imeaneachpuppycanhaveadifferentfather.”
DaisybattedhereyesatAugust.“Youhussy.”
Keegancontinuedtoglare.Fine,lethimbebentoutofshape.Hewasn’tgoingto
ruinAugust’smood.Hewiggledoutfromunderthetree.“I’mgoingtogogetdressed.”
“Ithoughtwewerestayinghometoday?”Keeganstood.
“Thatwasbeforewebecameparents.”Wouldthepetstorehaveallthethings
Daisywouldneed?Whateverthosethingswere.
Keeganwasastonemonolithinthemiddleofthelivingroom.Hisbrowswere
down,andhismouthmadeathinline.“Wearenotparents.”
“Ofcourseweare.”
“Youdidnotgivebirthtothose…”Keeganscreweduphisface.“AndIsureas
helldidn’tgivebirthtothem.”
“Parentsbyproxy,Keegan.Comeon,weneedtogopickupsomesupplies.”
“We’vegotawholefreezerfulloffreshmeatforher.”
“NotDaisy.Thebabies.They’llneedstuff.”
AflushcrawledupKeegan’sneck.
“Gogetdressed,soyouwon’tgetarrestedforshoplifting.”Augusthadtobitethe
insideofhischeektokeepfromlaughingasKeegan’sangryexpressionturnedto
confusion.
“WhythehellwouldIgetarrestedforshoplifting?”
AugustpointedtoKeegan’scockpokingoutoftheslitofhisboxers.“Because
they’llthinkyoustolethatpythonfromthereptiledepartment.”
KeeganadjustedhisboxersandstormedpastAugustandintothebedroom.He
followed.Keeganyankedonhispants.Jerkedonashirt.
Augustrolledhiseyes.“Doyouthinktheyhavebabybooks?”
Keegannarrowedhisglare.
“What?”Augustshrugged.“Therehastobeabookonpuppies,right?Howelse
arepeoplegoingtoknowwhattheyneed?”
“TheyhaveeverythingtheyneedfromDaisy.”
“There’seightofthem.”
Keeganwidenedhiseyes.
“Oops,sorry,IforgottotellyoushehadacouplemoresincethelastheadcountI
didbeforedinner.”
KeeganfreighttrainedpastAugust,grabbinghiswalletandkeysonthewayout
thefrontdoor.
“Hey,whereareyougoing?”Augustgrabbedhisshoesandwalletthenchased
Keegandownthewalkway.“Waitup.”Augustlimpedupthepathtothecar.
Keegangloweredbythedriver’ssidedoor.
“C’mon,youhavetobeatleastalittlebithappy.”Augustgotinthecar.
SodidKeegan.Hecontinuedtoglareoutthewindshieldashestartedtheengine.
“Ornot.”
Keegangrowled.
“Youknowyousoundjustlikeawolfwhenyoudothat.Yousureyouhaven’t
beensneakingaroundbehindmyback.”
“Notfunny.”
“Idon’tknow,therewereacoupleintherewithyoureyes.”
“Theireyesareclosedandwillbefortwoweeks.”
“Yournosethen.”
KeegancutasidewayslookatAugustashedroveupthedriveway.Greenconifers
punctuatedskeletaltreelimbs.Starsscatteredacrossthedarkeningskyfadingawayatthe
lastremnantsofthesunset.
TherewasonethingAugustdidmissaboutAlaska,theAuroraBorealis.Noteven
thestarscouldcompetewiththedanceoflightsacrossthenightsky.
Therewerefewthingsthatmagical.
AtthetopofAugust’slist?
Puppies.
*****
CarspackedtheparkinglotoutsidethePetSuperstore,andpeoplefilledtheaisles
betweenthevehicles,theirarmsloadedwithbags,pushingbuggiesoverflowingwitha
varietyofbeds,food,andtoys.Apoorstoreemployeewrestledathree-storyscratching
postintothebackofahatchback.
Keeganmadeanotherlaparoundtheparkinglotcreepingatasnail’spacebecause
noonewatchedwheretheywalked.Nottheparentsletalonetheirchildren.Twolittlekids
wearingSantasuitsshotinfrontofthecarwithagoldenretrieverintow.
“They’rebusy.”Augustwavedatanelderlyladywithacockatooonhershoulder.
“It’salmostChristmas,ofcourse,they’rebusy.”
“Ifiguredeveryonewouldbeathomethistimeofdayeatingdinneranddoing
familystuff.Packingtogotothegrandparents.”
Apromisinggapappearedbetweentwotrucks.“Whywouldtheystayhomewhen
theycouldbesittingintrafficjamsandfightingforuselesscrapontheclearanceshelf?”
AugusttossedKeeganalook.“Okay,Scrooge,youneedtounclenchyourass
cheeksbeforeyouhurtyourself.”
Acrowdofpedestrianssurgedaroundthecar.Keegantightenedhishandsonthe
steeringwheel.Sweatbeadedonhisforehead.Atremordanceddownhisspine.
“Keegan.”
Highpitchedlaughter,happyvoices,thegrindofbuggywheelsagainstasphalt,
rakedoverKeegan’snerves.Nauseacoiledinhisgut.Keegantookadeepbreatheasedit
out.
“Fuck,Keegan,I’msorry.”AugustputahandoveroneofKeegan’s.“Ididn’teven
thinkaboutthecrowds.”
Afterlivinginabsolutesolitudefortenyears,itwouldseemthecompanyof
peoplewouldbeawelcomingchange.Keeganhadthoughtsountilthefirsttimehehad
triedtogogroceryshoppingandwoundupfrozenintheproducesectionunabletomove
becausehewassurroundedbymothersandtheirscreamingtoddlers.
“We’llgohome.I’llcomebacktomorrow.”
“Tomorrow’sSunday,they’llbeclosed.”
“Thenthedayafter.”
“TheclosertoChristmastheworsethecrowdswillbe.”
Augusttightenedhisgrip.“ThenI’llcomealone.”
AndleaveKeeganathomebecausehecouldn’tdosomethingassimpleasshop.
Consideringwhathe’dsurvivedinAlaska,afewoverstressedsuburbanfamiliesshould
havebeenasnap.“I’mokay.”
“You’repale.”
“I’llbeokay.”Thecrowdbroke,andKeeganwasabletoclaimtheparkingspot
beforeanyoneelse.Augustworeabrokenexpression.Keeganshookfreeofhishold.“I’ll
befine.Ipromise.”
Augustclenchedhisjaw.IfhearguedKeeganwouldgiveinandhedidn’twantto
givein.Hefelthandicappedenoughwhenitcametousingacomputer,programminga
TV,ortheDVDplayer.Nowallthedevicestalkedtoeachotherwhichmadeeverything
tentimesascomplex.
Keeganwasn’tevengoingtothinkaboutthesmartphoneAugustinsistedhecarry.
Aguyinafootballjerseywalkedasmallballofwhitefluffontheislandofwood
chipsseparatingasectionoftheparkinglot.Awomanaboutthesameagewearinga
sweatercoveredinareindeermotifloadedthebackoftheirSUVwithvariousdogbeds,
pinksweaters,toys,food.Theman’sunhappygazewentfromhertothelittledog.
Keegangotoutandgavetheguyasympatheticglance.
“Ihopetheyhavewhatwe’llneed.”AugustfellinstepbesideKeeganasthey
walkedtowardsthestore.
“Doyouevenknowwhatyouneed?”
Augusttookouthisphone.“Googleknowseverything.”
Keegansnorted.“MaybeIshouldlookuphowtomakeeightpuppiesdisappear.”
Augustpunchedhimintheshoulder.
“Owe.”Keeganmadeashowofrubbinghisarm.
“Youbetternotsaystufflikethatwherethebabiescanhearyou.”Laughterdanced
inAugust’seyes.
Ignoreit.He’sbaitingyou.
“Haveyouthoughtofanynamesyet?Ifnot,weshould.”Augustslippedhisarmin
Keegan’s.“Ithoughthalfcouldhaveyourlastname,halfmine.Ordoyouthinkthat
wouldconfusethemwhentheystartpuppykindergarten.”
Keeganskiddedtoahalt.
Augusttuggedonhisarm.“C’mon,thesoonerwegetthisdone,thesoonerwecan
gohomeandadmireourbroodoffuzzyjellybeans.”
Keeganwalked.“Icanthinkofmuchbetterthingstospendmytimestaringat.”
LikeAugust.Keegancouldstareathimforhours.
AugustputhislipsclosetoKeegan’sear,ticklingtheshellwithanexhale.“Be
goodtherearekidswatching.”
Sureenough,agroupoflittlegirlsinredvelvetdressesheldhandswhilethey
waitedfortheirparentstoguidethemacrossthecrosswalk.
AugustledKeeganintothestore.ThehardwhiteoffluorescentssmackedKeegan
intheface.Peoplejostledpasthim,aroundhim,cuttinghimoff.Theirtiredvoices
butcheredtheholidaymusicplummetingfromtheoverheadspeakersinscratchybursts.
“Bottlesandmilk.”Augustscannedthesignshangingfromtheceiling.
Keegansidesteppedanoldmanpushingabuggy.“Wait,what?”
Augusthelduphisphone.“Bottlesandmilk.”
“Daisywillprovidethemilk.”
“Butthere’seightofthem.”
“Andshe’llmakeenoughmilktofeedthem.”
Augusttappedthescreenofhisphone.“Butitsaysherewhenadoghasabiglitter
themothercanhaveproblemsfeedingthem,andtheycouldstarve.”
“She’sawolf,notadog.”
“Yeah,butthepuppiescouldstilldie.”
“Onlyoneortwo.”
August’smouthfellopen.
“It’snormal.”Keeganshrugged.“Onlythefittestsurvive.”
Augustsnappedhismouthshutwalkedaway.
“What?”Hell,whathadhesaid?
AugustdisappeareddownanaisleleavingKeegankneedeepinapackofmuttsall
tetheredtothesameleash.
“Oh,sorry.”Theyoungwomanholdingtheleashtriedtountanglethemfrom
wherethey’dwrappedKeegan’sleg.Theypressedtheircoldnosesagainsthisankles.
Thewomancranedherneckupathimandsmiled.“Youmusthaveadogat
home.”
Keegandroppedhisshoulders.“Unfortunately.”
Thewoman’shappyexpressionfell.Keeganwasabletountanglehislegswithout
fallingandsteppedoverthepackofwaggingtails.
HefoundAugustbrowsingashelfpackedwithcans,cartons,andpowdered
versionsofcaninereplacementformula.Hehadabottleinbothhandscomparingthem.
KeeganstartedinAugust’sdirection.Thebottomhalfofasignhangingfromthe
ceilingcaughtKeeganacrosstheforehead.Hestumbledback.“Damnit.”
“Youmightwanttowatchoutforthatsign.”Augustdidn’tlookathim.
Keeganrubbedhisforehead.Thedentinhisskinmatchedtheweightsholding
downtheendofthebanner.Heduckedunderitandwalkedover.
“Youdeservedthat.”Augustpickedupanotherbottle.
“WhatdidIdo?”
“Doyoureallyhavetoask?”
ThethrobbingacheaboveKeegan’seyesmovedtohistemple.“Apparently.”
“Here,holdthis.”AugustputabottleinoneofKeegan’shandsandpickedup
another.
Awomanwithpinkhairandapoodledyedthesamecolorpassedbytheminthe
aisle,followedbytwoguysandanassortmentofsmallchildrenvaryinginage,thena
clusterofcollegestudentswearingvarsityjackets.Everyoneofthemlookedupat
Keegan.Theydisappearedaroundthecorner.OneofthemreappearedgivingKeegan
anotheronceover.Heglancedbackathisfriends.“Fuckdidyouseethatguy,he’slikethe
JollyGreenGiant.”Heleftagainandwhateverelsethekidsaidtohisfriendswaslost
underaxylophonerenditionof“RudolftheRedNoseReindeer.”
Augustsmiledalittle.“I’vealwaysseenyouasmoreofthePaulBunyantype
myself.”
“I’mnotthattall.”
Augustraisedaneyebrow.
“You’retall,andnoonestaresatyou.”
“There’stallthenthere’sKeegantall.”Augustgrinned.“Youactlikethisisnews.
Orhaveyoualreadyforgottenhowharditwastobuyabedyourfeetdidn’thangoffof?”
Ithadtakenacustomordermattressasexpensiveasagoodusedcar.Keegan
wouldhavegladlysleptonthefloor,butAugusthadinsisted.
Besides,itwasn’tasiftheywerehurtingformoney.Notafterthesettlementwith
thecharterjetcompanywhoseplanehadcrashedwithAugustonit.
Keeganputthebottlebackontheshelf.
“Hangontothatone.”Augusthandedhimanother.
“Whydoyouneedboth?”
“Thereareeightpuppies.”Hepickeduptwomore.
“Youcan’tfeedthemallatonce.”
“Ihavetwohandsandsodoyou.”
Augustcheckedhisphoneandpickedupasuper-sizedbagofpowderedmilkand
handedittoKeegan.Hetuckeditunderhisarm.
“August,youdon’tneedbottlesandmilk.”
“Imight.”Heheadedtotheendoftheaisle.“Here.”Hepickedupalargebale
of…
“No.”Keeganglared.“Youdonotneedpeepads.”
“Wherewilltheygoifwedon’thavepeepads?”Augustshovedthepackageinto
Keegan’sarms.Healmostlosthisholdonthemilk,andoneofthebottlesdidaflipinhis
handbeforehecaughtit.
“Howabouttheyard.”
“They’retoolittlefortheyard.”
“They’llgrow,trustme.They’llgrowreallyfast.”
“Anduntilthentheycan’tgooutside,somethingmightcarrythemoff.”August
tookarightattheendoftheaisle.
Keeganfollowed.
Augustscrolledthroughthelistonhiscellphone.Whatkindofinsanearticletells
peopletobuypeepadsforalitterofpuppies?KeeganpeeredoverAugust’sshoulder.
Thetitleread:TheTopFiftyItemsEveryNewPetParentMustHave.
“Petparent?”Thewordspracticallytastedlikedogshit.
“Whatelsedoyouexpecttobecalled?”Augustchoseastackoftinydishes.Heset
themonKeegan’sforearmandleaningagainstKeegan’sshoulder.Thebottomdish
balancedonthebabybottle,hecurrentlyhadadeathgripon.“Andbeforeyoucomplain,
theyneedbowlstoeatoutof.”
“Inacoupleofmonths,they’llbewearingthesebowlsontheirgiantpuppyfeet.”
“Soweneedbiggerbowls.”
“No,wedon’tneed—”Augustproppedanotherstack,wedgingitbetween
Keegan’shandandshoulder.Themiddleofthepillarboweddangerouslyoverthebagof
milk.Christ,howmuchmoreshitcouldAugustthinkthosepuppiesneeded?
Hepickeduptwokittylitterboxes.
“We’renotgettingacat,Daisywilleatit.”
“No,shewon’t.Andthesearen’tforacat.”
Keeganraisedaneyebrow.
Augustshowedhimthenewarticleonhisphone:LitterBoxTrainingforPuppies
101.“Youknow,incaseit’srainingorsomething,sotheywon’tcatchacold.”Heturned.
“August.”
HelookedatKeegan.
Agroupofteenagersdressedaselves,twowomenwithstrollers,andwhatlooked
likeanentirefamilyreunionofredheads,squeezedpastKeeganandAugust.
TheoldmaninoverallsbumpedintoKeegan,andheteeteredtotherightalmost
losinghisgriponthebottomofthebowls.
Keeganeasedoutasigh.“August,Iloveyou.YouknowIloveyou.”
Augustcontinuedtostare.Thosedarkeyes.Fierceeyes.Windowsrightintothe
man’ssoulwherehisstrengthwasaspowerfulasthesun,andhisloveburnedtentimes
hotter.
Andatleasthalfofthatlovebelongedtoonemangywolf.
Keeganslumped.“I’mgoingtogogetabuggy.”
Anddamnit,Augusthadtogoandsmile.“I’llbeinthetoysection.”Hewound
hiswaythroughthedelugeofpeopleandacrossthestore.
*****
Augustputanothercoupleofbagsofchewtreatsinthebuggy.
Keeganwatchedthecrowd.Adogbarked,akidsquealed.Hetightenedhisgripon
thebuggy.Thewhitesofhisknucklesshowedthroughhistanskin.
Auguststillhadatleasttwo-dozenitemsonthelist.
AballoonpoppedandKeeganstartled.
“Thatshoulddoit.Areyoureadytogo?”
Keeganstillhadhiseyesshut.Augustleanedintohim.“Hey?Youfallasleepon
me?”HeknewKeeganhadn’t,buthewantedtokeepfrombruisingtheman’sprideas
muchaspossible.
WhileAugusthadgonethroughanadjustmentperiodafterreturningtothelower
states,he’dacclimatedinmonths.Keeganhowever,hadyettorelaxwhentheywere
outsidethehouse.
“Hey.”AugustputhishandoverKeegan’s.
Heblinkedlikehe’djustnoticedAugustwasthere.“Didyouneedsomethingoff
thetopshelf?”
“Nope.We’redone.”
SomeofthetensioninKeegan’sexpressionsmoothedout.
“Unlessofcourse,youseesomethingweneed.”
“No.”
“Didn’tthinkso.”
Thelinesranfromthefrontofthestoreallthewaytothecartofgourmetdog
biscuitsclosetothemiddle.
Keegantookonelookatthetrafficjamofhumanbodiesandpaled.
“Hey,whydon’tyougoaheadandgowarmupthecarandI’llcallyouwhenI’m
aboutdone,andyoucanbemyvalet.”
“I’mfine.”
“Keegan.”
“IneedtodothisAugust.”Hedroppedhischin.“Ihavetodothis.”
“Butyoudon’thavetodoitrightnow.”
“Thenwhen?”
Itwasaperfectlylogicalquestion.Augustjustdidn’thaveananswer.Keegan
noddedasifhe’dheardthethought.
HeputanarmaroundAugust’sshouldersandkissedhistemple.“Thanks.”
Aguyinoverallswithacoonhoundonachaingavethembothaonceover.He
seemedtodecidepickingthefleasoffhisdog’sheadwasafarsaferpastime.
Thelineshuffledforwardataholidaypace.WhenAugustreachedthecashier,
Keeganhelpedhimunloadthecart.
“Hi!Didyoufindeverythingyouneeded?”Thecashier’sblondepigtailsbobbed
witheveryword.
“Prettymuch.”Augustlinedupthebabybottles.
Theconveyorbeltshuffledthemoundofsuppliesclosertothescanner.“Oh,wow.
Youmusthavealotofdogs.”
“Eightnewpuppies.”
“Eight!”Herhappysmileflashedneonpinkbraces.“Oh,Ilovepuppies.IwishI
couldhaveeightpuppies.Wow.Eight.”Shewavedatanotheremployeecarryingaboxof
squeakytoyspasttheregister.“HeyCarol,thesetwopetparentshaveeightnewpuppies!”
“Congratulations!”Carolsettheboxontopofastackofsimilarboxes.“Doyou
needtoscheduleavetappointment?Getthemgroomed.Wehaveagreatgroomer.”
Keegangrowled.
Augustgrinnedathim.
Keegannarrowedhiseyes.
Theblondemovedoneitemaftertheothereachonetriggeringanelectronicbeep
whenthepricewouldflashuponthescreen.Shepackedeachitemintoaplasticbag.
“Maybelater.”Augustputthefullbagsbackintothecart.
“Okay,justcall,we’reopenextralateallthroughJanuary.”Carolhurriedoff.
Thecashiersearchedforthebar-codeonthebagofpeepads.“Haveyoupicked
outnamesyet?”
“Nope,notyet.”Augusttookouthiswallet.
“Wehaveagreatpuppynamebookrightthere.”Shepointedtotherackofbreed
specificmagazinesandbooks.AshelfunderneathhadamodestselectionofPet
Superstorepicks.AugustsnaggedtheNameYourNewPuppybook.“Nowwe’llhave
somethingtoreadtonight.”HeshowedKeegan.
IflookscouldkillAugustwouldhavebeenskinned.Helaidthebookonthe
conveyerbelt.KeeganputthelastofthebagsinthecartwhileAugustpaid.Keegan
followedAugustasheclearedapathwiththebuggy.Theoceanofhappyshoppersspilled
outintotheparkinglot.
“Ithinkthere’remoreshoppersinherenowthantherewasearlier.”August
glancedbackatKeegan.
Hehadhishandsinhiscoatpocket.“Everyonehaseatendinner.Kidsarebored.
Parentsarebored.”
Cloudsmovedinconcealingmostofthesky.ThewindtossedAugust’sbangs.He
huddledinhiscoat,buttherewasnostoppingthechillfrombitingintohisleg.Thedull
acherodefromhisruinedshinallthewayuptohiship.
“Youshouldhaveusedthecane.”Keeganofferedhisarm.
AugustslippedhisarmaroundKeegan’s,leaningintohimtotaketheweightoff
hisleg.Keeganheldtheothersideofthebuggyhandle.Thecartrattledandpoppedover
thebumpyparkinglot.
“Howfarawaydidyoupark?Canada?”
“Ithinkit’safewmorerowsup.”
“Youdon’tremember?”
“It’shardtotell,allthesecarslookalikeafterawhile.”Keeganscannedthe
parkinglot.
“Youcantellthedifferencebetweentwoidenticaltrees,andyoucan’ttellcars
apart?”
“Apparentlynot.”ItwasthetoneofKeegan’svoicethatmadeAuguststop.
“Lookatme.”
Keegandid.
“Youcan’texpecteverythingtojustsnapbackinplaceovernight.”
“It’sbeeneighteenmonths.”
“Yeah,andyouwereouttherefortenyears,overtenyearsifyoucountthemonths
Iwaswithyou.Andifyoucountedalltheyearsbefore,mostofyourlife.”Nottomention
theyearsKeeganhadspentwithSalvatore,forcedtodothejobhisfatherhaddoneorbe
killed.“Haveyouconsideredgoingbackonmedication?”
Keeganpushedthebuggyagain.Augustwalkedbesidehim.AladywithaGreat
Danestrolledpast,thedogstuckhisnoseinthebuggy.Shepulledhimawaywithan
apology.
“Idon’tlikethewaythemedicationmakesmefeel.”
“Isitanyworsethanhowyoufeelwhenyou’reanxious?”
“No,butitdullsmyreflexes,slowsdownmythinking.”
“You’renotinAlaskaanymore,Keegan.There’snoreasonforyoutobeonahair
triggerallthetime.”Thedangerofbeingtrackeddownandkilledbybearswasveryslim
evenwheretheylived.Augustwaswillingtobetfallingdownintheshowerandcracking
hisheadwasmorelikely.
Theyreachedthecar.KeegantookoutthekeysandhittheFOB.Thetrunkpopped
open,andAugustputbagsinside.
Keeganstaredintotheoneheheld.
“What?”Augustliftedthesuper-sizedbagofdriedmilk.
Keegantuggedoneoftheitemsoutofthebag.Apinkknittedsweater.
“Incasetheygetcold.”
Keeganexhaledafrustratedbreathandaddedthebagtotheothersinthetrunk.
WhenthebuggywasemptyAugustpushedittothenearestreturnstall.Thetrainofcarts
reachedtothemiddleoftheaislebetweenthecars.Hefoundaspotascloseashecould
andparkedit.
KeeganwasalreadybehindthewheelwiththeenginerunningwhenAugustgot
intothecar.
“Thanks.”AugustsqueezedKeegan’sthigh.
Hefurrowedhisbrow.“Forwhat?”
“Doingthiswithme.”
KeeganliftedAugust’shand.HeranathickfingerovertheringAugustworethen
kissedit,lettinghislipslingeruntilthetouchpracticallyburned.“I’ddoanythingforyou
August,youknowthat.”
Augustdid,buthisheartstillached.
*****
Keeganopenedhiseyestothemostbeautifulsightintheworld.Onehewokeup
tomostmornings.August,withhischin,proppedonhisarm,watchinghim.
“MerryChristmas.”AugustbrushedhislipsagainstKeegan’s.
“Whattimedidyoucometobed?”
“Two,maybethreeo’clock.”Assoonasthey’dgottenhome,Augusthadspentthe
eveninginventoryingallthecraphe’dboughtatthepetstoreandmakingalisttotake
backwhentheworstofthecrowdsdieddown.OnceKeeganhadgottenawayfromthe
store,exhaustionhadsuckedthelifefromhissoul.He’dbarelymadeitinsideandgotten
hisclothesoffbeforecollapsingonthebed.
Hardtoimaginehecouldrunmilesinthewoodswithoutbreakingasweatbuta
couplehoursinpublicandhewasbeatenintosubmission.“Sorry,Icrashedonyou.”
Augustsmiled.“It’sokay.”HetrailedafingerthroughthehairsonKeegan’schest
stirringathrillunderhisskin.Augustleanedcloser.“Youcanmakeituptome.”
“Icould,huh?”
“Yep.”
“AndhowdoyouproposeIdothat?”HepulledAugustoverhim.Withnothing
betweenthem,therewasonlythesmoothwarmthofhisskin,thecurveofmuscle,the
uninhibitedlengthofhiscockrubbingagainstKeegan’s.
HesatupandcuppedthebackofAugust’shead.Keeganpressedhismouthover
August’s,andheopened.Keegangrowledandplungedhistongueintothewetwarmth.
AugustwrappedhisarmsaroundKeegan’sneck.HedraggedhisteethoverAugust’schin.
Hemoaned,andKeegansuckedupabruiseonAugust’sthroat.
“Mmm—”AugustrockedagainstKeegansmearingprecumbetweentheirbodies.
“Youaresobeautiful.”Keeganknewhesaiditallthetime,buthemeantit.The
fireinAugust’sgazetoldhimAugustknewjusthowmuch.
AugustexhaledagainstKeegan’sear.“Iwantyoutofuckme.”Hepinched
Keegan’searlobebetweenhisteeth.“Iwantyoutofuckmehard.”
KeeganturnedputtinghislegsovertheedgeofthebedandkeepingAugustinhis
lap.
“Whatareyoudoing?”AugustlaughedagainstKeegan’scheek.
Keeganopenedthebedsidedrawerandtookoutthebottleoflubricant.August
tookitfromhimandopenedthecap.KeeganhelduphishandandAugustfilledhispalm.
AugustputthebottleonthenightstandandKeegantracedthelineofAugust’s
cracktohisopening.LubricantdribbleddownKeegan’sfingers.Hepushedtwointo
August’sass.Hearchedhisbackandclosedhiseyesforamoment.
“Oh,god,that’s…”AugustrodeKeegan’sfingers.“More.”Aflushbloomedin
August’scheeks.
Keeganremovedhisfingers.
“Don’tstop.”AugustattackedKeegan’smouth.“Don’t…stop…”
“Hangontome.”
Augustdid.
KeegansupportedAugust’sassandstood,takingAugustwithhim.“Legsaround
mywaist.”
Again,Augustobeyed.
KeegancarriedAugustacrosstheroomandpinnedhimtothewall.
Augustwidenedhiseyes.WashethinkingaboutthefirsttimeKeeganhaddone
this?ThedayAugustproposedtohimandKeeganhadfuckedthemantillneitheroneof
themcouldwalk.
KeeganeasedAugustdownuntilhiscockpressedagainsthisopening.Onestep
backletAugustpresshisshouldersagainstthewallcreatingtheleverageKeeganneeded
tokeephiminplacewhileheguidedhiscockintohisass.Witheveryinch,August
gasped.
“AllofyouKeegan,Iwantallofyou.”
Keeganshovedhimselfdeep,andAugustwailed.Keeganwastednotimethrusting
andwitheveryplungeAugustrippledinhishold.Hislongtorsoliquid,themuscleofhis
body,tensingandrelaxing.Keeganpumpedhiships,theheatofAugust’sbodyflowingup
hiscock,coilinginhisstomach.Staticcrackleddownhisspine.
“More,baby,please,more.”Augustputahandbackagainstthewall.
KeeganadjustedhisstanceanglingAugust’shipsdown,hisownup.Augustjerked
whenKeegansankhimselfagain.
“Yesss—”
KeegankissedAugust’schestandpinchedanipplebetweenhisteeth.August
tightenedhislegsaroundKeegan’swaist.
“Almost,almost.”August’sbeautifulgazemetKeegan’s,andforamomenthewas
backinAlaskainthetinycabinhe’dtakenAugusttowhenKeeganfoundhimaliveinthe
planewreck.TheplaceKeeganfellinlovewithAugust.Theplacewherethey’dmade
lovesomanytimes.Theplacethey’dsurvivedtheimpossible.
WhereKeeganlosthisheart.
Wherehe’dfoundareasontolive.
Notjustsurvive,buttakeholdoflifeandneverletgo.
AugustclenchedaroundKeegan’scock,andwithalowgroan,Augustshothis
loadalloverhisstomach.Witheverypulse,hisgreedyasspulledonKeegan’scock.
PleasurerolledthroughKeegan,lightinguphisnerves,releasingastorm.Histhrusts
stutteredthenhismusclestightened.KeeganrockedintoAugust,ridingthewavesof
ecstasy.AugustpushedhimselfupandlockedhisarmsaroundKeegan’shead.Their
mouthsmet,theirtonguesclashed.August’srichflavorthreatenedtodrownKeegan.
WhenAugustpulledaway,theywerebothpanting,andKeegan’scockwasalready
tryingtoharden.
“HaveItoldyouIloveyoutoday?”AugustsighedagainstKeegan’scheek.
HeheldAugusttighter.“Everytimeyoulookatme.”
*****
Augustlayonhisstomach,hisfaceinchesawayfromDaisy’swetnose.The
puppieswiggledandsquirmed,pushingeachotheraside,smalllegschurningasthey
foughttokeepholdofanipple.
Gruntsmixedwithsmackingmouthsaccentuatingtheroughcoosthatwereneither
agrowlorbarkbutsomeraremagicalsoundonlyveryyoungpuppiescouldsing.
Afterafewdays,thepuppieshadgonefromthinanddulltoplumpandshiny.A
testamenttoDaisy’scare.
Aroly-polypuppylostitsholdonateatandsliddownthebackofitssiblings.
Augusthelpeditrightitselfandwaspromptlyrewardedwithastreamofurineoverhis
fingers.
Hegrimaced.“Thatwasrude.”
Thepuppyraiseditsheadandbarked.Daisycockedherheadatthepup.
“Keegan!Thepuppiesarebarking.”EverythingtheydidwasafirstandAugust
madesureKeegandidn’tmissanyofitevenifhehadnointerestinlayingunderthetree.
ThepuppyturnedandmadeaclumsycrawlacrosstheChristmastreeskirtallthe
wayuptoAugust.Heloweredhisfaceandthepuppymouthedhischinuntilitfoundhis
lipthentriedtosuckit.
“Hey,nokissingonthefirstdate.”HeputthepuppybackwithDaisy.Shenosed
itsrearandlickedawaythewasteasitrelieveditself.
Augustgaggedandbackedoutfromunderthetree.“Thanks,Daisy.Ruin
breakfast,lunch,anddinnerformeforthenexttenyears.”
Keeganwalkedthroughthelivingroomfromthegaragewithatapemeasureinhis
hand.“Shecleaningpuppybuttsagain?”
“Yes.”August’sthroatthreatenedtocloseup.“That’sgottobethemostdisgusting
thingI’veeverseen.”
“Waittillshestartspukingupfoodtofeedthem.”
Augustalmostcoveredhismouthwithhishandbutcaughthimself.Hewentinto
thekitchenandturnedonthetap.KeegancameinwhileAugustscrubbedhisarmsupto
hiselbows.
“Peedonyouagaintoo,huh?”Keeganopenedthefridgeandtookoutabottled
water.Heopeneditanddrank.
“Ithinktheydoitonpurpose.EspeciallyTulip.”
Keegansputtered,andwaterdribbleddownhisbottomlip.Hewipedhismouth
withthecuffofhisflannelshirt.
“What?”Augustrinsedhishands.
“Tulip?”
“Yeah.”
“Younamedapuppy.”
Augustturnedoffthewater.“Inamedallthepuppies.”
Keegansetthewaterbottledownonthecounterhardenoughtomakeitslosh.“Do
Ievenwanttoaskwhy?”
“HowelsearetheygoingtoknowwhenI’mcallingthem?Andsinceyouwere
beingslowaboutpickingnamesforyourhalf,Iwentaheadandpickedthemforyou.”
Augustgrinned.
Keeganwenttothecupboardandknelt.“Doyourememberwhatboxyouputthe
nailsin?”Hedugthroughtheboxesatthebottom.
“Thesameboxwiththescrews.”
“Andwhichboxisthat?”
“Farrightcorner.”Augustleanedagainstthecounter.
Keeganextractedaboxofnails.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Building.”HeleftthekitchenandouttheFrenchdoors.
“Whatareyoubuilding?”Augustfollowed.
Fatsnowflakesdriftedtothegroundcreatingafinesheenofwhiteoverthedark
stretchoftrees.
Atthecornerofthebackdeck,nearthestepsleadingdowntothewoods,lay
severalpiecesofplywood,twobyfours,andaplasticrollofinsulation.
“Whatisthat?”
Keegankepthisgazedownwhilehesortedthroughthewood.
“Keegan?”
Hestraightenedhisshouldersbutcouldn’tseemtolookAugustintheeye.
“Suppliesforahouse.”
“Ahouse?”
“Yeah.ForDaisyandthepuppies.”
Augusthadtoreplayhisreplyoverandoverinhishead.Nomatterhowheranit,
thewordsjustdidn’tprocess.“Saythatagain?”
Keegansettheboxofnailsontherailing.“I’mbuildingahouseforDaisyandthe
puppiessoshe’llhaveaplacetokeepthemwarm.”
“They’refineundertheChristmastree.”
“They’llbewalkingsoon.”
“Yourpoint?”
“They’llbewalkingandmakingamesseverywhere.”
“Idon’tcareiftheyeatthewallsinthehouse,Daisyisnot…”Auguststaredatthe
lumber.No.Absolutely,no.“Howcouldyoueventhinkofputtingheroutside,letalone
herbabies.Whatifsomethingeatsthem?”
“Nothingisgoingtoeatthem.”
“Becausetherearen’towlsandfoxes,andwhateverelsethatcouldbehungry.”
Keeganheavedasigh.“Daisywilltakecareofthem.”
“AndDaisyhasneverspentanightofherlifewithus,outside.NoKeegan.
Absolutely,never,notgoingtohappen.”
“August…”
“Isaid,no.”Augustwentbackinthehouse.BeforeKeegancouldfollowheshut
thedoorandlockedit.
Keeganjiggledthedoorknob.HefrownedatAugustthroughthewindow.“Open
thedoor.”
HeglaredatKeegan.
“IknowyouloveherAugustbutthosepuppiesaregoingtoneedroomtorun
around,andshe’snotgoingtocleanupafterthemforever.”
“ThenI’llcleanupafterthem.”
“Eightpuppies.Eightwolf-hybridpuppies.”
“Yourpoint?”Augustcrossedhisarms.
“That’salotofpuppypissandshit.Youneedtothinkthisthrough.”
“Ihave.Trustme.”Augustshuttheblinds.
“August?”Keeganknockedonthedoor.
HisDaisy.Inadoghouse.Fuckthat.
AugustwalkedintothekitchentomakeDaisysomethingtoeat.
*****
Theaxblademetthestumpofwood,anditpartedintotwopiecesbeforetumbling
totheground.Keeganpickeduponehalfandsetitbackonthecuttingblock.Heswung
theaxstrikingthehalfpieceinthecenter.Itsplitbecomingtwomoremanageablechunks
ofwood.Hepickedthemupandtossedthemonthegrowingstackbehindhimunderthe
overhang.
Theydidn’treallyneedthewood.ThecabinAugusthadboughthadallthe
amenitiesofthemodernworld,andthecentralheatdidafinejobofkeepingoutthe
wintercold.Butafterafewmonths,bothofthemhadrealizedtheymissedbeingableto
laybythefireliketheyhadinAlaska.Therethey’dsharedadinkymattressandthickfurs.
Whenthestormsragedtherehadbeenlittleelsetodobutholdeachother,sometimes
makinglove,sometimestalking,butitwasusuallysilent,everythingtheyfeared,wanted,
orhowtheyloved,exchangedinsmalltouches.
KeeganfoundaSoapStonewoodstoveatalocalstoreandinstalledit.Hewas
prettysureitwasn’tuntilthefirsttimetheylitthething,andthethunderofflamesrattled
upthepipe,thatthecabininVirginiatrulybecamehome.
Snowcrunched,andKeeganlookedup.
Auguststoppedattheedgeoftheshelter.He’dwrappedhimselfinathickfleece
coat.Goingbyhowwellhisjeansfithewasn’twearinglongunderwearlikeKeegan
wantedhimto.ButatleastAugusthadontheboots.
“Areyoustillmadatme?”AugusthadaskedKeeganthatsomanytimesinthelast
threedayshe’dlostcount.
Keeganshookhishead.“No.I’mnotmad.Iwasnevermad.”
“Ilockedyououtofthehouse.”
“Yeah,youdid.”Keegansettheotherhalfofthelogonthestumpandsplititwith
oneswingoftheax.
“AndthenIfellasleepandforgottoletyoubackin.”
“Youwerebusyfeedingpuppies.Howarethey?”
“Theyseemokay.GladIboughtthemilk.TheyquitfussingwhenIgavethema
bottle.”Augustfurrowedhisbrow.“Whydoyouthinkthey’reunhappy?”
“Couldbeanumberofthings.Toowarm,toocold,toocramped.”
Augustyawned.Thesmudgesunderhiseyesweredarkertodaythanyesterday.
“Whydon’tyougotakeanap,youwereupallnight.”
“Islept.”
“When?”
“Igottobedatthreeorso.”
“Andyouweregonebysix.”
Augustshrugged.“Theywerehungry.Maybeshe’snotmakingenoughmilk.”
Itwaspossible.Eightpuppieswasafairlylargelitterforawolf.Inthewild,at
leasthalfofthemwouldhavebeenlostwithinthefirstcoupleofnights.Andmaybeafew
ofDaisy’swouldhavebeenlost,butAugusthaddiligentlyfedthemwheneverthey
complained.
AugustgaveKeeganasadsmile.“Willyoupleasebemadatme?”
“Nope.”Keeganputanotherchunkofwoodontheblock.
Augustwalkedover.HetooktheaxfromKeegan’shandandputitaside.“Why
not?”
KeeganslidhishandsaroundAugust’sjaw,cuppinghisface.Locksofdarkhair
maderingletsoverhistemple.KeeganpressedhisforeheadagainstAugust’s.
ConfusionleftlinesacrossAugust’sforehead.Hesighedandclosedhiseyes.
KeeganencouragedAugusttoleanagainsthim.Hedidandrestedhisheadon
Keegan’sshoulder.
“Iwasanasshole.”AugustwrappedhisarmsaroundKeegan’swaist.“I’msorry.”
“Iknow.”KeegancombedhisfingersthroughAugust’shair.
“I’mreallysorry.”
Keeganchuckled.“Itwasn’teventhatcold.”
“Thirty-onedegrees.”
“LikeIsaid,practicallysummer.”
AugustlaughedthenpressedhisnoseagainstKeegan’sneck.“Yousmellgood.”
“YouusedtotellmeIsmelledlikeadog.”
“Yeah,butthisisjustyou.Yoursweat.Nofur.”Augusthuffedabreathagainst
Keegan’sthroat.Hefollowedthewarmpuffofairwithhistongue.
“Youreallyshouldgotakeanap.You’retired.”EvenasKeegansaidit,hepushed
hishandsunderAugust’sshirt.Plainsoftawnymusclepressedagainstthepalmof
Keegan’shands.Ithadtakenmonthsafterthey’dleftAlaskabeforeAugusthadreturned
toahealthyweight.Itshouldn’thavebeenpossibleforthemantobeanymoreperfect.
KeeganfollowedthelineofAugust’sribsthenaroundtohischestwherehe
thumbedAugust’snipples.
Hegasped.“Stillfeelsgoodwhenyoudothat.”
“Andyoustillsoundsurprised.”KeeganbrushedhislipsoverAugust’sjaw,the
shadowofhisbeardprickledKeegan’slips.IfAugusthadn’tshavedinacoupledays,then
hereallywastired.
“Ishouldn’tbe.”Augustturnedhishead.Thebrownofhiseyeswasashadecloser
toblack.“Everythingyoudofeelsgood.”AugusttuggedupthehemofKeegan’sflannel
shirt.IceracedalongKeegan’sstomach.
“Jesus,yourhandsarefreezing.”
“Mmm—andyou’reafurnace.”
“Youshouldbewearinggloves.”SomeofthechillleftAugust’sskin,butthere
wasstillenoughtoaddabitetohistouchwhenheslippedahandintothewaistof
Keegan’sjeans.
“Why?I’vegotyoutokeepmewarm.”AugustundidthebuttononKeegan’s
pants.
KeegancaughtAugust’smouthandpushedinhistongue.Atthesametime,
AugustpulleddownthezipperofKeegan’sjeans.Thosecoolhandswrappedaround
Keegan’sburningcock.Iceandfire,atouchthatburnedandchilled.Augustsqueezed,
andKeegangrunted.
“Tellmewhatyouwant.”AugustbitKeegan’sbottomlipthensuckedawaythe
sting.
“You.”KeegantuggedopenAugust’sjeans.“Alwaysyou.”
TherehadbeenatimeaftertheyescapedAlaskawhenKeeganwasinthehospital,
andlaterinFBIcustody,he’dfearedwhatAugustfeltforhimhadonlybeenbecauseof
thediresituationinAlaska.Twomen,bothdesperatetosurvive,onefearedtheelements
theotherfearedtheloneliness.Keeganhadnoideawhenhehadfalleninlovewiththe
maninfrontofhim.Themomenthepulledhimfromtheplane,laterwhenhenursedhis
brokenbodyorthedayAugustpromisedKeegananythinghewantedaslongashe
wouldn’tleaveAugustaloneinthatcabin.
ButheknewhelovedAugust.ItwasneveradoubtinKeegan’smind.Hejust
couldn’tbesureAugustlovedhim.NotbecauseofanythingAugustdid,butbecauseof
everythingthathadhappened.
Desperationdidstrangethingstoaman.Fear,evenstranger.Andeventhoughit
hadkilledKeegantoopenhishandsandletAugustgo,hehad.He’dgivenAugustthe
freedomtomakehischoice.Whethertostaywithhim,gobacktothemanwho’dlefthim,
ortopursueawholeotherdirection.
AtthetimepartofhimhopedAugustwouldleave.NotbecauseKeeganwanted
himgone,butbecauseheknewthedestructionitwoulddotoAugust’slifeifhe’dwound
upinprisonforrunningfromtheFBIallthoseyearsago.Augustdeservedhappinessnot
alifetimeworthofregrets.
ButAugustchosetofightforKeegan’ssurvival,justashardasKeeganhadfought
forAugust’sinthebush.
ItwasthenKeeganknew,nomatterthecircumstancesthatbroughtthemtogether,
whattheyfeltforeachotherwasreal.
AuguststrokedKeegan’scock,slidinghispalmupthelength,tothebluntend.
Therehethumbedthewidehead,tracingtheglans,smearingtheprecumleakingfrom
Keegan’sslit.Thecoldairkissedhisdampskinaddinganotherpleasuretothealready
growlingbliss.KeeganfreedAugustfromhisjeans,andheheldtheircockstogether.
“I’mgoingtomakeyoucome.”AugustraspedhisteethoverKeegan’sjaw.
“Wouldyoulikethat?”
“Doyouevenhavetoask?”KeeganmoanedasAugustquickenedhisstrokes.
“Thenafterdinner,I’mgoingtofuckyouandmakeyoucomeagain.”August
pushedKeeganbackuntilhewaspinnedagainstthestackofwood.Heslidbothhands
intoAugust’sjeansandsqueezedhisasscheeks.
“I’dlikethat.”AndKeeganwould.ThefeelofAugust’scockinhisass.The
powerofhisthrusts,theknowledgehewasatthisman’smercy.AfterKeeganescaped
Salvatore’scartel,he’dsworntoneverbehelplessagain.Butthat’sallAugustmadehim.
Andhedidn’tcare.Hedidn’tcarebecauseheknewAugustwouldneveruseittohurt
him.
KeeganpushedtwofingersdownAugust’scracktohisopening.Hewidenedhis
eyesandquickenedhisstrokes.
“Youlikethat.”KeeganmadeitastatementAugustslidhisotherhandaround
Keegan’swaist,betweenhisasscheeks,andpressedhisfingersagainstKeegan’shole.He
growled.
“SoundstomeI’mnottheonlyone.”
KeegancoveredAugust’smouthwithhisandAugustfilledKeegan’smouthwith
histongue.Theywarred,teethclashing,stealingeachother’sbreath,drinkingdown
wantonsounds.Theirexhalesleftmoistureontheirskinandwhitecloudsintheair.
StaticdanceddownKeegan’sspinewhilecrawlinguphislegs.Theweightinhis
ballstightened,hisinsidestwisted.
“Iloveyou.”KeeganfedAugustthedeclaration.“Iloveyousogoddamned
much.”
Augustroseuponhistoes.WetheatrushedoverKeegan’scock.August’srelease
sparkedKeegan’s,andthewallofecstasycrashedthroughhim.Ropesofcumjoinedthe
messAugusthadmade.
Augustliftedhishand.Cumdrippedfromhisfingers.Hepushedtwointo
Keegan’smouth.
“Afterdinner,wedothisagain.”AugustpantedagainstKeegan’scheek.
KeeganheldAugustbythewristandsuckedhisthumbbetweenhislipscleaning
awaythecum.“Absolutely.”
*****
Augustaddedaheapingcupofyogurttothemixofrawchicken,beef,and
veggies.
IfDaisyplannedonbypassingthemeatsandveggiesforthetopping,shewas
goingtohavetolickitoffeverypiece.Andifshemanagedtodothat,August’snextplan
wasthefoodmixer.Pureeeverythingthentherewouldbenowayshe’davoidtheextra
vitamins.
Augustputthedirtyladleinthesinkandcarriedthebowlintothelivingroom.
“Lunchisup,Daisy.”Augustsetthefoodnexttothewaterbowl.Everythinghad
beenmovedclosertotheChristmastree.“C’monDaisy,getup,it’slunch.Youcanlick
puppybuttslater.”Augustgottohiskneesanddippedhisheadunderthetreebranches.
Puppieslaypiledontopofoneanother,theirlittlelimbsjumpingandtwitchingin
theirsleep.Everysooftenonewouldpopitsheaduplikeithadhitaspeedbumpinits
dream.
Eightbeautiful,perfectpuppies.
ButnoDaisy.
“Keegan?”Augustwalkedintothebedroom.“Keegan?”Thedoortothegarage
whereKeeganhadawoodshopsetup,opened.
“I’mouthere.”
Augustwalkedbackacrossthelivingroom.KeegancaughtuptoAugustwhilehe
madeaquickcheckunderthetable,behindthesofa,thechairs…
“What’swrong?”
“Ican’tfindDaisy.”
“Didshemovethepuppies?”
“No,they’restillthere.”Therewereseveralinchesofsnowonthebackporchthis
morning.Freshpawprintscutacrossthedeck.“Shemusthavegoneoutside.”Butthat
wouldhavebeenanhourormoreago.
WorryrakedclawsthroughAugust’schest.Hewenttothedoorandopenedit.
“Daisy?”
“I’llgolook.”
“Hangon,I’llgowithyou.”Augustgrabbedhisbootssittingonthedoormatand
shovedhisfeetintothem.Keeganwasalreadyatthebottomofthestepsleadingintothe
slopedbackyardbythetimeAugustcrossedthedeck.Thecoldbitintohisshinmaking
hisbadlegache.
“Doyouseeher?”Augusthurriedtocatchup.
Keegan’sattentionwasonthelineofpawprintsleadingoutfromthehouse.The
edgesweresmoothenoughtosuggesttherecentlightsnowshowerhadhappenedafter
Daisywentout.
Keeganheadedtowardsthewoods.Hestoppedattheedgewherethesnowlostitsgrip,
andtheforestfloorwasasheetofrichearth.Thegroundappearedundisturbed,but
Keeganmovedforwardscanningthegroundandchangingdirectioninawindingpaththat
ledthembacktowardsthehouse.
AugustwassofocusedonKeeganhedidn’tevenregisterwhythemanhad
stopped.ThenKeeganlookedatAugust.
Daisylayunderahollybush.ThefearandworrybuildinginAugustshreddedhim
fromtheinside.Heranbutputhisbadlegdownfirstandwounduponhishandsand
knees.Mudpackedbetweenhisfingersandpineneedlesstucktohisskin.Augustfroze
withhishandsinchesaboveDaisy’scoat.Shedidn’tmove.Shedidn’topenhereyes.
Theworldfractureduntilthetearsbrokeloose.“Daisy.”
KeegankneltbesideAugustandpushedhishandsintoDaisy’scoat.“She’salive.”
ThewordsshouldhavebroughtsomecomforttoAugust,butforsomereason,it
shatteredtherestofhiscomposure.
“What’swrongwithher?”
Keeganpickedherup.“Idon’tknow.C’mon.”Heledthewaybacktothehouse.
WinterclungtoDaisy’scoateveninside.Howlonghadshebeenoutthere?An
hour?More?Less?Augustshouldhavebeenpayingattention.Heshouldhavebeen
watchingherandthepuppies,noteatingbreakfast,cleaningthekitchen,oreven
showering.NowDaisywashurtbecausehehadn’tbeentheretokeepaneyeonher.
KeeganlaidDaisydownonthefloornexttothewoodstove.Heranhishandsover
herface,herlegs,herchest,downtoherstomach.Thereheworkedhisfingersagainsther
abdomenandswollenbreastsfilledwithmilk.
Keeganfeltherflanksandtouchedthewetfringejustunderhertail.Hisfingers
cameawaywithasmidgeofbrownandgreen.Heliftedsniffedthefluidandwrinkledhis
nose.
“Ithinkshehasaninfection.”Therewasmoreontheundersideofhertailwhere
ithadleakedfromhervulva.
“Isshegoingtobeokay?”Augustpettedherheadandkissedthespotbetweenher
ears.
“Let’sgethertoDr.Winston’s.”She’dbeentheveterinarianDr.Anderson
recommendedtoAugustandKeegantotakecareofDaisy.They’donlyseenheracouple
times.Firsttogetshotsandrabiestags,thenlaterwhentheyneededtomakesureDaisy
waslegalsinceshewasn’tadomesticdog.
“It’sSunday.”Augustgrabbedhiscoat,keys,andwalletasKeegancarriedDaisy
tothedoor.
“Herhomenumberisinmyphone.”Keegannoddedathiscelllayingonthetable
withhiswallet.“Sheinsistedputtingitinmyphoneincaseweneededher.”
Andrightnow,theyneededhermorethanever.
AugustcollectedKeegan’swalletandphone.“Wait,thepuppies.”Auguststopped
withhishandonthedoorknob.
“They’llbefineforacoupleofhours.They’rewarm,andthey’refed.”Keegan
hurriedtothecarandAugustfollowed.HedialedDr.Winstonontheway.Thephone
rang.AugustopenedthebackdoorandKeeganlaidDaisyontheseat.
“I’llridewithher.”AugustgotinandplacedDaisyheadonhislap.Theline
pickedup.He’dalmostforgottenaboutcallingDr.WinstonbecauseDaisyopenedher
eyes.
“Hello?”
“Dr.Winston,thisisAugustVallory.I’msorrytobotheryouathomebut…”
August’svoicecracked.
Keeganstartedupthecar.
“Daisy’sowner?”
“Yes,ma’am.She’ssick.Wedon’tknowwhat’swrongwithher.Ifyoudon’tmind,
couldyouplease—”
“I’llmeetyouattheclinic.”
BeforeAugustcouldevensaythankyou,Dr.Winstonhungup.
Thesnowreturnedinlargefatflakes,coveringthedirtroadleadingfromthecabin.
Thestretchofthreemileshadneverseemedsofaruntilthatmoment.
AugustpettedDaisy’shead.“DoyouthinkitwassomethingIdid?”
Keegan’sgazereflectedbackintherearview.“No,August,it’snothingyoudid.”
“Whydidn’tInoticeshewassick?”
“Sometimeswedon’t.Especiallywhentheanimalisreallytough.”
AndDaisywasthetoughestbravestcreatureAugusthadeverknownasidefrom
themansittinginthefrontseat.
Keeganpulledoutontothemainroad.Pilesofgrayslushedgedthesides,andsalt
andgravelcrunchedunderthetires.
Daisywhined,andAugustrubbedherears.“It’sokay.We’regonnagetyoutothe
doggyhospital,andthey’llfixyourightup.”Augustdidnotwantittobealie.“Andwhen
wegethomeyou’regoingtoeatallthosevegetablesyouhatesomuch.”
Daisyweaklythumpedhertailagainsttheseat.
Dr.Winston’sSUVwasalreadyinfrontoftheclinicwhenKeeganpulledintothe
parkinglot.HestoppedbythefrontdoorandAugustgotoutwithDaisyinhisarms.
“Youwantmetotakeher?”Keeganshutthedriver’ssidedoor.
“No,I’vegother.”DaisywasAugust’sresponsibility.He’dalreadyletherdown
bynotrealizingshewassick.
Dr.Winstonmetthematthedoor.Shehadherhairupinabunandworepajamas.
“Isorrywewokeyouup.”Augustslippedpasther.Keeganfollowed.
“Iwasjustlounging.Idon’tgetdressedontheweekendsunlessIhaveto.Ididn’t
thinkyou’dcareifIshowedupinsleepwearandwithnomakeup.”
Never.Augustwasjustgratefulshewaswillingtocomein.
Dr.Winstonmotionedtowardsthedoorleadingtotheback.“Thisway.Ihavea
tablesetupforher.”Shesnatchedastethoscopeoffahook.“Canyoutellmewhat
happened?”
“Shehadpuppiesaboutaweekago.”
“Puppies.”
“Yeah,wedidn’tknowshewaspregnant.Ijustthoughtitwaswintercoat.”
“Somebreedsofdogsareexcellentathidingpregnancy.Wolves,especially.They
havetobeabletohuntwhencarrying.”
AugustlaidDaisyonthemetaltableandsteppedback.Keeganputhishandson
August’sshoulders.
“Whendidyounoticehernotfeelingwell?”Dr.WinstonlookedinDaisy’seyes,
hermouth.
“Ididn’t.Notuntiltoday.Shehasadogdoorandgoesinandoutwhenshewants.
Ididn’trealizeshehadn’tcomebackinuntilIwenttofeedher.”Avicesqueezed
August’sthroat.Nowthathe’dsaiditalloutlouditwasevenmoreobvioushow
neglectfulhe’dbeen.
“Shewascollapsedinthewoods.”KeeganmassagedAugust’sshoulders.“Notfar
fromthehouse.Icheckedherover.Therewasdischargeonherbacklegs.”
Dr.Winstontookoutapairofrubberglovesfromtheboxunderthetable.Sheput
themon.“Howhavethepuppiesbeenacting?”
“Fussy.”AugusthadtofoldhisarmstokeephimselffromreachingouttoDaisy.
“Istartedbottlefeedingthem,andthatseemedtohelp.”
Dr.Winstonpoppedtheendsofthestethoscopeinherearsandpressedthedrum
againstDaisy’schest.Afteralongmoment,shemoveditdown.“Herheartbeatisstrong.”
Shetooktheearpiecesfromherearsandpluckedathermometerfromacontainerwith
bluefluid.ShewipeditoffandliftedDaisy’stail.
Daisyopenedhereyes.
“Easygirl.I’mjustgoingtotakeyourtemperature.”Dr.Winstonnoddedatthe
microscopeonthecounter.“Thereareslidesintheboxoverthere.Canyoubringme
one?”
Augustdid.
Thedigitalthermometerbeeped.“Shehasatemperature,103.5.”
“Isthathigh?”
“Dogsrunabout101to101.5,soit’snothorrible.”Shetooktheslideanddabbed
itagainstthedropofdischargeonthetipofDaisy’svulva.“StayherewithherwhileI
havealookatthis.”
AugustpettedDaisy’sside.Keeganjoinedhim.HisbighandfollowingAugust’s
strokes.
“Idon’twanttoloseher.”Hewasn’tevensureKeeganhadheardhimtillhekissed
himonthetemple.
“Youwon’t.She’sstrong,andshe’lldoanythingforyou,youknowthat.”
“WhydoIfeelsoguilty?”
“Becauseyouloveher.”
ItwasthewayKeegansaiditthatmadeAugustlookathim.Keeganwatched
Daisywithacrossofworryandaffection.
ForalongtimeaftertheyhadreturnedfromAlaska,Keeganhadbeenriddledwith
guilt.Asifsomehow,somethinghehaddoneordidn’tdohadmadeAugustthinkheloved
him.Thebushhadbroughtthemtogether,andyeah,Augusthadbeenterrified.Andwhile
theirfirstencountermighthavebeenbornfromAugust’sdesperation,theresthadn’t.If
anything,returningtothelowerstateshadallowedforAugust’sfeelingstogrow.
HeneverdoubtedKeeganlovedhimandanyfearAugusthadabouthisfeelings
forKeegannotbeingrealhadbeensnuffedoutbythefollowingmonths.
Augustknewthen,hedidn’tjustlovethemanbesidehim,helivedforhim.Justas
KeeganlivedforAugust.
ItwasknowledgethathadmadeunderstandingKeegan’sguiltdifficult,butnow
Augustunderstood.Becausedespitebeingtoldhe’ddonenothingtocausethis,he
couldn’thelpbutfeellikehehad.
Dr.Winstonreturned,andAugustandKeeganmovedaside.ShepalpitatedDaisy’s
stomach.
“Doyouknowwhat’swrongwithher?”AugustheldKeegan’shand.
“I’mprettyconfidentshehasauterineinfection.Itmightbefromaretained
placentaorevenaretainedfetus.”
Augustslumped.Thejoyofhavingpuppiesdidn’tseemsobrightandshiny
anymore.
“Thisisn’tyourfault,”Dr.Winstonsaid.
Augustswallowedaroundthelumpinhisthroat.“Canyouhelpher?”
“Well.”Dr.Winstontookoffherglovesandtossedtheminthetrash.“Iwantto
startheroninjectableantibioticandfeverreducer.Putheronfluidsandgetherstabilized.
ThenI’drecommendahysterectomy.Simplybecause,usuallywhenthishappensonce,it
willhappenagain.”
“Becauseshehadpuppies?”
“Ifthepyometrahadn’toccurredbecauseofthepuppiesitcouldhaveverywell
happenedwhenshewasinheat.Havingthepuppiesprobablykepttheinfectionatbay.A
disruptioninhormonesisoftenwhatsetsuptheanimalfordevelopingthesesortsof
infections.Andifithadn’tbeenthistime,itmighthavebeennexttime.”ShepettedDaisy.
“Luckilythisisopenpyometra,whichmeanstheinfectionisdrainingoutofher.Ifshe’d
hadclosedpyometra,shecouldhavediedbeforeyoueverknewtherewasanything
wrong.”
Augustnodded.“CanIstaywithher?”
Dr.Winstonsmiled.“Ifiguredyou’dwantto.Ihaveanofficeinthebackwitha
cot.I’llsetherupthere.Theninthemorningifherfeverisdown,we’lldothesurgery.”
AthoughtoccurredtoAugust.“Whataboutherpuppies?”
Dr.WinstonglancedatKeegan.“Shewon’tbeabletotakecareofthemfora
while,soyou’llneedtofeedthemeverytwohours.”
“Forhowlong?”
“Atleastuntiltheycanstarteatingsolidfood.Probablyanothertwoweeksorso
youcanstarttransitioningthemover.”
“Youthinkshe’llhavetostayhereforweeks?”
“No.”Dr.WinstonpettedDaisy’sside.“Butshe’llbeherelongenoughthere’sa
goodchancehermilkwillstarttodryup,andyou’llhavetobetheonetofeedthepuppies
untiltheycaneat.”
AndhowwouldAugustbeabletobewithDaisyandtakecareofherbabies?
Keegankissedhimonthetemple.“Youstayhere,andI’llgohomeandfeedthe
puppies.”Ofcourse,hewould.AftereverythingKeeganhadrisked,sacrificed,inAugust’s
name,takingcareofthepuppieswouldbenothing.
Butstill,itwasjustmoreproofAugusthadnotmadeamistakestayingwith
Keegan,nomatterwhatanyonehadsaid.
AugustkissedKeegan’shand.“Thankyou.”
*****
Keegantossedtheemptypackageofreplacementmilkintothegarbage.Feeding
thepuppiesforthelastthreedays,everytwohourshadusedupthemilksupplyinrecord
time.
Threedays.Threeverylongdays.AndDaisystillwasn’tstableenoughfor
surgery.MuchtoKeegan’sdismay,she’dgonedownhillduringthefirstnightandhe’d
spenthoursonthephonewithAugustwhiletryingtofeedpuppies.
They’dtalked,butmostlyKeeganhadlistenedtothemanhelovedslowlyfall
apart,hisheartshatteringintoamillionpiecesbecausehisbestfriendwasontheedgeof
death.
Keegancouldn’tbesurewhichofthemwenttosleepfirst,buthewokeupwiththe
cellphonesittingonhisshoulderandaverycontented,puppystuffedinthecrookofhis
arm.
Whenthephonerangthatmorning,he’dexpectedtheworst,butDaisywasstill
fightingdespitethehighfeverandraginginfection.
SinceKeegancouldn’tsleep,heoccupiedthelullsinbetweenfeedingthepuppies
withbuildingawhelpingboxtomakeiteasiertogettothemandkeepthemwarm.The
restofthetimehespenttakingachangeofclothesandmealstoAugust.
Threedays.
Itmightaswellhavebeenthreemonths.
Andnow…nowKeeganwasoutofmilk,andthepuppieswouldbesquealing
withinthenextcoupleofhours.
Nobigdeal.He’djustgetinthecar,drivetothePetSuperstoreandbuyhalfa
dozenbagsandlargerbottlessohewouldn’thavetostopandrefillasoften.Itwasonlyan
hour’sdrivedownthehighway.Anhourandahalfifthetrafficwasbad.Ifitwasbadthen
thecrowdsatthemallwouldbebrutal.ThecrowdsatthePetSuperstorewerealways
worse.
EversinceKeeganhadfrozenupatthegrocerystore,unabletomove,hehadn’t
daredgoanywherewithoutAugustunlessitwasthelocalmomandpoproadside
vegetablestand,thelibrary,orsomeothernearlydesolatelocation.
Somedayshecouldn’tevenhandlethesmallcrowds.AtleastAugustdidn’tmind
pickinguptheslack,andhe’dnevermadeabigdealabouthowpatheticitwasthatasix-
foot-nine-inchtallmancouldn’tdosomethingassimpleasgoingtothegrocerystore
alone.
Wolves,bears,muskeg,brutalsubzerotemperaturesKeegancoulddealwith.Ten
yearsinthebushhadhardenedhiminwaysfewsurvived.Butithadtakenawayafew
thingsaswell.Italwaysdid.Livingouttherewithhissensesonhighalert,sleepingonthe
edgeofwakingupifatwigsnapped,beinghyper-awareofhissurroundings,hadsavedhis
lifeinAlaska.Ithadalsosavedhimafewtimesinprisonfortheshortstinthehadbeen
there.Buthereitwasamagnifyingglassturningabusyworldintoabsolutechaos.
Keeganpickedupthecarkeysandhiswalletfromthespindlytablebythefront
doorandhesitatedwithhishandontheknob.
BeyondhisandAugust’squietoasiswasaworldfullofpeople.
Lotsofpeople.
Keegan’sstomachtwistedintoknotsandbeadsofsweatcoveredhisbrow.Ittook
himtwotriestogetthebillfoldintohispocket.
Hecoulddothis.Hehadtodothis.Thosepuppieswouldnotlasthalfaday
withoutbeingfed,andtherewasnotellingwhenDaisywouldbeabletocomehome.If
shedidevercomehome.
KeegansworeDaisycouldhaveeverypairoflongunderwear,shoes,hats,orcoat
shewantedaslongasshepulledthrough.He’dneverbitchatheragain.Notforhim,but
forAugust.
Andiftheworsthappened,Keegancouldn’ttakeachanceonlosingasingle
puppy.
OutsidethefrigidairdidnothingtopullthefeverfromKeegan’sskinashewalked
tothecarandtheshakinginhishandshadnothingtodowithshivering.Everystepthat
tookhimfartherfromthecabinwasalanceofbarbedfearrightthroughhischest.
Hecountedhisbreaths,easingeachoneoutinanattempttoloosenthevice
crushinghischest.
Keeganhadgivenupontherapy.Itseemedthedoctorsonlywantedtotellhim
whathealreadyknew.Thiswouldtaketime,copingtechniques,andawillingnesstopush
himself.Eventhentherewouldbesetbacks.
Itseemedlikeittherewouldalwaysbesetbacks.Todayhecouldn’taffordthem.
Todayhedidnothaveachoice.
Keeganmadeittothecarandbracedahandagainsttheroof.Thedoorwasaton
ofleadandblisteringsteelwhenhepulledthehandleandopenedit.Heloweredhimself
intotheseat,jointscreakingagainstthetightnessofmusclesinhislimbs.
“Icandothis.”Keeganputhishandsonthewheel.“It’sjustadamnstore.Adamn
storewithpeople.Notevenanyfuckingbears.”Helaughed,butitwassadeventohis
ears.Keegancrankedupthecar.
Hisfootdidnotwanttomovetothegas.Hecountedtheseconds,theminutes,
thentriedagain.Hisbodyobeyed,andhecreptupthedesolategraveldrivewaythatwas
moreofacountryroadandtheonlyaccesstothenearlyhundredacrestheyresidedon.
Thesecondaryroadleadingtothedrivewaywasalmostassecluded.Andshared
byonlyoneotherpersondowntheroad.
Someofthesnowhadmelted,turningintoshallowstreamscuttingacrossthe
blacktop.Itwasn’tsupposedtogetbelowfreezingtonight,butthatdidn’talwaysapply
thisfaroutandinahigherelevation.
Keeganspedup,cruisingatthespeedlimit,wheelshummingontheroad,white
noisetodullthepanicinhismind.Hispulseslowed,andthetensionformingknots
betweenhisshoulderseased.Butitwasonlyalullbeforethestorm.
Flurriesdriftedinlazydescentfromthegraysky.Morecarspulledontotheside
streetleadingtothehighway.Glowingtaillightsdottedtheroadahead.Carssatbumperto
bumperwaitingforanopeningbetweenvehiclesonthesix-lanehighway.
Keegantappedhisfingersagainstthesteeringwheelwhileheinchedhisway
closertotheragingriverofautomobilesforhischancetodivein.Thesurroundingcars
pickedupspeed,andhesqueezedbetweenaPriusandasemi.
Carsslowedagainasheapproachedhisexit,chokingtheoff-rampintoanear
standstill.Keeganinchedhiswaytotheintersection.Thefewmilesofmainroadleading
towardsthemallwasanotherforty-five-minutetrekthankstothepeoplefightingtoget
intothegrocerystoreparkinglotacrossthestreet.
ThePetSuperstorewasn’tascrowdedasitcouldhavebeen.Therowsclosestto
thefrontofthestorewerefilled.Keeganparkedatthefarend.
Peoplewanderedinandoutofthestores.Somewithpets,somewithkids,some
alone.
Keeganclenchedhishandsoverthesteeringwheel.Fogcollectedonthecornersof
thewindshield.Evenwithouthiscoat,theflannelshirtoverlongjohnssmotheredhim.He
openedthedoor.Hissweat-soakedcollarthreatenedtofreezesolidashewalkedtowards
thestore.
Acoupleofteenagersgrazedalookoverhim.Morepeopleemergedfromtheir
cars.Thesmallcrowdatthestorefrontthickened.
Keeganstoppedatthebuggyreturn.Hishearthammeredagainsthisribs,andthe
airthinnedout.Heneededtodothis.ForDaisy,forthepuppies,andmostofallAugust.
Thiswasjustastore,somepeople,afewcrowds.
Keegantookabreathandpushedhimselfforward,acrossthecrosswalk,through
theautomaticdoors.
LaughterandChristmasmusicgratedtheair.Dogsbarked,abuggysqueakedby,
anotheronewithalamewheelfollowedupwithagrindingcomplaint.Keeganmoved
aroundthesmallclustersofpeople,mostwhowereatthefrontofthestorepickingup
dogsleftforgroomingorwaitinginthecheckoutlane.
Therewerefarfewerpeopleoncehepassedthemiddleofthestore.
Keegansearchedoneaislethenthenext.Hewassurethereplacementmilkand
feedingsupplieshadbeensomewherearoundhere.
“CanIhelpyou?”Theblondwascuteandpetite,almostprettyenoughtobeagirl.
Buthewasbuiltinsharpangles,andnothingabouthisvoicewasfeminine.Therewasa
piercingabovehisrighteye,oneinthesideofhisnose,andtwohoopsinhislips.He
worethestandardstoreuniform,blackpants,blueshirt,buthisbootswerestripedinshiny
metal.Thesoleshadtoaddacoupleofinchestohisheightwhichmeantwithoutthem
he’dbarelyhitfiveandahalffeet.
“Uh…”Keeganglanceddowntheaisle.TheoffendingChristmassignhe’d
whackedhisheadonlastweekwasthere,buttheplacewherethebottlesandmilkhad
beennowheldrowsofdogcollars.“Replacementmilk.Ithoughtitwasdownhere.”
Keeganhadn’tevenconsideredwhathewasgoingtodoifthey’dnixeditfromtheir
inventorylist.
“Oh,yeah,sure.Wemovedittotheback.”Thestoreemployeemotionedfor
Keegantofollow.
AgaggleofsmallchildrenraninfrontofKeegan.Hehadtojumpbacktoavoid
runningthemover.Thestoreemployeetookarightdisappearingbehindashelfofdog
food.Keeganfollowed.Theguystoodatthefarwall.
“Thiswhatyouneed?”
Keeganwalkedover.“Yeah.”
“Wasthepuppyabandoned?”TheguyhandedKeeganaboxofmilk.Heputit
backandpickeduponeofthelargebags.“Wow,howmanydoyouhave?”
“Eight.Andno,theyweren’tabandoned.Themomissick.”
“Oh,wow,that…”
“Sucks?”
Theguynodded.“Yeah,itdoes.Whatkindarethey?”
“Uh,mixes.”Keeganpickeduptwomorebags.
“Hey,Icancarryoneofthoseforyou.”
“Howaboutyougrabthelastoneontheshelf.”
Theguydid.
“Wherearethebottles?”Theywerenolongerwiththemilk.
“Oh,overhere.”TheemployeeledKeeganaroundthecorner.
Avarietyofbottleshungonanend-cap.Keeganselectedtwoofthelargest.“I
thinkthatshoulddoit.”
TheyoungmanandKeeganheadedtowardsthefrontwherethemajorityofpeople
hadgathered.Atremorsetupinhishands,andathrobbeathimbehindtheeyes.
“Youokay?”Theblondgrabbedanabandonedbuggyandsetthebagofmilk
replacementinit.
Keeganaddedthethreehecarriedalongwiththebottles.“Yeah,I’mgood.Thanks
foryourhelp.”
“Noproblem.”Hewanderedoff,andthewallsofthestoreslidcloser.Awomanon
hercellphonebumpedintoKeegan,shewavedanapologyasshewalkedaway.The
momentaryspacewasfilledbyayoungcouplewithababyandalargefluffydog.The
onlywaytotelloneendfromtheotherwasbyfollowingtheleashtowhereitended.
Keeganmovedupintheline.Morebodiesclosedinbehindhim.Sweatstunghis
eyes,andtheriseandfallofbackgroundnoisedrownedoutthebeatofhisheart.Bodies
shuffledcloser.AdogbumpedintoKeegan’sleg.Somewhereintheback,aparrot
screamed.Thenkidsscreamedwhichsetoffababyinayoungman’sarms.
Everysoundaknife.
EverymovementsandpaperagainstKeegan’snerves.
Itwasthedamngrocerystorealloveragain,butbeforeKeegan’sfearclamped
downonhim,heabandonedthebuggyandboltedoutofthestore.Acarhonkedashe
stumbledoffthesidewalk.Coldairbroughtblessedoxygenbutthestrengthinhislegs
melted.
Keeganwoundupproppedagainstatreeinoneofthetinygreenspacesusedto
breakuptheparkinglot.
“Fuck.”Keeganwrappedhisarmsaroundhischest.Afewpeopleeyedhimasthey
walkedpast,butmostweretoobusyinconversationwitheachother,onthephone,or
texting.Fatsnowflakesfilledtheair,andmorepeopleranfromthestoretotheircars.
Keeganwantedtodothesamething.Butthepuppiesneededthatmilk.Itwasjust
astore.Abuilding.Andthepeoplewerejustpeople.
KeeganhadneverdoubtedthefearAugusthadwhenhewasstrandedinAlaska.It
wasawell-deservedfear.Thisfear,thisterrorconsumingKeeganmakingitimpossiblefor
himtointeractinpublicwasnothingincomparison.
Yetitruledhim.Hadruledhimforoverayearandprobablywouldfortherestof
hislife.Augustwasright,defeatingthiswouldtaketime,andwhileKeeganmightnotwin
thewartoday,hecouldatleastfacethebattle.
ForAugust.ForDaisy.ForthoseeightlittlelivescurrentlyrelyingonKeeganto
takecareofthem.
Hepushedhimselffromthetreeandwalkedtowardsthestore.Hisbuggyhadbeen
movedtotheothersideofthecashregister.Mostofthelinewasgone.
“Oh,hey,Iwasn’tsureifyouweregoingtocomebackornot.”Thecashier
greetedhimwithasmilewhilesherangupanelderlyladywithtwoferretsonaleash.
Keegancollectedhisbuggy.Nowallhehadtodowaspushittotheback.
“Icantakeyouoverhere.”Itwastheblond.HewavedKeeganovertoan
unopenedregister.
Keeganpushedthebuggyuptothecounter.
Theguyranghimup.“Don’tlikecrowds,huh?”
HeatfilledKeegan’scheeks.“Thatobvious,huh?”
“My…friend…doesn’tlikecrowdseither.”Theguyshrugged.“Ithappens.Nobig
deal.”Hescannedthebagsofreplacementmilkandthebottles.
Keeganfishedhiswalletoutofhispocket.“Thanks.”Hehandedoverthemoney.
“Forwhat?”
“Fornotputtingthestuffbackontheshelves.”
“Areyoukidding?Wehavepeoplerunoutallthetimeandcomebackhourslater
wonderingwheretheirbuggyis.Youwerejustgoneforfiveminutes.”
Feltlonger.Keegannodded.“Thanksanyhow.”
“Anytime.”Thekidbaggedeverythingupandhandedthemover.“HaveaMerry
Christmas.”
Keegantookthebags.“Youtoo.”Hepushedthebuggybackovertothelineof
cartsbythedoorandhurriedtothecar.
*****
“C’monDaisy,justonemorebite.”AugustofferedDaisyanotherglobofPâté
styledogfoodontheendofhisfinger.
Shesquintedathim.
“It’sasmallbite.”
Daisyburped,flutteringherlips.
“Yes,Iknowyou’veeatenthreecans,butyouneedmore.”Andseeingherfinally
eatmadeAugustfeelbetter.Afterthelastfourdays,heneededsomethingtomakehim
feelbetter.
Daisylickedawaytheclumpoffood,smackingherlips,andchewing.
“Isthatyourwayoftellingmeyou’retoofull?Becauseyoudon’tevenchewraw
meat.”
Shesquintedathimagain.
“Okay,youchewitthreetimesbeforeyouswallow.”
Daisyclosedhereyesandhuffed.Auguststrokedhermuzzleandneck.
“How’sshedoing?”Dr.Winstonleanedagainstthedoorframe.Herpurplescrubs
clashedwithherlimegreencoat.
“Sheate.”
Dr.Winstonglancedatthethreeemptycans.“I’llsay.”Shewalkedoverand
collectedthetrash.
“I’llgetit.”Augustpushedhimselfuponanelbow.Hisshoulderandsides
protesteddespitethethickpadhe’dbeenlayingon.
“Whydon’tyouletKathygiveyouaridehome,andyoucantakeabreak?You’re
tired.”
“I’mgood.”
Dr.Winstonputthecansinthetrash.
Auguststifledayawn.
“You’vebeenherefourdaysAugust.She’sthroughtheworst.Shedidgreatfor
surgery.Gohomeforawhile,takeabreak.”
“Shemightneedtobewalked.”
“That’swhyIhavestaff.”
AugustranhishanddownDaisy’sstrongleg.Abarepatchhadbeenshavedjust
aboveheranklewherethey’dtapedtheIVduringsurgery.Allthehaironherbellywas
gonetoo,buttheincisionwashiddenbetweenherswollenbreasts.Butitwasthere.
AugusthadwatchedasDr.Winstonremovedtheinfectedtissue.
“Keeganisprobablyworriedaboutyou.”
Therewasnoprobableaboutit.ThelasttimeKeeganhadcomeintotheclinicto
bringAugustlunchhe’dhadtwoblackeyesfromthelackofsleep,beenpale,andhadhis
shirtbuttonedwrong.AfterthatAugusthadtoldKeegantoquittryingtodrivetothe
clinictwiceadaytobringhimsomethingtoeatandcleanclothesandjustconcentrateon
thepuppies.
“August.”Dr.WinstonkneltbesideDaisy.Shewaggedhertailatthevet.“She’ll
befine.Herfeverisgone,she’seating.”Dr.Winstonchuckled.“Youcantakeoneday
away.Ipromiseshe’llbeokaywithoutyouandshewon’tholdagrudge.”
DaisyturnedherattentiontoAugust.Shepushedhimwithafootandsnorted.
“Yousureyou’reokay.”
Shesnortedagain.
“Andyoupromisenottogiveanyoneahardtime.”
Daisygaveadramaticyawn.
“Okay.Justforalittlewhile.”
Daisysquintedathim.
“Allnight?”
Shemadeagrumblinghowl.
“Onenightonly.Thenyoucomehome.”Augustlookedatthevet.
“Sheshouldbeabletogohomeinthemorning.Ijustwanthertostayanother
nighttogetmoreantibioticsinherandtomakesureshe’shydrated.”
AugustkissedDaisyonthemuzzle,andsheslappedhimonthecheekwithher
tongue.“Heynow,Iknowwherethatmouthhasbeen.Nokissing.”Hestood,andsodid
Dr.Winston.“Areyousureyoudon’t—”
Shepushedhimtowardsthedoor.“GoAugust.Getsomesleep.Enjoysometime
withKeegan.It’llbeChristmassoon.”
AugustwalkedtothefrontdeskexpectingtowaitonKathy,buttheshort,plump
womanwasalreadyheadinghiswaywithherkeysinherhand.TheSantahatshewore
fellforward,andshepusheditback.“Areyoureadytogo?”Shestoppedbesidehim.Her
cheekswerealmostasredasherhat.
“IguesssosinceI’vebeenvotedofftheisland.”
“Aww,it’snotallbad.Yougettogohomeandgetsomerest.”Sheputherarm
throughAugustsandwalkedhimoutoftheclinic.“Youcanevengetashower.”
“Idon’tsmellthatbad.”
“Idon’tknow,thekennelhelpwalkedaroundforanhourthismorningtryingto
findapileofhiddendogpoo.”
Augustsniffedhisshirt.“Idonotsmelllikedogshit.”
“No,butyouareaweebitripe.”Shestoppedbesideabluehatchback.“It’satad
cramped,butitwillride.”
Augustgotin,andhisshinshitthedash.
“Youcanpushthatseatbackifyouwant.Lever’sontheside.”
Augustdid,andonlyhiskneestouched.Itwasn’tmuch,buthe’dtakeit.Luckily,
thedrivewasn’tthatfar.
Kathystartedupherlittlehatchbackandpulledoutoftheparkinglot.“Goodthing
youandKeegancan’thavekidstogether.”
Augustmadeaface.“Why?”
“We’dwindupoverrunbyaraceofgiants.Veryhandsomegiants,butgiants.”
“I’llhavetotellhimyousaidthat.”Augustlaughed.
Thepilesofsnowedgingtheroadhadgainedseveralinchessinceyesterday.And
itwasn’tevensupposedtosnow.
“Haveyoudecidedwhatyou’regoingtodowiththepuppies?”Kathypulledup
behindatractor.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Well,areyougoingtoadoptthemout?”
Augusthadn’treallythoughtaboutit.
“I’msureyou’dwanttokeepone…ortwo.”
Oneortwo.Keeganwoulddie.Augustgrinned.“Yeah,I’llprobablykeepatleast
one.”
“Doyouneedhelpfindinghomes?”
Kathypassedthetractorassoonastheroadwasclear.
“I’mnotsure.Daisy’sawolf,thesewillbewolf-dogmixesorwolf-coyotemixes.
Keegansaidtherearewolvesherebutrare,andmostofthemarewolf-coyotemixes.”
“Iknowaladywhorunsawolfbreedingprogram.Youknowtore-introduce
wolvesintothewild.Ifthey’rereallywolf-coyotemixes,shemightbewillingtohelp
placesomeofthem.”
Andwhatwouldhappentothemoncetheywereoutinthewild?Augustknew.
He’dliveditforayear.Naturewieldedaheavyhandandwasnotfair.Hisinsidescurled
attheideaofsendingDaisy’spupstoliveinthewoods.Homeswouldbebetter.But
wolveswerenotpets,andDaisywasafluke.
“Youdon’thavetodeciderightnow.”Kathyexitedthesecondaryhighwayand
turnedontothedesolatepavedroadthatendedatthelargestretchoflandAugustowned.
“Iknow.It’sjust…They’reDaisy’spups.”
“Yeah.Igetthat.Whoknows,maybeKeeganknowssomedogvoodoo,andhecan
getthemtoturnoutliketheirmom.”
Augustlaughed.“Dogvoodoo?”
“HelivedintheAlaskanwildernesswithanimals,right?Forlikewhat?Twenty
years?”
“Ten.AndhowdidyouknowhelivedinAlaska?”
“Google.”Kathygrinned.
Augustshookhishead.“Google?”
“Okay,IoverheardDr.WinstontalkingtoDr.Anderson.Hesaidherecommended
youguysbringDaisytoherclinicandgaveherthedownlowaboutherbeingaTimber
Wolf.”Kathyshrugged.“ThenIGoogledyou.”
Augustcouldonlyguesswhatwasoutthereaboutthebothofthem.Especially
witheverythingthathadhappenedinthosefirstsixmonthsthey’dbeenback.TheFBI,
prison,Dan,thewholemesswithmovieproducersandthelawsuitovertheunsolicited
autobiography.They’dmanagedtokeepthebooksofftheshelf,butafewhadfalleninto
thepublic’shands.ExceptforthepartaboutbeinginAlaska,everybitofitwasadamn
lie.Buttherewasn’tmuchAugustandKeegancoulddoaboutit.Augusthadn’tcared
whathadbeenwrittenabouthim.ButtherewerethingswrittenaboutKeeganthatstill
hauntedhim.
Trueeventsthathadbeenspuninhorrificdirections.
Kathyslowedthecarastheyapproachedtheprivateroadthatservedasalong
driveway.“Thistherightone?”
“Yeah.”
“Youshouldputaroadsignup.”Shepointedtothelargeprivatepropertysign
tackedtoafencepost.“Thatjustmakespeoplecuriousaboutwholivesdownhere.”
“Sofarpeoplehaveleftusalone.”Forthemostpart.
Anotherfifteenminutesandthelogcabinbrokethroughthetrees.WhenAugust
hadtoldthebuilderwhathewantedthemanhadinsistedthedesignwastoosimple,too
small,too…dull.
Augustwasgladhe’dstuckwithit.Allthatgoldenwood,withitsgreentinroof.
Sure,theplacewassmallincomparisontowhathecouldhavebought,butitwasmore
thanenoughforhimandKeegan.
Kathystoppedbesidethecarparkedinfrontofthehouse.Augustgotout.“Thanks
fortheride.”
“Sure,anytime.IfyouneedmetopickyouuptobringDaisyhomejustcall.”
“Ishouldn’t.ButifIdo,Iwill.”Augustshutthedoor,andKathydidalaparound
thecirculardrivewayanddisappearedbetweentheclumpsoftreesassheheadedbackup
thegraveldrive.
Augustwentinside.
ThewarmglowofChristmaslightscastbrokenshadowsacrossthelivingroom
mixingwiththejumpanddanceofthefireinthewoodstove.Augusttookoffhiscoat,
hungitonthehookbythedoorandkickedoffhisboots.
Augustwalkedintothelivingroom.“Ke—”
Keegansatinsidealargewoodenboxproppedupagainstthesidewithhislong
legshangingovertheedgeofoneoftheboxwalls.Hiseyeswereclosed,andtherewasa
bottleinonehandleakingmilkontohislongjohns.Cradledinhisotherarmaveryfat
contentedpuppy.Therestofthemwerecorralledinafleeceblanketandoccupyinghis
lap.
Everysooftenhewouldexhaleasoftsnore.Augustkneeledbesidetheboxnextto
Keegan.
Arailwrappedaroundtheinsideoftheboxafewinchesabovethebottom.August
realizedKeeganhadbuiltawhelpingbox.Butwhen?Ithadtobebetweenfeeding
puppies.Threebagsofunopenedmilkreplacersatintherecliner.Andthebottleinhis
handwaslargerthantheonesAugusthadpickedout.
Therewasonlyonewayhecouldhavegottenthat.He’dgonetothecityandinto
thePetSuperstorebyhimself.
Augustswallowedaroundthelumpinhisthroat.Keeganhaddoneallthatfor
Daisy’spups.
AugustranhisfingersthroughKeegan’sunrulyhair.“Hey,sleepingbeauty.”
HeopenedhiseyesandlookedatAugust.Recognitionreplacedconfusion.“Is
Daisyokay?”
“Yeah,she’sgood.Surgerywentwell.Dr.Winstonseemstothinkshe’llbeableto
comehometomorrow.”
Hewrinkledhisbrow.“Wait,howdidyougethere?”
“Kathy,oneofthetechsgavemearide.”AugusttookthebottlefromKeegan’s
handandsetitbesidethewhelpingbox.“SeemsI’vewornoutmywelcome.I’vebeen
senthomewithorderstospendtimewithyouandbathe.”
Keegansatupalittle.Thepuppyinthecrookofhisarmbarked.Keeganputit
withtheothersinhislapandmovedthemwiththeblankettotheopenspaceinthebox.
Auguststood.“Needhelpup?”
“Probably.Ithinkmyassisnumb.”HeheldoutahandandAugustpulledKeegan
ashestaggeredtohisfeet.Hesteppedoutofthebox.
Augustleanedagainsthim.“Whendidyoufindthetimetobuildawhelpingbox?”
“Whentheyslept.Itdidn’ttakelong.Ialreadyhadthewoodcut.Ihopeyoudon’t
mind.Iknowyoulikedthemunderthetreebut—”
AugustcoveredKeegan’smouthwithhisown.ThesighKeeganbreathedloosened
hisentirebody.
HewrappedhisarmsaroundAugust.“Imissedyou.”Keeganbrushedhislips
againstAugust’schin.“I’vemissedyousodamnmuch.”
“Onlybeenfourdays.”AugustpressedhimselfagainstKeegan.Theman’scock
wasalreadyhardandtryingtopopthebuttonsinthegapofhislongjohns.
“Mightaswellhavebeenfourweeks.”
AugustpushedhishandsdownthebackofKeegan’slongjohnsandsqueezedthe
globesofhisass.
“Okay,fourmonths.”KeegansuckedonAugust’searlobe.
“Yousureitwasn’tfouryears.”
“Mmm—mighthavebeen.Whateveritwasitwastoolong.”Keegankissedhis
waydownAugust’sneck.
“Youfeeluptoashower?”AugustgrippedKeegan’scockthroughhislongjohns.
“Yeah.”KeeganmovedforwardforcingAugusttowalkbackwards.
“Youwouldn’tbethinkingaboutdoinganythinginappropriate,wouldyou?”
“Definitely.”KeeganpulledAugust’sshirtoff.“Veryinappropriateandprobably
illegalinsomestates.”
Augustlaughed.
TheysteppedintothebathroomandKeegantrappedAugustagainstthesink.
Therehepaused,holdingAugust’sfaceinhishands,tracingthelineofhisjaw.Keegan’s
darkgazeburrowedintoAugustevisceratinghissoul.
AugustpushedKeegan’slongjohnstohiships.“Ifwe’regoingtotakeashower
youneedtogetundressed.Orwouldyourathertakeabath?”
“Bath.”KeeganpressedhislipsagainstAugust’sforehead.Thatonetouch,that
onesimplebitofcontact,blazedthroughAugustwithmoreheatthananybrutalkiss.
Keegansteppedbackandstrippedoffhisclothes.Augustdidthesame.
Keeganturnedonthewater.
ThebathroomwastheonethingAugusthadsplurgedon.Itwasaslargeasmost
smallbedrooms,withsandcoloredtileaccentedwithshadesofpeach.Alaskahadgiven
Augustanewappreciationofalotofthingshe’dtakenforgranted.Buttheabilitytohave
hotwaterandbatheatanytimewasatthetopofhislist.
Theshowerhadfivejets,allofthemindependentlyadjustableandtherewere
benchestositon…oruseforotherthings.
Augusthadneverbeenmuchofabathperson,butforawhile,soakingneckdeep
inwaterhadbeenallhehadwanted.Thetubwaspositionedontheoppositesideofthe
walk-inshower.Ithadbeenspecialorderedtobecomfortableforbothofthem,almost
twiceaslongastheaveragespatubandsignificantlydeeper.Sixteenjetsandasecondary
heatertokeepthewaterattheperfecttemperaturehadbeenwortheverypenny.
Augustclimbedinandsat.Steamrolledoffthesurface.Headjustedthe
temperaturekickingupthehotwaterafewnotches.
Keegangavehimafunnylook.“Arewebathingormakinghumansoup?”
“Ilikemywaterhot.”
“There’shot,andthenthere’ssoup.”Hereachedforthecoldwaterspigot.August
caughtKeeganbythewristandpulledhishandtohisface.AugustsuckedKeegan’sfirst
fingerhardenoughtomakehislipspopwhenhepulleditfromhismouth.
TheflushinKeegan’scheekshadnothingtodowiththesteamfillinguptheroom.
“Getinthetub.”Augustscootedbackandwidenedhislegs.
Keegansteppedintothetubandhissed.“That’sreallyhot.”
Augustslappedhimontheasscheek.“You’rereallyhot,butInevercomplain.”
Keeganloweredhimself.Hemadeaveryunmanlysoundassoonashisnutshit
thewater.
Augustlaughed.“Didyoujustsqueal?”
“No.”
“Youdid.Iheardyou.Youtotallysquealed.”
“Thewaterisdamnhot.Whydoyoualwayswantitlikethis?”
“It’snothot.YoujustspenttoomuchtimeinAlaskabathinginacreek.”August
pinchedKeegan’sbuttcheek.“Whenyoubathed.”
“Yeah,wellyoutrytakingabathwhenit’stwentydegreesout.”Keeganslowly
sat.Anotherhigh-pitchedwhineleakedfrombehindhisclenchedteeth.“Fuck,August…”
“Isthatarequest?”HenuzzledthenapeofKeegan’sneck.Heleanedbackagainst
August,andherestedhisheelsonKeegan’sshins.
KeeganranhisfingersdownthemassofscartissueonAugust’slegallthewayto
hisdisfiguredtoes.Hisexpressiontightened,andhismouthmadeathinline.
“Quit,Keegan.Itwasn’tyourfault.”Ifanything,Keegan’scarehadsaveAugust’s
life.
“Yousureyoudon’twantthesurgery?”
“It’smorelikeadozensurgeriesoverseveralyears,andno,Idon’t.”Augustpetted
Keegan’schest,followingtheyearshe’dlivedinthebushetchedintohisskin.“How
manytimesdoIhavetotellyouIearnedthosescars,justlikeyouearnedyours.I’mnot
ashamedofthem.”
SomeofthetensionmeltedfromKeegan’sshoulders.
Thechurnofwaterfillingthetubechoedoffthetile.
“Youcanturnitoffnow,”Augustsaid.
KeegansatupenoughtoshutthewateroffthenwasbackinAugust’sarms.How
wasitpossibleforKeegantofeelsogoodpressedagainstAugust’schest?Notjust
pleasinginatactilesensebutperfectinthewaythatsuggestedAugusthadbeenwaiting
forthesemomentshisentirelife.
“ThankyoufortakingcareofDaisy’spuppies.”AugustkissedKeegan’sshoulder.
“Itwaseitherfeedthemorlistentothemscream.”
“C’mon,admitit,youlovethem.”
Keegantippedhisheadbackenoughfortheirgazestomeet.“Yeah,Ilovethem.I
loveDaisytoo.AndmostofallIloveyou.”
AugustlappedatKeegan’smouth.“Sayitagain.”
“Iloveyou.”
“Myfavoritethreelittlewords.”AugustswepthishandsdownKeegan’sbodyto
hiscock.Thethicklengthfilledhispalm,thegirthalmosttoobigforhimtogethis
fingersallthewayaround.AugustrockedagainstKeegan’sbackgettingjustenough
frictiontoteasetolifeaflameofpleasure.Theirmouthsmetagain,theirtonguesswept
together,thenthekissturnedsloppyandbrutal.AuguststrokedKeegan’sdick,
concentratingonthefatheadandteasingtheslitwithhisthumb.
Keegangroanedadeepferalsound.ItreachedinsideAugustslidingdownhis
spine,spreadingthroughhislegs.
“Iwantyou,”AugustsaidagainstKeegan’smouth.“Iwanttofuckyou.”
KeegankissedAugusthardenoughtomakehislipsache.“Anythingyouwant.”
AugusturgedKeeganforwardontohisknees.Waterssluiceddownhismuscled
back,overthecurveofhisassanddownhispowerfulthighs.ThepositiongaveAugusta
beautifulviewoftheman’shole.HerubbedhisfingersoverthepuckeredringandKeegan
rockedback.
AugustmovedhistouchlowertothesoftspotbehindKeegan’sballs.Hemassaged
withenoughforcetodimpletheskin.Keeganshuddered.
“Ithinkyou’returningintoabottom.”AugustnippedKeegan’sbuttcheekandgot
tohisknees.Therewasabottleoflubricantnexttotheliquidsoapsittingonthecornerof
thetub.Hegrabbedit.“IfonlyIwasstrongenoughtofuckyouagainstthewall.”
Keegandroppedhishead.
“Thatthoughtturnyouon?”AugustdribbledthelubricantoverKeegan’sholeand
chaseditwithhisfingers.
“Yes.”
“GuessIbetterstartweightliftingthen.”Augustpushedinafinger.
“More.”Keeganarchedback,themusclesalonghisshoulderscutstarklines
underhisskin.EvenayearandahalfoutoftheAlaskabushhadn’tsoftenedhim.
AugustgaveKeegantwofingersandthrustwhilerakinghisteethoverthebackof
Keegan’sneck.“Youaresogoddamnedgorgeous.”
Keeganturnedhisheadenoughtoshowthedoubtinhisexpression.
“Youdon’tbelieveme?”Augustremovedhisfingersandsmearedmorelubricant
overhiscock.Hesetthebottlebackontheledge.“Youdon’treallythinkI’dlietoyou,do
you?”
“No.”
“Thenwhat’sthatlookfor.”
“IworryIdon’tdeserveyou.”
“Youdo.”AugustpressedhiscockagainstKeegan’shole.“Youdeserveme.I
deserveyou.We’restuckwitheachother,remember?”Augustputhislefthandover
Keegan’s.Theringstheyworescrapedagainsteachotherashewovetheirfingers
together.Augustnudgedhiswaythroughthetightringofmuscleanddidn’tstopuntilhis
hipspressedagainstKeegan’sass.HeatclenchedandunclenchedaroundAugust’scock.
Hegroaned.“Ishoulddothismoreoften.Goddamn,youfeelgood.”
Augustdrewbackandrockedforward.KeegantightenedhisholdonAugust’s
hand.HepulledKeegan’sheadbackandclaimedhismouth.Augustthrusthistongue
betweenKeegan’slipswiththesamedeterminationthathefuckedhim.Eachplunge
harderthanthenextuntilthewavesslappedthesidesofthetubandAugust’sskinburned
hotterthanthewater.
HedrankawayKeegan’sgaspsandfedhimsmallgruntsuntiltherewasonlythe
musicoftheirlovemakingtrappedintheroom.WitheverystolenglimpseofKeegan’s
eyes,theloveandadorationburnedbrighter.ItwasafeelingAugustknewwell,onethat
devouredhimfromtheinside,toreaparthissoulanddrovehimtoclaimthemanunder
him.
AndallofitburnedbrighterthantheeuphorichighsweepingawayAugust’s
senses,seizingeverynerveinhisbody,drowninghimineternalblisswithinamerefew
seconds.
“Wantyoutocomeforme,baby.”AugustsuckedonKeegan’sbottomlip.“Want
tofeelyoucomeforme.”AugustshiftedhisweightandKeeganjerked.Theflushinhis
cheeksdarkened,andheshuddered.“That’sit…”AugustpantedagainstKeegan’smouth.
“Sotight.Fuck,youareperfect.”
AlowgrowlbuiltinKeegan’schestvibratingupthroughAugust’sbody.
“That’sitbaby,feelsgooddoesn’tit?”
“Yes.”Thewordwasnothingbutananimalisticgrowl.ThechordsinKeegan’s
neckstoodout,andheyelledAugust’sname.TheconcussionofhisreleaseflungAugust
fromtheedge.Witheverypulseofhiscock,hethrustuntilhe’demptiedeverythingand
wasleftcollapsedoverKeegan’sback.
*****
“Whendoyouthinktheireyeswillopen?”Augustlaidinthewhelpingboxwith
Daisy.Eightpuppieswobbledandtumbledastheyscootedaround.
“Shouldbeanydaynow.”
“Yousaidfourteendays,right?”
“Yeah.”
“Dotheyeveropenthemearlier?”
“Sometimes.”Keegankneltbesidethebox.Hedidn’tknowwhichwasmore
beautiful,Daisyandherpups,ortheabsolutejoyinAugust’sexpressionwhenheheld
them.“Yousaidyounamedthem.”
“Yeah.”
“Canyoutellthemapart?”Afewweremorered,othersgray,butforthemostpart,
theywereidentical.
“Ofcourse.WhatkindoffatherwouldIbeifIwasn’tabletotellmykidsapart?”
Augustgrinned,andKeeganfrowned.AugusthandedapuppytoKeegan.“Thatoneis
Lily.”
“Thisoneisaboy.”
Augusttippedhishead,andKeeganturnedthepuppyover.“He’sprogressive.He
won’tcare.”Augustheldupanother.“ThisoneisRose.”
“Younamedthemallafterflowers?”
“Don’tbesilly.”Augustpickedupaslategraypuppy.“ThisoneisRiver.”
“Isenseanoutdoorthemehere.”Keeganputdownthepuppyheheld.
Augusthandedhimanother.“ThatoneisIce.”Itwasalmostwhite,soitmade
sense.“Andyou‘vealreadymetTulip.”Augustpointedtothesmallestinthelitter.“The
lastthreeareDahmer,Manson,andFreddyKruger.”
KeegannarrowedalookatAugust.
“What?Ithoughtyou’dapprove,seeinghowyoudidn’tgettonameDaisy,Cujo.”
“Ididn’twanttonameDaisy,Cujo.”
Augustrolledhiseyes.“OnlybecauseInamedherbeforeyoudid.”Augustherded
thelastthreepuppiesclosertoDaisy.“TheirnamesareSky,Storm,andChrysanthemum.”
“Chrysanthemum?”
“Sure.”
“That’samouthful.”
“Chrysforshort.”AugustkissedthepuppyheheldandsetitinfrontofDaisy.She
gaveitagoodtonguewashwhiletheothersfoughtfornipples.Despitebeingawayfor
severaldays,Daisy’smilkhadn’tdriedup.WhileAugusthadstillinsistedon
supplementingthem,atleastheandKeeganwereabletosleepthroughthenight.
ThesmileonAugust’sfacefell.
“What’swrong?”Keeganputthepuppyheheldwiththeothers.
“TheotherdaywhenKathygavemearidehomesheaskedmewhatIwasgoing
todowiththepuppies.”
ItwasanissueKeeganhadalreadythoughtaboutbutdidn’twanttobringup.
EspeciallywhileDaisywassick.
Augustsatup,andKeeganputanarmaroundhischest.“Whatdoyouwanttodo
withthem?”HerestedhischinonAugust’sshoulder.
Thepuppiesgruntedandgrowled.Daisywatchedthem.Everysooftenshewould
pushthemwithhernosetolinethemup.
AugustheldKeegan’swrist.“I’mnotsure.”
“WhatdidKathysay?”
“Shesaidsheknewsomeonewhohadawolfbreedingprogramtointroducethem
backintothewild.Butifthepuppiesarepartdog,Idoubtthey’dwantthem.Andif
they’repartcoyotewhatgoodwouldtheydoifshe’sbreedingwolves?”
“Shecouldbreedthemwithpurewolves.Afewgenerationsandthey’dbewolves.
AndIdoubtthecrossingwithacoyotewoulddoanyharm.Itmightactuallydogood.
Givesgeneticdiversitywhichtheyneedifthey’reworkingwithalimitedgenepool.”
AugustlookedatKeegan.
“What?”
“Wheredidyoulearnallthiswolfbreedingstuff?”
Keegan’sfirstinstinctwastopullaway.HoldingAugustandtalkingabouthispast
didnotbelongtogether.ButAugustsqueezedhishand.
“Salvatorehadanassociatewhobreddogs.WhenIwasakid,before…”Before
Keeganhadtotakeoverhisfather’shorrificduties.“Anyhow,alotofthekidsthere
helpedinthekennel.Ijusthelpedabitmore.”
“Whatkindofdogs?”
“Bigones.CaneCorsos.”
Augustfurrowedhisbrow.“Neverheardofthem.”
“Alotofpeoplehaven’t.They’refromItaly.”
“Whydidhehavethem?”
“Theymakeincredibleguarddogs.Salvatorewouldhavethemtrainedfor
protection.”Hopefully,Augustwouldn’taskhimtoelaborateonwhatkindofprotection.
BecausewhatSalvatoreusedthosedogsforwasasdespicableaswhatheusedKeegan
for.
AugustmusthaveseensomethinginKeegan’sexpressionbecausehestayedquiet.
Theywentbacktowatchingthepuppiesbattleoverwhogottoeatfromwhich
teat.
“WhatdoyouthinkIshoulddo?”ItwasrareforAugusttosoundsolost.
“Well,they’rebarelytwoweeks,soI’dsaythinkaboutit,thencontactthewoman
andtalktoher.”
“Andifshedoesn’twantanyofthem?”ThebrokenexpressiononAugust’sface
punchedKeeganintheheart.
“We’llkeepthem.We’llgetthemallsterilized,butwe’llkeepthem.”
AuguststaredatKeeganlikehedidn’tknowwhohewas.“Yeah,yeah,Iknow.I’ll
probablyregretsayingthat.”
AugustsmiledandkissedKeeganonthecheek.“Butyousaidit.”
Damnit,hedid.
*****
Augustrestedhiselbowsonthesideofthewhelping.Daisycameinfromthedog
doorandstoodbesidehim.ForthepastseveraldaysAugusthadwatchedthinlinesform
acrossthepuppies’eyelids,andnowthey’dparted.
“Looktheyhaveeyes.”
DaisycockedherheadatAugust.
“Well,Iknewtheyhadeyes.”OneofthepuppieslookedupatAugustandbarked.
DaisystuckhernoseinAugust’sear.
“Hey,whatdidIdo?”
Daisyjumpedinthebox,andimmediatelythepuppieswentintoafrenzytryingto
pusharoundonwobblylegs,rollingover,stumbling,landingontheirtinychinsintheir
madrushtogettotheirmother.
DaisysighedandgaveAugustaforlornlook.
“Don’tlookatmelikethat,Iwasn’ttheonewhowentgallivantingaroundthe
neighborhoodandgotknockedup.”
ShesquintedatAugust.
“PlannedParenthoodisyourfriend.Youshouldhavetoldmeyouwereseeing
someone.”
Daisysnortedandploppeddown.Apuppysquealedfromsomewhereunderher
side.Sheshifted,anditemergedimmediatelyjoiningitssiblings.
Therewasaknockatthedoor.
Augustknewwhoitwasandhedreadedmeetingher.LisaGardner,awildlife
rehabilitatorandcurrentdirectoroftheEasternTimberWolfbreedingprogram.August’s
reservationsweren’tbecauseshewasabadperson,butbecauseofhowtheideaofplacing
thepuppiesfeltlikeabetrayaltothemandDaisy.
Keeganemergedfromthebedroom,hairstillwetfromhisshower.
“I’vegotit.”Augustwenttothedoor.Hepausedwithhishandontheknob.He
tookabreath,exhaled,thenopenedthedoor.
Lisa’ssmilewasblinding.“Hi.”Sheheldoutherhand.“YoumustbeAugust.”
“Youfoundus.”Hetriedtosmilebutthebutterfliesinhisstomachincheduphis
throat,andallhecoulddowasgrithisteeth.
“AfterthetimeI’vespentinthewoodsitwaseasy.”
Auguststeppedaside.“Comein,haveaseat.”Hewrunghisfingers,stuffedhis
handsintohisjeanpockets,thentookthemoutandfoldedhisarm.Manners.Manners.
Shewasn’theretoconfiscatethepuppies.“Oh,uh,doyouwantsomethingtodrink?”
“No,noI’mgood.”Shetuggedoffherglovesandlaidthemwithhercoatonthe
armofthesofa.“Oh,my.”Herfreckledfaceblossomedintowonder.“Isshefrom
Alaska?”
IttookAugustamomenttorealizeLisameantDaisy.“Yeah,webroughtDaisy
backwithus.”
“Daisy,huh?”Shegrinned,andhergreeneyessparkled.“Willsheletmeget
close?”
“Sure.Whywouldn’tshe?”
“Normallywolvesareprettyprotective.”
Daisywasprotective.She’dprovenherloveforherpackmorethanoncein
Alaska.ButAugustwasprettysurethat’snotwhatLisameant.HewalkedovertoDaisy
andsatbesidethewhelpingbox.Lisajoinedhim.Sheheldoutherhand,andDaisysatup
tosniffher.
“Shereallyisincredible.”
“Sheis.”AugustruffledDaisy’sears.
“Willsheletmepickupthepuppies?”
“Sure.”
Lisareachedintothebox.
DaisylookedatAugust.“She’snotgoingtotakethem,shejustwantstolook.”
Daisylaidherheadbackdown.Lisahadafunnylookonherface.
“Whatisit?”Augusthopedtherewasn’tsomethingwrongwiththepuppyshe
held.
“It’salmostlikesheunderstandswhatyou’resaying.”
“Youhavenoidea.”Keeganwalkedoverandsatinthenearbyrecliner.Hiswell-
wornjeansmoldedtoeverylineandcurveofhisthickthighswhilenicelyhugginghis
package.HecaughtAuguststaring.Augustsmiledandshrugged.Keegansaid,“She’s
smart.Evenforawolf,she’ssmart.”
“Icanseethat.”Lisalookedthepupover.
“Canyoutellifthey’rewolfanddogorwolfandcoyote?”Augustwasn’tsure
whichwouldbebetter.
“It’simpossibleatthisage.Andwemightneverbeabletotelldependingonthe
breedshegotwithifitwasadog.Asforacoyote,therearesomesubtlesigns,butnothing
isabsolute.”
“Doesthatmeanyouwon’tbeabletotellifyoucanusethemornot?”
“Well,wecanDNAthem.Thatwilltellusifthere’sanydomesticdoginthese
littleguys.”
“So,youcangivethemahome?”Augusttriedtokeepfromsoundinghopeful,but
hewas.
Lisa’ssmilewassad.“Unfortunately,ifItookanyitwouldprobablyonlybe
females.Wehaveamalewolfinourbreedingprogramthat’sunrelatedtoallthefemale
wolvesweuse.Butifshebredwithacoyote-wolfmix,thenthere’sagoodchancethe
puppieswillhaveenoughwolfinthemtobeanasset.Evenwithatotallyunrelatedmale,
we’reseverelylackinginenoughdiversitytoensurethattheanimalsreleasedwon’tbetoo
relatedtoproducehealthyoffspring.Butiftheycomebackwithalotofdomesticdog,or
onlydomesticdogasthesire,thenno.Iwon’tbeabletotakethem.”
August’sheartsankalittle.“Iguessyoudon’tknowanyonewhowouldbeagood
home,huh?”
Lisaputthepuppybackintheboxandpickedupanother.“Wolfhybrids,
especiallydog-wolfhybridscanbeunpredictable.Theyoftenhavealotoftheinstinctand
verylittleofthenaturalfearofhumans.Fewpeople,andImeanveryfewhavetheskill,
understanding,andsetuptohaveone.Therearealotoflegalramificationstoo.Notto
mentionlawsinsomeareasthatmakeitillegaltoownthem.”
AugustglancedupatKeegan.Hissternexpressionwasunreadable.
“Isthereanywhereforthemtogo?”Augustneverthoughthe’dsaythosewords.
Buteightpuppies,eightgrowingpuppies,andsooneightadults,werealotofanimals.
Especially,iftheywereasbigandpowerfulasDaisy.
LisareturnedherattentiontoAugust.“I’msorry,butIdon’tknowofanywhere.”
“Whatifwerananadinthepaper?”
Sheshookherhead.“Thatwouldprobablybetheworstthingyoucoulddo.”
“Why?”
“Becausetherearepeoplewhowouldtakethembecausethey’refree,butthekind
ofhomesthey’dhavetoofferwouldmorethanlikelybeapoormatch.Notbecause
everyonewhowantsafreepetisbad,butbecausethesearenotdomesticateddogs.”
Andwolveswerenotpets.HowmanytimeshadKeegansaidthattoAugust?
“Whatifwehadasanctuarybuiltforthem?”Keegansaid.
Lisalookedathim.“Itwouldhavetobebig.Animalslikethisaregoingtoneeda
lotofroom.”
“We’vegotalotofland,andthere’smorearoundus.”Thesliverofhopein
August’schestsparked.“Isthereanythingwe’dneedtodotohaveone?”
“Ifyouownthelandandyou’renotbreedingthem,Idon’tthinkthere’smuchelse
you’dneedexceptasuitablefence.”Lisatouchednoseswiththepuppysheheld.“When
theygetalittlebigger,andyoustillwanttoplacethemI’llcomebackandcollectDNA
samples.Itwillhavetobesentofftoalabforcomparison,soitwon’tbequick.Butif
they’reenoughwolf,Icanhelp.”
LisaputthepuppybackwithDaisy.Sheimmediatelycleanedit.
Keeganstillworeanunreadableexpressionbutthedeterminationinhiseyesall
butburned.
*****
Keegandrovethefour-wheelerwiththewagonfulloffencepostsupthehillwhere
he’drunout.Hesloweddownwhenheapproachedthetwomenwhoownedafence
company,FrankHarris,andhissonLuke.
“Yousureyoudon’twanttogowiththethree-footfence?”Lukewipedthesweat
fromhisfacewithhissleeve.Despitethesixinchesofsnowontheground,bothmenhad
shedtheircoats.“Ifyou’vegottrespassersafewstringsofbarbedwirealongthetop
woulddiscouragethem.”
“I’msure.Eightfootiswhatwewant.”
FrankandLukeunloadedthepileofposts.“Howmanyofthesedidyousetup
yourself?”FrankeyedKeegan.ButthenFrankseemedtoeyeeveryone.
“Didn’tcount.Butitwasalot.Iwouldhavedonetherest,butIwantedtogetit
doneassoonaspossible.”Thepuppiesweregrowingwaytoofastandkeepingthemin
thewhelpingboxwasbecomingachallenge.Keeganhadraisedthesidesandmadeadoor
forDaisytogoinandoutof,buttheywerealreadytryingtheirbesttoscalethetwo-foot
addition.AtleastDaisywasdoingareallygoodjobofleadingthemoutsidetodotheir
business.Sofar,theaccidentshadbeenataminimum.
“We’regonnacarrytheaugeralongthelineswesetupanddrillafewholes.”
FrankwavedahandinthedirectionofthepinkribbonsKeeganhadtiedtotreestomark
offthefiftyacreshewantedtobefenced.“Thenwe’llhavetocallitaday.We’realmost
outofQuikreteandwillneedtogetanotherloadbeforewecansettheseposts.”
Lukepulledthelastpoleoffthewagon.“Thiswouldbeeasierifyou’dhave
someoneclearapathforthefence.”
“Son,”Franksaid.“Youneedtoquitbitchingaboutwhatwillmakethingseasier
foryoutodoyourjobandjustdoyourjob.”
Lukepickeduponeofthepostsandcarriedittothenexthole.Frankwatchedhim.
“He’syoung.”
Keegannodded.“Yeah,buthe’salsoright.”
“Maybe.Butplowingthroughherewithafront-endloaderwillonlymessupthe
scenery.”
“ExactlywhyI’mnotdoingit.”Also,thedensetreeswouldhopefullystopany
straybulletsfromhuntersorbetteryetkeepthepupshiddenfromanypryingeyes.
Frankdustedhisglovesagainstthelegofhiscoveralls.“Well,I’mgonnagetback
towork.Ihavetwomoreboyswithmetomorrowwithadditionalfour-wheelerssowecan
getthesepostsspreadoutandthefencerollsdistributed.”
“Whattimedoyouneedmeouthere?”Keeganbackedupthefour-wheeler.
FrankcutKeeganalook.“Wedon’tneedyououthere.Stayathome.Enjoyaday
off.EatleftoverChristmasdinner.Afterall,thisiswhatyouhiredusfor.”
True.Andtobehonest,KeeganmissedAugust.Fromherethecabinwashidden
behindacresofgreenandwhite.TheuntamedviewwasalmostenoughtoremindKeegan
ofAlaska.“Iguessifyouneedanythingyouknowwheretofindme.”
FrankwavedKeeganoff,andheheadedbackupthetrailwiththeemptywagon.
Keeganparkedthevehicleundertheshed.Amuffledyellcamefromthecabin.Keegan
tookuparun.Thecrygrewmorepanicked,andwithoutthinking,Keeganreachedback
forhisriflewhichwasn’tthere.
Hehadtoremindhimselfthiswasn’tAlaska,sothechancesofitbeinganything
hecouldn’thandlewithhishandswasn’tlikely.Herushedinside.
“Stop!Damnit.Willyoustop!”August’sangryvoicecracked.
Atfirst,Keeganhadnoideawhathewaslookingat.August’slegs,juttingout
fromtheendofthesofa.Puppiesattackedhispajamabottoms,tuggingthemdownhis
hips.Bothofhisbuttcheekswerecoveredinscratchesandteethmarks.
Keeganapproached,andtheconfusingpicturefellintoplace.Augustwashalf-way
insideamassiveholeinthesideofthesofa.Therewasagarbagebagfullofstuffingnext
tothewall.Thefewpiecesleftouthadbecometoystoacoupleofpuppiesnotripping
awayAugust’spants.
“Keegan?”Auguststruggled.“Keegan,ifthat’syouIcouldreallyusesomehelp
here.”
OneofthebiggerboypuppiesattackedAugust’sbareasscheck.Heyelled,there
wasathumpfrominsidethesofaandacurse.
“Damnit,Keegan…”
Keeganleaneddowntogetalookintothecavethatwasonceaveryniceleather
sofa.“Whydon’tyoujustcomeout?”
“Goddamnit,don’tyouthinkIwouldhavedonethatifIcould.I’mstuck.”August
screamedandyanked.
Oneofthesmallerpuppieswiggledoutfromunderhimwithasurprisedlook.
“Whichoneofthoselittleshitsjustbitmeonthenut?WhenIgetoutofhere,I’m
goingtoskineverysingleoneofyouandmakeyouallintohats.”Augustpulledhard
enoughtoscootthesofaacoupleofinches.Thepuppiescontinuedtogrowlwhilethey
pulledandrippedathispajamabottoms.
“Hangon,andI’llhelpyou.”Keegansnaggedacoupleofpuppiesbythescruff
andloadedthemintohisarms.Theywerebarelysevenweeksoldbutdamntheywere
huge.Heputthemintheboxthroughthewhelpingboxdoorandclosedit.Whenhewent
backthepuppythathadnippedAugustsatonhisback.“NowisnotthetimetoplayKing
oftheMountain.”Keegangathereduptherestinanotherarmload.“Ifyoufedthese
monsterstheywouldn’ttrysohardtoescape.”
“Iwastryingtofeedthem.ThentheygangbangedmewhenIwasn’tlooking.”
“Ifyouwerefeedingthemhowdidyougetstuckinthesofa?”
“Tulip.”
“Tulip?”
“I’llexplainlater,just…justgetmeoutofhere.”
“Letmegettheseheathensbackinthebox.”Keeganhadtotwisthisgripinan
uncomfortablepositiontogetthedoorunlatched.Assoonastheeyehookwasoutofthe
catch,thedoorswungopenandthebiggermaletriedtopullhimselfovertheedge.“Hey,I
don’tthinkso.”Keeganshoveditbackwithhiselbowandloweredtherestofthe
littermatesintothebox.Theonesalreadyinthereattackedthesleevesofhisshirt.
“Willyouhurryup!”Auguststruggledhardenoughtomovethesofaagain.
“Hangon,I’mtryingtodislodgepuppyteethfrommyarms.”Keeganshook
himselffreeandbarelygotthedoorclosed.Normally,Daisywasrightinthemiddleofall
this.Shewasvisiblethroughthewindowsittingonapatchofsnowonthebackdeck.She
watchedKeeganwhilepanting.
KeeganwenttohelpAugust.
“Whereareyoustuck?”
Augustgrowled.“Idon’tknow.I’mjuststuck.Myshirtwashung,soItriedtoslip
outofthat,thentheystartedattackingmyass,andIthink…yeahmyshoulder,there’sthis
pieceofwoodbehindmyarmandIcan’t…”Hekicked.
“Bestill.”KeegansqueezedAugust’spuppynippedbuttcheek.
“Hey!Nogropingwhilethehusbandisstuckinthesofa.Justgetacrowbar.
Lubricant.Anything.Getmethefuckoutofhere.”
“Keepyourpantson.”Keeganlaughedashestood.
“Ha,ha,veryfunnyPaulBunyan.”
Keeganstartedtowardsthegaragetograbaclawfoothammer.Hiscellphonesat
nexttoAugust’s.Hepickeditup.Nowhowdidthisthingworkagain?Hefoundthe
cameraiconandtappedit.ThescreenbecameaviewofKeegan’sfeet.Hewalkedback
overtoAugustandheldupthecamera,itfocused,andhehittheroundbuttonatthe
bottom.Thephoneclickedandflashed.Keegantookanotherone.
“Whatareyoudoingoutthere?”
“Just,uh,lookingforthehammer.”Keeganclickedafewmoreatvariousangles.
“Areyoutakingpictures?”Augusttriedtogettohisknees,butthecrossbeamon
thesofaframekepthimfromgettingveryfar.
“Pictures?Now,whywouldItakepictures?”JustoutofcuriosityKeeganhitthe
wordvideoatthebottomofthescreen.Acounterappearedatthetop.Oh,nowthiswas
brilliant.
“KeeganBrooks,getmethefuckoutofhereorsohelpmeIwillnevergiveyou
anotherblowjobaslongasyoulive.”
Keeganmovedcloser.“Couldyourepeatthat?Idon’tthinkthemicrophonepicked
itup.”
“Microphone?”Augustsnarledandjerked,kickedandthrashed.“You’retakinga
videoofthis?”
“Forwhenthegrandkidswanttoknowwhatkindofstupidshitweusedtodo
whenwewereyoung.”KeeganpinchedAugust’sasscheekagain.
“Willyouquitcoppingafeelandhelpme?”Augustcollapsedonthefloor.
Itwashighlyunlikelyhe’dhavethesameamountofmercyiftheroleswere
switchedbut…Keeganturnedthecameraoff.“Okay,hangon.”
“Isthathangonsoyoucanhelporhangonsoyoucanvideorecordsomemore?”
“I’mputtingthecameraup.Justhangon.”Keeganturnedoffthecameraandleftit
onthetablenexttothedoor.Heretrievedahammerfromthegarage.Whenhereturned,
Augusthadscootedthesofaawayfromthewall.“Isaidhangon.”
“Wellexcusemefordoubtingyourmotives.”
Okay,maybeKeegandeservedthat.Justalittlethistime.Heremovedthe
cushions.Thelumpunderthefabricbasemoved.Hetappedit.“Thatyourhead?”
“No,Keegan,it’smydick.”
“JustcheckingbeforeIstarthittingstuffwiththishammer.”Keegantookouthis
Leathermanandflippeditopentotheblade.HecutaholeatasafedistancefromAugust’s
headthenyankedatthefabric.ItrippedrevealingAugustwithhisshoulderswedgedpast
asectionofframe.ItwassonarrowKeegancouldn’tfigureouthow’dhegotteninthere
tobeginwith.
ThepuppyAugusthadbeentryingtofishoutlookedupathimandtilteditshead.
Augustdroppedhisforeheadtothefloor.“IwasbeginningtowonderifIwas
goingtodieunderhere.”
Keeganexaminedthecrossbeams.Mostofthewoodwasgluedandthentacked
togetherwithfinishingnails.Hewedgedthehammerintoaseam.
ThepuppybarkedandslappedAugustinthefacewithitstongue.“Ug,stop.
Please.You’velickedmeraw.”
“Nowhowdidyouwindupinsidethesofaagain?”Keeganpushedthehammer
back,andthewoodcracked.
“Iwastryingtofeedthepuppies.”LouderAugustsaid,“Andthattraitorousbitch
outthereopenedthewhelpingboxdoorwhileIwasinthekitchenandletthepuppiesout
ofthebox.”
Keeganpoppedanotherpieceofwoodloose.
“So,sheletthepuppiesout.Iwasinthekitchen.NextthingIknowthere’ssnow
alloverthefloor.They’deatenoutthesideofthecouch.WhenIwaspickingupthemess,
IrealizedTuliphadherheadhunginaspring,soIclimbedinheretogetherout.”Tulip
barkedthengrowled.ShegrabbedAugust’sbangsandshookthem.“StopitTulip,orI’m
goingtostickyourightbackwhereIfoundyou.”
KeeganwiggledoneoftheboardspinchingAugust.Thepiecetheboardwasglued
andnailedtobroke,freeingAugust’sshoulder.
“Finally.”Hetwisteduntilhistrappedarmwasabovehisheadandhewasableto
backoutofthesofa.Augustsatbackonhishealsgaspingforair.Redsplotchedhis
cheeks,andtherewerescratchesonhisnoseandchin.Keeganofferedhimahandup,and
hetookit.“Myhero.”Augustleanedagainsthim.Sweatslickedhisskin.
“Howlongwereyouunderthere?”
“Inormallyfeedthemateight.”
Sinceeightinthemorning?Anditwasalmostthree.“Jesus,August.”
“Ihadithandleduntilshe…”AugustglaredinDaisy’sdirectionwhereshesaton
thedeck.Sheturnedherheadaway.“Letthemout.”Hewincedandsteppedback.“Oneof
thosepuppiesbitmeinthenutsack.”Heexaminedthedamage.Sure,enoughtherewere
twonicedentsinAugust’sleftsackandasmearofblood.“Fucking,littlebastardtriedto
castrateme.”
“Ifyouthinkthat’sbad,don’tlookatyourass.”
Augustglared.“I’mgoingtotakeashower.”Heyankeduphispajamabottoms,
buttheywouldn’tstay.
Tulipbarked,andKeeganpickedherupoutofthecouch.“Ithinkit’ssafetosay
you’regrounded.”Heputherbackintheboxwithherlittermateswho’dcrashedin
oppositecornersandweresoundasleep.
TheshowerkickedoninthebathroomandAugustsquealed.“Fuck,fuck,fuckthat
burns.Goddamnedpuppies.”
Keeganpressedhislipstogethertokeepfromlaughing.
“KeeganBrooksifyousomuchassmileI’mgoingtosuperglueyourasscheeks
togetherwhileyousleep.”
Keeganhookedthehammeronthesideofthecouchandwentoutsidetowhere
Daisysatstaringintentlyatthescenery.
Heleanedagainsttherailing.“Thatwasaprettydirtytrickyoupulled.”
Daisycontinuedtostare.
Keegannudgedherwithhisfoot.“Goodwolf.”
Daisythumpedhertail.
*****
Augustwasn’tsurewhethertobesadorrejoice.Thepuppies’DNAtestshadcome
back,theyweremorewolfthancoyoteandtherewasnoevidenceofdomesticdog,sothe
fatherhadbeenacoyote-wolfmix.
Lisacouldtakethemajorityofthemandusetheminthebreedingprogramto
reintroduceTimberWolvestotheeasternpartoftheUS.Thenewbloodwouldallowfor
greatergeneticdiversityandhelpwithproducingstrongerhealthieroffspring.
AugustshouldhavebeenhappythatDaisy’spupsweregoingtonotonlydosome
goodforthespecies,butthey’dhaveasuitablepermanenthomewithpeoplewho
understoodwhattheyneededandhowtoproperlycareforthem.
Lettingthemgohadbeenhardbutsittingatthekitchentableandstaringatthe
emptywhelpingbox,hurt.
KeeganrestedhishandonAugust’sshoulderandsqueezed.Heautomatically
reachedupandcoveredKeegan’shandwithhis.
“They’llbefine.”KeegankissedAugustontopofhishead.
“Iknow.”
“It’swhattheyneeded.”
Augustknewthattoo.Whilethehugefenceenclosurehadmadeagreatexercise
areaatsixteenweeks,theywereobviouslyreadytogomuchfarther.Exceptfortwo:Lily
andTulip.Thebrotherandsisterpairhadbeenthemostdocileofthelitter,choosingto
stayclosetothehousewhiletherestpreferreddiggingshallowholesandsleepinginthe
woods.
EvenDaisyhadn’tbeenabletocoaxthembackinsidetoliveacivilizedlife.
Nowthesixlittleoutlawswouldhavemilesofterritoryandasafehaven.
Still,Augustcouldn’thelpbutfeelloststaringattheemptywhelpingbox.Andin
acoupleofmonths,Dr.WinstonwouldspayandneuterLilyandTulip,andthere’dbeno
morebabiesinthefuture.
“Hey.”KeegansatdownnexttoAugust.“I’vegotsomethingforyou.”Hetooka
thinbox,wrappedinredandgold,outofhispocketandhelditout.Christmasmorning
they’dspenthoursunwrappingpresents.Noneofituselessstufftoclutteruptheplace.
NeitherAugustorKeeganhadadesireforthings.Theyboughtitemstheycoulduse,and
foranythingelse,theyhadeachother.
Augusttookit.“Don’tyouthinkyougotmeenoughforChristmas?”
“Never.”
“Idon’tknow,thatblowjobwasprettyspectacular.”
Keeganlaughed.
Augustshookthebox.
“Openit.”
HesquintedatKeegan.
“What?”
“Thisisn’tmorephotosofmyassisit?”Auguststillcouldn’tbelieveKeeganhad
photographedhim.Photographed,videotaped,andthenhadprintsmadesotheycould
memorializethemoment.
Twoofthebestoneswereactuallyonthewall.
AssoonasAugustthoughthecouldgetawaywithit,theyweregoinginthetrash.
“Nophotos,Ipromise.”KeegankissedAugustagainonthetemple.“Openit.”
Augustdid.ItwasalaminatedIDbadge.“What’sthis?”Heturneditover.Virginia
WildlifeReservewaswrittenacrossthetop.OnonesideAugust’sphoto.Itwascasual
enoughithadtohavecomefromoneofthepicturesKeeganandAugusthadtaken
together.
Ontheotherside,thebadgeread:AugustVallory,LicensedIntern.
Hewrinkledhisbrow.
Keeganleanedcloser.“Lisasaidyouweresogoodatraisingthosepupsthatshe
thoughtyoumightbeinterestedinbeingafosterhome.”
“Forwhat?”
“Puppieswhohavetobehand-feduntilthey‘rebigenoughforsolidfood.”
Puppies.TearsprickedthecornersofAugust’seyes.Hehadtoswallowseveral
timesbeforehefoundhisvoice.“Youdon’tmind?”
“Notifitmakesyouhappy.”KeegantippedAugust’sheadbackandbrushedhis
lipsoverAugust’s.“Becauseyouarethemostimportantthingintheworldtome.”
AndAugustdidn’tthinkhecouldlovethismananymorethanhedid.
Hewassoverywrong.
End.