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.