Breathless (34 page)

She straightened up from the railing. “So I guess you could say we owe it all to ol’ one-fang. The
grafhym
started all this, but in the end, it’s what saved me.”

Judy smiled broadly and hugged her daughter one more time. “I’m not sure I’ll ever completely understand, but I’m thankful for the way it turned out.” She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a digital camera. “Rave, take a picture of my beautiful children and me, please.” She pressed the camera into Rave’s hand.

Too startled to pull his hand away in time, Rave stared down at the camera, then looked helplessly at Leesa.

Leesa laughed and plucked the camera from Rave’s hand. “You’re gonna have to get yourself a new camera, Mom.”

A puzzled expression creased her mom’s brow. “What do you mean? I just bought that one.” She took the camera from Leesa and began fiddling with the buttons.

“Trust me, Mom. You’re gonna need a new one.”

EPILOGUE

R
ave waved as the Taurus pulled out of the parking lot. A smiling Leesa waved back through the rear window. Lunch had been wonderful. The Nylands had been so natural and easy with one another, in a manner he’d never seen or experienced among his own people. He loved watching the way they interacted. Even more, he loved seeing Leesa so happy. And Leesa had made sure he felt included in everything. Her mom and Bradley had accepted him completely as Leesa’s boyfriend and as a part of the family. They had even teased him good-naturedly about his refusal to ride in the car with them. A pleasant warmth radiated through his chest, and he knew it had nothing to do with his fire.

Only one thing bothered him, one thing that threatened the idyllic future he envisioned for all of them. The
brillig
and the
tove
were continuing to strengthen—
Destiratu
seemed a certainty. And he knew that could endanger everything.

#####

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to thank Jessica Dall, who was my “conduit” into the minds and behaviors of young college women. Jessica also provided valuable early editing and refused any recompense for her help other than my eternal gratitude.

Thanks also to Jane Steele ([email protected]) of Wordwright Solutions for her quick and insightful editing services, and to Theresa Johnson of Orchard View Color (
www.orchardviewcolor.com
,
[email protected]
)
for her cover design. Both Jane and Theresa provided special considerations to help this project come to fruition.