Dawn Redeemed

"Ok." Ruby squinted against the sun and looked questioning at Hanning.

Hanning scowled down at her. Nash had ordered them to be amicable to one another, for Evan's sake. Sure. No problem. He'd be the epitome of amicability, and at the end of thirty days, all he had to do was say that he tried and he'd be a divorced man. Sure. Catch wasn't the only game he could play. "Why not."

The Super Center was as busy after five PM as it was on a Saturday afternoon. Erica's cart bumped along the endless line of weary shoppers shuffling in a zombie like gait from aisle to aisle. Ah, the joy of consumerism, Erica thought miserably.

Fallon was busily tearing through the girl's sleepwear section, which was conveniently located next to the women's intimates department. The selection of lacy push up bras and scanty scraps of fabric that loosely met Erica's definition of panties drew her attention and the wild side of her psyche that wondered what Torr would think of her in one of the matching bra and panty sets.

Erica calculated the puny amount in her checking account. Even though the deposit had been sizable. It was the equivalent of pouring a tea cup full of water in the middle of the Sahara and calling it a rainstorm. Utilitarian was good, she rationalized. Her underwear were serviceable. Her bras still had their shape and sort of did what they were supposed to do. Besides, if she got busy with Torr, what were the odds that he'd be all that interested in her underwear. Most likely, he'd be more interested in what was underneath them.

"What do you think Mom?" Fallon held the summery pink nightgown to her chest and spun. The frills at the bottom fluttered gently in the wake of her spin.

Erica checked the size to make sure unless Fallon hit a major growth spurt, she'd get at least the whole summer out of the gown. She also checked the price. Her little girl was already showing the beginnings of a frugal shopper, just like her mama. The gown was marked down twenty-five percent off. "I like it."

Erica mentally tallied up her purchases in the cart. She'd picked out a flouncy summery print tank top and a black skirt for herself. The clothing was not on sale. But Erica rationalized that the skirt could double as work wear too. So that made it a bargain. Fallon had a the gown and a short set. There were a few other odds and ends that had accumulated in the bottom of the shopping cart. She might get lucky and make it through the doors with a little change to spare.

Pensively, she fingered the lacy black bra. If she bought it, she'd spend every last cent of her mad money. Before she could put it back, she snatched the bra and panty set off the rack and tossed it into the cart. She didn't have any lurid plans for her date with Torr. But if they did end up in bed, he'd better damn well notice her underwear.

The checkout lines stretched clear to the state line and were moving slower than molasses in January. Erica idly read the covers on the latest gossip rags as she waited her turn. Elvis was alive and well and living it up in southern California. Who knew? Erica's cell phone rang from the depths of her purse. She dug it out along with a handful of stray tic-tacs that promptly went scattering across the floor, "Hello?"

"I need a hug," Torr said. And he meant it. His stomach was doing flip flops as the hours drug by. Thanks to daylight savings time, he still had hours to go till the moon fully rose in the night sky.

"Aww," Erica said with a teasing lilt to her voice, "me too."

"Can I come over for a minute or two? I'd really like to see you and Fallon again."

"You saw us yesterday."

Fallon's ears perked up. "Is it Dad?" She bounced excitedly and teetered on her tip toes as she grappled with her mother for the phone.

"Yes, it's your dad." Erica twisted and pressed the phone up to her ear. "Can you give us an hour before you stop by? I'm kind of trapped in check out hell right now."

Torr chuckled, "Sure."

"I'll see you then." Erica clicked off the phone and inched up a place in line. Four carts were ahead of her and loaded to the very top. Maybe she should have told him to come in an hour and a half. Or maybe, she should have told him not to stop by today at all. Nah. Something in his voice sounded sad. He didn't sound stalker desperate. Just very sad.



Chapter 83

"Mom did you have fun today?" Evan asked.

"Sure Evan. I like playing with you." Ruby checked the water temperature to make certain that the water wasn't too hot for Evan. He desperately needed a quick dunk in the tub before supper to wash away a layer of little boy sweat and grime. She reached for the hem of his t-shirt.

"I can do it," Evan said proudly. He wiggled out of the t-shirt and like a good little boy should, he tossed it in the hamper with the other dirty clothes. His shorts and socks quickly followed. "See." He had a towel loosely wrapped around his waist to keep his mom from seeing his boy parts.

"What a big boy you're getting to be," Ruby clapped, praising her son. "Soon my little baby will be all grown up."

"Yeah, I'll be seven next month," Evan boasted as he jerked off the towel and dove into the tub.

"I know, I'm your mother. I'd never forget your birthday. I was there when you were born." Ruby soaped up a washrag and ran it over Evan's bony back. "What do you want more than anything else for your birthday?"

"Anything?" Evan asked with a grin.

"Anything."

Evan splashed in the water for a minute and thought about his mom's question. "I want you and Dad to make up."

Ruby rested her chin on the porcelain side of the tub and sighed. "I do too, Evan."

Hanning stood outside the door of his master bath listening to Ruby and Evan giggle and play as Evan took his bath. For a minute, he was lost in a happier time. Back when he thought everything was ok. Evan's birthday request, spoken in a child's longing and innocence, stabbed him right in the heart. He ran his hand through his hair and stared down at the carpet beneath his feet. He didn't want to disappoint his son. But, he didn't know if he had the courage or the heart to give their failed relationship another try.

Fallon rushed through a late supper of leftovers and scrubbed herself spic and span in the tub. She wiggled into her new nightgown and sat on the couch, waiting for her dad to show up. She wanted him to see her new nightgown. Already the hands on the clock were inching precariously close to bedtime. Finally after what seemed like hours, the white rock rustled under the weight of tires. She knew the sound of his truck rolling up the drive. "It's Dad!"

Erica looked up from her magazine and tossed it onto the coffee table. The T.V. was on the same channel it was always on. Out here in the country, there weren't many T.V. programs to chose from and her uncle had a particular penchant for a never ending sports station. She tried to wipe the silly grin from her lips as she walked to the door to let Torr in. He looked stressed and more than a little frazzled. Worry peeked out through the cracks of his otherwise smooth veneer. "Hi," she said, holding the screen door open for him.

"Hi." Torr wiped his boots on the mat as he walked into the house. "Mister and Misses Grey," he said with a nod.

"Hi, Dad." Fallon hopped off the couch and spun, modeling her new nightgown. "I got a new nightgown today."

"You look very pretty, Fallon. I wondered why you were dressed for bed at eight o clock. I like it. Very grownup," Torr said.

Fallon blushed and giggled. "Thanks, Dad. Mom got some new clothes today too."

"She did," Torr said with over emphasized enthusiasm.

"Yeah. She got a skirt and a shirt, and a really fancy bra."

Did this kid live to embarrass her? Erica wondered. Shrinking back away from the door to hide her blush, she said, "Fallon, why don't ask Torr if he wants something to drink."

"Do you?" Fallon asked.

"Sure." Torr looked over his shoulder and gave Erica a wink as he followed Fallon into the kitchen.

Erica blushed even more furiously at the amused grin on Torr's face. Still it was nice, although at her expense, to see him begin to relax a little. She pulled the ice bucket down out of the freezer as Fallon dropped the cubes into three glasses. Erica poured from the bottomless tea pitcher that sat in the back of the fridge and dropped a slice of lemon into each glass. She handed him his glass and held the back door open. Her aunt and uncle were no doubt curious, but they stayed put in the living room, letting her have the back porch and the kitchen to entertain her guest.

Torr waited for Erica to sit in one of the lawn chairs and scooted his closer once she'd settled in. Fallon raced around the backyard in her nightgown and a pair of oversized flip flops chasing the first fireflies of the evening. He sipped his tea and reached out to take Erica's hand in his. Torr enjoyed this tiny piece of normalcy and quiet, a brief refuge before the raging of the storm began.

Erica squeezed his hand back. Torr's thumb gently traced the pulse point on her wrist in slow circles. She sensed that Torr had things on his mind, big things as heavy as the weight of the world on his shoulders. But, he wasn't Atlas, and he was struggling to bear the weight. She sat quietly, taking in the cool draughts of fragrant air that wafted in from the thick of the woods.

The sky sank from a golden glow to the deep indigo of dusk. "Fallon, its bedtime," Erica called to her daughter. Fallon was relentless and tireless in her pursuit of the blinking glowing green dots of light that flittered about in random patterns.

"Aw Mom!"

"Don't aw Mom me... bed." Erica said sternly.

Fallon skipped across the back porch and opened her cupped hands. "See." A giggle escaped her lips as the lightning bug, blinked his green light once or twice and flew away to join the other brilliant specks of light in the backyard.

Torr sat his empty glass down on the counter and followed Erica and Fallon to Fallon's room. He stood in the doorway watching Erica as she performed Fallon's bedtime ritual of tucking a light blanket around Fallon's shoulders, checking under the bed and in the closet, and flipping on a nightlight. After Erica had her tucked in to both of their satisfaction, Torr walked across the room and gave her a light peck on the tip of her nose. "Goodnight, Fallon."

Fallon stifled a yawn and grinned up at her dad. "Goodnight Dad."

Erica gave Fallon a quick peck and flicked off the light. She was a little sleepy herself. She escorted Torr to the front porch and walked down the porch steps with him. Guiding him to a dark corner where the dim illumination of the porch light couldn't penetrate.

"So you got a new bra?" Torr teasingly ran the tip of his finger along her bra strap.

"I'm not wearing it right now. I'm saving it for a special occasion." Erica stilled his fingers and gripped onto them.

"I'm special," Torr retorted, locking his fingers through hers as he pulled her closer.

"That you are," Erica leaned into him and snuggled along the curve of his neck. He had to bend at the waist for her to reach him. Somehow, she didn't think he minded. Torr's big, powerful arms wrapped around her and he hugged her tightly. Rocking them gently back and forth as he squeezed. She felt warm, safe, and precious when he held her like this. For a minute, there was only the two of them, the whole world had simply stopped turning and they had the whole, big, blue marble all to themselves.

"Thanks for letting me come by," Torr whispered into the shell of her ear. He didn't want to let her go. Already the moon was climbing over the tops of the trees. It shone full and fat against the black backdrop of the night sky like a perfect round luminescent pearl resting upon a bed of jet velvet. His lips found her earlobe and he gently nipped at the tiny bit of flesh with the tips of his teeth.

Erica shivered in Torr's arms. Such a little thing as a pair of perfect, full lips brushing against the sensitive lobe of her ear should not stir such a sensation in her body. The gesture was so simple and yet it implied something greater and far more important. "I'm glad you came." She let the motion of his body rock her back and forth as if she were dancing, following his lead, her heart in perfect time with his.

"I should let you get some sleep." Torr was out of time. By now the pack masters had gathered on the bluffs and were impatiently awaiting his arrival. He closed his eyes and inhaled the skin along the curve of her neck deeply. Memorizing the gentle scent that was unique to her. He dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers, softly, sweetly, gently as a the whispered words of love that were trapped on his tongue.

Erica melted against the length of his body and let the heat of his kiss carry her to a far off place. There was an urgency, a desperate need hidden beneath the softness and gentle caressing of his lips. Her fingers wound into the cotton of his plain black cotton t-shirt and felt the beating of his heart beneath their tips. His pulse was racing along faster than hers, as fast as a scared rabbit. "Goodnight," Erica whispered against his lips.

Torr wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground. Erica was light in his arms. Delicate as a tender flower in full bloom. God, he'd give anything to stay with her instead of going where he had to go. Reluctantly, he sat her down, carefully and gently. "Goodnight."

Erica fanned her face as Torr walked toward the truck. Maybe that pink bra was a wise investment after all. She watched his headlights bounce off the darkness of the trees as he backed out. She wished that he'd tell her what had been bothering him all evening. She wished she'd had the guts to ask instead of standing her getting eaten by mosquitoes watching his taillights get swallowed up by the darkness.

Erica swatted at one of the little buggers and missed. She hurried inside the safety of screens and walls and windows before more of the pesky suckers found her and she was covered in itchy welts the size of tennis balls. The front door was never locked no matter the time of day. Tonight, she did. There was something...maybe it was Torr's adamant warnings to keep out of the woods or the expression on his face... but tonight, she locked the house up tight.

Chapter 84

Ruby curled up on the narrow bed and gently ruffled Evan's hair in her fingers. He was fast asleep, dreaming of baseballs, super heroes, and ice cream sundaes as tall as Mount Everest. She wished she could join him in the innocent world that existed in his mind. Instead, she her mind raced with thoughts. Sleeplessness taunted at the edges of her exhausted brain. She should give it up and let her son stretch out and get some uninterrupted rest. But, she didn't ever want to leave his side.

Careful not to wake Evan, she eased onto her back and stared up at the glow in the dark stars pasted on his ceiling. Thirty days, wasn't long. Not nearly long enough to prove to Hanning that they still had a marriage left to save. How could she have been so stupid? She sifted through her muddled feelings. Since confronting them, and Ramon's ghost, she understood them a lot better.

Ramon was her first love. He would always hold a special place in her heart. That fact, she couldn't change. She'd let her love for him preoccupy her and over shadow any feelings that she had for Hanning. Letting Ramon go had been difficult, but it was the right thing to do. With him gone and her feelings for him tucked away in a special corner of her heart. She was free to explore her feelings for Hanning. It was only then that she realized how much she loved him. Her love for him was different than it was for Ramon, but it was every bit as strong and every bit as real.

She'd betrayed Hanning utterly. She'd pulled out all the stops to drive him away. Now he was gone, and she wanted him back. The echoing bong of the grandfather clock downstairs sounded out in the dark quiet of the house. Ruby counted the chimes. She now had twenty-nine days.

Hanning restlessly walked the floors. The house was settling in for the night. Here and there a board would creak, the whirring of the fridge or the chugging of the air conditioner, the sound of someone's snoring would cut through the quiet, otherwise it was just him and the light patter of his footsteps for company.

He was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. His body was tense. His mind raw. Doggedly, he climbed the stairs. Determined to put the day behind him. He only had twenty-nine days of this hellish limbo left before he was cut free. All he had to do was sit back and wait for time to pass.

Evan's door was cracked open. A thin beam of pale yellow light from his ever faithful Spidey nightlight shone across the floor. Hanning rested his palm on the cool, smooth wooden surface of the door and paused. He hated what all of this drama was doing to his little boy. Evan should be worried about whether to put chocolate sprinkles or strawberry syrup on his ice cream. It wasn't fair that instead, Evan had to worry about mommy and daddy's endless battles.

Gently, Hanning pushed the door wider and peeked inside. His eyes narrowed when he saw Ruby leaning on one elbow staring up at him from Evan's bed with a finger pressed to her lips shushing him. Evan was cuddled against her sleeping contentedly. Their eyes met for a quarter of a second, saying more than words could convey, before he pulled the door to and walked away.

Soft brown eyes big and round as a doe's met his with silent pleading. She was sorry, he knew that. She did love him. Looking at her, he knew that too. She only wanted his forgiveness and a second chance. Hanning scrubbed his palm down his jaw and exhaled. He didn't have the energy to hate her. No matter how much he wanted to and by rights he should, he didn't. He still loved her. Damn him, but he still did.

Hanning heard the bedroom door open and close lightly behind him. Ruby's footfalls were timid, barely a whisper, on the thickly padded carpet as she walked across the room. He dropped his head when her fingertips hesitantly brushed across the space between his shoulders. His eyes fell shut, as the warmth of her palm radiated through his t-shirt, burning the flesh beneath. The broken pieces of his heart shattered again when he heard the soft lilt of his name on her lips.

"Hanning, can we talk?"

Chapter 85

Torr peeled off his shirt as he stepped from the shelter of the tress into the moon washed clearing. The power of this place rippled along his skin like thousands of fingers caressing every inch of his body at the same time. He wasn't one to believe in magic, but he was sure rethinking that now. The ground beneath him was alive. The air supercharged with the heavy weight of energy. He shuddered beneath the sheer force pressing down on his shoulders. "Let's get this over with," he gritted.

"You'll need help," Eloise said gently. She bit her bottom lip. Torr's face was a mix of pain and dread. Birthright gave him the ability to be a leader. Leadership was more than just a position that one was born into by right though. The fact that Torr had shown up, despite what he personally wanted for himself, showed that he possessed the inner strength to be a leader and that trait had nothing to do with birthright and every thing to do with the man.

Torr dropped to his knees and gripped handfuls of dew soaked grass in his fingers. "Do it."

Drew approached slowly and cautiously. Torr barely had reign over his wolf. Whether Torr could admit it or not, he was a pack master. Offering his throat to another predator would not be without price. "You must control your wolf, if not, one of us won't be walking out of here tonight. My wolf will respond if you attack. There are some things that even reason can't prevent. We are at our very core as nature made us."