FLASH FICTION
freedom to roam and hunt at will over a vast territory, right? That costume is a masterpiece, she told Lana. I’ m impressed. You should have heard me cursing for the last two days, her friend replied.
Two days. Rae tried remembering where she’ d been over the past two days. The past two weeks, for that matter. She and Zack had been so busy patrolling the outer reaches of the ranch, she’ d been a little out of touch. Ever since the hellhound attack a month before, the pack had been on high alert. The enemy was vanquished but no one was quite ready to settle down yet.
That mood was evident in the stance of the children’ s fathers, who stood two steps away, scanning the landscape. Ty’ s eyes never stopped roving the hills, and even Cody’ s normally relaxed face twitched at the slightest sound from the bush.
“ Let me guess,” Rae joked, tossing Cody a candy bar.“ You’ re dressed as a cowboy.” Meaning, he looked the way he always did: world’ s hottest rancher crossed with surfer dude.
Cody hooked his thumbs in his jean pockets and drawled,“ Yes, ma’ am.”“ And you must be …” Rae tossed a treat to Ty.
Mount Vesuvius on one of his more dormant days? Zack finished, keeping the joke between him and his mate. Ty had a brooding nature that fluctuated between dormantyet-dangerous and explosively lethal. Except, of course, for the moments of pure joy that slipped out when he was around his kids.
way.”
“ Daddy is dressed as Daddy!” Tana exclaimed. Ty grinned at his daughter then hastened to glue a neutral expression back on.“ What do you say for the candy?” Heather prompted the kids.“ Thank you!” Holly cried.“ Happy Halloween!” Tana waved, already retreating down the steps.“ Thank you!” Sammie gave a tiny, quiet wave.“ We’ d better get going.” Lana pointed.“ Your next customers are already on their
Sure enough, a second batch of children and parents were heading up the path. Timmy was dressed as a ghost, and the children jostling beside him were jailbirds, complete with chains and striped shirts.
“ Trick or treat!” they called, announcing their arrival from down the way.