scared. But then the bird came.
Bird?
Remembering, Nathaniel glanced around. But the rocks were empty.
Then I wasn't so scared. She stayed all night. She was there whenever I woke up.
She flew away with the other one, but then you came. Is Mom mad at me?
Probably.
Kevin sighed again a long-suffering sound that made Nathaniel smile.
I guess I'm
in trouble.
Well, let's get your things and go back and face the music.
Kevin picked up his knapsack and put his hand trustingly in Nathaniel's.
Does it
hurt?
he asked, studying Nathaniel's face.
You bet.
Later, can I see all your bruises?
Sure. I've got some beauts.
Nathaniel felt every one of them as they climbed back up to the cliff path and started down the rocky slope toward home. It was worth it, worth every jar and wince, to see the look on Megan's face.
Kevin!
She flew across the lawn, hair blowing, cheeks tracked with tears.
Go on,
Nathaniel murmured to the boy.
She'll want to hug you first.
With a nod, Kevin dropped his knapsack and raced into his mother's arms.
Oh, Kevin...
She couldn't hold him tight enough, even kneeling on the grass, pressing him close, rocking and weeping in terrible relief.
Where'd you find him?
Trent asked Nathaniel quietly.
Up on the cliffs, holed up in a crevice in the rocks.
Good God.
C.C. shuddered.
Did he spend the night up there?
Looked that way. I had this feeling, I can't explain it. And there he was.
A feeling?
Trent exchanged a look with his wife.
Remind me to tell you sometime
how I found Fred when he was a puppy.
Max gave Nathaniel a pat on the back.
I'll go call the police, let them know we've found him.
He'll be hungry.
Coco swallowed fresh tears and burrowed closer to Dutch.
We'll go fix him something to eat.
You bring 'em in when she's finished slobbering over him Dutch camouflaged
the break in his voice with a cough.
Women. Always making a fuss.
Come on, let's go in.
Suzanna tugged on Alex and Jenny's hands.
But I want to ask if he saw the ghosts, Alex complained.
Later.