“I’ll come with you,” Keegan offered, pushing his chair back. But I shook my head gently.
“That’s okay.”
“Let them have privacy,” Bella whispered to Keegan.
Keegan paused and nodded with curiosity in his eyes. “All right. Holler if you need me.”
Twobble snorted, but I didn’t wait for further remarks.
I slipped out the front door, letting the gentle morning sun bathe my face as the rays bounced off the brilliant snow.
My dad was curled up next to the cottage like an oversized stuffed toy the size of a Midwest mountain. His head resting on his paws. Karvey was perched on his forehead, wings folded, and his stony expression was calm. The sight made me grin.
“Hey, Dad,” I called softly.
My dad’s ears twitched, and he cracked open a massive eye. A short, rumbling huff escaped him, a dog’s version of a greeting.
Karvey, stoic as ever, rose in a slow stretch of stone wings and hopped down to the porch with a smallthud.
He nodded once at me and flew to his crew.
I placed a hand on Dad’s thick fur and smiled.
“You doing okay?” I asked.
He let out a low-pitched whine that vibrated through the ground
“I know. This isn’t ideal. But it’s better than being with Gideon, right?”
Dad snorted and exhaled a gust of dog breath that ruffled my hair. I laughed, despite the stench of leftover breakfast sausage.
“I miss her,” I whispered, with a voice barely above a breath. “Grandma. I miss her a lot and feel guilty about not being there more at the Academy.”
Regret. A longing to see his mom ran deeper than words. He lowered his massive head and rested his forehead gently against mine, and I had to close my eyes against the tears.
“And I know you do, too.”
Dad’s big brown eyes met mine, and the world felt still for a moment.
In those familiar eyes I saw something that nearly shattered me—grief.
“Is there anything you want me to tell her when I see her next?” I asked softly. “I’m going there soon to find a spell to get you back down to size.”
He let out a soft whine and nudged me gently with his nose, trying not to knock me over with his sheer size. It was answer enough.
“Okay. I’ll take it back to the Academy. She’ll know.”
Bella’s muffled laughter rang through the air, and I pouted my lips. My dad cocked his head slightly and studied me.
A twinge of jealousy reared again.
I felt foolish for it.
I had no claim on Keegan.But why does their connection sting?
Dad’s enormous head moved slightly, his big brown eyes rolling to focus on me. I could almost imagine him raising a canine brow in question.
“Yeah,” I admitted, voice subdued, “I’m being silly.”
