Dark Summer

'Right.'

Devon had to hurry to keep pace with Marrok as he started up the slope. 'Where are we going?'

'The cave. Ned and the other dogs sometimes used to sleep there when Paco was alive.' He was watching Ned and Wiley trot up ahead of them. 'Ned doesn't want to go. You can see how stiff he is.'

'But Wiley doesn't seem to mind.'

'I told you, Wiley led a hard life before Paco took him in. He's used to hard knocks. He loved Paco, but he's learned to live with losses.'

She smiled. 'Good Lord, you sound like a canine psychiatrist.'

He shrugged. 'I know these dogs. They're all different, with different needs.' He glanced at her. 'Just as we are.'

'What if Ned won't go into the cave?'

'I won't force him. I'm hoping he'll follow Wiley.'

'Why do you think it's so important that Ned come to terms with Paco's death?'

'Because I had so much trouble coming to terms with it.' His gaze was once more on the opening of the cave at the top of the slope. 'I did everything Paco wanted me to do regarding his death. I got the dogs back from Danner and gave them safe havens. Yet I couldn't face going back to the cave for over a year.' His lips tightened. 'I don't like not being in control. I finally forced myself to go back to the cave, and I stayed there for two weeks. The first few days were hell. Nightmares, memories, guilt, and sorrow. Mostly guilt. It got better. I worked my way through it. By the end of the second week the memories were kinder. The guilt was there, but I'd accepted it. The sorrow never went away.'

'Paco wouldn't have expected you to feel guilt, would he? It doesn't sound like him from what you've told me.'

'No, but that didn't stop me from feeling it. It should be easier for Ned. He doesn't have all my baggage. All he knows is sorrow and bewilderment.' He was still staring at the cave opening. 'You know, I felt as if Paco was with me during that last week. It… helped me. Maybe he'll decide to help his old friend, Ned. Pretty crazy, huh? That's probably carry ing a bond between dog and human a little far.'

She didn't speak for a moment. 'No, it isn't. After Tess died I was heartbroken. It was like losing a child or a best friend. But after a little while I began to feel as if she was still with me, that if I turned around, she'd still be there. It brought me comfort. I felt that maybe that's what she wanted. If a creature is so loving and giving in life, why shouldn't that spirit live on? Yes, I believe in bonds that exist after we're separated.' She smiled. 'So I'm counting on Paco helping out Ned. Why not?'

'Why not, indeed?' he asked gruffly. 'You did love your Tess, didn't you?'

'She died too soon. They all die too soon. Even if the spirit lives on, I still wanted her here, with me.' She added, 'And if I'd had access to Paco's panacea that would have made her one of your dogs of summer, I would have jumped at it. Anyone who has a dog they love would do the same. Even if your shi'i'go didn't have the potential to help humans, I'd still throw in my lot to protect it. That's why it's a matter of-' She stopped as she saw that Ned had stopped on the slope and was staring at the cave opening. He was shaking. 'Poor boy.' Devon covered the distance between them in four strides. She knelt beside the Lab and put her arm around Ned's shoulders. 'It's going to be fine,' she whispered. 'We're all with you.'

'Let him go, Devon,' Marrok said. 'Look at Wiley.'

The German shepherd had run up to the cave and had turned and was sitting down, looking at Ned. He was waiting, she realized. Silent, alert, strangely wise, waiting to help his friend.

Her arms fell from around Ned, and she sat back on her heels.

She was waiting, too.

Ned's gaze was fixed on Wiley as if he were listening.

He finally gave a low whine. He began to climb the slope toward Wiley, his tail tucked between his legs.

'He's afraid,' she murmured to Marrok.

Marrok didn't reply.

Ned had reached the top of the slope and was standing there, gazing at Wiley.

Wiley got up and went into the cave.

Ned hesitated, then slowly followed him.

'Remarkable,' Devon said. 'Did you realize that Wiley would have that powerful an influence on Ned?'

'No, I only hoped,' Marrok said. 'That's all you can do.' He was climbing the slope again. 'Now we have to see if it worked.'

'Are we going inside?'

'Yes, but not immediately.' He stopped at the large flat rock where they'd sat that first time they'd been here. 'We'll give Ned a little time.'

'And maybe give Paco a little time?'

'I'd never demand help from Paco, dead or alive.' He sat down and linked his arms around his knees. 'He gave me more than I deserved.'

She dropped down beside him. 'That's entirely possible. But it doesn't seem to matter. You give what you want to give. And he'd probably approve of everything you've done since he died.'

'I didn't kill Danner. Paco believed in revenge.' He shrugged. 'But it's only a minor delay.' He closed his eyes. 'The sun feels good, doesn't it?'

'Yes.' Her gaze was on his face. 'I remember that you said the sun healed you. You don't seem to need much healing. I haven't seen you favor that wound in your shoulder. How is it doing?'

'Good.' He didn't open his eyes. 'I'll rub a little more of Paco's potion on it when we go inside.'

'Why don't you take it with you instead of having to come here to use it?'

'I could be superstitious. Perhaps it wouldn't work anywhere but here.'

'That's ridiculous.'

He opened his eyes. 'Haven't you noticed? I'm not always reasonable. I lived too long with Paco.' He stretched. 'And I'm not feeling at all reasonable right now. I'm feeling basic and primitive, and I want to feel not think.'

She felt tension tighten her muscles. He looked primitive. Lazy and sensual and every muscle catlike basking in the sun. She couldn't take her eyes away from him. It was crazy. One moment she had been thinking of Paco, spirits, and bonding, and now that was all gone.

Feel, not think.

Yes, that was what she was doing. Big-time.

'Thank God.' His gaze had shifted back to her face. 'I do believe your precious responsibility is about to take a backseat.' He got to his knees. 'Yes?'

'I'm always responsible,' she said unevenly. 'It's my nature.'

'But we're still going to get what we want, aren't we?' He reached out, and his hand hovered over but did not touch her cheek. 'That's why you came.'

She remembered that reckless moment in the helicopter when she had taken his hand. If he touched her now, she would probably dissolve. 'I'm very much afraid we are.'

'Don't be afraid.' His brilliant smile lit his dark face. 'Never with me. It will be like coming home.'

'Somehow I don't think so.' Her voice was shaking, and she had to steady it. So was her hand as she reached out to touch him. 'I don't feel at all like-'

'Don't touch me.' He drew a ragged breath. 'Not yet.' He jumped up and pulled her to her feet. 'Everything else first. I'm not going to want to stop.'

'What-' He was pulling her toward the cave. 'I won't go there, Marrok. I'm not one of your town girls who-'

'Hush. The dogs.'

In the past few minutes, she had almost forgotten Ned and Wiley.

'Just a little while longer,' he muttered as he jerked her into the cave. 'I just have to check to see-'

Ned and Wiley were lying against the wall of the cave. Ned did not appear relaxed-his eyes were open and his hip was touching Wiley's. 'At least, he's staying put,' Marrok said. 'That's a start. Now it's up to them.' He released her to go over to the ice chest. 'And we can get the hell out of here.' He opened the chest and drew out the stoppered vial of Paco's potion he had rubbed into his wound. 'Now.'