Out of Nowhere: The LaFontaines, #2

By E.M. Bannock

Nina and Wolf are getting ready to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. For them, time has only strengthened their love and confirmed their belief of past lives together.

Laine and Takota, their two sons, are attending college in Bozeman and will be attending the joyous celebration. They are proud of the Lakota Sioux blood of their father that shows in their faces.

Things on the family bison ranch in Red Lodge, Montana, have settled to a new normal. But, out of nowhere, disaster strikes the herd, and the family must pull together to find their unknown enemy.

As they try to solve the mystery, Laine, their oldest, believes he is in love with a woman who is the opposite of what the family expects or needs. He must decide his path. Will he choose family and the Lakota Sioux way of life and values he was raised with, or will he follow the burning emotional passion he feels for a woman who wants nothing to do with it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.M. Bannock
• Release date: Mar 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201022648

E.M. Bannock

E.M. Bannock grew up in the Detroit suburbs in the 50’s and 60’s. Her father was a great story teller and E.M. says she inherited his imagination. After graduation, E.M. moved to Los Angeles, California where she met her husband. They have lived in California, Oregon, Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming, where she now lives with her small family which includes a spoiled dog and cat, two horses, also spoiled, and a brood of chickens that live like queens in the chicken-coupe-de-ville. She has made her living as an office manager, computer programmer/analysts, project manager, clothing store clerk, substitute teacher, and buffalo meat packer. Throughout it all, she never lost her love for writing. A small inheritance from her father gave her the funds needed to begin her career as a published author. She has published two books. Her first book, Totally Devoted, which is now available in audio, was a 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction finalist in two categories; Contemporary Romance 65K Words and Up, and Best First Book. Her second book Zoey’s Place was published in 2019. Out of Dreams, the first book of her Rock Mountain Romance Series is set for publication in early 2021. She writes for the love of it. Most of what she writes touches her personally. Close friends and family can spot the moments. The vivid and detailed location descriptions are usually from her own experiences. Researching for accuracy is part of her writing process. She especially enjoys hearing from and interacting with her readers. E.M. Bannock is a Goodreads Author, a BookHub Author, a member of the Romance Writers of America, and a Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer. Web site: www.embannock.com Facebook: E.M. Bannock – Author Twitter: @EMBannock Instagram: e_m_bannock

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

January 8, 2025

It was pleasantly quiet on the LaFontaine Ranch. Life had slowly gotten back to what could be called normal during the last few years, but it was still reeling from the memories and after-effects of the battle with the Covid-19 pandemic that started in early 2020.

Tonight, the Nina and Wolf LaFontaine were getting ready to celebrate their 25 th wedding anniversary with a small gathering of family and friends at a restaurant in their hometown of Red Lodge.

"You look beautiful, winúhča ¹," he said. Wolf fastened the gold chain of her necklace and let it drop. He kissed her, just there, on the back of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

She held the small, gold, buffalo-shaped pendant that hung from the chain with her fingers and squeezed it tight. Her thumb moved across the back, feeling the engraved heart with ‘N + W’ in its center.

Do you remember when you gave this to me? she asked.

How could I forget? He smiled at her with a twinkle of love in his eyes. It was our second Christmas together, our first in Montana.

She closed her eyes and smiled as she reminisced. I told you I loved it, and I still do.

As I recall, he said, interrupting her pleasant daydream. Your hand was on my cock when you said it. I had to ask you if you were talking about that or my gift.

She laughed. To be fair, they’re both precious family jewels. Then, turning to face him, she pressed her lips to his. I love them both.

"I’ve loved you before I knew you, he replied and held out his hand. She took it, and he pulled her in close as he buried his face in her hair. Breathing deeply, he inhaled her fragrance. It was a comforting, familiar scent. You smell good," he said and exhaled.

I’m not wearing perfume, silly. That’s the rosemary oil I put in my hair.

I don’t care, he said. When I smell your fragrance, my body tingles with desire. It makes me think of all the things you do to me. He bent his head to kiss her.

She met it and kissed him back hard, then broke away swiftly. Stop that, she insisted. You’re going to make us late.

Right, he agreed reluctantly, straightening up and adjusting himself. What time do we have to go?

In ten minutes, she said. The boys are meeting us at the restaurant. Laine is bringing his friend.

Oh, yes, he said in his fatherly voice. The new girlfriend.

Not a girlfriend, she corrected. They’re just good friends.

Friends that have sex, he added.

Yes, she said. Kids do that now. Besides, he’s in college.

Do you think Takota has a friend he has sex with in Bozeman, too? he asked.

I wouldn’t know, she said with hesitation. He always keeps his emotional cards close to his chest. I don’t think he would tell us if he did. Besides, I’m glad the boys are concentrating on their education instead of a relationship right now.

Spoken like a mother with her hands grasped firmly on the apron strings, he joked, pulling his fists close as if reining in a horse.

He looked at himself in the mirror. His once shoulder-length jet-black hair was now a cut a little shorter, combed back, and getting streaked with grey. His face had filled out a little, and there were worry lines on his forehead.

How the hell did our kids grow up so fast? And how the hell did I get so old?

She laughed. "It happens, wičháhca ², whether we want it to or not."

Not to you, he interjected. You haven’t changed since we met.

Have you had your eyes checked lately? she scoffed. The only reason I don’t have grey hair is that I color it. She pointed to her face. Look, I’ve got wrinkles, too.

He leaned in to gaze at her face. He saw wrinkles and the tattle-tail grey roots in her hair, but she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Time had indeed begun to take its toll on them both.

I don’t care, he said. I don’t care about wrinkles and grey hair. I only see my dream angel.

Leaving her to her preparations, he walked out to the living room and grabbed his coat from the closet. Then, he hollered out to her, I’ll get the car started. Wear a warm jacket. It’s pretty cold out tonight.

Okay, she called back. Let the dogs out, too.

She heard the whistle he used to alert their dogs that something was happening, and it involved them. Boys! she heard him call out, Who has to pee?

Sounds of scraping dog nails on hardwood accompanied by whines and groans of excitement filled the house as the canines scrambled to be first in line when their master opened the door.

Wolf had always had dogs. When he and Nina met, he had two Labrador Retrievers, both female, a golden named Zee, and a black named Black Betty. They were seven-year-old sisters at the time. When Black Betty died six years later, they got a mixed breed pup from the animal shelter in Billings.

Honey was a sweet little dog with soft brown and black fur. Australian Shepard was predominant in her lineage mix. She was more petite than the labs and the only dog they ever got as a puppy. She became attached to Nina and preferred to sleep on the floor next to her until the day the sweet little pup took her last breath.

Now they had two male pit-bull mix snugglers, also rescue dogs. Pitch had classic Pit Bull features, including a boxy-shaped head and a massive chest. His body was black with a few white areas, the right half of his face and a pancake size spot on his back. He was energetic but gentle. Torch, their other dog, had the Pit Bull head but was not as chesty. His fur was spotted white on a background of chestnut-colored hair. He’d had tough times before being adopted, as witnessed by his torn left ear. He was a gentle giant and very sensitive. Because he considered himself a small dog, he had difficulty understanding why he couldn’t fit into Nina’s lap.

She glanced at herself in the mirror and thought about what Wolf had said. She’d tried to keep herself in shape and hadn’t gained that much through the years. Although she had no trouble losing her pregnancy weight after Laine was born, with Takota, it took more time, but she prevailed and shed most of the extra fifteen pounds that lingered after much effort. She adjusted her hair and grabbed her purse.

She wished her parents were there to see Laine graduate from college. They had a very close relationship with him until they died in 2019, losing their battle with Covid-19 that July. The virus had spread quickly and brutally ravaged the Florida retirement community where they lived.

In early April, when news of the pandemic began to circulate, Nina and her brother, Brandon, who lived a couple of hour’s drive from their parents’ house in Cape Coral, had gone to see their parents, Bob and Sharon Martin. They seemed fine and felt safe in their gated senior community. They assured their children they would take precautions, although Nina and Brandon weren’t convinced.

Nina had suggested that they ride out the pandemic in the guest house of her Montana ranch, but Sharon wrinkled her nose at the thought during their video chat. She thanked her daughter for the offer but insisted that living with the isolation and winter weather was out of the question. They would be fine. Now the guilt of not being more persistent and forceful with her parents haunted her.

When she learned they had Covid-19, she wanted to fly out to be with them, but Wolf hesitated to let her go. Brandon agreed. He wasn’t allowed to see them, and neither wouldn’t she. So, she stayed home, her phone never out of reach, jumping whenever it rang, anticipating the worst, and feeling hopeless sorrow as her fears became a reality.

After a week, Sharon passed. When Bob was told of his wife’s death, the love of his life, he lost the will to live. His condition quickly slid downhill. He was intubated and died three days later. The saddest part was that Sharon and Bob died alone, without their spouse’s hand to hold and apart from their children. The horror and despair of their death were something Nina struggled with.

She and Wolf were grateful that they lived on a ranch in rural Montana. They would have been so proud of Laine and his achievements. She’d often felt that her parents knew about Laine and were watching from the afterlife. She’d always hoped they met up with Wolf’s parents, Vincent and Alice since they had passed before Nina and Wolf met.

CHAPTER 2

Nina texted her sons when they pulled into the Old Piney Dell parking lot. By the time they parked the car, the boys were standing at the restaurant door. Both walked to the car to greet their parents. Takota opened the door for his mother and helped her out.

Happy Anniversary, Mom, he said and kissed her cheek.

Thanks, sweetie, she said and looked over at Laine. I’ve got your rooms ready for you. I’m so happy you can stay through the weekend.

Thanks, Mom, Laine answered as he bent down to kiss her. Happy Anniversary.

By this time, Wolf had come around to join them. The boys shook their father’s hand in turn as they gave him anniversary congratulations.

How was the weather on the pass? Wolf asked.

Not bad, Takota answered. There was snow on the road, but the sky was clear and beautiful all the way.

Nina felt nostalgic as she stood between her boys and hugged them both around their waists. They towered over her by several inches. We’ve made quite a family in twenty-five years, haven’t we, boys?

They agreed and hugged her back before entering the restaurant together.

By the time they got there, the other guests had already arrived and were seated at the table. As Nina and Wolf entered, they were greeted with cheers and well wishes.

It was a small gathering. Wolf’s brother, Manny, and his wife, Kevee, were sitting at the end of the table. Nina and her sister-in-law formed a strong bond when Nina’s first pregnancy ended in miscarriage. Kevee had had two before having a hysterectomy. It was a sadness they shared. Kevee was also there for her after the tragic death of her best friend, Elaine Grant, in 2003, just before her namesake, Laine, was born.

Manny and Wolf had worked the family bison ranch they inherited from their parents their whole lives. The two brothers and their wives lived next door to each other, and the families worked in unison. Manny and Kevee were childless and played a vital role in raising Nina and Wolf’s two boys, Laine and Takota. They were Godparents to Laine.

The Pandemic had played havoc with the family business. Demand for bison meat dropped when the restaurants had to close. The first year of COVID-19 nearly wiped them out of their savings. Tak updated their website, and Laine put together a marketing plan. He also brokered an export deal with some overseas vendors. Between that, herd management, and sales to individual customers, they kept the business afloat.

Kevin, the late Elanie’s cousin, and Wolf’s lifelong friend, was there with his wife, Frankie. They found love later in life. Kevin’s career took priority until the summer of 2010. He was horseback riding with Wolf and Nina on a familiar trail they’d ridden on for decades. They called that particular part Suicide Curve because it was a sharp, steep, bentonite pass, barely two feet wide. One side was a several hundred-foot drop to the river below. The other side was a twenty-foot-high wall of granite. It zig-zagged sharply three times, then went straight and narrow for another thirty feet before the final turn, all the while going up and downhill, almost simultaneously. Depending on how far behind you were from the horse in front of you, it was possible to lose sight of all ahead.

When the trail was wet, the bentonite was slick. When it was windy, sand sprayed at you from all directions, making it hard to get your bearings. It was tricky to negotiate on the best of days and was everyone’s least favorite part of the ride.

The weather was perfect the day of Kevin’s accident. A deer jumped out onto the trail from the opposite direction and spooked Buster, his horse, surprising everyone. The horse reared up, and Kevin was thrown. After ditching Kevin, the frightened horse ran ahead. Kevin flew up before coming down hard. He managed not to roll down the cliff to the river, breaking the fall with his arm, snapping it in two places. Wolf splinted it up as best he could. Nina was able to get a cell phone signal a little farther down the trail and called for help. Arrangements were made for an ambulance to meet them at the trailhead. Nina stayed with Kevin as Wolf went ahead and retrieved Buster. Kevin endured great agony as they made their way down to the trailhead.

Frankie was one of the ambulance EMS personnel who transported him to the hospital. Her tenderness and concern touched him, and they made a connection. Kevin asked her out when she took the bold step of checking in on him after he was discharged. They knew right away that it was the real thing and were married a year later. They were in love, and it showed. They seemed to be on a perpetual honeymoon.

After a bitter divorce, Frankie had moved to Billings to start a new life. Because she had no family, and her husband had an abundance, (part of the reason for the split), her daughter decided to stay with her father. It was hard to accept, but Frankie wanted her daughter to be around family and grow up with something she didn’t. But she also knew she couldn’t live anywhere near there.

Addison, or Addie as she was called, visited for two weeks every summer. Frankie took her daughter on a ski holiday for ten days during the Christmas break every other year. That’s how she found Red Lodge.

Kevin was Takota’s one and only godparent. Besides Manny and Kevee, there was no one else they felt comfortable with raising their boys, so Kevin accepted the dual role. Besides, they knew Kevin would eventually get married, and they trusted that he would choose someone willing to share the responsibility. They were right. Frankie was a perfect match for Kevin and loved the boys.

Wolf took his place at the head of the table, Nina sat to his right, Takota to hers. Laine and his friend, a slim, pretty young woman with long blond hair and smooth skin, sat across from her.

Mom, Dad, Laine spoke up. This is my friend Petra. Petra, these are my parents, Wolf and Nina.

Nice to meet you, Petra, Nina said. We’re happy you’ll be able to spend some time with us.

Welcome, Petra, Wolf added, nodding at her. Since COVID-19, the habit of shaking hands and/or hugging had become optional.

Thank you, Petra said and blushed. I’m excited to see the ranch. Laine has told me so much about it. I know I’ll just love it. She grabbed his hand, squeezed it, and giggled.

Wolf shot Nina a glance in that non-verbal marital language of nods and looks.

She answered back with one that said, "Not now, let it go."

The rest of the night was filled with pleasant conversation and delicious food, except for the service from the careless waitress. She completely messed up Nina’s dinner, serving her lamb chops, and had to reorder the broiled salmon. Then she spilled Wolf’s glass of water into his lap. Because of the mishaps, the dessert was on the house.

That night, at home, Nina was brushing out her hair. Wolf had already gotten undressed and was waiting for her in bed. They talked about how good it felt having their sons in the house again.

I just love having the boys here with us, she said as she joined her husband in bed and snuggled her naked body next to his. She felt his comforting warmth.

Me, too, darling, he agreed and cradled her under his arm. We won’t have too many more times like this. Laine is serious about building a cabin where the lodge used to be after he graduates in the spring.

At least he’ll be close, she said. It’s good that someone will be living on that property again. I still miss old Ed.

Me, too, he agreed.

He thought about the gentle old neighbor who lived there when he and Manny grew up. Around the time Wolf and Nina met, the LaFontaines were in the process of buying the ranch from the old man. But the deal went sour when the prodigal son, Eddie, returned and backed his father out of the agreement. He’d decided he wanted the property for himself. Ed died shortly after, and Eddie, with his business partner, Warren, developed the land into an exotic animal hunting lodge.

Thanks to detective work done by the LaFontaines and Nina’s best friend, Lanie, they discovered that illegal tiger and liger ¹ hunts were being conducted at the lodge, and it was shut down. A discovery that ultimately cost Lanie her life. Eddie had a hand in that.

The investigation revealed that Eddie had poisoned his father to get possession of the land because the old man didn’t like Eddie’s plans and wanted to complete the sale to the LaFontaines.

In the end, Eddie was killed by his partner in a struggle that ensued when he found out Warren was wearing a wire and had gotten him to admit to his crimes.

Warren had dated Lainie. At first, he used her to get information about Nina and Wolf. But he’d fallen in love with her and couldn’t live knowing that their relationship had led to her death. So, after being arrested for Eddie’s murder, he hung himself in jail, but not before leaving his half of the ranch to Nina.

Soon after that, a faulty latch on a crawlspace access door caused it to blow open in the wind, inviting rodents to set up housekeeping. Ultimately, the rats gnawed through several wires and caused a fire that burned the abandoned lodge down, leaving only storage barns and a handful of outbuildings.

There being no known relatives of Eddie and Warren that the government could find, the Courts ruled that the original real estate deal between the LaFontaines and Ed was valid and allowed the purchase to go forward.

Since then, the property had been used to expand the bison herd and increase their hay production as initially planned.

Wolf kissed the top of her shoulder.

It’ll be good for Laine to be independent. You don’t need to be coddling him and doing his laundry again, he teased. We’ll see if his degree in Agriculture Science was worth all the money it cost us.

Stop it, she said. You know his suggestions on regenerative agriculture have already increased our hay yield.

Got me there, he admitted. The quality of the hay is better, and we’ve been able to reduce the amount we have to purchase the last couple of years. Let alone the savings from the chemical fertilizers we don’t use or have to buy anymore. I never realized how many chemicals we were putting into the water table. So I feel better about that. I don’t think we’ll have to buy hay this year either.

She looked up. His noble Native American face showed the pride he felt in his son’s knowledge and accomplishments. Her hand slipped under the blanket and took a firm hold on his cock, snapping him back to the present.

Enough talking, she said and gave him a sultry look. It’s our 25 th anniversary. I want a piece of this. She moved her hand up and down his shaft. It hardened at her touch.

I can help you there, he replied. His free hand slowly slid over her, feeling every soft curve.

Their bodies pressed together in familiar places. He lifted her chin and kissed her hard on the mouth. She responded with wanting and teased his tongue as it claimed her. He tasted minty, like his toothpaste. His lips were firm and forceful as he took her bottom lip and bit it lightly before he pulled away.

His manhood ached for sanctuary between her sweet thighs. She still had a way of making his passion rise with a touch or a kiss. It was a love that had only gotten stronger with time.

I love you, winúhča, he moaned.

Show me, she challenged as she opened her legs wide and inviting. So, he did.

CHAPTER 3

The boys and guest were still sleeping when their parents finished their morning chores the next day. The dogs were excited that the boys were home and anxiously sniffed around the bottom of the closed bedroom doors wondering why they weren’t allowed in.

The savory smell of bacon cooking finally harkened one of them to wakefulness.

Morning, Takota called out as he emerged from his room, yawning. His shoulder-length dark hair was spiking out at odd angles, and he was squinting from the light as he made his way to the bathroom.

Good morning, sweetheart, Nina replied.

He looked like his father did when she met him, handsome and svelte. Tak was careful and methodical like Wolf. She could see little of herself in his physical features or personality.

Laine had Wolf’s eyes and skin tone but favored her side of the family. He had the same body type and many of the same features of his uncle, Brandon. He acted like him, too. Good at sports like skiing and playing golf, just like his uncle. Laine was intelligent and self-confident but a little too impulsive and headstrong. Those characteristics, he gotten from her. She was like that when she was young. He was also more social than his sibling by a long shot.

While Laine had gone through numerous girlfriends through high school and college, Tak did not. She could only think of two young women that could be considered girlfriends, and their relationships only lasted a few months. She wouldn’t be surprised if he was still a virgin. His current friends were all intellectual computer techies like himself, all genders, but they tended to act as a group and not in couples.

Her sons were different as day and night, but they both shared the same life values and hard work ethics that their parents held dear, a shared philosophy of respect for life, nature, the earth, and their fellow man. They were proud of the Lakota Sioux heritage they got from Wolf and…for whatever it was that they got from their mother.

As his father had, Wolf had insisted that the boys begin training in Martial Arts at an early age. By the time they were twelve, they were proficient in multiple practices. Nina had lost count of the number of broken objects, overturned tables, bloody noses, and bruised egos she’d seen as the boys practiced on each other through the years.

She’d hold her breath when Wolf sparred with them. If Manny was around, he’d join in. He and Wolf teamed up against the boys. It was a sight to behold, arms and legs flying in the air and a lot of ducking and spinning. Occasionally it was chaos, but it mainly was pure beauty. The quick but controlled and deliberate movements were executed with precision. Nina took great pleasure and pride in watching them.

As the boys got older, it got more challenging for the older generation to hold on to the title of champions. They were just about evenly matched now.

She was glad her boys could defend themselves. They rarely used their skills, but they looked indigenous enough to be subjected to prejudice and racist slurs. Something she found hard to believe in modern society. Both boys had been in scraps, but it didn’t take long before it was known that fighting the LaFontaine brothers was futile.

She didn’t know her ancestry. Both sides of her family had been in the United States for generations. She’d often thought about doing one of those saliva tests to see where she came from but never followed through.

Her parents used to tell her she was a Heinz 57, referring to a steak sauce that was a mixture of 57 different ingredients blended into one delicious flavor.

Tak came out of the bathroom freshly showered and groomed. His hair was combed back, and he had shaved.

Are you making French toast to go with the bacon, Mom? he asked as he tried to calm the two canine beasties that jumped around him, vying for attention.

Sure, honey, she smiled back. She wasn’t planning to, but she couldn’t disappoint.

I wish you answered me as quickly and sweetly as that, Wolf commented in a teasing tone.

Like I ever say ‘no’ to you, she teased back. Besides, he’s my sweet boy. She looked sternly at Wolf. You’re my husband, who I have to keep on a tight leash.

And I love that leash, he replied as he sidled up to her, pressed her close, and planted a romantic wet kiss on her lips while firmly grasping her behind.

Geez, you guys, Tak interrupted. Should you be doing this in front of your child?

Wolf stood proud. Why not? We love each other. You should be so lucky to find a woman like your mother.

Stop teasing him, Nina said. She turned to her son. Go get dressed, honey. I’ll make your French toast.

Thanks, Mom, he said as he disappeared into his room.

Make some for us, too, please, Laine yelled out from the other bedroom. We’re getting up now. Love you, Mom.

Wolf looked at her questioningly, raising an eyebrow. She just smiled, shrugged her shoulders, and reached for a mixing bowl and a loaf of bread.

She put the platter of hot French toast on the table. Forks dueled as each son simultaneously grabbed at the contents of the plated delicacy placed before them.

Watch yourself, youngster, Laine said as he pushed his brother’s fork aside. He stabbed three pieces and dropped them on his plate.

Boys, Nina reprimanded. Manners. We’ve got company.

Sorry, Mom, Laine said as he took the top piece of toast from his stack and put it on Petra’s plate.

Thanks, Mom, Tak chimed in. I hope you made more than this.

Of course, sweetie, she replied. I’m keeping them warm in the oven.

You’re the best mom ever, Tak said.

Oh, butter her up, why don’t you, Laine chimed in. You know I love you more, don’t you, Mom?

That is literally impossible to prove, Tak quipped back.

Oh, yeah, Mr. Geek? Laine puffed out his chest. I’m two years older than you, so I’ve been loving mom for two years longer. Take that, Einstein.

Petra giggled at his cleverness.

That doesn’t mean anything, Tak defended. I...

Wolf broke in. Boys! Shut up and eat. She knows you both love her.

Nina smiled and took another bite of bacon.

Did you enjoy your dinner last night, Petra? Wolf asked, trying to make the girl feel more comfortable.

Yes, it was delicious, she said after taking a sip of coffee to wash down the mouthful of food she was chewing.

What was with that waitress last night? Laine asked. She really fucked things up. Is she new?

She must be, Wolf answered. We’ve never seen her there before. What did she say her name was?

I think it was Hope, Nina said.

"Yeah, well, she better hope she does better, or she’ll be out of a job," Laine punned. Petra giggled again.

Good one, bro, Tak remarked.

She was probably nervous, Nina said. Give her a chance.

A few minutes later, she retrieved the remaining plate of steaming French toast from the oven. It was emptied in moments.

Did you use Aunt Kevee’s chicken eggs for these? Tak asked, holding up a piece of yellow French toast on his fork.

Of course, she answered. Can’t you tell?

Yeah, he confirmed. These sure look and taste a lot different than the stuff they serve in the cafeteria, don’t they, Petra?

I’ll say, she said, looking up. I was wondering why they were so yellow and had so much flavor.

Haven’t you ever had fresh ranch eggs before? Wolf asked.

She shook her head. No, I don’t believe so. I’m a city girl. Grew up in downtown Denver. I’ve never even seen a real chicken.

Everyone but Laine stopped eating and stared at her. After he swallowed, he looked up. That reminds me, Dad, he said. I was going to show Petra around the ranch on the 4-wheelers after breakfast. That okay?

Sure, Wolf said. Take her over and show her your aunt’s chickens, too.

Make sure she dresses warm, Nina added. She looked over at Petra. It’ll be cold. If you need a hat or gloves, I’ve got some you can borrow.

That’s okay, Mrs. LaFontaine, the girl said. I’m a skier. I’m used to cold weather. I came prepared.

Yeah, Laine said. We want to go skiing while we’re here. Do we still get the local discount on the mountain?

We do, but you better call before you go, Wolf said. They had to close some of the runs because there wasn’t enough snow. Find out which ones are open.

It’s been getting worse and worse every year, Laine commented. And some still deny climate change.

Actually, they have proof that the greenhouse gas reduction measures put in place by the government have had an effect, Tak stated.

Thank you, professor, Laine added. I did know that but, it’s going to take a lot more to start reversing the harm humans have had on the atmosphere.

It’s a start, at least, Nina said as she stood up and started to clear the table.

Sit down, Mom, Tak said. I’ll clean the kitchen. Thanks for breakfast. He walked over to his mother and kissed her cheek.

She blushed and smiled with pride as she picked up her coffee mug and took a sip.

Butt kisser, his brother teased.

Boys! Wolf reprimanded.

Petra giggled.

Their time together was short and flew by fast. The boys returned to Bozeman and their studies. Wolf and Nina were alone again. The day after the boys left, they sat across from each other at the kitchen table with their morning brew checking email and getting caught up on current events. Wolf on his phone, she on her iPad.

I had a nice time with the boys, she said with fond remembrance. I miss them already.

Me, too, Wolf agreed. "It’ll be