84Mags

I have an unease in my stomach that even the ending couldn’t abate. The chapter felt like the interlude in nature before a bad storm. I am certain Heinrich sunk the whole family business in with Rita and her scheme. He never turned over ownership of the company to Rick; Heinrich has access to all accounts. I think Heinrich fell for what Rick rightly called a scam and Rita’s purposeful allusion of a relationship with Rick gave him a false sense of security. Heinrich values being seen as prosperous and an astute businessman. Risking the financial well being of the business without consulting Rick isn’t surprising, but it is disheartening. It explains Heinrich's upbeat mood and his lunch discussion with Rick. He sees this as an investment in his legacy and perhaps an end to a life of penny pinching. Hopefully the likely demise of the family business can be a new start for Rick and Gus. I bet the ‘friend’ Rita spent the evening with was Willy and that doesn’t bode well. Rita has grand plans for Eagle Lake, but something tells me that when it all falls apart, she won’t be the one left destitute.

There are some badass women in this story; I hope Jada survives. It now looks like an epic battle in the making. Fergus will be pissed to learn she was bitten and left alive; Sawyer will want revenge. Jimmy already had enough reasons to want Fergus gone but will no doubt rethink leaving and instead begin war planning. I gotta say that it amazes me Fergus has survived this long as a leader because he is truly, utterly, incompetently awful at it. I look forward to his downfall.

My soul is calm. Everything about this chapter beautifully portrayed the heartbeat of night in a small, rural setting. It was intimate and unassuming. Rick and Gus expanded eachother’s experiences and learned more about each other. The responses Gus gives Rick’s inquiries are never belittling; he always assures Rick his life and world are of equal value and importance to the one Gus lives. The comparisons of humble, rural Lutheran churches to majestic European cathedrals and the Art Institute of Chicago’s masterpieces to the boy playing catch with a dog or Beethoven’s moving Sonata 14 to the moon dancing silver over a lake resonated with me. They really are equal in their beauty and uniqueness. Gus being trained at Juilliard is no more or less than Rick’s training as a plumber. The kiss was everything I had hoped it would be...absolutely perfect.

I am holding out hope. Had Fergus allowed Jimmy to join the pack, he would have met Doris. I think there are werewolves who know how to help with the transition. I bet Doris knows what to do. Sawyer is in good hands with Jimmy. They will figure it out. Oddly, every time Eddie has been mentioned in past chapters, my stomach dropped a little. I always wonder about him and if he was truly, completely rabid.

My husband probably owes you a gift card at this point! 😂😍 I completely agree that talking, much less writing, about religion is tricky. You balanced it as a gentle background theme. It’s that whole coloring within the lines that you do so well! Best wishes 😊

Since the previous chapter had me tearing up over Coy’s words to Boone, then I guess I should admit to all out crying today when Boone sighed to Coy, “You’re a gift from the Lord, I swear. I don’t know what I did in my life to deserve all I got—to deserve the likes of you—but I make sure to thank him everyday.” And, yes, for anyone reading my comments and keeping score, my husband will have a very good evening! What is especially lovely about this passage, is that it pays homage to each chapter’s bible verse. Boone and Coy’s life together is at its simplest about how two people come together and become one. I know I’ve said it before, but I loved every single minute of their story.

I felt a part of this lovely day of music and discovery. Each member of the group experienced something new, as did I. Although music and instruments were the catalyst, my feeling is that everyone learned more about themselves. P.S. I full on belly laughed when Rick coughed to get the musician’s attention away from Gus!

I’ll leave the cries of frustration over the fate of Sawyer to others, even though I did blow out a deep breath as I realized this chapter took us in a different direction. I want Doris for a next door neighbor. She’s that no nonsense, ‘I am too old for your sh-t’, wise woman we all need in our lives. Fergus is too narcissistic to comprehend what a gold mine he has in her, but I guess if he understood then he never would have killed her husband. She should be his ding ding moment of realization that the precariously balanced life he’s established is crumbling around him; she has figured out all that is going on with the pack, his parenting and the boys nights out. It makes me rather gleeful to think she may be a part of his undoing.

Thank you for your kind words. And yes, we do realize we are very fortunate to have found each other so young. I always tell people that we grew each other up and we are each other’s memories.

I teared up when Coy said, “I’m your family now, and you’re mine...till there’s snow on our roofs and aches in our bones, right?” Then I promptly kissed the hell outta my husband whom I’ve been with since we were both 19. The snow and aches have arrived. But just like with us, Boone and Coy have what it takes to make it a lifetime. I have loved every minute of this story and look forward to the epilogue.

Rick standing up to Heinrich tells me that when it all comes to head Rick will hold his own with his father. Heinrich believes and says horrible things. Rick being gay, frankly, is the least of it for me. Even if Rick wasn’t, Old Heinrich would insert himself in Rick’s marriage and parenting. He’s disrespectful, close minded, and lacks boundaries. Conversely, the car trip was perfect! Rick’s personality is just what was needed to make it all go smoothly. It takes a calm nature to allow open cups of hot chocolate and iced, cream filled donuts in a moving vehicle, much less to navigate a new destination and handle a few minor mishaps along the way.

☝I wrote a comment. Came back later and deleted it, writing a new comment. Came back yet again and deleted/re-wrote a comment. I think you sum it up best. There really are no words. I have spent the better part of my day thinking about this chapter.

Holy shit. Please be ok Sawyer. This is so much worse than I imagined.

Rita scheming for the cheapest contractors for the infrastructure part of her project is worrisome, but much less so than her working with Willy. I don’t like him being connected with Rita; but hold hope there is a way that they will fail together. I’m cautiously optimistic Rick is starting to realize those who truly care about him and consider him a friend, neighbor or regarded businessman, do so with a respect that will not be altered by Rick following his desires. The title of this chapter foretold of absolution and laying the dead to rest. Perhaps this is a turning point for Rick to begin to do so with his if only’s. Maybe if he gets off the porn hook up sites and starts reading about a couple of those old-time farmers @Headstall he will find there can be a way forward. This chapter left me very hopeful for Rick and Gus.

From the very first line, the suspense kept ratcheting up and I found myself reading faster to get to the shift. And then, with Sawyer’s humor firmly back in place (false labor 😂) I realized we have a long 48 hours to go. I want to meet the baby, I mean wolf!

If only everyone’s first experience could be so perfect... I can’t stop smiling.

Kind of like the whole orchestra is coming in 😉! Happy of New Year! Truly enjoying this story and also your exceptional poetry.

Rick’s way of talking around an uncomfortable topic or finding ways to avoid conflict are not going to keep working. Seems like the past and his possible future are plopping right smack dab into his present. This really was a WOW of a chapter!

“Filled with intent, this building connection would not be broken or cancelled.” I’ve decided to take this as your pledge Sawyer will be just fine when the full moon change occurs. (...well, I’m crossing my fingers at least! 🤞🏼) Those lovely mating ties will also serve Jimmy and Sawyer well when the inevitable confrontation with Fergus happens. It is as if the threads not only show their bond, the energy strengthens both Sawyer and Jimmy.

This chapter made me sooooooooooo happy!

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I can’t change others, I can only change myself. Seems like Rick did just that. He made the changes that he could and then at the picnic let the adults ‘do what they do’ and be themselves. I think I’m looking forward to the Monday morning check of the books as much as Rick. Your writing is so descriptive that on this chilly Christmas Eve morning, I was transported away to a summer evening. Every time I read a chapter I seem to remind myself that you aren’t a neighbor down the road. You had me hooked at ‘supper’ and hungry by the time macaroni salad was served. But that didn’t deter me from noting a Chicago buyer bought Cedarcrest. YEA! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

I enjoyed this short story very much! I never took it as a tale that dove deeply into the characters, but gave us a good, strong glimpse into their lives. I am thrilled that Tristan and Peter found their way back to each other. Like others, I felt bad for Adrian and am looking forward to his happily ever after. Merry Christmas!

Rick’s premonition and his thoughts of Willy made me wonder about this mystery man heading to Eagle Lake. But then the terrified reaction Gus had to the fireworks lead me to believe perhaps the premonition was related to that. Gus was born in Guatemala and must have lived there during at least part of the 1960-1996 Guatemalan Civil War. While I’m not certain that caused his fear, it certainly wouldn’t help to have a childhood surrounded in gunfire, fear and violence. It speaks volumes to me that Gus would hike with a broken arm and later wish to stay through the noise and lights of fireworks to spend time with Rick.

“Letting out his horrible history left him queasy yet oddly lighter.” Add in an aching sadness and I can’t think of a more accurate way to sum up my current mood after this chapter.

Boone’s impassioned comments about why he wishes to farm really resonated with me. One side of my family is generations of farmers, complete with the crops, livestock, dirt and callouses, plus the now 100+ year old barns Boone mentioned. You eloquently articulated what it means to be a farmer. I had ‘bachelor’ great uncles and ‘old maid’ great aunts that in today’s world could love and live more openly. I ached for Boone as he talked about his solitary life. Farming and the land are meant to be shared.