Chapter 13

“Take off your jacket. It’s cold outside, but warm in here. If you wear it in here, it won’t protect you when you go outside.”

“Yes, Mother,” Bear teased as he relinquished his jacket.

Craig waved him to a chair. In the dim light, they sat and drank in silence. His host drank wine, Bear sipped his beer, and after a time, Craig said, “You’re not from around here.”

“No. Celeste’s a friend. We go way back. It was stupid of me not to tell her I was coming. Maybe I can connect with her tomorrow.” Bear didn’t intend to be here tomorrow, but he wasn’t going to provide this stranger with information about himself.

In the comfortable silence, they continued to drink until they’d finished, and Craig rose, took the bottle from him, and put it away. Now he moved back with the fluidity of a tiger. Stalking. A beatific smiled spread across his boyish face.