Keith and Darcy ultimately fell asleep on the couch with Bella lying mostly on top of him, covered partially by a blanket that Darcy had pulled from the back of a chair and used – something he had picked up at a quilt show downtown at some art fair the town had hosted. There were some colorful canvas abstract paintings in his home office that he’d bought at that same art fair – keeping it local and all that. He often bemoaned that his salary needed to include a local stipend, because whenever there was a bake sale, an art fair, some school charity drive or some other event, he was expected to buy something. That added up...
Outside, he could hear the rain pattering on the roof. He had not remembered hearing about rain in the forecast.
In the recliner near the sofa, Darcy slept beneath a thick, wool blanket, reclined slightly, but when he opened his eyes, she woke up, as if sensing it.