The Wolf Came on Christmas (Johanna and Alexander) novel Chapter 124

S Chapter 124-1

Chapter 124-1

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“…don’t worry, Kaylee. I’d go to dinner any of these nights, you can be sure of that. Just give me ten cents when you feel like it, and I’ll be there.” I promised them, laughing. “Luke can stop suspecting my good disposition for this kind of thing.”

We said goodbye then with an agreement for the following Thursday, and I went to take care of the kittens. They were well fed, so they didn’t want to touch the milk, but they understood it was time to go to bed because they very quickly found their place on the living room sofa, where I left them. They curled up into little balls against each other–they were two female kittens–and didn’t move again until I went to sleep as well. Just with those two little animals there, the house already felt different.

And the surprises kept coming, one after another.

The news gradually stopped talking about Alexander’s reappearance, and it was good to discover that little by little everything was returning to its normal course. Hope was born again in me that he would manage to contact me by phone, and I thought I could have given him my sss address in case he ever needed to write to me. Not knowing anything from a reliable source was not so good, to be honest. Even though I had a lot to do, I always found a moment in the day to think about him or the children, and I would pick up the cellphone. I stared at the screen, empty.

I didn’t have any number of his, because every time Alexander spoke, he did so through a line that showed as “unknown” on caller ID. Didn’t he want me to try to contact him? I tried to convince myself it was for his own safety, and mine.

A few days after dinner at the sheriff’s and his wife’s house, I received another unexpected visit. And to tell the truth, I was quite surprised when the black double–cab pickup truck stopped at the entrance, on the snow–covered road. From the license plate, I realized it was a rental vehicle. I was in my cleaning clothes, but I still threw a coat over myself and went out cautiously. Once again I was remembering that I should apply for a permit to own a gun; one never knew when it might be needed again…

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Richie get out from the driver’s side, and Nika from the passenger’s side. I could hardly believe it.

Richie greeted me with a big smile and a firm handshake, then stepped back.

“I did a good job, didn’t I?” he commented, referring to the house.

“An excellent job, of course,” I answered, pleased. “Alexander told me you were the one who handled everything. I appreciate it very much, Richie, truly.”

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“It was entirely a pleasure. You proved to be as brave as any of us. How did you think this would remain unresolved?”

It moved me on a very intimate level that he expressed himself that way about me, and lacking other words, I preferred to slightly change the subject.

“I sent a letter to the construction company a few weeks ago. Did it reach you?”

“Yes, in fact. That’s why we came. Hello, Johanna.”

That was Nika, who greeted me calmly and put her hands into the pockets of her beige coat. She looked very good, tall and athletic as she was, and very well recovered from her injuries, the long, faint white scars left on her cheek and temple were barely noticeable. She stood very close to Richie, as if he needed her constant support, or vice versa. It made me happy to see both of them in such good shape, and together. Something told me there was no longer rivalry between them. I returned the smile and stepped a little closer.

“Hello, Nika. How are you?”

“Better than ever. Everything has turned out perfectly, don’t you think?” she answered.

I didn’t want to make it too obvious that I knew exactly what she was referring to, so I was

discreet.

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Chapter 124-2

Chapter 124-2

“If you mean Alexander, then yes, it seems so. I think what they told the press was very convincing; it will help fill some gaps. It will satisfy the public, as long as no one tends to dig too deeply, but I imagine you already have that aspect covered as well,” I replied, giving my journalistic opinion on the matter. “I’m glad to see you. Why not come in? There’s coffee and muffins, everything freshly made. It’s freezing out here…”

“Wait, I have something for you.”

Yes, it truly felt out of this world that Nika said something like that, and directed at me.

Her tone was very relaxed and, in fact, cheerful. I don’t know if it was because she was with Richie or because the “acidity” toward me had passed, but I really liked her good mood. I was going to ask her what she had for me when the Australian wolf handed her some keys and she walked toward the back of the truck. After a few seconds, an order was heard in German and two black shadows jumped out of the vehicle and began running in the snow, playing and barking enthusiastically. They were two large and sturdy German shepherd dogs with completely black fur; after running a few laps around the snowy yard, the puppies followed Nika and sate on each side of her.

I stood

ed for a moment, cautiously observing the black beasts.

ught me dogs?” I said, trying to smile.

were beautiful animals, with very glossy coats and nice collars.

Oh, but these aren’t just any dogs, Johanna,” Richie told me proudly. “They are our dogs. Every year Nika trains ten or twelve German shepherd puppies for police canine divisions. And she also trains puppies for fares. These dogs are prepared to deal with all kinds of threats that are not entirely hur They are our right hands in protecting our homes, if you

understand me.”

I nodded very quickly.

“I understand you com assured him.

“I would like you

Kit, and she is you will ha

NIKE

hem,” the blonde woman said directly. “They will protect you. This is are the best of this year’s selection. They are loyal and obedient; us with them.”

o animals when she said their names, and the dogs remained seated in erect and their intense orange eyes fixed on me. The male had a blue le a red one. It wouldn’t be difficult to identify them while they were

Chapter 124-2

wearing them, I told myself; but I wasn’t thinking of those two animals the way I thought of the cats the sheriff and his wife had given me. Where was I going to put them? What would I feed them? They were pedigree dogs, very fine and elegant. Why would Nika give me two of her prized dogs? And those animals only understood commands in German? I didn’t know German…

I was thinking all that when Richie went back to the truck and returned with a giant bag of dog food slung over his shoulder, also with inscriptions in German. The bag must have weighed about a hundred pounds, judging by the size.

“Where do you want me to put it?” he asked with an animated smile.

And what was I going to tell him, that I didn’t want them?

The dogs were magnificent. The idea of having extra help to stay protected didn’t sound bad at all either.

“Uh, in the garage, if you don’t mind,” I ended up accepting, and pointed toward the corner of

th

hed down to st

house was

pets, if it w

the imme

s‘ necks, and it was clear the animals were very fond s, but two cats and two dogs? For me, I would have had that the issue of space worried me a little.

y house was filling with life.

H

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