FLASH FICTION
freedom to roam and hunt at will over a vast territory , right ? That costume is a masterpiece , she told Lana . I ’ m impressed . You should have heard me cursing for the last two days , her friend replied .
Two days . Rae tried remembering where she ’ d been over the past two days . The past two weeks , for that matter . She and Zack had been so busy patrolling the outer reaches of the ranch , she ’ d been a little out of touch . Ever since the hellhound attack a month before , the pack had been on high alert . The enemy was vanquished but no one was quite ready to settle down yet .
That mood was evident in the stance of the children ’ s fathers , who stood two steps away , scanning the landscape . Ty ’ s eyes never stopped roving the hills , and even Cody ’ s normally relaxed face twitched at the slightest sound from the bush .
“ Let me guess ,” Rae joked , tossing Cody a candy bar . “ You ’ re dressed as a cowboy .” Meaning , he looked the way he always did : world ’ s hottest rancher crossed with surfer dude .
Cody hooked his thumbs in his jean pockets and drawled , “ Yes , ma ’ am .” “ And you must be …” Rae tossed a treat to Ty .
Mount Vesuvius on one of his more dormant days ? Zack finished , keeping the joke between him and his mate . Ty had a brooding nature that fluctuated between dormantyet-dangerous and explosively lethal . Except , of course , for the moments of pure joy that slipped out when he was around his kids .
way .”
“ Daddy is dressed as Daddy !” Tana exclaimed . Ty grinned at his daughter then hastened to glue a neutral expression back on . “ What do you say for the candy ?” Heather prompted the kids . “ Thank you !” Holly cried . “ Happy Halloween !” Tana waved , already retreating down the steps . “ Thank you !” Sammie gave a tiny , quiet wave . “ We ’ d better get going .” Lana pointed . “ Your next customers are already on their
Sure enough , a second batch of children and parents were heading up the path . Timmy was dressed as a ghost , and the children jostling beside him were jailbirds , complete with chains and striped shirts .
“ Trick or treat !” they called , announcing their arrival from down the way .