Page 23 of Believe
“He needs a name,” said Zeke.
“Chaos,” said Trak. “His name is Chaos.”
The men laughed, nodding, each taking turns loving on the sweet puppy who babbled like a toddler in Gaspar’s ear. All these years he’d ignored the whisperings, the passing sounds as he walked by the animals at Belle Fleur. He figured it was some sort of trick of his mother’s.
Instead, it was a gift. A gift that his parents deemed he would need one day and indeed, he has needed it. Maybe now more than ever. Chaos licked his face over and over and he laughed.
“Okay, boy. Okay. I know. You’ll have a warm bed and more attention than you can stand when we get home.” The puppy seemed to understand, curling it a ball at the curvature of his arm.
Only a few hours after landing at Belle Fleur, Lucy came back holding Chaos, the newest member of the family.
“He’s healthy, surprisingly,” smiled Lucy. “We’ve given him his shots, a new collar and we’ve tagged him.”
“Any idea the mix of his breed?” asked Gaspar.
“Dad, he’s not a mixed breed,” she smiled. “He’s a Great Dane. That puppy will be almost two-hundred pounds in a year.”
“You’re fucking with me, Luce,” he said shocked, looking down at the puppy.
“Nope,” she laughed. “Chaos is about to create chaos. Have fun!” She started to walk away and he looked down at the sweet face in his arms.
“You knew. You knew exactly what you were and you didn’t tell me you little sneak,” he said to the dog.
“Everyone knew, brother,” said Trak slapping his back as he gave a scratch to Chaos. “You deserve this.”
The uproarious laughter made everyone smile. But there was still a lot of work to be done and no time to rest. With just a week until Christmas Eve, they had to finish the work and make a plan for delivery.
No problem.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Cyrus Walters watched as the men and women delivered the news to his wife. She looked tired and worn.
“I know it’s hard to believe,” said Sophia Ann, signing to the woman, “but we can somehow see ghosts and your husband said it was all an accident and the boy panicked.”
“He turned himself in but unfortunately the storms must have washed his body away,”signed the woman.
“We think we know where to find him. We’ll be giving instructions to the police,”said Keith.
“Your husband also said that there was some paperwork you needed to be aware of. It’s a box that holds the deed to the house, a life insurance policy, and some cash,” said Susie.
The woman smiled, standing and walking toward a buffet in the dining room. She grabbed the box and walked back.
“That’s the box,” said Cyrus. “She found the box.”
“Cyrus always thought he was protecting me, helping me by keeping everything in order. But I knew. I always knew where everything was and I always knew that I would be taken care of. I knew where he hid the box and was able to get everything I needed after he passed.”
“You’re a remarkable woman, Becky,” said Sophia Ann. “Cyrus also had a gift for you. It’s in his top dresser drawer. A fiftieth wedding anniversary gift.”
Becky found the ring, placing it on her finger and weeping silently at what should have been a joyous occasion.
A few days later, Cyrus’ body was found in the ravine, almost eleven miles from where he’d been shot. They held a formal funeral and laid him to rest in the family plot. Becky’s nightmare was over. She was alone but she knew where Cyrus was now and knew that he would always watch over her.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping me find Cyrus and bury him properly. We never had children. Cyrus travelled for his job and I taught sign language to deaf children. I’m not sure what I’ll do now,”said Becky.
“You’re very welcome. I’m sure you’ll find something wonderful to occupy your time.” Keith looked at the tiny figurines lining the walls of her kitchen and smiled. She followed his gaze and grinned at him.
“Those were from Cyrus. He would travel a lot for work and bring home one from everywhere he went. They’re made by a Dutch pottery company and they’re quite collectible from what I understand.”