Page 189 of Beneath the Blue Moon

She looks down at her hands in her lap, and I reach over,lacing my fingers through hers.I need to get her mind off her father.

“You know, my ancestors founded this town.”

“Really?”

“Canid, derived from Canidae, the biological family ofwolves, foxes, coyotes, jackals… even dogs.Each member of the family is calleda canid.”

“So we’re canids.”

“Yes.”

“Cool.”

“It was the best thing that could have happened to me, but whydid you choose to move here?”

“I wanted somewhere with a lot of fresh air; Montana wasfirst on my list.I told my real estate agent to find me a place in a nice,quiet town.I saw the house and fell in love with it.I guess it was fate.”

“It was.”

“Ethan….”

“Hmm?”

She looks around, realizing I’m not heading to the house.

“Where are we going?”

“To see my parents.”

“Are you sure you want to take me with you?”

“You and I are a done deal.She has to accept it sooner orlater.”

She takes a deep breath when I pull up to my parents’ gate,and I see the determined set of her jaw.

“Ready?”I ask.

“Let’s do this.”

My dad meets us outside with a huge grin.“Casey!So good tosee you, sweetheart.”He pulls her into a bear hug, rocking her from side toside.“How are you?You look good.”

“I’m great, and I have your son to thank for that.”

“Wonderful.Come in.Can I get you something to drink?Areyou hungry?”

“No, thank you.I’m fine.”

They walk off, his arm around her shoulders, leaving mebehind.

“Oh, hi, Dad… Yeah, I’m great,” I mumble sarcastically.

He turns around with a scowl.“I see you all the time.Yourvisit is nothing special.”

I catch up to them in time to hear her giggle.

“Don’t worry.You’re pretty special to me,” she says.

“See, Dad… Iamspecial.”