Chapter Ten
Afew weeks later,Sebastian opened the door after work and sniffed appreciatively.“Something smells good!”He removed his coat, hat, and gloves, before sitting to remove his boots.It was only then he noticed Lula kneeling in front of the fire.She threw in a piece of paper and then stood, a proud look on her face.
“What did you just do?”he asked.
“I burned the letter Mother sent me.I thought it would hurt, but it didn’t.Not at all.It felt...freeing.Does that make sense?”she asked.
“It makes perfect sense!”He rose to his feet and crossed to her, taking her in his arms.“I’m proud of you.”
She smiled up at him.“Thank you.It needed to be done.”
“Come outside with me.”
It was completely dark.“Let me grab my wrap.It’s cold!”
“ItisAlaska...”
They stepped out into the night together.The air was sharp enough to sting, but the night sky was beautiful.Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked.From Belle’s direction came the faint sound of laughter.
Lula leaned into Sebastian’s side, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
In New York, she had been an embarrassment to her parents.In Beckham, she had been a widow with secrets.Here, she was a wife, a huntress, a friend, a woman with a cold house full of meat, and a future she could choose for herself.
“I’m glad I came here,” she said.
Sebastian kissed the top of her head.“So am I.”
She knew winter would be hard.There would be storms, hunger, darkness, and days when the cold seemed determined to break them.But there would also be work and laughter, warm meals, card games, babies someday, and Sebastian’s hand in hers.
Lula had once believed her life ended with Bill.
Now she knew it had simply changed directions.
She turned her face up to Sebastian’s.“Do you still think I should have been named Skadi?”
He grinned.“More than ever.”
“Good,” she said.“Because tomorrow, I’m going hunting.”
