Chapter 120 Section 23

Now Decker felt at ease, in stark contrast to the sense of distance he had felt when he returned to Santa Fe from New York.As he turned toward the drive, he surveyed the dark silhouette of his low, slender adobe home and said to himself, "This is mine." He must have said it out loud. "Of course it's yours," Beth said confused. "You've been living here for fifteen months." "It's hard to explain," he said in amazement. "I think I made a mistake." The driveway curved around the side of the house to the rear carport, where a sensor light came on to light the way.Decker helps Beth dismount from the Cherokee.

She leans against him. "What about me? Are you wrong about me?" Coyotes howled on Mount Sun. "The first night I met you," Decker said, "was standing here listening to those coyotes howling, wishing I had you by my side." "I'm here now." "Here you are now." Decker kissed her. He quickly unlocked the back door, turned on the kitchen light, and, holding Beth's cane in his hand, helped her in. "Let's go to the guest room. The master bedroom looks like it did after a small war. Want me to get you something?" "Tea."

While boiling the water, Decker found a package of chocolate chip crackers and put them on a shallow dish.In this case, these cookies look pathetic.No one moves them. "I'm afraid there's no hot water for a bath," Decker said. Beth nodded wearily. "I remember the water heater was broken in the attack on Friday night." "I'll re-bandage your seams. I'm sure you want a painkiller." Beth nodded wearily again. "Can you do it here by yourself?" "Why?" Beth sat up uneasily. "where did you go?" "I want to destroy those things in the trunk, as soon as possible."

"I'm going with you." "No, you rest." "But when are you coming back?" "Perhaps after evening." "I will not part with you." "but--" "There's nothing to discuss," Beth said. "I'll go with you."