Free Bouquet: Sequel to 'In Full Bloom': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 3) by B. A. Beers

alive.”
     
    Gus’ admission to the fact resulted in Sami bolting across the porch and down the steps.  She was moving swiftly across the clearing in the direction of the lake with the bandaged-pawed Molly on her heels. 
     
    Hearing the surprising news of Adam and observing Sami’s quick departure, Mark was momentarily stunned.  Woof’s deep bark vibrated the air around him and brought him out of his stupor. 
     
    “Sami!  Molly!”  Mark yelled after them.
     
    “What is going on?” Grandma Jo asked, stepping onto the porch.
     
    “Stay here,” Mark ordered, taking off after the two females and dashing across the clearing.
     
    “Go, Woof.  Stop them,” Gus directed. 
     
    Mark saw Woof pass him.  The dog was easily handling the deep snow.  Fearing for Sami’s welfare as the wolf-dog advanced, Mark yelled, “Stop, Sami.”
     
    His words went unheeded as the distance between them increased.  Her snow boots and lighter body weight provided her with better traction in the deep snow. Frustrated, Mark could only watch with mounting fear as Woof collided into Sami, forcing her into the snow. Molly went on the offense and jumped at the larger dog, sending Woof rolling off Sami into the snow.  Mark envisioned a nasty dog fight was about to begin and he worried for Molly.  “No, Molly,” he ordered, trying with all his might to close the distance.
     
    To his disbelief, the dogs did not fight.  Woof didn’t regain his feet, but only lifted his head.  Molly did not attack further.  She paced between Woof and Sami. There was no growling from either.  They just eyed each other suspiciously.  Mark’s focus shifted from the dogs to the lifeless form of Sami sprawled out in the snow, face down.  She had not moved.  “Sami,” he called as he neared.  Receiving no response, Mark dropped to his knees and rolled her over.  “Sami?” he asked.  “Are you hurt?”
     
    Mark was not prepared for what he saw.  He expected her to be hurt or even mad, but what he didn’t foresee was the vacant look he was receiving.  He knew this look.  He had seen it countless times.  He had lost her; she had mentally retreated.  “No,” he cried, rocking her non-responsive body in his embrace.
     
     
     
    ***
     
    Mark felt Molly’s tongue lick his hand.  Focusing on the Springer, he knew that this time even her dog would not bring her back to him.  Rotating his hand to pet her, he offered heavy-heartedly, “She is gone from us, Molly.  This time even ‘Mrs. Carter’ has lost.”  Mark looked back at Sami.  “I would even enjoy having ‘her’ with us at this moment,” he shared. 
     
    He knew what he had to do, but the very thought of placing her in the hospital grated on him.  He had no other choice, as her care would need IV fluids and adult diapers — all of this because of his discovery of Adam being alive.  Cause and effect , he thought. 
     
    Mark recalled her kneeling before the cedar chest containing Adam’s things, and had observed her as she lifted the ultrasound image to her lips; he had seen real emotions.  Sami’s belief that Adam had not survived the accident was plain to see.  Where was Adam now? Mark wondered.  He could just imagine the guilt she was experiencing as her shattered soul was clearly visible. Focusing on Sami’s face, Mark whimpered softly, “Stop blaming yourself.  It was not your fault.”
     
    Sighing deeply, Mark detangled himself from her and rose.  He had to make arrangements; he had to talk to Gus.  He needed answers, and he would not find them sitting there in the snow.  Bending over, he gathered Sami into his arms.  As he stood, he shifted her dead weight in his arms.  A chill shook his body; he felt like he was carrying a corpse.  Moving back to the cabin, he called to the dogs.  “Let’s go.”
     
    Grandma Jo’s voice reached him.  “She’s dead?”
     
    “No,” he called back.  She might be better off if she was, he thought