Free Lone Wolf by Tracy Krauss

her.”
    â€œWhat if I asked you to come with me?” Thomas said.
    There was a space of silence. “I…I don’t see how that could work. I mean, my practice…my family…We’ve hardly known each other long enough for me to give up everything and go traipsing out to BC on a whim.”
    â€œBut would you consider it?” he persisted.
    She expelled a deep sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe God is asking me to wait, and I wouldn’t want to live with you without, you know, getting married—and I’m not about to put that kind of pressure on you.”
    Thomas didn’t quite know how to respond to that last admission.
    Nicole continued. “I think maybe we jumped into this relationship a bit too quickly. We both need some time to think things through. Get our heads on straight.”
    Thomas nodded to no one in particular. “So what you’re saying is, maybe we need some time before we go any further.”
    â€œThat’s exactly what I’m saying.”
    Thomas digested that. It was exactly the thought he’d had himself, but now that she had verbalized it, he felt hurt. “Okay, then. Well, I guess that settles it. You’re still welcome to come to the opening ceremonies for Mamawa. It’s in two weeks.”
    â€œThanks. Maybe by then we’ll both know where we stand.”
    ****
    The next two weeks were so hectic Thomas hardly had time to examine his bruised heart. The opening ceremonies were a spectacle of color, ceremony, and history, held on the grounds of Mamawa Center. There were traditional dancers, drummers, and of course, guided tours of the indoor exhibits and archaeological site. Dennis Johns, the elder who had shared firsthand information about Thomas’s ancestor, the “Wise One,” was invited to come back and say a prayer. A peace pipe was passed among the dignitaries, and afterward, Minister Holtac cut the ribbon.
    Thomas circulated among the crowd, shaking hands and chatting. He was talking with Con McKinley when Whisper collided with his pant legs and then ducked around behind him, squealing with delight. He craned his neck over his shoulder to get a view of the top of her head. “Hey, take it easy, my girl. You almost spilled my punch.”
    â€œYou didn’t catch me yet!” With another giggle, Whisper dashed away.
    Thomas was about to scold her a little more sternly when he saw another small figure darting after his daughter. Maggie. His eyes immediately scanned the crowd. If Maggie was here, then Nicole was too. “Excuse me for a minute, Con. I have someone else I need to talk to.”
    â€œNo problem. You’re the man of the hour,” Con replied.
    It didn’t take Thomas long to locate Nicole. She was standing alone on the wooden walkway, away from the center of activity, leaning against the rails and looking out at the marshy lake. “You came,” he said simply when he reached her side.
    She nodded, her gaze never leaving the water. “Of course I came.”
    â€œI’m glad. I thought maybe you wouldn’t.” He leaned his forearms on top of the railing, clasping his hands in front of him.
    â€œThis is a big deal to you.” She turned her gaze to look at him at last. “And you’re a big deal to me.”
    Thomas swallowed hard and then just drank in the sight of her. It seemed like decades, not mere weeks, since he’d seen or talked to her. “I made a decision, finally.” His voice was soft; barely above a whisper.
    Nicole stopped him by laying her hand on his arm. “Before you go any further, I have a few things I need to say first.” She took a deep breath. “I need to apologize for the way I acted when I found out you got that offer in BC. I should have been happy for you. Supportive. Instead, I was petty and selfish. Honestly, I was scared that it meant the end of you and me, and I wasn’t ready to face