Where Winter Finds You (Black Dagger Brotherhood #18)- J.R Ward Page 0,42
figures in the foreground, a huuuuge blond-haired one in black clothes with a red-and-green scarf, a small one that had short brown hair and green pants and a red shirt, and then the same depiction of Bitty that was on her mahmen’s card.
In this card, Bitty was smiling. Everyone was smiling.
Rhage was standing with his big arms over Mary’s and Bitty’s shoulders, and the two females were holding hands across his torso. Over their heads, there was another gold star, as well as two silver figures in white robes, their arms outstretched, smiles on their faces, trails from their flying done in sparkles that fell like snow from the sky to form the ground line the little family was standing on.
“That’s my mahmen and my brother,” the girl pointed out. “Up above.”
“Watching from the Fade.” He looked at Bitty. “I think these are all really beautiful.”
Bitty took the two cards she had done for herself back and tested the paint gently with her fingertip.
“It’s dry.” She carefully folded the piece of paper down the center. “See, this is how they are supposed to look.”
She repeated the bend-and-flatten routine with the other, and then lined the pair up. Sitting back on her heels, she frowned.
“I don’t know whether I should have done one for Mahmen and Charlie separately.” She glanced over. “I was to have a brother, you see. He came to me in a dream. So I know he’d have been a boy if he lived, and he didn’t have a name, so I gave him Charlie. At least in my own head.”
Bitty touched both cards, linking them as the figures were linked by hands and arms. “It felt wrong not to do a card for them. But it was a sad card. Then…” She pointed to the other. “Then I did this one, and I realized I could fit us all in. And this is a happy card, even if they’re not with us. Because they’re with us.”
Grave thirteen-year-old eyes locked on his own. “When I went to do your card, I thought maybe I would put Selena up over you, but… I just felt like she was on the same line. Next to you.”
Goose bumps ran up the back of his neck. “You have no idea how right you are. May I keep this?”
“Let me fold it so it’s right.”
“Of course,” he murmured as he gave her artwork back.
Bitty lined up the corners precisely and then, with care to rival a brain surgeon’s, drew her fingertips downward, creating a perfect crease. She made as though she were going to give it to him, but then she took the card back.
“I was supposed to write something on the inside. But I don’t have the pens I was going to use. They are up in my room. I didn’t expect to do the lettering yet.”
Trez looked at the silver figure and the image of himself. “You know, it was made with love and I love what you’ve painted. So I’m not sure it needs words.”
“Okay, you can have it like it is.”
As he accepted the gift, the little girl threw her arms around him and squeezed. With a lump in his throat, Trez returned the hug lightly. She was such a tiny little thing, but her heart and spirit were fierce. She had more than proven that.
“Thank you, Bitty. I will treasure this always.”
“I love you, Uncle Trez.” Bitty pulled back. “And I don’t want you to be sad anymore.”
“I’m better now,” he whispered. “Honest.”
The sound of approaching boot falls brought Trez’s head around. Rhage was striding into the billiards room, a turkey leg in one hand, a chocolate milkshake that was half finished in the other. The Brother smiled.
“Hey, Trez, what’s doing?” He looked at Bitty. “And young lady, it’s time for dinner. I gave you an extra ten minutes, but that’s turned into twenty. You can always come back here soon as you’re done.”
“Okay, Dad,” she said as she stood up.
“Wow, look at your cards,” Hollywood murmured as he took a draw on his straw. “They are beautiful.”
“She made one for me.” Trez held out his as he got to his feet. “Isn’t it perfect.”
A shadow of sadness crossed Rhage’s Bahamas-blue stare. “Yeah. It is—”
“It’s perfect. Just perfect.”
Rhage smiled down at this daughter. “Good job.”
“Do you think George will walk on them?” Bitty asked.
“No, he sticks with his master. And as for Boo—well, that cat does its own thing. But I think you’re pretty much in a paw-free