"My dad's parents live in Ohio and I've visited several times. It gets pretty nice there, too but days like this are pretty common in Southern Califor...ia." He looked at them a bit, not really expecting any answer.My heart was going like a snare drum but I managed to keep my expression pleasantly interested and my mouth shut. Bob continued, "Natalie and I have been hanging together with my crew at school and studying together at your place for almost three months now," he said, looking directly. ”She nodded again and three juveniles robbed closer so they too could hear the story better. The Old Anali began.” It was an era long ago, so long ago that no one can count the number of White Cold Seasons that happened since then. All the Huffh knew only one Place. It was a warm Place with much water. All that was crawling and walking on that Place came out of the water to claim land for the first time. Then a big ball of fire came from the skies and burned many of the others, the skies stayed. I hated the pain I was causing her and hated how I felt; as if I’d betrayed her.I was angry, too. Why couldn’t I fix it? Why couldn’t I see a solution? Why?Frustrated, I announced, “I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back later.”“Let me come,” Callie pleaded.“No! I need to be alone and think, Callie.”Striding out, I headed into the forest. Dappled morning sun slanted through the canopy. The air was fresh and cool, full of the scents of hidden blossoms, dark tree bark, earthy composting. Not that he didn’t enjoy the view he had of the bard as she attempted to get her armour over her legs without accidentally exposing anything else.Making the decision to wait, instead of taking her up on her implicit offer was one of the most difficult things he’d ever done. She’d been there, half naked and gorgeous and grinding herself against his lap, and he had been stunned by just how badly he’d wanted to break his celibate streak right then and there. But he wanted so much more than just.