He turned and smiled at her.
She smiled back. She had never been more game in her life.
More than that, she felt deeply touched that he’d invited her to live with him. Nothing had ever meant more to her. The truth was, she would have lived with them anywhere, even if it was just a hut in the woods.
“I’d love to,” she answered. “I just want to be with you.”
Her heart pounded as they came together in a kiss, the sound of the waves in the background, the ocean breezes rol ing over them.
Final y, everything was perfect in her world again.
*
Caitlin had never been so happy as she ambled through the house, going room to room, carrying a washcloth. Caleb had left, had gone out hunting, excited to bring them both home dinner. She was thril ed, because it gave her some time alone to walk through the house, to take it al in, by herself, and to look at it, with a woman’s eye, for how she could fix it up and make it a home for them both.
She walked through the rooms, opening windows, letting in the ocean air. She’d found a pail and rag and had gone down to the stream she’d seen running through the backyard, and had returned with an overflowing pail ful of water. She’d run the rag through the stream until it was as clean as could be. She’d found a large crate to stand on, and as she opened each of the huge, medieval windows, she stood up on the crate, and wiped each pane. There were a few windows which were simply too high for her to reach, and for these, she activated her wings, fluttering high in the air, and hovering before the windows as she cleaned them.
She was shocked at the immediate difference it made. The room transformed from being dark to being completely flooded with light. There must’ve been hundreds of years of caked dirt and salt on both sides of the pane. Indeed, just opening each window was a feat in itself, taking al her might to yank them free of rust and debris.
Caitlin looked careful y and was in awe at the craftsmanship of each window. Each window pane was several inches thick, and had the most beautiful design.
Some of the glass was stained, some was clear, and some had the slightest tint of color. As she wiped each one down, she could almost feel the house’s gratitude, as it slowly, inch by inch, came back to life.
Caitlin final y finished and surveyed it again. She was shocked. What had before been a dark, uninviting room, was now an incredible, sun-fil ed room, with a view of the ocean.
Caitlin turned to the floors next, getting down on her hands and knees and scrubbing them foot by foot. She watched with satisfaction as inches of dirt came off, and the beautiful, huge stones began to shine through.
After that, she turned to the enormous marble mantelpiece, wiping off years of dust. Then she turned to the huge, ornate mirror above it, wiping it down until it shone. She was bummed that she could stil not see her reflection—but she knew there was little she could do about that.
She turned to the chandelier next, wiping each and every one of its crystal laden candle holders.
After that, she set her sights on the four-poster bed. She wiped down each of its posts, and then its frame, slowly bringing back to life the ancient wood. She grabbed the aging blankets and went to the terrace and shook them hard, clouds of dust flying everywhere.
Caitlin returned to the room, her would-be bedroom, and surveyed it: it was now magnificent. It shone as brightly as any room in any castle. It was stil medieval, but at least now it was fresh and inviting. Her heart soared at the idea of living here.
She looked down and realized that the water in the bucket had turned completely black, and bounded down the steps and out the door, eager to refil it in the stream.
Caitlin smiled as she thought of what Caleb’s reaction would be when he came back. He would be so surprised, she thought. She would clean out the dining room next.
She’d try to create an intimate environment in which they could have their first meal together in a new home—the first, she hoped, of many.
As Caitlin arrived at the waterbank, sinking to her knees in the soft grass, emptying and fil ing the bucket, she suddenly felt her senses on high alert. She heard a rustling noise, close by, and sensed an animal approaching her.
She quickly spun, and was surprised at what she saw.
Approaching her slowly, just feet away, was a wolf pup. Its fur was al white, except for a single streak of gray running down its forehead and back. What struck Caitlin most was its eyes: they stared back at Caitlin as if it knew her. What’s more: they were the same eyes as Rose.
Caleb felt her heart pounding. She felt as if Rose had come back from the dead, had been reincarnated in some other animal. That expression, that face. The fur color was different, but otherwise, this could have been Rose reborn.
The wolf pup, too, seemed startled to see Caitlin. It stopped, staring at her, then slowly, cautiously, took a few tentative steps towards her. Caitlin scanned the woods, looking to see if other pups were around, or its mother. She didn’t want to end up in a fight.
But there was no other animal anywhere in sight.
As Caitlin examined the pup more closely, she saw why. It was limping badly, blood coming from its paw. It look injured. It had probably been abandoned by its mom, Caitlin realized, left to die.
The wolf pup lowered its head, and walked slowly, right up to Caitlin. Then, to Caitlin’s surprise, it lowered its head and rested it in her lap, whining softly as it closed its eyes.
Caitlin’s heart leapt. She had missed Rose so badly, and now she felt as if she’d come back to her.
Caitlin set the bucket down, reached out, and took the pup in her arms. She held it close to her chest, crying as she did, remembering al the time she’d spent with Rose.
Despite herself, the tears rol ed down her cheeks. The pup, as if sensing it, suddenly looked up at her, leaned back, and licked the tears from her face.
Caitlin leaned down and kissed it on its forehead. She held it tight, cuddling it to her chest.
There was no way she could let it go. She would do whatever she had to to help it heal and bring it back to life.
And, if the wolf wanted, to keep her as a pet.
“What shal I cal you?” Caitlin asked. “We can’t do Rose again….How about…Ruth?”
The pup suddenly licked Caitlin’s cheek, as if responding to the name. That was as definitive an answer as Caitlin could have asked for.
Ruth it was.
*
Caitlin, Ruth at her side, had just finished cleaning the dining room, when she spotted something interesting along the wal . There, beside the fireplace, were two long, silver swords. She picked up one of them, dusted it off, and admired the hilt, encrusted with jewels. It was a beautiful weapon.