- 5 -
Chrissy and Ace ran to the door barking before Autumn heard the key turn in the lock. Ray let himself in, greeted by a flurry of wagging tails and excited yips. Autumn watched him enthusiastically pet both of them, smiling, as happy to see them as they were to see him. Maybe his presence in the house did feel natural. It gave her hope that they could live here together one day.
It was 11:30 pm, somewhat earlier than she anticipated. She understood his long hours and was eager to hear about the skeleton after he had eaten.
Ray was trying to get past the welcoming committee and into the living room. Autumn laughed at the effort.
“Hey!”
“Hey, yourself. You must be starving.”
“I am.” Ray kissed her and went to the powder room to wash up.
Autumn went into the kitchen and from t
