The storm decreased with the dawn, but the wind still blew. It had subsided to the point Dakota didn’t fear for being skinned alive. Even more promising was the brief patches of blue sky that appeared briefly among the swirling gray-brown clouds.
Warren and Chip seemed to have forgotten their enmity. They hugged each other and Dakota each time a speck of azure appeared above, like a sapphire imbedded in the gray-brown smog. Before they fell asleep the previous night, each one had a hand on Dakota’s chest, stroking or massaging him as if trying to piss and mark their territory. Now they acted like lovers instead of adversaries.
Howie barked and jumped up on his back legs as if wanting to be included in the celebrations. All three men scratched his ears and petted him, bringing him into th
