“It would have thrilled her to know you survived and that you had her guitar.” I never was a country music fan until she started playing for me.”Ĭarla held the guitar out. She played it every night of that journey, singing love songs. We took turns carrying that guitar for two hundred miles. We married, and we came out here with our stuff loaded in a wheelbarrow. I hiked west from Illinois and when I got to Omaha I met my Kylie. I was twenty-two years old when the world ended. She would be glad to know you had it.”Ĭarla’s stomach fell to her feet. That guitar should be played by someone who loves music. None of my grandchildren have any interest in playing. When she finally selected the guitar she wanted, old Mr. She didn’t see the pride brimming in Taye, or the fascination of the other wolves, or the faint look of nostalgia in the elder Mr. Carla took over twenty minutes to play each of the guitars, tightening strings and plucking them to tune the instruments and then playing a song or two. “Go ahead, try them out.”Īs she came forward the Grays stepped back. His smile said that he heard all the grateful joy she’d tried to suppress. “I thought you would like it.”Ĭarla hated crying in public.

“You miss your music.” His broad shoulders rippled in an almost shrug. “Of course, for you.” The growl was gone from his voice, replaced by tenderness. But I want a baby and unless there’s a miracle, I won’t have one unless Sky comes back.“Me?” Carla gasped. “Six years ago I’d rather have married a tarantula. “Did you want him to come? Do you want to marry him?” “No! Yes! Oh, lord, I don’t know.” Rose sprang up from the bed to pace. Sky got Taye’s letter, but he didn’t come for the funeral.” Resentment edged Rose’s voice. Like many fair skinned people her face was blotched red from her tears, but the blue of her blue-gray eyes was more vivid. Meanwhile, here is a conversation between Ellie and Rose: Rose wiped the heel of her hand over her eyes.

When I have signed the contract I’ll make updates throughout the website. Wolf’s Prize will be Ellie’s Wolf instead. My goal was to have it turned back in before I left, but I’ve been so busy getting ready for the trip that I haven’t finished the changes yet. Tomorrow I’m off to Lori Foster’s Annual Reader & Author Get Together in Ohio! I received Wolf’s Prize back from the publisher with a request to make a few changes before they offer me a contract.

Ellie's Wolf by Maddy Barone