Whispered Promises

“I’ll make you as many as you need. A hundred if you want!”

“Heck, I can run to the store right now and clean them out,” her father offered.

Brie giggled softly in response, wanting them to know she appreciated their desire to comfort her.

“He’s changed and ready to see his mama,” Sir announced, walking up to Brie.

“There’s my baby boy…” Brie cooed.

Sir transferred the child to her and gave Hope a big hug. “It’s good to have Mommy back home. Isn’t it, my little angel?”

Tears came to Brie’s eyes when she took in Antony’s beautiful baby smell. “Oh, how I’ve missed you, sweet boy,” she whispered.

Antony completely melted her heart when he smiled up at her. She held him against her chest and gazed lovingly at Sir. Brie knew in her soul that the love she had for her little family had the power to heal her heart—it was an indomitable force no evil could withstand.

Brie could see the concern etched into Sir’s face and mouthed, I’m going to be okay.

He nodded, then turned and offered to get everyone a drink.

Still feeling uneasy, Brie smiled uncomfortably at her parents. Suddenly, she felt a furry body rub against her leg. The big black cat looked up at her, surprising her with the intensity of his gaze. It seemed like Shadow could sense something was wrong.

He sat down on his haunches and meowed at her.

“Are you hungry?” she asked him.

“We fed him this morning,” her mother assured her.

Shadow’s tail twitched back and forth and he meowed even louder.

Brie shrugged. “I don’t know what you want, buddy.”

The cat’s tail swished faster as he continued to meow at her. Perplexed, Brie walked to the couch with Shadow following close behind. The moment Brie sat down, he jumped on the couch—which was something he was never allowed to do.

Before she could protest, the cat crawled into her lap and began purring loudly while he curled up beside Antony. She looked down at her son and the big black cat and absently began stroking the animal’s soft fur.

Brie was profoundly comforted by the rhythmic rumble of his purr.

Sir stared at the cat with gratitude, choosing not to scold him. “This is one time when disobeying the rules is completely justified.”

After her parents left, Brie asked Sir a question that had been troubling her ever since her rescue. “Why didn’t Rytsar come? It’s not like him at all.”

Sir sighed heavily, obviously uncomfortable with her question. “Durov will tell you when the time is right.”

Brie frowned, concerned by his strange response. “What is he keeping from me, Sir?”

Putting his hands on her shoulders, Sir looked deep into her eyes. “Now is not the time, Brie. Trust me.”

She shook her head angrily. “I don’t care. I need to know!”

To her utter frustration, Sir wouldn’t budge. However, he did take his phone from his pocket and held it out to her. “I think you should talk to him yourself.”

With a sigh of exasperation, Brie dialed the number and waited for Rytsar to pick up.

When he answered he immediately asked, “How is she, moy droog?”

Hearing Rytsar’s low voice with that thick Russian accent warmed her head to toe. “It’s me, Rytsar.”

“Radost moya!” he cried out in surprise. “I cannot tell you how good it is to hear your voice.”