blankets, which rather smothered her, but she was glad to have such a caring family. She winced at the pain involved with thawing out her feet. It hurt worse than the frostbite itself.

“I wonder where he went,” she whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Don't worry about it, Onyx,” said Jenna. “Sometimes he's here, and the next day he's not. But I wouldn't worry about it. It won't be the last time you'll see him. He'll come around again someday. It's just a matter of time. It's in his blood. Once you come to Nome, you can't stay far from it.” There was a wistful tone in her voice. “And if you're like him at all, you'll be the same way.”

Onyx looked at her mother's eyes, brown and understanding without an ounce of anger. They soothed her in a way she only felt around her. Suddenly, she remembered that she still had something to tell Maverick and her family.

“I forgot to tell all you guys the good news.”

“What's that?” asked Maverick.

She turned to look in his green eyes. “We are expecting puppies.” His eyes grew large and sparkled with excitement.

“Congratulations, Onyx!” stated Balto, a smile literally stretching to his ears. Jenna also congratulated them and told them all the wonders of raising a family, but Onyx didn't hear. She was lost in Maverick's eyes as he was lost in hers. Jenna shooed Balto out of the shack, and she left as well with a grin on her beautiful face. Maverick and Onyx weren't aware of their departure, but it didn't matter all the same. There was a deep penetration between the two.

“I love you,” stated Onyx.

“I love you,” answered Maverick.

“When did you discover that?” joked Onyx.

He smiled. “I'll always love you.”

“How long?”

“Dawn 'til dusk. And don't you ever think otherwise.”

"Know what I think love is?" He leaned closer to her to hear the answer. "The strongest bond I've ever known."

The snow of winter began to fall on the lonely little shack. Winter had come, and with it, the certitude of undeniable excitement.

The End