RACHEL MOVED BACK to campus the next day. Felix helped her pack up her few things, loaded them in her Civic, and helped her ease into the passenger’s seat. He pulled her seat belt across her and locked it in and tugged it, checking to make sure it was secure. He loved her, that was certain. Whether it was a love that would last or be burned up by youth, Rath could not know. But Felix and Rachel shared something he’d never known, something good, and he was glad for that, at least. Maybe it meant he’d done something right. Maybe it was despite him.
He watched from the kitchen window as they drove away and noticed the hump of snow near the barn door. The deer. He’d forgotten all about it. It was surely rancid by now, having frozen and thawed several times. It was a shame.
But it was the least of his worries.