Progression Series 20 Legacy (Final) Read online

  "Yeah," Jim breathed out. "Looks like we are."

  Silence descended again, wrapping itself around the two men. They relaxed into it, content just to sit together, to be together.

  "Blair?" Jim said after a time. "Now that you've had a few days to think about your role in my life...." He looked over at his guide. "Well, I was wondering.... Any misgivings?"

  "No," Blair answered without hesitation. He drew in a deep breath, exhaled it slowly. "I'll admit that the idea of me being your control still scares the hell out of me. But I'm at peace with it. Finally."

  Jim scrutinized him, studying his eyes and face. "You're sure?"

  Blair smiled mischievously. "Like I could lie to you, man."

  Jim laughed. "Got a point there, Darwin. So...with what you've learned working with my senses and with what you've found in the journal, you have a lot more to write into your sentinel books."

  "I'll say," Blair agreed, chuckling. "Chapter twelve of the first book-it's now a documented fact that not only is there a legacy for sentinels, but for their guides as well." He shook his head, huffed out a breath of amusement. "I wonder what Sir Richard Burton would say."

  "Who cares?" Jim responded dryly. "He's no longer the authority on the subject. You are."

  Blair quirked an eyebrow. "You think?"

  "I know," Jim said softly. The silence returned, untroubled, unhurried. Jim's gaze traced over the marble stone before him and once again he found himself thinking about his grandfather...and the man who could have changed all their lives.

  Nicholas Britt

  1922 - 1945

  How different his life would have been if this man had lived, if his grandfather had received the same help he had. The question he had asked himself countless times before washed over him once again: What would have happened if Sandburg hadn't found me?

  The wind picked up, brushing over the two men and stirring the first fallen leaves of the season. Beside him, Blair shivered slightly. Jim shifted quietly, slipped an arm around his guide's shoulders, and pulled him close to his side. "Chief?" he said a moment later, not looking at Sandburg.

  "Yeah?" Blair answered absently, clearly lost in his own thoughts.

  "I'm glad you're here," Jim admitted softly. Turning, he stared down at his partner, his eyes filled with affection.

  Blair returned his steady gaze, a pleased smile pulling up the corners of his mouth. "No place else I'd rather be."

  Jim tightened his hold on his friend for the briefest moment, then shifted his gaze away from Sandburg as a sound caught his attention. In the distance, carried faintly on the autumn wind, came the low howl of a wolf followed almost immediately by the deep growl of a panther.

  "Did you hear that?" Blair whispered, his voice sentinel-soft.

  "Yes," Jim answered simply.

  And as the two men sat together, the wind rustling softly over them, they knew with a certainty that reached deep into their souls that they were where they belonged-knew that no matter what the future might hold, they would face it together.

  The End

  Dear Readers:

  This chapter ends the Progressions Series. It has been our joy to write this series, to expand and "progress" the friendship between Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg. Not only has writing this series brought us much personal pleasure, but we have been truly blessed to hear that it has brought you pleasure as well.

  The writing of the series has also served to confirm and cement the bond between the two of us as friends and co-authors. We now look forward to expanding our collaborative efforts into the realm of original fiction, something that could not have been accomplished without the support of the many readers who faithfully encouraged our writing efforts. Your reassurances and encouragement have been invaluable to us and we will forever treasure the writing experience that brought dozens of wonderful readers into our lives.

  We close with a special "thank you" to Linda Maclaren (Mackie) for giving our series a home at her site. Linda, we appreciate your generosity (and your excellent HTML skills) more than you can ever know.

  Beth and Shiloh

  Please let us know what you thought of the final installment (or the series in general). We'd love to hear from you. You can reach Beth at [email protected] and/or Shiloh at [email protected]

  Thanks for reading!