Prodigal Summer

After several days away, Eddie Bondo finds Deanna on the trail, saying he “sniffed [her] out” (92). She responds that since she’s “fertile” (92) and releasing pheromones, her “body’s talking” to his (93). She tells him she’s heading to an old hollow chestnut tree, a secret place she considers “mine” (95), and is flummoxed to learn Eddie has found her spot and stashed his things there. They make love in the tree trunk, Deanna giving in to her desire “like a moth drawn helpless to a flame” (97).

The pair sleep awhile, and when Deanna awakes, she throws Eddie off of her in a sudden flurry of anger, saying, “You were watching me like some damn predator and you think you have me now?” (99). She admits she “despise[s]” (99) him for making her care, when she’s done so much to distance herself from people. She caresses the old log that had once “been hers alone,” knowing that “the spell was gone”—and that tonight Eddie “would share her bed” (100).

Cole’s funeral is over, his sisters have gone home, and Lusa stands on the porch of “her farmhouse” (101)—she has decided to stay, at least for the time being.