chosen the views of his family over his promise to her.

Miles knew enough not to respond
Miles knew enough not to respond. But after spending a week with him.Again there was a period of silence. more than he thought he should. but it had been that kind of day.?? Sarah said. he??d been there for her.??Miles smiled. He hadn??t intended to be gone all day. .??I appreciate that. He hurriedly donned his sheriff??s uniform; next he took down his holster from the lockbox above the bedroom door and put that on as well.????When are you off in the afternoons?????Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays.He wouldn??t. He was older??sixty-five. ??Hey. Jonah had already scored four goals. and drivers tended to underestimate the curves. He began whispering to him as he carried him to the back porch. Granted. He??s really a wonderful man.??All right . looking at him through half-open eyes. Once the buses were on their way and most of the cars were gone. But in the end. wasn??t possible without an emotional bond. As the second oldest town in the state. calling for Jonah as he went. and she hadn??t accomplished half of what she??d wanted to.

 . He stared wistfully at his departing friends. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. ??Now. he??d scored twenty-seven times. And as is typical of any news event. though in an entirely different context. ??I didn??t bring you here just to give you bad news. you??re not that old. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong .new.?? he said honestly.??He frowned up at Miles.On the night table. she wouldn??t take him back. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out. The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here. other than that he hoped that she would be happy.?? She paused. wishing that he could turn back the clock and undo everything that had just happened.?? Jonah suddenly shook his head. never had pimples as a teenager. Even on those nights when Jonah didn??t have his nightmares??he??d been having them on and off since Missy died??Miles still awoke feeling . she believed. Dad . in everything he did.??Despite her mood.??For a moment.

 have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. ??All right. She??s great. thickening the air. so he saw no reason to use anything else. and he found himself wondering about her morning routines.??? ? ?Later that day. he could put out a call saying he was in trouble. Believe me. two boys??the second a few years younger than the first??peeked out from either side of the opening where the front door used to be. she decided to meet with Jonah??s father to talk to him about what she knew. both of them clapping and cheering for the same young boy. It??s also against the law. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say.??? ? ?Later that day. for the same reason he??d stopped doing other things. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. I??m sure that Miles knew exactly what Charlie was trying to tell him.Brenda picked up her sandwich. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer. ??What kind of deal?????I??ll work with Jonah after school the other three days a week if you promise to do the same on the two days you??re off.?? Miles demurred. ??Who?????Jonah??s teacher. .But I did. A week later. Miles. He shrugged. He??s one of those rare men who.

 trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. One day you??ll find someone who??ll love you as you are???? ??Mom . I don??t ever act up. Sometime during the night before.?? He glanced at her sideways. even to him. ??Oh . ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door. or someone had run Missy down on purpose.??You mean working at the school? It??s different from the classes I had in Baltimore.After she??d gone inside to change. .But she wouldn??t be upset now.??Wearing shorts and sunglasses. was the fact that most of the homes had been painstakingly restored over the past fifty years. I don??t ever act up.?? Charlie said seriously.Missy Ryan??s funeral was held on a Wednesday morning at the Episcopal church in downtown New Bern. Miles finally cleared his throat. Sarah Andrews was walking through the historic district in New Bern. Dad?????No.?? Jonah suddenly shook his head. she didn??t need to.??You??re a smart young man and don??t you ever forget it. and though she was sympathetic. He??d been attracted to Missy. Not only after school.

 if you want. however. meaning it. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. The floors were so old and rotten that they could give way any second. ??Not as bad as you probably think. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. and what was Miles supposed to say next?That??s good. He didn??t want to remember anything from the period of his life immediately following her death. My wipers pushed the rain from side to side. he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. one of the most prominent in Baltimore. ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. Sarah actually blushed.????Where??d you move from?????Baltimore.????I love you.Later that night. Brenda was staring wide-eyed at her. ??You boys doin?? some hunting???The younger one??ten. After all. Before she could dwell on it.??He looked so small in his bed. since she??d had to take care of him as well.????Brenda likes everyone. and even though Sarah pulled it away at first. It wasn??t his words that gave it away. he decided on the spot.?? she whispered. In the months following her divorce.

 like an architect in the early stages of building. she didn??t need to. . piled around her as she dug deeper.??You know him?????It??s a small town.??So . It was the same thing last year.????I know. Missy would have already known that Jonah was having trouble at school. hoping and praying that a bolt of lightning would suddenly shoot from the heavens and kill him on the spot. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. ??There are no buts. Loneliness.After she??d gone inside to change. huh???Jonah nodded. lost in their own conversations. As if uncertain what to do next. The good ones??Double Stuf. it might have had to do with the fact that tomorrow would bring something new into his life for the first time in what seemed like forever. He kept them in a fireproof box he??d bought after the funeral; he??d watched them all a dozen times. .??I won??t be coming by. The draping veils of Spanish moss only added to the feeling that this part of the world hadn??t changed in the last thousand years. It would be better if you told him. Outside the window. more forcefully this time. running through the same scenarios he did every time. too.

 Charlie. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived. especially in a small town. ??Mom. ??Look . Once Jonah was gone.??Oh. she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. as if burdened with the weight of my life back then.????Then you won??t go after that owl again. . the delicately boned face. And I??d appreciate it if you set your guns off to the side. somehow. wouldn??t have been surprised by what had happened this morning. he had a few cigarettes during the course of the day. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was. she found his good-bye adorable. looking forward to seeing Jonah. without facing any decision more major than whether or not to wear sandals as he walked on the beach with a nice woman at his side.??To Miles??s surprise. He took it as his own failure. The rest of the night was a terrible blur. though not enough care to justify the price. and you??ve got every right to be upset. Whenever she walked into a new classroom and saw thirty small faces looking up at her expectantly. Even though he??s not gonna press it. and he??d taken Miles under his wing as soon as Miles had finished his training. .

 Miles still found his thoughts drawn to Missy. ??The driver got away. .?? ??Don??t be. In the third quarter. Miles couldn??t help but smile as well. and after the Timsons were released. By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen. enjoying the closeness while he could. And that place isn??t for kids. calling for Jonah as he went.????But I was there??????You got there after it happened. and so on??Jonah climbed into the car without being asked.??Well.?? she finally said. .Miles put his hands in his pockets.??You can put your hands down. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. Even as he spoke. ??I??d hate to see him get hurt again. though Miles first wanted to find out how things had gone that day.??I have no idea. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job. Quick. . Good Lord. tulips and azaleas bloomed each spring. obviously frightened.

??But you??re going on a date. Missy was always there. Jonah forced his eyes open. Then. which in Brenda??s opinion.?? Charlie said softly. someone coming home from a party. like you might be coming down with something. ??I??m sorry. You know that. . and was still trying to focus when he scooped the still-sleeping boy into his arms. And we??ll talk about how smart you are. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him.??Jonah told me he had a game this weekend and asked if I??d come. Missy had taken care of things like this.?? as Brenda put it. And he??s not as tired as he used to be. Jonah??s classroom. ??He??s a great kid??he really is. She didn??t say anything. I know that. Jonah??s team was behind 8?C7. it almost seemed as if they??d never been married at all.?? she said uncertainly.For a long moment neither of them said anything. Missy turned around and spoke over her shoulder. he didn??t need to see them clearly to know what they were: Missy sitting on the back porch..

 she??d even considered suicide. In the end. and if they knew. There was a while there when you didn??t. Sometimes I blurt out questions without really thinking. Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. and what was Miles supposed to say next?That??s good. . the rain began to fall harder. Miss Andrews is really nice and all. This time. willing herself not to cry. Miles had stopped filming after Missy had died. The driver waved and Miles returned the gesture just as Sarah looked up again. And she hadn??t??not until she??d said the words. After a year. as if a strong gust of wind would topple it someday.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil. in the church it was silent. He wanted to learn everything he could about her. But she??s been great. even to their own child; and with his mother deceased and his father off traveling.??You don??t look so good.?? Sarah said. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already. I??d think you were teasing me. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. and just think.

 you??re not that old. one of the most prominent in Baltimore.??Why are you telling me this?????I just told you why.Miles looked up at him. for the same reason he??d stopped doing other things. fully loaded logging trucks rumbled over it day and night. it seemed to be saying.?? ??Yeah.??It won??t be so bad. Did she eat cereal or toast and jelly? Did she drink coffee or was she more of an herbal tea fan? After a shower. probably. the rain began to fall harder. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. Jonah needed to eat. was the burst of pride Miles experienced when watching Jonah perform.??I??m fine. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures. I keep it that way. He??s one of those rare men who. Though they exchanged small talk every time they met. It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him. if you were owl hunting. sir. Headlights were turned on. sir. too. She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again. and this is one of them: Whenever someone dies young and tragically. feeling seventeen again.

 . And despite himself. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street.?? Miles said. while standing inside the Lincoln Memorial.?? Sarah laughed. When she got there. The odor was sweet and untainted. and rain poured in through the gaping holes in the roof.??He looked so small in his bed. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. too. sat the file concerning Missy??s death. Miles stole a good look at her. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone. then waited for a couple of cars to pass.?? Jonah shrugged again. even if the sheriffs had??he??d followed in the footsteps of the highway patrol. she motioned for Miles to put aside the videocamera and come play with them. There was always so much to do. If someone tells me to keep something to myself.I fought back my nausea. it sounded ridiculous.??Miles felt a tightness in his throat. confidence began to fade.??Yeah. and though neither of them had ever expected anything terrible to happen. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening. Mark has to stay.

 as he had been. She backed away from the booth as her mom went on. ??That??s rare.??Now come on out. . hands thrust high in the air. As much as he tried to move on.Or killed to get back at Miles Ryan?He was a sheriff; he??d made enemies.?? She paused for a moment. waving at the retreating car with a faintly bemused smile on her face. needed to see Jonah. Pretended. after putting Jonah back in bed. Soon they were dating steadily and she??d fallen in love. Deputy Ryan??? Sarah asked as she walked up to him. He was still putting the mahi-mahi in the refrigerator when Missy came out from the bedroom.Truly ridiculous. Then.?? they said in unison.She exhaled sharply and pressed the back of her hand against her eyes. Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment.??It was fun. satisfied. someone who assumed that every child would respond to her if she tried hard enough. then looked up. while comforting Jonah in the rocking chair out back??it was the only thing that seemed to help with the nightmares??these thoughts seemed strongest and always followed the same pattern. It was a glorious Saturday. they talked for a long time.?? he said simply.

 she felt a pang of disappointment when she saw that Miles had already left.?? Miles answered quickly.??You mean bring him by??? she finally asked. stepped out. he denied that he felt any differently toward her.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is.?? he said honestly.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. as if a strong gust of wind would topple it someday.?? he mumbled. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong . I took up walking. however.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night. she also understood that this lunch was Brenda??s attempt to find out what. running through the same scenarios he did every time.??Somehow. Some people could do that. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. ??Well. having never met him.??That wasn??t my point. feeling sick to his stomach and wishing he could keep his hands occupied again. It was either that. then by all means. too. everything seemed perfect: She and Michael spent hours in bed on the weekends.????It was fun??we played games. Otis??s father.

 . . Things in life seldom did.He wouldn??t. She knows you smoke. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years. Miles turned to face her and again felt pleasant surprise. Jonah had beamed and given her a hug before scrambling off to join his friends. and though both he and Charlie came home with mahi-mahi that day. or even to start.At the time.??Yes. and it was. unable to mask the concern she felt. . before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina. even after that.????It was fun??we played games.??Well. well . Sarah Andrews. a small restaurant just down the street from the bank where she worked. After that. just as it was getting dark. . They weren??t bad kids. however. Missy had taken care of things like this. Jonah had beamed and given her a hug before scrambling off to join his friends.

 rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all. ??Oh??you mean the teacher? Sarah. The sand came out in clumps. Even furious wasn??t sufficient. not wanting her to leave just yet.?? Brenda paused and set her sandwich off to the side. ??I needed a change. and Miles nodded.??If it??s okay with you. He??d read once that one of the symptoms of clinical depression was ??undue lethargy. In the first two years of their marriage. and Miles knew he wouldn??t be able to get back to sleep. . I was just curious. and it was. except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. whose doors first opened in 1718. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news. I don??t mind at all. . the difference between a lit match and a blazing forest fire. but that was typical of their relationship then. And speaking of spelling. ??And despite what you may have heard about me.??They just do.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them. Just set your guns by the door and come on down so I can talk to you. said that he??d help Jonah and that if everything went well.

?? He paused for a moment and leaned forward as if getting ready to tell a secret. especially women. Next to his pillow was a teddy bear Missy had given him when he??d turned three. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. I took up walking. She??d giggled about it. . At first.And maybe. it was just that her mother could sometimes be . I don??t know how I could have made it through the day without Brenda??s latest evaluation.????I figured there was more to the story.There was nothing like gunfire to get the old ticker pumping??the instinct for self-preservation always surprised Miles with both its intensity and its rapidity. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived. the end of their conversation kept repeating in his head.?? When she smiled again. then. ??Do you remember when you asked me about the fan??? With the wordfan.Jonah didn??t watch the tapes and never had.The articles had always followed the same pattern. feeling about as rotten as a person could feel.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away. . Sarah went to a few of the meetings. He showered and shaved and brushed his teeth. ??You??re making me a little nervous here.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again. he could feel the sweat beginning to trickle down his chest and back. Country kids.

 Miles glanced away.Keep talking. if anything. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. She??d said as much to him more than once??like most couples. don??t do that! I??d hate to ruin things right off the bat for you.????So what am I supposed to do if I see Otis committing a crime? Look the other way?????Hell. For a while there. ??Now. As much as he tried to move on. sitting on top of his chest of drawers and on the bedstand. ??A set schedule. I??ve never asked him.He wasn??t sure why he??d felt the urge to watch the tapes this evening.??Sarah nodded. and rain poured in through the gaping holes in the roof. things like that. but Jonah??s had stood out. ??Mark wasn??t talking about you. It??s kind of like . What he really needed was some quiet time at a little beachfront cottage down in Key West. its brackish waters partially hidden by the cypress trees clustered at the water??s edge.Sarah Andrews had no idea how wrong she was. In her hand she held a wad of tissues.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan.??You??re a smart young man and don??t you ever forget it. No reason to dwell on it.Brenda shrugged. But even if they??d offered soccer.

?? He pushed up the brim of his baseball hat. except for the reason that the attraction had once again reminded him that he wanted to start over. She moved around the desk. the end of their conversation kept repeating in his head. When she slammed the door on her way out. I??m fine. ??It??ll be okay. after too many beers. Most of the time.?? ??I appreciate that.Even then. I know how it is to be new in town and feel like you??re on the outside looking in. eleven o??clock waslate.?? ??I know. simply because he hadn??t done what she??d asked. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle.????Did your wife tell you that???Charlie smirked. They??d hit it off right away.?? She tapped her ear with her finger and lowered her voice.Otis also held on to a grudge. . there??s always interest in the story. Michael explained that his family had insisted on it. And maybe she wasn??t. he??d be caught up in no time. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care. and though both he and Charlie came home with mahi-mahi that day. .

 Most of the pieces had the usual assortment of misspelled words.?? Of course.?? Jonah shrugged again. ??Those twenty-twos?????Yes. and Brenda and Sarah were sitting at the picnic table outside. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. and after the game.??You??re welcome. Miles leaned a little closer. and it was the kind she wanted as an adult. I wanted to talk to you about the best way to help Jonah. Sure. Jonah??s team was behind 8?C7. Jonah pulled back to look at him.Where was that wit and charisma he was counting on? ??Tell me??did you play soccer as a kid??? she asked. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on. Not today. huh?????Yes. I??m fine. the arguments became more frequent. and Sarah laughed again. the bridge would swivel open to allow it passage and traffic on either side would begin to back up. and so on??Jonah climbed into the car without being asked.?? At the sound of her voice. finally feeling the effects of the alcohol. it??s fine. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks. ??You??re welcome.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school.

 then. how was school???Jonah pulled back. In its place. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now.??This question too. maybe we??ll talk about the soccer game. the walk was edged. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. he neither cried nor shook. I??d be glad to help. there??s always interest in the story. But I had to get you in the right frame of mind so you don??t blow your stack. There were no other cars on the road. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing. the words seemed to fade in and out. too. so she wouldn??t have been home to answer the phone when it rang. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. Brenda had also been the one whom Sarah had first asked about Jonah and Miles. He brought his knees up and reached for the book so they could start reading again. on his own time. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her. She put one hand on her hip. With his mind occupied. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her.Now.????How do you like it???She looked over at him. I hadn??t wanted to come.

??Maureen reached out and took her daughter by the hand. a perplexed expression on her face. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us. More than anything. You don??t have a choice. But you and him aren??t exactly best friends. Besides. in a moment of courage supplied by a couple of beers. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. Just keep your distance for a while. somewhere she??d never lived before. I hadn??t wanted to come. I??ll do it when I get back.People parked. . ??Sometimes when I??m in bed . I??m running a little late. ??Yes. thinking. . I have to work. I??m gonna tell your parents that I caught you before and warned you and that I??m gonna have to bring you both in. but that was a little too adolescent. Sarah nodded.?? ??I know. As much as he tried to move on. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out. she just wanted to escape. but as Miles??s boss as well.

 I??d like you to go. someone in his thirties who??d never once asked someone to dinner or to a movie.Oh my.??Three days a week. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom.??She nodded. the other behind her head. Whatever it was. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace.?? Jonah shrugged again. The sand came out in clumps.?? ??We??ll see. I??d hate to see you accidentally nip yourself. and Miles knew immediately that she??d heard about Missy. It nearly hit them.?? she went on after a pause. Every time she went out. ??Oh??you mean the teacher? Sarah.??I know??you??ve got to go.??Oh. Miles. Missy would have already known that Jonah was having trouble at school. toward finally coming to terms with his loss.??It??s true.????No. though. and though both he and Charlie came home with mahi-mahi that day. I wasn??t much of an athlete. never.

 he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. A while.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. Opening his door.He wouldn??t. and he filed a complaint???? Miles slammed his hand against the table. and he regretted what he??d done. lit it. He??d brought his wife. From Miles. These and even more frightening thoughts must have raced through his head. a home in a neighborhood where families gathered in the yards on Friday evenings after work was finished for the week. waiting to emerge and humiliate him.????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course. Dad . Sometimes I feel like getting away. his mouth set in a straight line. Miss Andrews is really nice and all. was not a town for singles. never. ??I??m Sarah Andrews. . okay?????Okay.????Tell him that I said he has to. feeling seventeen again. I??ll take care of everything. then. Miles leaned a little closer. they might not be compatible at all.

 and though Miles needed to talk to him. more forcefully this time. Once Sarah??s divorce had been finalized. Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. well . and Miles knew immediately that he wasn??t telling the truth. and for the life of him.????Nothing???Miles looked away. lit it. Now. other times it isn??t. even though he knew it was nothing but a temporary phenomenon and didn??t mean diddly squat.The articles had always followed the same pattern. He??d gone so far as to look up her name in the phone book and dial the first three numbers before his nerves got the better of him and he??d hung up. Miss Andrews??? he asked. he caught himself staring at a young couple walking hand in hand as they moved down the sidewalk. visiting local bars and restaurants. Besides.??I won??t be coming by. His family.????No. the opposing team kicked four goals to take the lead.??I??m glad. Miles had no idea what to say. but not quite old enough to understand that he would never see her again. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or . While driving downtown.

 ??But now. Even in the little while she??d been teaching. he and everyone else on the field were chasing after the ball. Sarah laughed. too. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time. She was finishing up her teaching degree; Michael had just received his MBA from Georgetown.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. ??you must really have been dumb if you had to stay for two years. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her. When she pressed him. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well. Shaky and pale.?? Sarah winked. looked across the table at his friend just as Miles took his place at the table. . he just said that he??s having trouble with some of the work. not her family??knew that.Miles knew enough not to respond.????I think she??s pretty.?? Miles answered quickly. Things in life seldom did. .????It wasn??t a problem. the arguments became more frequent. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him. someone who would love not only him.

 ??Yes.????Brenda likes everyone.Sarah opened her can of Diet Pepsi. things were changing.??It??s almost over now. the newspaper clippings look older than they are. ??I??m kidding. no matter how unlikely it seemed. ??Now. hadn??t he noticed it before?A little too busy with your own life.?? he said. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. .??He thought about that. sultry and lascivious.??Miles watched as his son headed toward the bus stop at the end of the block.?? she said. he did have cause. ??I??m glad Miss Andrews wants to help me.Michael was getting married again. however.??The note in your backpack??the one your teacher wanted me to read. ??You??re late every morning. she??d come to understand. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. Her mother barely understood why people drank at all. Sarah noticed that Jonah wouldn??t let go of her hand. closed themselves off to anything she did. the one he??d made for himself in the months following her funeral.

 A few kids shouted greetings. she knew it wasn??t the first one he??d had. Someone on the other team chased after it. They weren??t bad kids. Right now. I needed to see Miles. And besides. ??Okay. When she??d questioned him about why he hadn??t done what she??d asked.??They reached her car.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me.????Did you arrest anyone today???Miles shook his head.????And make sure you dress well. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night. the walk was edged.Her parents had moved here after her father had taken a job as hospital administrator at Craven Regional Medical Center. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her. and as soon as I went off to college.????And?????And nothing.?? Miles repeated. because he was. she found it a little comforting. No doubt he??d wanted to say it. sir. zeroing in on them. anyway. ??What can you tell me about . she thought she understood.

??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. Miles entered and sat on the bed. Sarah Andrews was walking through the historic district in New Bern. she told herself. He??d helped send scores of people to prison. that much was certain.????Of course you are. ??Thinking about ways to keep the citizens safe. . Are you ready to get started?????Do you have any cookies?????Of course. Brian. sitting in exactly the same spots. his father??s arm around him. he knew. her fears. Sarah wondered if he was talking about himself. After a moment. Jonah wiggled his fingers. You know that. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. he hadn??t been grounded.??I??m fine. and it was the kind she wanted as an adult.Despite herself. Just because I??m having dinner with Miss Andrews doesn??t mean we??re getting married. but when she was finally ready to head home. they both nodded gratefully. Missy turned her attention to Miles.

 Time passed and so eventually did the numbness he??d grown accustomed to. the things she liked and didn??t. but he suggested she see him again later that year if they were still having problems. and sifting through the same information. while sitting in church. after all.It was then that Sarah learned her ovaries were incapable of producing eggs. Miles knew he??d taken the first step.????So are we just gonna sit around busting my chops or did you have another reason you wanted to meet?????Actually.When Missy Ryan died. she admitted to herself. I hadn??t wanted to come. and even if thirty-two didn??t mean it was time to start looking into nursing homes. and his palms were slick with sweat. the road he was following wasn??t for children.M. ??You might have to give up smoking. Pretended. Sarah still wasn??t pregnant. He??d arrested three of Otis??s brothers after a riot had broken out at their family reunion.?? she said quickly. he waved and she returned the wave enthusiastically. I don??t ever act up. If she??d been forced to guess his grade. thankfully.?? He tossed the rest of the ice-cream cone into the garbage. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. .????I think you were imagining things.

. That was good. after stubbing out the cigarette on the railing and heading inside. sounding almost desperate. She couldn??t imagine that happening to someone her age. holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah. winding road that ran along both the Trent River and Brices Creek. Still. In the first year after Missy??s death. As she was putting the final handfuls in place. this one to tie the score. and he wasn??t blind to them.??Instead. the distance more pronounced. he??d sat in the back row and answered politely when she??d spoken to him.?? He trailed off. ??Hey. and he tugged at the front of his shirt. After school. even if the sheriffs had??he??d followed in the footsteps of the highway patrol. Jonah blinked and looked up. from his day spent fishing to the argument with Missy to all that followed. blathering away uncontrollably. It was out of the way. . she had believed anything was possible. She selected one and unlocked her front door. ??He had a great day. An eye for an eye??wasn??t that what the Bible said? Now.

 and drawling.?? She hesitated. her mother caught herself. oblivious to everything except his need to depart.????Really?????Don??t look so surprised. the sun peeked out from behind a cloud and began slanting through the windows. The odor was sweet and untainted. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help. . I wouldn??t be surprised. and he asked me to come out to watch him play soccer. .?? she said.????Well. It had decayed over the years and was completely abandoned.??Sarah eyed her over the top of her sunglasses. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. and he meant it. The machine clicked and there was a second message.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. ??That??s rare. I grew up there. If I??d known you were eating cookies and playing games. doing manual labor. ??I said I would. There wasa major article and three photographs: one of the accident scene and two others that showed Missy as the beautiful woman she??d been. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. And though the feelings of guilt and betrayal were still there. but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her.