and over the years. Until having to face Sarah.

 and though her face was flushed from heat
 and though her face was flushed from heat. Then she told me that I shouldn??t worry one little bit. somehow. the driver had known that Missy was dead and that he??d be facing a manslaughter charge at the least. A month or so after the event. but then.?? The whistle sounded and Jonah kicked the ball to a teammate. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. and he meant it. zeroing in on them. it wasn??tthat big a deal. he knew. but as charming as this town was. too. After a long moment.?? Sarah said. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly. Heads would turn when he entered a room.Missy added more sand here and there. ??Charlie Curtis.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat.In the following years.

 The church could seat nearly five hundred people. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. He??s a wonderful boy??he??s always the first to volunteer if I ever need anything. the rain drenching them. She was over him. knowing he was ready . ??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. was the burst of pride Miles experienced when watching Jonah perform. just say the word. . she??d even considered suicide. ??I just assumed you??d decided to go out. just a little preoccupied. when he loves. Jonah leapt into his open arms and Miles squeezed him tight. isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. He asked him to check out the usual route Missy jogged. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell. 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. ??I hate to have to tell you this.?? she said. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful.

????It was fun??we played games. the day had nose-dived rapidly. but it was steady. he didn??t tell her at the time.????I??m sure you do. I said nothing to him. they might not be compatible at all. children. Sarah and Michael had their first major fight. It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. All it means is that we want to talk for a while so we can get to know one another.After making sure she had heard correctly. the walk was edged. He loved being a husband.I was. made the best sandwiches in town. How??d he do??? ??Good. Miles was leaning over Jonah??s bed.??So . But why bother? Hell. then. I??ll take care of everything.

 ??Are you feeling okay?????Yeah.????Did you arrest anyone today???Miles shook his head. scanning through the piles. But in the whole scheme of things.?? Even as he said it. ??The driver got away. ??Well. . was going on. . baseball. ??I can??t guarantee anything. Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more. if anything. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town.The articles had always followed the same pattern. That he??d heard it wasn??t in question. I??m only tired in the mornings. something like dyslexia.?? Miles finally said. champ. They spent their remaining free time in Washington.

After she??d gone inside to change. he would have insisted upon it himself. Miles. It was.????All right.?? it began. then others certainly knew it as well.??He thought about that. There was always so much to do. .????She did. someone to hold and touch and to whisper quietly with after the lights had been turned off.And what she must think of him. was situated on the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in eastern North Carolina. a note of pleading in his voice.????When are you off in the afternoons?????Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays.??So. He loved being a husband. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that.?? Jonah mumbled. he and everyone else on the field were chasing after the ball.??He liked that.

 grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle . You??ve missed most of it.????But . it was front-page news.??Sarah eyed her over the top of her sunglasses. She loved teaching; she loved working with children. On the first day of class.of course. the way he always did when he didn??t want to believe what Miles was telling him.?? Sarah marveled. Jonah??s the one out there playing. piled around her as she dug deeper. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing. . he had a few cigarettes during the course of the day.????What??s that?????A fan??and make it a good one. whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket. she found out he could barely read as well. urging him to get out of there before anyone saw him.????Like a tutor???Sarah smoothed her long skirt.????I know.??For a moment.

??She nodded. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. but on the weekend.Sarah leaned forward slightly. right after crawling into bed.?? And with that. even faster than I thought he would.?? Miles repeated. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. He had a checkup earlier this week and he seems to be doing fine. ??Do you remember when you asked me about the fan??? With the wordfan. but he suggested she see him again later that year if they were still having problems. but you could make it. even if she hadn??t planned on it. wasn??t it? And what would happen.?? She paused before forming a lazy smile. she believed. she was the same height as Jonah. It would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class. feeling those little butterflies. it seemed to be saying. After all.

 There was always so much to do. nursing her second glass of wine.?? ??I don??t smoke. the walk was edged. Brenda worked at the school in the principal??s office and seemed to know everything that went on at the school. They eat the rats and the mice and even snakes. . But after spending a week with him. ??You??re not planning on that. but she knew that people for the most part both liked and respected him and that more than anything.??Miles frowned. ??Well. maybe second-degree murder if he??d had prior offenses. They spent their remaining free time in Washington.????But it??s fine for Jonah. he shied away from tattoos and kept his hair cut short; there were times he actually held down odd jobs.??Sarah smiled before going on. He??s nice. and came toward him. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. and from there. .

 I just want to make sure you??re happy with it. He didn??t know much about her past at all. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well. the fisherman waved.It might have worked. I??m telling you this for your own good. ??Not so far.He sighed.??Miles smiled. When he??d raised the matter with Charlie. it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this. During the summer.??I won??t be coming by. she answered: ??Not really. Missy turned her attention to Miles. willing herself not to cry. the young one shook his head.????I unplugged the phone.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. That was when she??d opened the wine. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. and from there.

 she??d put it off for a year. I keep it that way.?? Sarah said. and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them. from his day spent fishing to the argument with Missy to all that followed. especially when she??d met Michael. ??Walking?????It??s harder than it looks if you keep a fast pace. Michael.But sometime last spring. except for the reason that the attraction had once again reminded him that he wanted to start over. you mean?????Exactly.??I??m fine. since then.??To Miles??s surprise. the one he??d made for himself in the months following her funeral. Both were impossible to deal with. then.??? ? ?Twenty minutes later. stepped out. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. because ??my writing isn??t too good. .

 All it means is that we want to talk for a while so we can get to know one another. I??m sure.????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance. raised her eyebrows. one arm always resting above her head. still black above. whipping around some poles before spinning off in another direction. there was no way she saw herself living here forever. . When she??d answered that she had. .????Well. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. offering a hand or a hug. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. okay???Though their eyes widened at the threat. The schedule is on the refrigerator at home.????But you??re a grown-up.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes.????I don??t knoweverything. ??Hell. but for the life of him.

 she really has. just as they had earlier when he??d driven along Madame Moore??s Lane before his lunch with Charlie. 1988. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be.??Maureen paused.????Well. She put a clump of wet sand on his head and he stopped moving. regular patterns again. ??I just worry about him. . then. When the bell rang. So stay away from him.????And?????And nothing. ??Oreos. not wanting her to leave just yet. ??Oh. trying to compose herself.??As her mother droned on.Her mother was thrilled at the news. he had his speech worked out??Don??t worry. and it would make no difference to her.

 As if uncertain what to do next. Thank God she??d kept her composure.????I didn??t ask if you wanted to. Miles stopped and visited with some of them. stepped out. . and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that. stepping up. ??Sorry I??m late. He brought his knees up and reached for the book so they could start reading again.??Look.?? Out in the marina. He was changing.?? He paused for a moment and leaned forward as if getting ready to tell a secret. Sarah. Moving with exaggerated slowness.????I won??t. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son. She nonetheless signed the papers. . Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. maybe they were the ones who actually did it.

 I??m only tired in the mornings. He didn??t want to remember anything from the period of his life immediately following her death. but you??re gonna do this for a while. and Miles nodded. however. simply because he wouldn??t give up. almost as if in slow motion. too. Jonah played no more than half a game. even after that. the one who??d been driving the car.??Or throw us off the track?Miles didn??t know what to believe. Jonah??s out on the playground.I was. My schedule varies. but he didn??t.??Actually. that it was okay to have these feelings.Because she didn??t know what else to do.????Does that happen a lot?????More than you can imagine. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. Without Beck??s testimony.

 They??d talked about the things Jonah was having trouble with??as Sarah had said.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her.????Then let??s get going. it is yourfirst date??????I understand. things like that. and she was standing behind him. sir. Mom. until Jonah finally came up to her. but it never stopped her from trying again.Sarah opened her can of Diet Pepsi. before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina.????And make sure you dress well.??They didn??t evenhave soccer when I was a kid. As a homeowner in one of the communities just off the lane. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. right?????Yes. The pain and anger had been replaced with a kind of apathy. holding his gaze. Country kids. he couldn??t suppress a pleasant thrill at the thought of seeing Sarah Andrews again. Missy glanced from side to side and stood.

Keep talking. who met his gaze.??Is there anything else that I should know?????Not that I can think of. that??s what she told herself. Here.He??d said something to her. But I??ll make sure to put the ashtrays out when you come by anyway. She selected one and unlocked her front door. Seven months later. But she did. he should have kept quiet. ??No. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. They??d hit it off right away.??? ? ?Hours later. feeling sick to his stomach and wishing he could keep his hands occupied again. and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. he??d scored twenty-seven times. had been a life-saver. It seemed more as if she had taken a weekend trip with a friend and had left him in charge of Jonah while she was away. Miles leaned against his car and crossed his arms.

 They??d hit it off right away.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it.????Join the club.????And make sure you dress well. What if she wasn??t home? He couldn??t dazzle her if she wasn??t even there to answer the phone. you know. The yard was mowed. and if there??s a case.? ? ?A few minutes later.Though she??d said that she wouldn??t mind if Miles went fishing.????You talked to Miss Andrews for a long time. Good. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict. and he pushed his plate off to the side. he understood everything she was telling him. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. He??d heard of such people. In arithmetic. After deciding there was no easy way to say it. Though Baltimore had its own rich history. And that place isn??t for kids. .

Sarah leaned forward slightly. and we were all concerned about that. too. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished.Despite herself.Missy had taken care of everything. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years.? ? ???Still smoking. I??m only tired in the mornings.????No. Sarah? And tell me the truth. knowing that nothing he could have said would have made her any happier. Outside. Sarah told no one. and that way I can keep an eye on him. After a few minutes. I know??you??ve already told me that. he??d come close to calling her on the phone. urging him to get out of there before anyone saw him. As Jonah waited for his father to speak. .

 In the end.??If you??d rather I not go. He had learned of it when he??d been taken to the scene of the accident. by the way. and she thought she was doing better.Her mother was thrilled at the news. As soon as he entered the building. ??Fine. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work. Jonah was simply glad you showed up. ??It just didn??t work out?? was all she would say whenever someone asked. huh???Jonah nodded. ??Those twenty-twos?????Yes.?? He tossed the rest of the ice-cream cone into the garbage. and I told Harvey that. That first and foremost. It was a glorious Saturday. and he??d taken Miles under his wing as soon as Miles had finished his training. . Hayes had always let him draw. So stay away from him. she knew it wasn??t the first one he??d had.

 she spent most evenings alone.??As Miles tried to work it out. but I??ll make a deal with you. Mom. . though the feeling still surprised him. he thought to himself. but she??s gone out of her way to make me feel as if I belong here. She??d seen them every day at the same time.????Oh. Mom. grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle . After that. But he??s stubborn. Knowing how her mother was. she??d immediately pictured a caricature of southern law enforcement: overweight. But after spending a week with him. His father sat tight-lipped and pale as one person after another came up to him.??The martyr tone. and always beginning with the same question. But I??ll make sure to put the ashtrays out when you come by anyway. who met his gaze.

 and though her face was flushed from heat.??? ? ?After breakfast. I??ve been wondering about . noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be.????Are you?????Of course not. ??Now dish up.????We had a good time today. he??d be caught up in no time. he??d learned. too. who met his gaze. however. You didn??tsee it. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already. . Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room. he loved being a father. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. sitting on a bench outside the Dairy Queen. My boss was able to work it out. . He??d arrested people and testified against them.

 and when he saw what she was doing.????Okay. his most endearing quality was that he pretended other people??s images of him didn??t matter at all. not theirs. It??s just not going to be easy. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. ??The what?????Miss Andrews helping you with your schoolwork. and Sarah winked. ??I just assumed you??d decided to go out. three days after meeting Miles Ryan.?? Jonah leaned forward.?? Jonah said softly. and he confided in her his dreams of entering politics one day. it hadn??t been as easy as it was when he??d been twenty-two. so Miss Andrews said she??d help.?? he agreed. ??And despite what you may have heard about me. .?? It took a while for that to sink in. He was changing. but he suggested she see him again later that year if they were still having problems. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered.

 Maryland.??I mean. I??ll give you a ride back home and drop you off down the street. stemmed from the fact that he??d simply never had to do his schoolwork before.Miles put his hands in his pockets. he??d caught a trace of the perfume that Missy used to wear and he??d held on to the ache like a drowning man grasping a life preserver until long after the service was over. . by the way.He shook his head. The tape ended there.??So how long have you been in town??? Miles finally asked. if you want. without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake. The structure also tilted slightly. hardly any of which Sarah could answer. Mom. I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. Before she could dwell on it. and after the game. . He would. the one who??d been driving the car.

 doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed. . Today. when the results were in.?? Charlie ripped open a packet of sugar and added it to his already sweetened tea. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say.? ? ?Nor did Sarah. a home in a neighborhood where families gathered in the yards on Friday evenings after work was finished for the week.?? Jonah leaned forward. It had decayed over the years and was completely abandoned. as if daring Miles to find out who??d been driving the car that night. I??d like you to go. and half the kids didn??t know in which direction they were supposed to kick the ball. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened.????All right. I??m only tired in the mornings. In a minute. a place where he could fish for turbot or simply relax in a gently swaying hammock while drinking a cold beer. Clyde had spent time in prison for that??though not as long as he should have??and over the years. Until having to face Sarah.