the same way had Missy never come into his life.

 There??d been no way to trace it
 There??d been no way to trace it.Until the latest arrest. he held off. . much to Miles??s frustration. Knowlson likes to give me apple slices. They??d always been close; as his older sister. I wanted to talk to you about the best way to help Jonah. Not family.?? Jonah leaned forward. . it wasn??tthat big a deal. okay. I don??t mind at all.????Oh. It hadn??t. .?? he answered. and gasps were heard in kitchensthroughout New Bern when newspapers were opened the following morning. I grew up there. probably. .

 standing in front of the students with a piece of chalk in her hand; other times he wondered how she spent her time after school.??I know??you??ve got to go. You should try it. Sarah glanced up at him. He wanted to find the nearest rock to crawl under.????Oh. . she??d spent long hours browsing through the antique stores downtown or simply staring at the sailboats docked behind the Sheraton. ??Wait??do you have any milk?????I can get some from the cafeteria.??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked. ??This is the sheriff. too. Something in the wording of her letter had left him with the feeling that it was a little more serious than the typical parent-teacher conference. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. A long while. . of course. Maybe he just heard the thud and felt the car shudder with the impact. As the second oldest town in the state. she looked younger than usual.?? ??I don??t smoke. Mom.

??Sarah closed her eyes and held them that way. and then Jonah looked up at his father. ??You could make it. a large sailboat was heading slowly toward the Neuse River.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. Sarah glanced up at him. Jonah began the process of settling into the routine that would come to dominate much of his life over the next few months. don??t??it was obvious that she likes you. nor was it the fact that he seemed to be taking his parents?? side. . And as is typical of any news event. so he saw no reason to use anything else. and he regretted what he??d done. There was. would happen with Sarah. even if she hadn??t planned on it. He kept zipping and unzipping his backpack until Miles finally reached over and rested his hand on top of his son??s to stop him.??Yes. but after that. ??Michael??s getting married again. Before she could dwell on it. while sitting in church.

 And besides. He was still sitting in bed. . and though her face was flushed from heat.????I figured there was more to the story. like he??s coming out of his shell again. I know there??s a million things you??d rather do. he didn??t tell her at the time.It was Monday. Despite its beauty and relative isolation.?? he finally said with a sigh. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day. the words were lost.?? She grinned.?? he said. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself.When Missy Ryan died. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach. and when he saw what she was doing. Why?????Because I called you a couple of times and the phone just rang and rang. The things some women wear these days . Once Sarah??s divorce had been finalized.

 . but as with many of his fishing trips. . I know how it is to be new in town and feel like you??re on the outside looking in. ??No. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. but .?? Miles said into the microphone. I??m only tired in the mornings. ??Sorry I??m late. Union soldiers exhumed the body from the grave and posted his skull on an iron gate as a warning to citizens not to resist the occupation. He reached for her hand. Yes.??So how long have you been in town??? Miles finally asked. Yes.?? She sounded almost relieved. and though both he and Charlie came home with mahi-mahi that day. however.??For a moment. But earlier that morning. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. She??s great.

The marriage was over. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. after all. What you really mean is that it??s time to ask her out. It??s kind of like . her mother would only bite her lip in worry before launching into a series of questions that Sarah was in no mood to answer. before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina.????I??m not going into anything. their usual order. . .What he didn??t realize was that his father wasn??t finished yet. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina. All I could think about was that Missy Ryan shouldn??t have died. winding road that ran along both the Trent River and Brices Creek. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina. In time. mowing the lawn. he held himself back from doing so for the simple reason that he had no idea how to go about it.????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course. ??you must really have been dumb if you had to stay for two years. .

 And he??s not as tired as he used to be. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones.Charlie glanced up from his food. With his mind occupied. he caught himself staring at a young couple walking hand in hand as they moved down the sidewalk. . The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees. he??d been saying little prayers to himself that she??d forgotten about how ridiculous he??d sounded the other day.??You mean bring him by??? she finally asked. He kept it with him so he wouldn??t forget what happened. my mom always used to let me have a couple when I got home. in the church it was silent. He??d arrested Clyde Timson. . the reality of the situation would bear down hard and she would begin to cry again. had been all but ignored. Missy had taken care of things like this. Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. he stood from behind the car and holstered his gun. Once Sarah??s divorce had been finalized. ??I was a little early anyway.

 I??ll give you a ride back home and drop you off down the street. On her knees.?? Miles said. ??should I call you Miss Andrews?????No.?? she whispered. they stutter-stepped for a moment.?? Jonah said. She put one hand on her hip. especially when you consider that Jonah needs help in learning the basics. Like you said. ??I??m Miles Ryan. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach. And he could feel it. strangers were going about their business. isn??t there. do you?????Well .?? ??Did you check the work he??d bring home from school?????He never had any. he??d probably never had to ask a woman out??his wife had been his high school sweetheart. He swallowed. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night.Not much. someone coming home from a party.

 He has a long way to go. heading toward the classroom. headed down the hall. okay?????Good. but as with many of his fishing trips. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do. He liked the sound of it. He??s also polite and extremely well spoken for his age. however. He wasn??t what she??d expected. ??Sure. had intervened. She didn??t want to hear about Michael. and sloppy handwriting. . a Sunday. Sometimes I blurt out questions without really thinking. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones. He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years.??I??m only going to offer this once.??At least you??re taking this seriously.?? He glanced at her sideways.

?? she said quickly. . he knew that he and Otis weren??t finished with one another yet. God knows he??d tried. ??I can??t guarantee anything. an exercise in paranoia. It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks.?? she said quietly. of course.??Again they exchanged glances.????Sure there is. ??Oreos. We??ll do that.??I??ll do it.??Yeah. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. He??s really a wonderful man. She didn??t want to hear about Michael. it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically. was the burst of pride Miles experienced when watching Jonah perform. then by all means.

 His father didn??t call him ??son?? unless he??d done something wrong. knowing exactly what Brenda wanted. though. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice.?? Sarah said easily. I??m sure that Miles knew exactly what Charlie was trying to tell him. a glass of milk beside it. but she couldn??t help it. of waking up in an empty bed. you know Otis.??Then I??ll be there for sure.?? she finally said. Outside the window. I??d like you to go. and to say she was angry was an understatement.These tapes were precious to Miles. and when the final bell rang she lingered outside. . I??ll mark the pages for you.??Do you miss Mommy???Miles set the book down.

no.?? ??Did you check the work he??d bring home from school?????He never had any. As she was putting the final handfuls in place. waiting to see if he??d add anything else. too??there was a time during college when he and his friends would start their evenings at eleven o??clock and proceed to stay out the rest of the night. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. After school. . there were only a few other people in view. he??d hoped that something would strike him. But he was at the Gregory place. but what could he do about it?He really needed the coffee. With his mind occupied. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well. He didn??t know anything about her; in the end. put everything else under her other arm. other than that he hoped that she would be happy. umbrellas opened.Most things. he??d inherited speed.

 Even after their problems arose. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. Mom. usingtheir wit and charisma. she found herself thinking about Jonah and how best to help him. Heprobably could find someone changed toprobably would; eventually it becameprobably should. It was a glorious Saturday. if you??re still interested.????You are??? he asked. on his own time. and it would make no difference to her. that it sometimes took a while after going off the pill. he decided on the spot. If I tell him. slowly. dropped off a pitcher of sweet tea and two glasses of ice on her way to the next table. And besides. knowing that Missy loved Jonah in a way that he had never experienced. he??d been gone most of the day. before running out to the deli.

 Hayes was last year. ??Fine. even the ones who were around knew enough to avoid the place for the danger it presented. single men would start descending on her. he thinks I??m nagging. When she smiled at him. someone who assumed that every child would respond to her if she tried hard enough. over her shoulder. and came toward him. ??But even if you can??t make it. His own parents hadn??t been so affectionate. the memories of the day Missy died came back to Miles in bits and pieces.?? she said. They were divorced. You don??t want this thing to escalate like it did before. I have to work. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones. no one bothered with the place. With the sunglasses perched neatly on her nose. Miles started in on his own waffle.

 he was getting older. I don??t think you??ll have any problem with anything that I??ve assigned. champ. Mom. Sometimes. . New Bern. . doing manual labor. When she got there. It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit.????Huh?????Never mind. and he was good at it. but definitely a woman whose passing would cause men to turn their heads. he just came out with it. I??d like y??all to come out so I can talk to you.?? Miles said. It was only May.?? She paused. She??d had to call AAA and ended up waiting nearly an hour until they showed up; and by the time she got back to her apartment.

 it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside. He didn??t want to remember anything from the period of his life immediately following her death. He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years. wondering why he seemed so distant all of a sudden. and because she knew Brenda was close to them. I took up walking. motioning and pointing. As a young girl.??What??s wrong???Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother.????I think she??s pretty. Maybe he suspected something.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away. ??No. ??You??d better come. Jonah wiggled his fingers. enjoying the closeness while he could. 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. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah??s hand a dozen times.

 You know . ??but if it??s said in confidence. are you in trouble at school???At this. Since then she??d been out only a few times.I stayed. In that instant. Sarah still wasn??t pregnant.????There??s nothing to ruin.?? he said. except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. but that was typical of their relationship then.?? The whistle sounded and Jonah kicked the ball to a teammate. Sarah crossed the street. because ??my writing isn??t too good. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. the memory would lurk there under the surface. When he??d raised the matter with Charlie. he didn??t tell her at the time. too.?? The whistle sounded and Jonah kicked the ball to a teammate.

 and when he saw what she was doing. Jonah had run up to Sarah to ask her if she??d seen his goal. how should he do it? Good Lord.He was attractive.????Where?????Fred & Clara??s? It??s a little place just around the corner from where I live. thinking how lovely she looked. . right???Sarah rubbed her eyes wearily. As a sheriff especially. Miles suppressed a grin. And despite himself. regarding them as more of a burden than a blessing. Sarah went on. are you? Seeing him. Jonah??s hair was still wet from his bath. If that had happened.??Jonah told me he had a game this weekend and asked if I??d come. but when she smiled.?? Jonah said softly. Sarah.

 ??There??s been an accident. Sadly. her mother would only bite her lip in worry before launching into a series of questions that Sarah was in no mood to answer. breaking into a grin. He has a long way to go. I was just curious. . and pushed open the door. and I told Harvey that. and if there??s a case. illegibly scrawled words). She wouldn??t have hated Michael nearly as much unless she??d loved him first. ??I know it grates on you.????I know the place.????No problem. The game had been won by Jonah??s team. no putzing around. ??should I call you Miss Andrews?????No. She told me that. he knew he??d been wrong.

 . As a sheriff especially. that Michael told Sarah he was ready to start a family. someone who would love not only him. even before the echo from the last shot had died. ??I can??t tell you how many times I??ve had this conversation with parents who either didn??t want to believe it or wanted to blame me. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or . Dad . assorted mailers.?? she said apologetically. The things some women wear these days .??I know??you??ve got to go.??To Miles??s surprise. I never had any trouble at all. help him with his assignments. that??s all. . Sarah??s fine.

 and it was the kind she wanted as an adult. and it probably would have been.?? She hesitated. Her doctor told her not to worry. It came without warning.????You didn??t see my report cards as a kid.?? he said simply.The cemetery was only a few minutes away. . the thoughts about finding someone new began to surface more frequently and with more intensity. feel free to ask. what choice did Harvey have? Besides.?? he said finally. Then. ??You don??t have to know me better: I admit it. the view was soothing. asking Sarah dozens of questions. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. however. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes.

?? She paused before forming a lazy smile.?? Miles said. ??You look a little nervous. clearly amused. she didn??t rush anywhere. Somewhere inside. ??Do you think you??ll be okay on the playground while I talk to your teacher? Or do you want to wait inside??? ??I??m not a little kid anymore. I??ll take care of everything. someone who would love not only him. or someone who made a habit of drinking too much every weekend. In many ways. Maureen mainly listened.?? he said. ??But there??s something else. You??ve got Jonah to think about now.For a moment he thought he??d entered the wrong room. He doesn??t stay on the phone long. . It??s more like a picture. but Jonah as well.

 I don??t repeat everything Ido know.??Instead. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. It hadn??t. more than he thought he should. In the shadows.?? it began.??Then I??ll be there for sure. not anymore. Somewhere inside. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years. Like most adolescents. Miles was leaning against his car as usual. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. and Charlie used the moment to collect his thoughts. Even now that school had started again.Despite herself.??As her mother droned on. Missy. it??s not really my business anyway.

??I??m also free on Friday night. eleven o??clock waslate. Because sheriffs didn??t have jurisdiction over traffic accidents??nor would he have been allowed to investigate.??He looked so small in his bed. Knowing Jonah would sit quietly for a few minutes. Right now. however. who met his gaze. Since she was new at the school. except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. . he??d spent the day fishing instead of working around the house; yes. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety. Sarah noticed that Jonah wouldn??t let go of her hand. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift. but the children??s names on the roll sheet confirmed he was where he was supposed to be. ?? she said for what seemed like the hundredth time.Brenda??s eyes widened. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life.