il winding up through the hills like a thought you couldn't quite pin dow

ooked around like the place was a novelt

hrough the scree

nk she'll

turning around. "Just a government t

gged her stuffed dog tighter a

ound here. He watched the door open and a leg swing out - long, lean, fitted into

't what he

oft pink shirt tucked neatly into her jeans, boots that looked broken-in but well cared for. But her

the porch. She smiled. It wasn't sweet or fake. I

Mr. Hart," s

ped like city folks. Not twangy

ps slowly, boots thudd

e the t

teacher, licensed with the state, and-" she tilted her h

hand. Just looked at

need someone who won't fill my daug

They stood there for a breath too long. Her eyes locked on

ounding down the steps, cur

her?" she asked.

and warm. "Thanks. I

"But Daddy says if you take care o

, soft and slow. Damn the kid. Always

muttered, turning away. "If

she doe

dn't a

ped back onto the porch where Cole leaned against the rail,

tucking a loose strand of hair behind her e

"You're not st

se into things, Mr. Hart. I get the fe

p, unreadable. "They'

her Jeep, then turned. "But ev

ht. Cole watched the taillights fade, a strange hollownes