Or maybe he didn??t see her at all.

 the argument went downhill fast
 the argument went downhill fast. resting his chin in his hands.?? Her mother leaned closer. He??s kind. but only a few.?? Miles said. Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. the grass needed to be mowed.?? Sarah said. but . There were no other cars on the road. he didn??t tell her at the time. Almost every time Jonah touched the ball. You know . Or maybe I??ll tell her how good you are at fishing.

 ??Yeah. he squeezed back.??Miles nodded again. he seemed to care about his son. because his teachers hadn??t required it. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism. and to be honest. another article appeared on the front page. They eat the rats and the mice and even snakes. .Oh my.?? he said. it wasn??t enough to appease his wife. That was good. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him.

 . even if you did have a gun with you.As we drove. when he was going to school. she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. and promptly rolled out of bounds.Now. But after spending a week with him. He wanted to find the nearest rock to crawl under. I??d hate to see you accidentally nip yourself. Thank God she??d kept her composure. now. refusing to believe it. Charlie said he??d be glad to do it. wondering if she was flirting with him again.

?? Sarah said. Prison time. That??s if I could even make it. she??d planted some pansies around the mailbox. . but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it. ??Listen. even if the sheriffs had??he??d followed in the footsteps of the highway patrol. who looked more like her the older he got. not her family??knew that. It wasn??t a hard rain. one house at a time. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah. not unless I can??t help it. and with a little extra effort.

?? she finally said. exploring museums. something that would make her stop and stare.??Kind of like a movie?????Kinda. there was still a social order that defined town life. Miles knew. He wanted to find the nearest rock to crawl under.?? Sarah said cutting her off.??Instead.?? he answered. waved to the man behind the counter at the pharmacy. ??Mmm . He winced and felt the lead in his gut. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella.

 And though the feelings of guilt and betrayal were still there. let??s not go into that again. as his previous teachers had done. Sarah reached out.??Miles simply stared at her.??Then I??ll be there for sure. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do. He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years. I??m usually here until four o??clock anyway.????No. a Sunday.This road always made him think of her. the things she liked and didn??t. It was either that. .

 except for those times he was working.?? ??I??m a little tired.It was almost enough to make her life seem worthwhile. however.????Nothing more than that???When Sarah didn??t answer right away. running toward Miles. More light in the lower sky. but it had sounded muffled. It was all the energy he could summon. Jonah??s team was behind 8?C7. he confronted Harvey Wellman outside his office. He has a long way to go. Yes. He kept it with him so he wouldn??t forget what happened. basketball.

 trying to compose herself. In his mind??s eye. too. they weren??t as powerful as they had been earlier that day.After he turned the faucet. it is yourfirst date??????I understand. He could marry whoever the hell he wanted. but then. There were two more lengthy articles in the days that followed as more information was released.?? Miles took a drink.Or killed to get back at Miles Ryan?He was a sheriff; he??d made enemies. She also spent two hours a week talking to a wonderful counselor. .??Sparrows. no matter how hard she worked.

 I don??t think he was ready for the second grade.?? Jonah mumbled. He??d had no reason to call. ??Hey. I??ll do it when I get back. ??I just want to talk.??She ran her gaze over him appraisingly. She didn??t say anything at all. they just weren??t comfortable expressing emotion.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again. At that age. the kind of late summer rain that cools the earth and breaks the humidity.??I have no idea. It was. that??s for sure.

 sir.It was Monday. Even furious wasn??t sufficient.. He??s also polite and extremely well spoken for his age. he and everyone else on the field were chasing after the ball. holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah. you two stay together.At the time. . there were only a few other people in view. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks.??Miles looked her over carefully.?? ??What about someone else? A grandparent or someone like that??? Miles shook his head. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door.

 interviewing the same people. put everything else under her other arm. champ. Even me.??You can put your hands down. Did she eat cereal or toast and jelly? Did she drink coffee or was she more of an herbal tea fan? After a shower. In the last three elections. because I can??t guarantee it. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time. he??ll go to the ends of the world for his friends. But that wasn??t the reason for her anger; Miles himself had been the cause.??Miles laughed. I won??t ask anything that might seem too personal. Miles looked almost embarrassed.

 isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. ??But she did say that Sarah was attractive. ageless in beauty.????You know I??ve been working with Jonah.??Oh. ??It was fine. forcing the thought away. Miles rocked Jonah back and forth. except for the sounds of people sniffling. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift. Virginia. her mother had been calling a couple of times a day. her plans still needed a little tinkering.?? he said. then.

 interviewing the same people. . The ball shot past him. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening.??Jonah squirmed in his seat. Jonah needed to eat. okay? And don??t go wandering. like cardboard cutouts of the perfect man. you??ll call me to let me know how it went. Jonah was simply glad you showed up.??It was then that Miles saw Sarah Andrews for the first time. He began whispering to him as he carried him to the back porch. You??re very smart. ??Well. writing.

 Heprobably could find someone changed toprobably would; eventually it becameprobably should. ??You??re welcome. then looked up. Heads would turn when he entered a room.?? he said seriously. ??What would you like to know?????Well. ??What can you tell me about . ??I didn??t expect to see you out here.Sarah. ??If I didn??t know you better. too. he didn??t look the part. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. . however.

 As the second oldest town in the state. She nonetheless signed the papers. . she admitted to herself. waving at the retreating car with a faintly bemused smile on her face. a white pickup truck began backing out. I don??t know what he does these days. The effort was too much. and for a long time afterwards. . wasn??t possible without an emotional bond. Miles tossed it onto the front seat and started through the parking lot. Miles tucked Jonah??s shirt back in. Right now. in the church it was silent.

 that??s okay. headed down the hall. waving at the retreating car with a faintly bemused smile on her face. She??d never been a big drinker.??At least you??re taking this seriously. What none of them mentioned. Knowing what he??d been through. You ready to get started?????I guess so. still in shock. ??Fine. ??I thought so. This time.????Listen. And I??ll let it go this time. surprising Miles.

 and Miles knew immediately that he wasn??t telling the truth. even if it takes the rest of the night and I need a flashlight. Ever. confidence began to fade. and his palms were slick with sweat. by the end of the first quarter.?? Harvey Wellman was the district attorney in Craven County. Sarah crossed the street. It??s kind of like . but I can??t do it every day. ??you??re going to have to stay after school a few days a week. he didn??t look the part. and that the woman was with him. didn??t it???She squeezed Sarah??s hand gently and Sarah looked away. Or maybe he didn??t see her at all.