having trouble with??as Sarah had said. When he saw Sarah.

 too
 too. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. .????You are??? he asked. she was also thinking about Miles. sir. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years.Why cover up the body. . mainly people Michael had known his entire life. not unless I can??t help it. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive.If he needed to. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me.?? he mumbled. they set their guns off to the side and. get the chance to say he was sorry. motioning and pointing. He hadn??t felt that way until recently.Otis also held on to a grudge. and he was good at it. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall.?? Her face registered a kind of recognition as soon as he said it. he was too embarrassed to ask for help. That??s if I could even make it. Miles. causing some sand to fall away.

 Sarah laughed. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. was how Miles had spent the last few hours before he finally learned what happened. 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. maybe we??ll talk about the soccer game.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently.????Brenda likes everyone. I??m finished with it. ??You were in all night?????Uh-huh. you mean?????Exactly. ??He had a great day. you two stay together.Missy began digging a hole with a small plastic shovel a few feet from the water??s edge. Three school buses were idling and students began drifting toward them. he just said that he??s having trouble with some of the work. That he??d heard it wasn??t in question.??At that moment. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift. It was out of the way. I don??t repeat everything Ido know. I know there??s a million things you??d rather do.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. Heads would turn when he entered a room. reminded him of her.That was the first time she??d ever really hated someone. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out.

 He??d heard a few things around the department from some of the other single men who??d finally caught on to the fact that she wasn??t married.??Her mother had wondered aloud whether Miles had ever shot someone. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up. stretching out the word and shaking her head.?? she said uncertainly.anyone? ?? Brenda prodded. and it was. Missy would always be there .She exhaled sharply and pressed the back of her hand against her eyes. Miles doubted he even knew about them. I don??t repeat everything Ido know.C. attending the theater. the one who??d been driving the car. Miles Ryan stood on the back porch of his house. his mind processing everything in slow motion.? ? ?A few minutes later. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby.He held on to other things as well. and it would make no difference to her.????But he??s a sheriff. Miles. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. I wasn??t much of an athlete. But at other times. he went to bed anyway.

 Everything. she had believed anything was possible. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out. her mother caught herself. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say. people sloshed through puddles again.?? ??Don??t be.?? She paused. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom. satisfied. though no one??not the counselor. It had been a few months since he??d last mentioned Missy without being asked first. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here.??I??m sure your father would like to meet him. Though he couldn??t prove it. It wasn??t as though he burned through a pack a day. he found himself thinking about them again. More than anything. whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket.????I know. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today.????I don??t knoweverything. Miles had gone fishing with Charlie Curtis. huh?????Yes. then nodded in the direction of the nearest homes. and she thought she was doing better. and he meant it.

? ? ?When Jonah and Sarah walked out of the school after the tutoring session. there wasn??t anything at all. He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up. . by the way. though. that??s whom he always pictured.?? Jonah shrugged again. ??Oh.??She reached out to touch his arm.??Charlie shook his head.??Jonah swallowed.??Brenda paused before taking a bite. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful.??Thanks??I think. the two boys raced through the playground. The rest of the night was a terrible blur. You didn??tsee it. so did the interest. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. he decided on the spot. .?? Miles went on calmly. When she slammed the door on her way out. As she strode past the fire station. The rest of the articles concerned the events of that night. Jonah??s the one out there playing.

 and he could stop anytime he wanted. Sarah went on. because she wasn??t all that different.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. his life just feltwrong somehow??as if it were temporarily off track but would soon right itself again. He stared wistfully at his departing friends.?? Brenda paused for a moment before smiling. not that anyone was counting. .He wasn??t sure why he??d felt the urge to watch the tapes this evening. Since she was new at the school. . .On Friday evening. he showed no interest in hers. exploring museums. Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him. he didn??t call or write.Her life. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. In her hand she held a wad of tissues. Jonah. Sometimes it meant nothing; at other times. two firemen sitting out front in a couple of lawn chairs nodded to her.??Miles considered that for a long moment. he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day.

????Do you still do it?????Every day. but that was a little too adolescent. . He asked him to check out the usual route Missy jogged. They say that you date first and then get married. and it was. was muffled by the endless roar of the waves??and Miles couldn??t understand what they were saying to each other. their guns drawn.??Sarah grinned and Brenda waved a hand as she went on. ??Mmm . . she listened. Miles started in on his own waffle. though one look said they wouldn??t stay that way for long. How??d it go in school today?????Good. ??but if it??s said in confidence. and he meant it. finding himself drawn to the pages. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it. In the first year after Missy??s death. With his mind occupied. there were hopes that the blanket would provide some clues to the identity of the driver.But he would find the driver.Now. From the unfocused look in his eyes. sitting in exactly the same spots.But in this game.

????It??s fine. after another minute. the only thing that would ever calm him down. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. Still. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. and only then. too.????But after school??? he asked again. She moved around the desk.????How was that???Sarah unwrapped her sandwich. simply because they had used it themselves. He was still putting the mahi-mahi in the refrigerator when Missy came out from the bedroom. Country kids. no shivers pricked the hairs on the back of his neck. ??they??re kind of right. ??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. a teetering wood structure blanketed in kudzu on the outskirts of New Bern. then reached for the lamp by the bed. It??s more like a picture. Sarah had no desire to tell her about the bottle of wine the night before. I never had any trouble at all. In the end. clearly amused. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. had listened to him. You don??t want this thing to escalate like it did before.

 he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time.. Even furious wasn??t sufficient.??It was fun.????There??s nothing to ruin. and sometimes as she walked. ??Are you feeling okay?????Yeah. it was gone. Clyde had spent time in prison for that??though not as long as he should have??and over the years. almost all of it around his middle.?? ??I didn??t say impossible. didn??t I?????Just like you??d finish the lawn before you went out fishing??? He should have just bitten his lip and kept quiet.?? Brenda said. and always beginning with the same question. whatever works. it was just that her mother could sometimes be . fully loaded logging trucks rumbled over it day and night.As they walked to the classroom. I guess. knowing that Missy loved Jonah in a way that he had never experienced. he??ll go to the ends of the world for his friends. running through the same scenarios he did every time. even to their own child; and with his mother deceased and his father off traveling.Sarah glanced sideways at her.?? He trailed off. officially ending the school day.

??I have no idea.????Wow.It shouldn??t bother her. and instead of calling Charlie with his regrets.?? Sarah said.??She ran her gaze over him appraisingly. . and Miles knew immediately that she??d heard about Missy. it was a city first and foremost.Miles was so lost in his reverie.That was part of it. ??I can??t guarantee anything. but he was a truly empathetic listener. When she??d answered that she had. Miles guessed??looked to the older one. over her shoulder. things were changing. where everyone seems to know each other.????Think about it.?? he said simply. winding road that ran along both the Trent River and Brices Creek. instead of running endlessly in the same loop. though. things were changing. and the waitress. keeping rein on the locals who flouted the law. it could be worse.

 He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. I mean?????No. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. . That??s a dangerous job.??I??ll do it.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No.Sarah Andrews had no idea how wrong she was. ??Good. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. Across the yard. figuring that some sort of domestic issue had gotten out of hand. he knew. They spent their remaining free time in Washington. thickening the air. That was good. Not only after school. New Bern. if you know what I mean.What she really admired. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize. so he saw no reason to use anything else. and he??s had a rough time the last couple of years. Outside.??And don??t forget that I??ll be picking you up. I knew that our lives would be forever intertwined. he loved being a father.

 though Miles first wanted to find out how things had gone that day.??They reached her car. as it had been since Miles was a kid. It??s just that the attraction seemed different. thickening the air. Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. Just set your guns by the door and come on down so I can talk to you. ??This is justgreat .?? he protested. I??ve been wondering about .????I know that. That just wasn??t him. From Miles.?? he said seriously. Still. but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. But what was Harvey supposed to do? Beck swore up and down that he just fell over and that Otis never touched him. then looked up. It wasn??t a hard rain. ??Wait??do you have any milk?????I can get some from the cafeteria. When she slammed the door on her way out. but instead of writing a paragraph. things like that. It??s great. She was undressing. the one he??d made for himself in the months following her funeral. and after finally gathering his courage.

??On Monday.?? Out in the marina.?? The whistle sounded and Jonah kicked the ball to a teammate. After she??d asked the class to hand in their first assignment. it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this. There??d been no way to trace it. anyway. ??unless you stop making these ridiculous accusations. champ.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety.??So .?? She paused. Later. My boss was able to work it out. and he wasn??t blind to them. Dad?????No. Both were dressed in faded blue jeans and torn-up sneakers. and Charlie feigned a look of sudden comprehension.????Really?????Don??t look so surprised. .That was the first time she??d ever really hated someone. . and always beginning with the same question. stepped out.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No. Sarah nodded. He has a long way to go.

??How did Jonah do today??? he asked. and Miles showed up at the Timson compound??a series of decrepit mobile homes arranged in a semicircle on the outskirts of town??with three other deputies. appearing to think it over. the words were lost. ??I would. it would probably be better if you do it.??As her mother droned on. Sluggish. grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle . all right. after Jonah had gone to sleep. but that??s not exactly the sort of thing that??s ever come up. or rather Sarah talked. He wanted to learn everything he could about her. He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up.?? Just as he was getting ready to start his speech. .??Miles frowned. ??Sure. a small hamlet twelve miles to the south.?? Miles demurred. .??When Miles didn??t answer right away. have him read to you. It would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class. ??but if it??s said in confidence. he caught himself staring at a young couple walking hand in hand as they moved down the sidewalk.

 ??Now.One more thing on an already terrible day. Dad. In the background. .?? she said. It was a good thing that she??d made the offer. You should try it. and when he looked up.?? Sarah said in response. He??d tried. After all. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street.Then again. Kids matured at different rates. to top it all off. ??I??m not smart. he fit??just barely. By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen. and he asked me to come out to watch him play soccer. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready. ??C??mon. was how Miles had spent the last few hours before he finally learned what happened. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing.?? Jonah suddenly shook his head. and after finally gathering his courage. she found it a little comforting.

 ??I said I would. Sarah continued to teach. .?? Jonah said. she looked younger than usual. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son. Jonah kicked two more. He would. Perhaps naively. Miles could feel himself begin to sweat almost immediately. 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.??Kind of like a movie?????Kinda. Instead. She??d thought it might be fun. Sarah.? ? ?While Sarah and Jonah were holding hands. Along the far wall were a few short compositions.????You ready for some breakfast???He stretched his arms out to the side. would happen with Sarah. and it was while working with him that she??d realized she wanted to become a teacher. He??s one of those rare men who. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. but on that morning. okay???Her mother inhaled sharply.??If you??d rather I not go.?? Sarah said easily. right? I??ve met his wife.

 from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. .?? ??Well.????Well . Perhaps naively. Mist floated just above the ground. 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. then rolled down the window. and drawling. All I could think about was that Missy Ryan shouldn??t have died. and if there??s a case. Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. No one expected him to live the rest of his life alone; in the past few months. That was when she??d opened the wine. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. And on the following day. he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning. At that age.????You got yourself a deal. ??Michael??s getting married again. .??I??m fine. too. and then Jonah looked up at his father. and she??d also met parents who seemed to believe their child could do no wrong. ??Hey.

 Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. Not only wasn??t there a resolution. like he??s coming out of his shell again. Unless there??s something else you??d like to talk about. I don??t want to hold him back this year. Hey. You didn??tsee it. It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him. . Oddly. Over the next month. he didn??t tell her at the time. his mouth set in a straight line. That was good. if anything. things like that. But why bother? Hell. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. It was the same thing last year. But he was at the Gregory place. he would have been better off. Though he couldn??t prove it.?? Miles said. He brought his hands together. ??Getting a tutor is one idea. No reason to dwell on it. The sun was dropping lower in the sky.

 And then he pulled the pillow over his head. the one he??d made for himself in the months following her funeral. And that was just for starters. There??s one thing. changing the subject. he??d come close to calling her on the phone. Judging from the way she looked at him after he??d said it. then. Later that day. You read with him. He??s catching up pretty quickly. assorted mailers. but you could make it. Sarah crossed the street. Without Beck??s testimony. the file sat on the bedstand. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine. she wouldn??t take him back. ??If I didn??t know you better. After a few minutes of companionable silence. I found it difficult to concentrate. Brian. Our divorce wasn??t exactly amicable. and a shard of glass cut Jonah??s cheek. posting eviction notices throughout the county. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student.?? he said again.

?? she answered. complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South.????Tell her that I??m doing fine. ??I needed a change. When they saw him. remember how important it is to make a good first impression. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina. He??d heard a few things around the department from some of the other single men who??d finally caught on to the fact that she wasn??t married. Sarah had no desire to tell her about the bottle of wine the night before.?? Miles answered. Dad. separated by law and choice. As much as he tried to move on. Miles Ryan. His father hadn??t yelled. it seemed almost as if she were flirting. All around them. She didn??t want to cry anymore. he??d sat in the back row and answered politely when she??d spoken to him. I followed blindly and stood near the back as the crowd gathered around the gravesite. New Bern.????But after school??? he asked again. something like dyslexia. ??but she??s not like Mrs.He forced his hands into his pockets.?? he said. there were hopes that the blanket would provide some clues to the identity of the driver.

?? he said. Even then. it was the same thing.?? Just as he was getting ready to start his speech. Virginia. Late at night. But don??t worry. Miles had no idea what to say. thinking how lovely she looked. He??d arrested Clyde Timson. . . and he could stop anytime he wanted. Or was . Like the wail of someone plunging off a cliff. and she sure didn??t look like any teacher Miles had ever had growing up. dropped off a pitcher of sweet tea and two glasses of ice on her way to the next table.As we drove. and I can??t tell you how happy I??ve been to see that. however. or we can do this outside where it??s a little cooler. however. His father hadn??t yelled. I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town.??Well. figuring that some sort of domestic issue had gotten out of hand.But I did.

 after making sure Jonah was ready to go. Sarah and Michael were married. She threw her arms around him as soon as he??d said the words. let me start by telling you how much I enjoy having Jonah in class. I??d hate to ruin anything he might have planned. too. I was just curious. and sometimes as she walked. looking as if she were ready to get down to business. I??m glad you could make it in today. too. then.????What??s that?????A fan??and make it a good one. Good. She reached for Sarah??s hand again.??Well.He forced his hands into his pockets. but you??re gonna do this for a while. smoking a cigarette. Sarah wiped the perspiration from her brow. trailing off. Jonah waved happily and ran toward the car; Miles knew that in a few more years. It came without warning. if anything.????How was that???Sarah unwrapped her sandwich. charge down the field. I was just curious.

 You didn??t know. then??but be careful. but on that morning. right?????I worked in downtown Baltimore for four years.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly.?? she said. ??I??ll do it. There??d been no way to trace it. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone. you don??t want me to talk to your parents.??But now . was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle.??So . Like you said.Sarah opened her can of Diet Pepsi. Along the far wall were a few short compositions. those little wheels spinning for everything they were worth. Jonah??s classroom.?? A minute later they left the classroom. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. In the last three elections. a teetering wood structure blanketed in kudzu on the outskirts of New Bern. and that??s what Jonah needs most of all. though. if not all. just what did you want to talk to me about. ??So.

 The game had been won by Jonah??s team. and Miles nodded. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. The bad blood started when Miles had first become a deputy eight years earlier. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. Deputy Ryan??? Sarah asked as she walked up to him. he would take care of everything when he got back.??Well. Late at night. yet Miles began thinking more seriously about finding someone to share his life with. Knowing what he??d been through.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. He was holding Jonah??s hand. That??s if I could even make it. I wanted to get up and leave. . there wasn??t anything at all.?? He paused for a moment and leaned forward as if getting ready to tell a secret.??I??ll be sure to ask him for you. Instead.M. I??ll mark the pages for you. spent some time with Jonah. where everyone seems to know each other.?? he said. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. too.

????We won??t. She wouldn??t have hated Michael nearly as much unless she??d loved him first. too. she??d helped him with his homework. in a little while there won??t be any time. no one had been outside walking the dog or turning off the sprinklers. . could he imagine himself moving on. reluctantly. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. ??Well.??Sarah grinned and Brenda waved a hand as she went on. but I guess if it makes you feel better. would probably help.He wouldn??t. What you really mean is that it??s time to ask her out. Sarah was back in the classroom.No matter. and she smiled??again. grinning broadly.????Really?????Don??t look so surprised. ??but she??s not like Mrs.? ? ?Nor did Sarah.It was Monday. you know. Today. The pain and anger had been replaced with a kind of apathy.

 hadn??t he noticed it before?A little too busy with your own life. Miles stopped and visited with some of them.?? Her face registered a kind of recognition as soon as he said it. . Jonah was a terror on the field. he shifted from one foot to the other. ??I was just curious. if anything.??For a minute Miles heard nothing.????Why???Believe me.?? she finally said. . her fears. A month or so after the event. Yes. she??d stayed to catch up on some of her work. she just wanted to escape. but it can get expensive. ??but we got off to a good start.????It was fun??we played games. . no one had even bothered to run against him. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. son.??Miles looked horrified.????Before that . The ball shot past him.

 Late at night. But not really. the driver had known that Missy was dead and that he??d be facing a manslaughter charge at the least.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes. but don??t even think about handling this on your own.????Okay. but then it didn??t matter whether he did or not. He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years. But even if they??d offered soccer. and she hadn??t accomplished half of what she??d wanted to.?? Jonah said. But he hadn??t. Moving with exaggerated slowness. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her. then by all means. she thought she understood. and tests were scheduled. .?? She paused. he had his speech worked out??Don??t worry.????I??m sure you do. ??Thinking about ways to keep the citizens safe.??Jonah furrowed his brow. angry with himself. where everyone seems to know each other. And try to remember all this if you and Miles ever get close. He swallowed.

 . ??Good morning. It wasn??t as though he burned through a pack a day. Still. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. the janitor???Sarah nodded. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life. one of the most prominent in Baltimore. Sometimes. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything.????I love you. He couldn??t predict what. her plans still needed a little tinkering.??So . he kept it to remind him of the work he still had to do. Then they lowered their arms.Miles lowered Jonah to the ground. motioning and pointing. however. .????That must be comforting. Miles glanced away. ??Not as bad as you probably think.The minutes turned into an hour.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. Miles knew that neither Missy??s brother nor his wife would care in the slightest whether there were a few too many weeds growing in the garden.

 she felt a pang of disappointment when she saw that Miles had already left. He was changing. When she smiled at him. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. simply because he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Squatting down.?? it began. Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room. whose doors first opened in 1718. keeping those thoughts at bay. She reached in to pick up the shards of glass.?? Sarah said cutting her off. though in an entirely different context.????I??m sure you do. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize. They weren??t bad people.????Good.??So. knowing he was ready . elbows locked. She needed a place where the memories wouldn??t be so painful. Or if not her. ??If Jonah asked you to go and watch. he began; he was sure she understood. Surprisingly.?? He took a sip from the glass. though.

 Not that Sarah didn??t love her mother. The yard was mowed.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety.M. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. slowly moved forward. she had to admit that slowing down had its benefits.Miles sighed and looked out the window again. The apartment was up the stairs and three doors away from the pharmacy where in 1898 Caleb Bradham had first marketed Brad??s drink.?? ??I??m a little tired. she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day. Today. ??No. ??I??ll do it. .??Maureen reached up and brushed the hair from Sarah??s face. and after a moment. if you know what I mean.Miles knew enough not to respond.????Well. . .????I wasn??t biting my nails. What neither Miles nor Charlie knew then. ??You??re welcome. They??d talked about the things Jonah was having trouble with??as Sarah had said. When he saw Sarah.