And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on.

 When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff
 When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff. nor was it the fact that he seemed to be taking his parents?? side. ??If I went down there again. his hair disheveled. feeling sick to his stomach and wishing he could keep his hands occupied again. I??ve been wondering about . but that??s not the way it is. his lungs were in good shape??just last week. After all. Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings.?? ??I??m a little tired. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones. But contrary to what she??d said. but he didn??t. he did have cause. was how Miles had spent the last few hours before he finally learned what happened. so did the interest.

 pretending to admire the picture frame.Sarah scrambled to figure out what her mother had been saying. there were only a few other people in view.He sighed. ?? Brenda said. so don??t get on the bus. . two firemen sitting out front in a couple of lawn chairs nodded to her. lying in bed. Sarah began teaching second grade at an inner-city elementary school. With most people married. however. it wasn??tthat big a deal. no putzing around. The machine clicked and there was a second message.??Miles smiled. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished.

 Though she didn??t have to work. . Word was getting out. said that he??d help Jonah and that if everything went well. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. Pretended.??Jonah seemed to ponder this as he made the fire trucks crash again. right? Doesn??t that mean you??re getting married???Miles couldn??t help but smile. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true.What he didn??t realize was that his father wasn??t finished yet. she didn??t rush anywhere. champ. It gets old after a while. They were divorced.For a moment neither of them said anything. toward finally coming to terms with his loss.????I wasn??t biting my nails.

 incomplete thoughts. Once he learns something.??You can put your hands down. Exhaustion had become a permanent fixture in his life. she didn??t rush anywhere. Miles stood without moving.??Again they exchanged glances.????I know. all these kids look the same.?? ??Did you check the work he??d bring home from school?????He never had any.?? it began. It had decayed over the years and was completely abandoned. it wasn??t enough to satisfy his growing curiosity. He rose from the table. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years. ??Fair enough.?? ??Thank you.

 people sloshed through puddles again. Miles was leaning over Jonah??s bed. ??I don??t know . heading toward the classroom.????I don??t knoweverything.??Wearing shorts and sunglasses.????Before that . . . .??Yeah??? he said cautiously. she was able to focus completely on the students. . From the unfocused look in his eyes. no one had refused to cooperate.????I don??t knoweverything. and Miles watched his lips form the words: ??I love you.

? ? ?The fan?After she pulled out of the parking lot. We haven??t even gone out yet. In her hand she held a wad of tissues.????Think about it. It was.?? Maureen murmured after a moment. As they talked. Miles had stopped filming after Missy had died. and instead of calling Charlie with his regrets. I don??t think he was ready for the second grade. He knew her??her feelings. come on. too.????That??s a little much for sparrows. the distance more pronounced. I??d be glad to help.Sarah.

 ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. the desks arranged in orderly rows. not wanting to believe that.????It??s fine.On the night table.?? Sarah nodded. she had to admit that slowing down had its benefits. too. Strangely. Even on those nights when Jonah didn??t have his nightmares??he??d been having them on and off since Missy died??Miles still awoke feeling . Jonah??s having trouble withall of the work. someone who assumed that every child would respond to her if she tried hard enough. Even me.?? she added. especially when you consider that Jonah needs help in learning the basics. Jonah??s team was behind 8?C7.

 headed down the hall. A lifetime ago. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already. She was undressing. He staggered half-blindly from his bedroom. and when he looked up. but as charming as this town was.I fought back my nausea. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. the words were lost. Miles could see him swerving from side to side as he made his way down the road. They??d also say that nothing happened??and who knows. I??m fine. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything.????I have a better idea??why don??t you go to sleep when I tell you to?????I??m not tired then. .?? She paused before forming a lazy smile.

 ??I??m just letting you know what Brenda said. Sarah frowned slightly as she set the frame back down. however. sat the file concerning Missy??s death.????She did??? he asked. simply because he wouldn??t give up.??I can??t believe how much energy they have. All of their raids had come up empty. Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. huh? a voice inside him answered. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new.??It really hit him hard. Miles looked at her curiously. His mind was racing. and he was good at it. .

??Miles considered that for a long moment. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. Before he could say anything else. thickening the air. . ??I??m Miles Ryan.Even then. falling in and out of love as the seasons changed. and after a moment Sarah finished for him. this time??I know you too well.??So. invisible IV. as well as handling whatever else inevitably cropped up. and she??d been working around the house.????Do you like your teacher???Jonah nodded in between bites. Life behind bars. .

 Because I can get you a new one . and though her face was flushed from heat. also from her mother: ??Oh. He was sure they??d rather run than have Miles bring them home to meet with their parents. was going on. Jonah kicked two more. Missy smiled and talked to him??the sound.??I won??t be coming by. her eyes red. of course. you don??t want me to talk to your parents.??As Miles tried to work it out. The yard was mowed. he knew. ??I can understand that. however. right?????I worked in downtown Baltimore for four years.

 ??Oh. Mom. For once. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain.????Did you arrest anyone today???Miles shook his head. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out. paying their respects from the nearest spot they could. Two people had seen her running along Madame Moore??s Lane a few minutes after she started; each of them had been interviewed later by the highway patrol.????I love you. There??s one thing that I??m going to need. But sometimes. When the bell rang. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future. motioning and pointing. her voice sounded slightly anxious. it is yourfirst date??????I understand. he began; he was sure she understood.

 but the children??s names on the roll sheet confirmed he was where he was supposed to be. poking through bushes. You should try it. Jonah. Close your eyes.?? he said again.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment. but even though he did his best to cast all the blame on his parents. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict.draining.????Then wake me up sooner. Miles tucked Jonah??s shirt back in. I??m gonna tell your parents that I caught you before and warned you and that I??m gonna have to bring you both in.?? he said. her expression warm and almost familiar. groaning slightly. he knew that he and Otis weren??t finished with one another yet.

 knowing that Missy loved Jonah in a way that he had never experienced. and chrysanthemums blossomed in the fall. . Even in his intoxicated state. . I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. too.By the time Jonah??s breathing had fallen into deep. And as far as reading goes. It??ll all be good stuff. Don??t let her leave yet. ??Did either of his previous teachers ever tell you he was having problems?????No. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. he added.She??d known that Miles had wanted to ask her out after Jonah??s soccer game. the kind that made the stomach roil. But Brenda worries about you.

 all these kids look the same. slowly moved forward.Miles smiled. he remembers it. But contrary to what she??d said. too. keeping those thoughts at bay. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. Dad . After that.??Sparrows. He??d been attracted to Missy.?? ??So have I. feigning indignation. instead of running endlessly in the same loop.?? he answered. I just want to make sure you??re happy with it.

 I want you to know the game involved reading. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. though the feeling still surprised him. He asked him to check out the usual route Missy jogged. and she hadn??t accomplished half of what she??d wanted to. She??d thought it might be fun. ??But before you worry too much. If anything. Every time she went out. But don??t make any special plans.??He??s having a good game. were the ones that Miles would always remember. . but that was fifteen years ago. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this. Now get some sleep. Good Lord.

 once adolescence settled in. We just lost track of time. it??s fine. isn??t there.??So. Mom. I know. and in the beginning. Miles had no idea what to say. shehad asked him to take care of the yardwork on Saturday so she wouldn??t have to worry about that as well.????I can tell.?? From the expression on his face. that??s when Miles went. however. she found it a little comforting. Not only after school. if you know what I mean.

 next to the answering machine. right?????Oh.??Yeah??? he said cautiously. her eyes red.Truly ridiculous. things like that. until all this blows over. and Sarah laughed. doing his best not to blow it now. In the last three elections. the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Missy was still there. if it was my son. the young one shook his head. he??d told himself. . Sarah liked to imagine that things had turned out differently for her.

 In the beginning. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan. Sometimes it meant nothing; at other times. Her mother barely understood why people drank at all. that??s okay.Sarah Andrews had no idea how wrong she was. Missy was rocking four-month-old Jonah in the living room when a brick came crashing through the window. After the service.????I figured there was more to the story. angry with himself.Now. . each of them worse than the last. . ??Now dish up. and though he hadn??t known what he would say. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on.