was cranked to 375 degrees, and the smell of browning

flakes. It felt good to cook for people who actually did something to ea

oven. It was perfect. Golden bro

a bottle of wine from the counter-j

ks of orange and purple. The walk to the Smith

he saw them. The clanging of

ard. There was a single-wide trailer, neat an

re was

en hood of an old Chevy

stoppe

tightened a bolt with a wrench. A smear of black grease ran down his shoulder blade. H

eart did a hard thump against

ent to a gym to stay fit, but he

ilt for labor. For strength. He s

pulling the part from his

He hadn't expected to see her this close, this soon. He saw the flush on her

g there, holding a casserole dish, staring

trying to regain her composure. "I... I made th

s unreadable, but his eyes seemed darker, intent. He wiped his

he said, hi

t. His hands were covered in black grime.

y ran to the steps of the trailer, her knees wobbly. She pl

esperate to escape the

eli

opped her. It was the f

He was still standing by the truck,

rrett,"

ly, her face on

er, until she was safely inside her

ing a hand to her chest. Her heart was poun

he door of the cabin close

dish. The foil was still steaming. He lifted a

one he had-into the edge of the

his tongue. Rich, tan

He could see the silhouette

rs of making sure the roads were safe when she drove home late. Thr

ring was

walked inside the traile

st him and the lasagna and the taste of

ow, dangerous c

iet wa