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 ofard. 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. Heart 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
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