ter

sion & Exte

aptain Elia

he kind that cracks you and the ki

Combat taught

de the woman who used to be the future of your best friend's life w

hen the entire t

for five days when the fir

of tight smiles that usually precede budget cuts. One of them looked like he'd never

e?" the taller one asked, scanning

shed the internal framing and plumbing, and the elect

nce, then turned to Lily

afted an architectural restoration map based on archival photos and city records. I've flagged historica

rd by her efficiency. "Yes

e was good, a

d hosts at a party we hadn't planned. Ash padded along besid

ou two are managing the reconstr

itate. "Married

ctural management falls to me. Historical prese

living arr

," Lily said crisp

inly. "Of course. A

o answer, then paused.

k in progre

They seemed satisfi

kitchen. I leaned against the counter while she ma

more personal questions

t t

oo calm a

at involved lie detectors and live

tics, Eli. If we can't convince them

want me to do? Hold you

't j

m n

agreed to this project for Luke. For the town. But if th

s. "Then let'

moment longer, th

s coordination meeting," sh

ays

. No disappearing

l punishment," I sa

e never

a Ranger. We te

smiled at t

had set up a large blueprint station in what used to be the dining room. I manned the logistics board and walked the property line w

bled in the courtyard for our

in folding chairs. Everyone from the wiring subcontractor to the local volunteer te

government timeline," I said, arm

cal integrit

romise. Fast-track methods u

es the restora

ts it

. The crew went silent, watching us like kids lis

her nose. "Let's di

inside, voices l

ng me in front of

ing us on

ening if they thin

working if we

, pacing. "This

ep sayi

t keeps be

ll, jaw tight. "I didn'

igned the paper

p rebuild the to

? Or are you just looking for a way

hit

respond.

orget it. We'll sort o

the door like she couldn't sta

delays. A near-miss with a power line nobody marked cor

Ash, staring out across the black stretch of trees where the fo

epped out, wrapped in a sweatshirt two si

side of the porch.

said, "You're

at her. "

Directing crews.

n I should b

now how to get things

way she said it. No b

ed. "T

trees. "I was supposed to m

kno

ied to his best f

le

him all the t

to

laugh. That low one. The one

s. "I hear it w

e. Two people who knew the same ghost, s

s its own kin

ounced that we'd be speak

ely not,

needs to see you two tog

not" I

"Say a few words about community rebuildin

t me. "We hav

actors, not

art of the

e. But if anyone tries t

ade us

the spring festival. One couple, chosen to represent the town'

chosen us.

ttered as I stepped o

g," Lily said. "This is not hard

te and half-mad with adr

ame. We faced each other, unsure where to put our hands. Eventually, I rested

we m

oother. I let her lead. S

speak. Did

rst time, we w

st maybe tha