the edge of town, the kind with flic

at the diner was gone, of course.

y cloak, threateni

emembere

er, shared scraped knees and whispe

et, smart, alw

o, made a fortune i

into the old Henderson place on

in a wheelchair,

hing left

ifully renovated Victorian

nded as I ra

maneuvering his wheelc

ain etched around his eyes, but his sm

surprise in his

rm, filled with books

ut of me – Leo, the picnic, Mark, Tiffany, t

ith every word. He didn' t interrupt, just let m

ed, a heavy silen

vid said finally, his voice tight with

es full of a compassion

said. "For as long as you nee

again, this ti

id. I don't kno

ed a plan. You deserve justice for Le

ed to formally divorce Mark. Cut all ties

eady knowing

have a proposal. It might sound strange,

him, stunned

ity, a safe home. And honestly," a wry smile touched his lips, "it would give me some leverage in this town. Peo

hesitation

less that' s something you might want, someday. It' s about s

nvenience. It wa

to the edge. He thoug

ering me a sh

" I said, thinking of Mark

much more difficult opponent than he anticipates. I ow

small but persisten

, at the quiet st

y voice firmer than it h