"Why the movies?" Everett sounded bewildered.

"I don't know where to tell you to go, but don't go straight home. Go somewhere public. Or go somewhere and get lost. She could follow you. She probably has your license plate number."

"Great."

"How did she…

I ignored the vibrating cell phone in my pocket. My eyes were still locked in helpless battle with the vixen's golden glamour. She had released my hand with the ring only to take my waist and lead me to an open section near the speakers. I didn't register…

"You're so hard to get a hold of!"

"I've been busy. But I haven't forgotten you."

"When you keep changing your hours at work, people have to adjust their times to call you. I swear your phone was busy for hours! I bet you were swamped with calls once th…

"...Hello?"

"Where are you right now?"

"In my car. I'm driving home from work."

"Are you alone?"

"I'm talking to you. You're in my car, so I'm not alone. Where have you been? I haven't heard from you in days."

"Hmpf. Well, maybe that's because I'm ma…

I was parked at the edge of the world. There was a hill at the very back of my parent's property that overlooked the neighbor's pasture filled with cows. It was a great place to stop and think. I had turned off the radio and watched the bovines graze. The…

Dave’s sister answered the phone with a cheery hello.

“I’ve talked to him,” Mara said, skipping the social niceties. “He’ll get in touch with you soon.”

“And if he doesn’t?” Jo asked. Belligerence was clearly a family trait.

“If he doesn’t, then he’…