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behind the driver and now he’s looking out the window at me. He’s about my age.
    I stare in at him. He’s C Her and nowhandsome—it’s not something I know because I’ve cataloged his physical features already. In fact, I can’t say what his eyes look like or what color hishair is. It’s more of an immediate knowing in my gut—breath-stealing and unsettling. And I can’t look away. He smiles at me and I stumble backward a little.
    Brian gives me a look. “Cut out the nervous nonsense and get over here. You’re being really weird.”
    I make myself follow him. We trail behind the car as it moves toward the gate, now halfway open. Beyond it is Pioneer. He’s got his biggest, warmest smile on and is motioning the car forward, pointing to where they should park. I try to ignore the boy in the backseat. I don’t want to look at him, but I can tell he’s looking out the back window at Brian and me. I focus on Pioneer instead and let Brian walk slightly ahead of me, effectively hiding me from the boy.
    The two men in the front seat get out quickly. They look a lot alike in their uniforms, but you can tell that the driver’s in charge by the way the other man stands slightly behind him. They take turns shaking Pioneer’s hand and exchanging pleasantries. Brian and I are lingering just outside of the gate, still unsure whether we are supposed to come in or remain on duty.
    The boy in the backseat of the car gets out slowly. He’s not in a uniform like the other two. His hair is even more unruly than I originally thought now that I have a clear view of it. It’s about a dozen shades of brown, lightest along the top where the sun hits it. He moves a piece of it out of his eyes and nods at us before he goes to join the others.
    “What do you think this is about?” I whisper to Brian.
    He shrugs. “Can’t imagine it’s anything good.”
    “What could they want with Mr. Brown?” I wonder.
    “Got me. Maybe he did something he shouldn’t last time he went for the supplies.”
    “He hasn’t been in town for a long time, though,” I say.
    Pioneer looks over at us like he’s deciding something before he calls to me. “Lyla, could you come here, please?”
    I nod and walk over to Pioneer, careful to keep my pace steady, relaxed, and confident. After yesterday I want to prove to him that I can do whatever’s necessary without hesitation. He pulls me off to one side.
    “Mr. Brown’s relatives sent these men to check up on him. His brother passed on recently and they wanted to let him know.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” I say to no one in particular. I guess I should say this to Mr. Brown, but since he’s not right in front of me, I feel the need to say it to Pioneer. He nods and continues. “I will be taking them to see Mr. Brown and his family now. It may take a while.”
    Our guests are staring at me. I squirm a little, I can’t help it. Pioneer’s eyes harden slightly—his subtle warning to quit acting strange. I swallow and smile. “What can I do to help?”
    The man who was driving the car steps forward and offers me his hand to shake. “Lyla, is it? Nice to meet you. I’m Sheriff Crowley. I asked your … Pioneer if you’d do us a favor and take my son, Cody, on a tour of your development here. He’s helping out at the station right now and ison a ride-along with us today, but he’s liable to be bored by Co b He this bit of business. Would you mind showing him around and letting him ask you some questions about Mandrodage Meadows?” He says our development’s name carefully and smiles at me. I can feel everyone watching me. I have to fight the twitching in my lips. “A tour might prove to be a good deal more interesting for him,” the sheriff says like he’s not sure that I’m on board with playing tour guide to his son.
    Cody’s staring at me, his face tilted like he’s curious about my reaction. My face turns red and I glance at Pioneer. He nods his consent, but he doesn’t look