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ever do to deserve this amazin’ woman?
    Excusing himself from the table, John hugged both women; Elle because he was grateful and Alice because of all the memories she had given him. Elle returned the embrace. But Alice just sat there like a lifeless doll, acting surprised that this stranger would touch her so personally.
    John grabbed his promise to Three-Speed. “I need to head out for one last check on the animals,” he told Elle.
    She nodded her approval. “Take your time, Pa.”
    No matter what the reason, Three Speed couldn’t have been happier for the old man’s unusual lack of appetite. As for John, well, he was just happy that Elle was looking after Alice, giving him some more time to sort out each path that led to this shaky present.
    After completing his final chores, John flipped up the collar on his jacket. There was a wolves’ bite in the air. Looking down, he noticed that Three Speed was matching his every step back to the house. “It’s gettin’ some nippy ol’ boy,” he whispered, a billow of smoke rising slowly into the night. “If you can keep it to yourself, you can catch your shut-eye in the mudroom tonight.”
    The dog yawned and hurried on ahead to the door where he stood, waiting.
    The moon was full and lit up the earth with a soft light. John stopped. It’s been a long trip but the nicest trip any man could ever hope for. He smiled at the truth of it. As he reached the porch, he turned to see the lights burning at Hank and Elle’s place across the creek bridge. Hank’s probably still waitin’ on his supper. It’s time for the changin’ of the guard.
    Alice was already in bed, with Elle by her side reading a bedtime story. John paused at the door and stole a peek at the two women he loved. Alice’s hair was now braided like a little girl’s. A quilt covered most of her. She listened as Elle read, but the distant glare in her eyes told John that she had no clue about anything being said. It was the soft way Elle spoke that soothed her.
    As John broke the threshold, Elle placed the book on the nightstand and fumbled for her jacket hanging over the chair. “I thought you were going to stay out there all night until I noticed the windows getting frosted,” she said.
    John half-shrugged. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to … ”
    She waved her hand, politely cutting him off. “I’m just teasing, Pa. I’m glad you took the time.” She kissed Alice on the cheek and assured her patient, “I’ll see you at first light, okay?” Alice stared straight through her. Walking to John, Elle stopped and planted the same kiss on his cheek. “I was thinking about treating you to my famous blueberry muffins in the morning.”
    As she started for the door, John stopped her. “You hear from your young’uns lately?” he asked.
    Elle shook her head and rolled her pretty green eyes all in one motion. “We got a letter from Georgey a few days ago,” she said, “but it was a little peculiar. It was from Afghanistan and it was postmarked three weeks ago. For this tour, he hasn’t been allowed to call or text or go online. I hope everything’s okay over there.” She shrugged. “Hank says not to worry.”
    The old man nodded, erasing some of the fear in her eyes. “Hank’s right. George’ll be fine. He’s a survivor.”
    â€œSure,” Elle said, “a survivor who couldn’t hurt a fly. You remember how he felt when he ran that mutt over with the tractor?”
    â€œI do,” John said, chuckling at the thought of it. “Old Three Speed got over it a lot quicker than Georgey did.” His face turned serious again. “Any word from the other two?”
    â€œEvan hasn’t returned my calls for almost two weeks now, which is unusual, and Tara …” The eyes rolled again. “…you