For Richard, patients always came first. For Jonas, his family did. Her heart sank. “I’ll take you home.” In the van, she switched on the radio, but the music was little more than noise. When she pulled up at the farm, she spotted Nora on the porch bench, reading by lamplight.

Rebecca streaked across the yard in a blur.

Without even a glance, Jonas said a quick goodnight, took up his toolbox, and left.

As if he hadn’t just held her in the kitchen. Or touched her face. Or poured her a simple glass of milk. He was home again, and he was gone. But what happened between them was palpable. She could still feel the warm solidity of his chest beneath her cheek. The scent of cedar lingered.

“You’re back so late Jonas missed supper, and the lightning bugs are out.” Rebecca jumped up and down outside the open window, her flaxen head appearing and disappearing with each bounce. “Tonight might be one of their last. Come see them.”

Just one more moment in that field of fireflies…

Jonas disappeared into the barn.

One more touch of his hand…

“Not tonight, Rebecca.”

Rebecca wrapped her fingers around the open window and stepped into the wheel well. “Would you like one of my kittens? My mother said they are almost old enough to live on their own.”

In the distance, Nora sat like a stone statue. She tightened her fingers on the gearshift. “I’d like one very much, but I have to go home now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Rebecca danced into the twilight.

Nora glanced up from her reading. She closed her book and, rising slowly to her feet, locked her gaze on Tessa’s.

Though the light was dim and the distance between them great, she felt Nora’s glare like a shot across the bow.

Rebecca skittered up the porch stairs. Beckoning to her mother, she slipped inside.

Holding her gaze, Nora shuffled to the railing.

Tessa didn’t blink. If you have something to say, why don’t you say it?

With a snap of her apron, Nora turned and followed her daughter inside.

A reckoning was coming. Maybe not tonight, but soon.

****

When Tessa pulled up at the farm the next afternoon, she spotted Nora in the doorway. Had the woman been waiting since the night before?

Scowling, Nora lurched from the porch and stalked toward the van.

Tessa flicked her gaze to the barn. No sign of Jonas. Despite a sense of impending doom, she observed Nora’s halting gait with new fascination. What happened to the woman? Was she injured, or was she born with the limp? And why was she always so angry? Tessa broadened her collarbones and lifted her chin. For weeks, she sensed this moment was coming. She pulled the parking brake and hoped she was ready.

Nora approached the open passenger side window, crossing her arms over her chest like a shield.