He pulled on his heavy jacket in deference to the temperature, which at this hour sat a good five degrees below freezing. If he was lucky, he’d be there before eleven. He had an appointment tomorrow morning, then he’d hit the road back, hopefully beating the near-blizzard they were predicting.

“I started your truck.” He turned to look at her, surprised. She only shrugged. “It’ll be all nice and warm. And I packed you a lunch. Coffee’s in the thermos.”

For a moment he just stared at the young woman who had once been that little girl who had tagged after him like one of the ranch dogs. Then he hugged her, rather fiercely.

“Hey. I’m the big brother, I’m supposed to look out for you.”

“You always have. I’m just paying a little back.” She pulled back slightly and looked up at him. “Will you do one thing for me?”

“If I can.”

“Promise me you’ll think—at least think—about making this the last time?”

He actually had thought of it. Five years seemed...significant somehow. But when did responsibility like this—and guilt—ever end?

You know when. Never.

He kissed her forehead, and headed out into the cold.

And he didn’t make that promise.

The bright winter sun arrowed down from the mountains and through the trees. It was incredibly quiet, as it seemed it should be here in this place. Quinn Foxworth looked out across the sea of green, the tidy, regimented lines of markers. He’d been in places like this too often. And he hated it every time. Even before he’d been old enough to understand what death and forever really meant, he’d hated it.

“I love you for this, you know. That you remember, and honor.”

Hayley’s voice was gentle, her hand soft around his. As always, his heart sped up at the sound of her voice, at her touch. He wondered if he could find the words to tell her how much stronger she made him. How much her quiet understanding meant to him. He would try, later. But right now he’d spotted the small figure huddled by a gravestone halfway down the row.

“She’s here.”

“Do you want some time alone with her?”

He looked at his wife. Smiled at her. “She’ll want to see you as much as me.”

“I doubt that, but thank you. Still, I think I’ll hold back a little. Give you a moment. Here, take these.” She handed him the bouquet of flowers she’d made him stop to pick up on their way here.