Adam had barely set the brake when Mr. Kulshan unbuckled his seat belt and tried to hop out.

Adam jumped toward him, but before he could catch him, Elle got around to steady the old guy. Without taking his gaze off the elderly woman who stood on the front porch, Mr. Kulshan thanked Elle and took his cane from Adam. “There she is,” he said. “The bossiest, meanest old woman in the world.”

“That’s something coming from a creaky know-it-all like you, Rupert,” Mrs. Kulshan called.

“Must have new hearing-aid batteries,” he muttered and made his way up the narrow concrete walk.

Mrs. Kulshan waited while he labored up the two stairs to the porch, then stepped into his embrace. They kissed affectionately, and she called to Adam and Elle, “Thanks for bringing the old fool down. If you’re out tomorrow, stop by and take him home.”

“I don’t need help getting home,” Mr. Kulshan said in irritation.

“You’d get halfway there and they’d have to carry you back down in a coffin. Come in, have dinner and stop complaining. These young people will think we don’t like each other.” She winked at Elle and Adam, and as she ushered a cranky Mr. Kulshan into the house, they heard her ask, “Did you find out the truth behind what happened to that girl?”

“Yes, and if you made pound cake, I’ll tell you,” he said.

Mrs. Kulshan laughed and shut the door.

Adam turned to Elle.

She was leaning on the ATV, her face screwed up. When she saw him looking, she said defensively, “He was going to plant it face-first on the pavement. I had to help him. Do you have painkillers on you?”

“Yes.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost time to take it. I had hoped to stop at the General Store for supplies...since I hadn’t prepared for a guest.” He seemed chagrined at his lack of foresight. “You don’t need to go in. You can stay in the vehicle. Can you manage that?”

“If you’ll bring me a bottle of cold water so I can take my pills.” She let him help her into the ATV.

“I can do that.” He drove slowly down the road. He wanted to make sure Elle wasn’t jostled unnecessarily, but the leisurely pace made it seem like they were leading a parade and Elle was Miss Congeniality, waving and smiling. When she lifted her arm, only he could hear her wincing.

“People are very friendly here,” she said.

“Yes.”

“I suppose you know everybody.”

“Yes.”

“It’s good to have friends.”

“I don’t have friends here.”

She thought about that. “Do you have friends anywhere?”

“No.”

With humor in her voice, she said, “Don’t tell Mrs. and Mr. Kulshan. They’d be shocked to hear you aren’t their friend.”