He nods and pulls me to him. I rest my head on his chest. His voice is low and reassuring. “Riley, I’m going to protect you.”

“I know,” I whisper into the fabric of his shirt.

“We’ll be okay,” he says, pulling back so he can look in my eyes. “We will.”

“How can you be so sure?” I glance out his little window to the dusty landscape. It looks extra harsh and uninviting now.

He takes my hand and pulls forward. “Because,” he says smiling, “we’ll be together.”

A ghost of a smile touches my lips. I follow Clay out the door. I don’t know what troubles lay in wait like hungry animals, ready to claw us to pieces. I don’t know if we’ll be safe from the forces that will threaten us. But I know we’ll be together. I grip his hand tighter as we step into the sunshine. Right now, being together is enough.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

Many thanks go out to the people who made this dream a reality. I want to thank my first readers, Brian Braden, A.B. Riddle and Kimberly Shursen. You took a chance on a stranger joining your writer's group and somehow let me stay. You read chapter out of chapter with an unfailing honesty and constant support that made feel like my story was indeed worth telling. You are my writer's soulmates and I am better for having met you.

Thanks to my Author Salon team, Amy Grossklaus, Fran Kefalas, Jackie Krah and Ingrid Seymour. Girls, you were the support team I needed when making the choice to send my baby into the world. I've learned a lot from such talented writers, but it's your friendship and kindness that keep me going when the road seems impossible. Thanks go out to Michael Neff, who's tough love taught me a lot about a high concept idea and how to make sure I had one.

Many thanks go out to my writer's group partners, Nancy Brown and Greg Warner, who met mostly for my benefit. You shared stories, laughs and a few glasses of wine. You listened to me ramble on about writing many summer nights. Those are good times I will always remember. Several other friends read pages along the way, so thanks go out to Marlena Bravender, Trista Dymond, Greg Martin and Amanda Kimosh. Your friendship is without measure.

Thanks to my cover artist, Andrew Pavlik, who put up with my constantly changing mind. Thanks to Catherine Adams, editor extraordinaire. You helped me find Riley's path back home and the books is so much better because of your insight. If I only learn half of what you know about the English language, I'll be in good shape.