I'm looking at her but can no longer speak. I see her, but I have nothing to say. My body is shaking like I'm in a sub-zero freezer without anything to keep me warm. Brad immediately squeezes my hand, rubbing his thumb gently over my fingers. The warmth from his hand feels good and I scoot closer.

He puts his arm around me, stroking my arm like he's protecting me, and says, "C'mon, anyone who's lived in this town for even a little while knows about the Emory house." ...