Hues of reds, orange, and yellow streaked across the horizon. A horse in the corral whinnied and Sam caught a scent of hay and horse manure from the barn. She listened to Elliott's slow and even breathing as they sat on the front porch at his parent's house, holding hands, slowly rocking back and forth. No words necessary. As the sun lowered in the sky, the air became cooler and she shivered in her seat.

Elliott's mother stuck her head out the front door, just in ...