Chapter 38

• The words sent a swirling darkness before Ricky’s eyes. Slowly, he turned to face Danny, his voice low and measured. “That’s reasonable,” he conceded. “I’ll be here in the mornin’, and I’ll see that no one comes up the valley.” He placed a subtle emphasis on the word “up,” a promise wrapped in ambiguity.
• Outside, upon a rock in front of the shanty, Ricky took up his watch. The little house behind him was a silhouette of night, silent and impenetrable. Soon, a soft call drifted through the darkness_ Ellie’s voice, tentative yet filled with longing. “Is it time?”
• His eyes wandered to the distant ranch house, from which a low drone of voices emerged. He made no reply. “Is it time?” she repeated, her voice growing desperate until it broke into a moan of hopelessness. Ricky waited, his senses straining, until the light in the ranch house finally went out and silence reigned.