Whatever the reason for the kiss, Curnen was grateful for it. She sighed, muscles relaxing, eyes falling closed. "Thank you," she murmured.

She took a deep breath, not sure whether or not she actually intended to say more until she either did or didn't. But she wasn't ready to tell the story. Not of what happened to her, or her husband. Not ready even to say Rockhouse's name. But... "His name was Brushy. Brushy Dale."