You know, you should get yourself a phone installed. They’ve already run a line to Burkett’s. Yours isn’t much farther. It’s not safe for a woman living alone with no way to call for help.” “I’ve been thinking about it. I’ll look into it.” She smiled and started to roll up her window to end to the conversation. “If you do happen to see this retarded fellow, no matter how harmless he seems, you go get Charlie or else call me and I’ll come out. Better safe than sorry.” “I will.” Sarah resisted the urge to gun the engine as she drove away. She turned onto her road and a half-mile later into her driveway. Climbing out of the car, she noticed a section of the picket fence around the house was scraped smooth for painting. “Tom,” she called, and for one heart-breaking moment, she was certain he wouldn’t answer. Of course, he’d left when the deputy came around. Her brief adventure and budding friendship was over. Then Tom emerged from the barn and walked toward her.
