Talk_VV0 Me_PPIO1 Down_RP MOLLY_NP1 JENNINGS_NP1 STOOD_VVD frozen_VVN in_II dismay_NN1 ,_, staring_VVG over_II the_AT tiny_JJ coffee_NN1 section_NN1 of_IO the_AT tiny_JJ Tumble_NN1 Creek_NN1 Market_NN1 ._. 
Folgers_NP1 Sanka_NP1 and_CC a_AT1 few_DA2 brands_NN2 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD never_RR heard_VVN of_IO ._. 
And_CC not_XX a_AT1 dark_JJ espresso_NN1 roast_NN1 in_II sight_NN1 ._. 
Instant_JJ coffee_NN1 mixed_VVN with_IW the_AT smell_NN1 of_IO laundry_NN1 detergent_NN1 when_CS she_PPHS1 drew_VVD in_II a_AT1 deep_JJ ,_, sad_JJ breath_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD forgotten_VVN all_DB about_II small_JJ town_NN1 markets_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 did_VDD n't_XX carry_VVI whole_JJ beans_NN2 or_CC special_JJ roasts_NN2 ,_, though_CS a_AT1 lonely_JJ can_NN1 of_IO French_JJ Vanilla_NN1 Kreemer_NP1 lurked_VVD at_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO the_AT shelf_NN1 ._. 
Molly_NP1 Shuddered_VVD ._. 
Thank_VV0 God_NP1 for_IF the_AT Internet_NN1 or_CC she_PPHS1 'd_VM never_RR have_VHI a_AT1 homemade_JJ latte_NN1 again_RT ._. 
Or_CC a_AT1 Hostess_NN1 Fruit_NN Pie_NN1 ._. 
Molly_NP1 threw_VVD a_AT1 scornful_JJ look_NN1 at_II the_AT so-called_JJ snack_NN1 section_NN1 near_II the_AT registers_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ holding_VVG out_RP hope_NN1 for_IF the_AT gas_NN1 station_NN1 across_II the_AT street_NN1 ,_, because_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ pretty_RG sure_JJ they_PPHS2 were_VBDR legally_RR required_VVN to_TO carry_VVI All_DB Things_NN2 Hostess_NN1 ._. 
And_CC CornNut_NP1 ._. 
"_" Ooo_UH ,_, CornNuts_NP1 ,_, "_" Molly_NP1 murmured_VVD ,_, suddenly_RR perking_VVG up_RP ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX had_VHN those_DD2 since_RR high_JJ school_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 hoped_VVD they_PPHS2 still_RR made_VVD the_AT barbecue_NN1 flavor_NN1 ._. 
Grabbing_VVG a_AT1 can_NN1 of_IO Folgers_NN2 before_CS she_PPHS1 could_VM think_VVI too_RG much_DA1 about_II it_PPH1 ,_, Molly_NP1 tossed_VVD it_PPH1 in_II her_APPGE cart_NN1 and_CC pushed_VVN toward_II the_AT frozen_JJ food_NN1 section_NN1 ._. 
Another_DD1 thing_NN1 cheering_VVG her_PPHO1 up_RP ..._... the_AT possibility_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 might_VM have_VHI sex_NN1 again_RT sometime_RT in_II her_APPGE young_JJ life_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX that_CST moving_VVG to_II a_AT1 town_NN1 of_IO fifteen-hundred_MC people_NN would_VM normally_RR offer_VVI outstanding_JJ sex_NN1 prospects_NN2 ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 did_VDD have_VHI a_AT1 specific_JJ person_NN1 in_II mind_NN1 ...._... 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX seen_VVN him_PPHO1 in_II ten_MC years_NNT2 ,_, but_CCB Ben_NP1 Lawson_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN kind_NN1 enough_RR to_TO make_VVI an_AT1 appearance_NN1 in_II her_APPGE imagination_NN1 almost_RR every_AT1 day_NNT1 ,_, usually_RR buck_NN naked_JJ and_CC looking_VVG for_IF a_AT1 good_JJ time_NNT1 ,_, bless_VV0 his_APPGE heart_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 smiled_VVD at_II her_APPGE reflection_NN1 in_II the_AT freezer_NN1 door_NN1 ,_, but_CCB her_APPGE smile_NN1 chilled_VVN to_II ice_NN1 when_CS she_PPHS1 saw_VVD the_AT selection_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX exactly_RR a_AT1 Wal-Mart_NP1 Supercenter_NP1 spread_VVD ,_, another_DD1 drawback_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 woman_NN1 like_II Molly_NP1 ._. 
Tumble_VV0 Creek_NN1 had_VHD only_RR one_MC1 diner_NN1 and_CC she_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX very_RG well_RR eat_VVI there_RL every_AT1 day_NNT1 ._. 
Probably_RR ._. 
Man_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ already_RR missing_VVG her_APPGE favorite_JJ Thai_JJ restaurant_NN1 ._. 
Mouth_NN1 watering_VVG at_II the_AT thought_NN1 of_IO spicy_JJ noodles_NN2 ,_, Molly_NP1 reached_VVD into_II the_AT freezer_NN1 and_CC pretended_VVD she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX buying_VVG frozen_JJ mac_NN1 and_CC cheese._NNU ''That_VV0 all_DB ,_, Chief_NN1 ?_? ''_NN1 a_AT1 girl_NN1 's_GE voice_NN1 asked_VVD ,_, sounding_VVG barely_RR awake_JJ ._. 
Despite_II the_AT bored_JJ tone_NN1 ,_, those_DD2 words_NN2 sprang_VVD Molly_NP1 's_GE shoulders_NN2 straight_RR ._. 
She_PPHS1 pushed_VVD her_APPGE cart_NN1 quickly_RR toward_II the_AT high-pitched_JJ beep_NN1 of_IO the_AT register_NN1 and_CC stopped_VVN at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT aisle_NN1 ,_, frozen_JJ solid_NN1 by_II an_AT1 arresting_JJ sight_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 startling_JJ terrifyingly_RR gorgeous_JJ arresting_JJ sight_NN1 ._. 
Him_PPHO1 ._. 
And_CC not_XX in_II her_APPGE imagination_NN1 this_DD1 time_NNT1 ._. 
Ben_NP1 Lawson_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN her_APPGE very_RG first_MD thought_NN1 when_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD heard_VVN about_II her_APPGE aunt_NN1 's_GE will_NN1 and_CC known_VVN she_PPHS1 might_VM be_VBI moving_VVG back_RP to_II Tumble_NN1 Creek_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX honestly_RR realized_VVN what_DDQ the_AT sight_NN1 of_IO him_PPHO1 would_VM do_VDI to_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ perfect_JJ ._. 
Still_RR ._. 
Harder_RRR and_CC more_RGR muscular_JJ than_CSN the_AT last_MD time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN him_PPHO1 ,_, which_DDQ suited_VVD her_APPGE grown-up_JJ tastes_NN2 just_RR fine_JJ ._. 
Also_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ clothed_VVN ,_, a_AT1 stark_JJ change_NN1 from_II their_APPGE last_MD meeting_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT clothes_NN2 were_VBDR just_RR fine_JJ ,_, too_RR ._. 
Faded_JJ ,_, broken-in_JJ jeans_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 deep_JJ brown_JJ uniform_JJ shirt_NN1 ._. 
The_AT sleeves_NN2 were_VBDR rolled_VVN up_RP to_TO reveal_VVI strong_JJ forearms_NN2 that_CST glinted_VVD with_IW golden_JJ hair_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 nodded_VVD at_II the_AT clerk_NN1 ,_, handing_VVG her_PPHO1 some_DD cash_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE serious_JJ eyes_NN2 were_VBDR the_AT same_DA dark_JJ chocolate_NN1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD pictured_VVN in_II so_RG many_DA2 late-night_JJ fantasies_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE eyes_NN2 were_VBDR almost_RR the_AT same_DA shade_NN1 as_CSA his_APPGE hair_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ she_PPHS1 supposed_VVD should_VM have_VHI been_VBN boring_JJ ,_, but_CCB the_AT combination_NN1 had_VHD always_RR fascinated_VVN her_PPHO1 ._. 
Those_DD2 eyes_NN2 crinkled_VVD a_RR21 little_RR22 in_II Ben_NP1 's_GE version_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 smile_NN1 ._. 
And_CC then_RT they_PPHS2 rose_VVD and_CC locked_VVN with_IW hers_PPGE ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR separated_VVN by_II twenty_MC feet_NN2 ,_, but_CCB Molly_NP1 was_VBDZ sure_JJ she_PPHS1 felt_VVD his_APPGE shock_VVI reach_VV0 out_RP and_CC hit_VVD her_PPHO1 ._. 
His_APPGE eyes_NN2 widened_VVD ._. 
His_APPGE hands_NN2 froze_VVD on_II his_APPGE wallet_NN1 a_AT1 dollar_NNU1 bill_NN1 pushed_VVD halfway_RR in_RP ._. 
The_AT clerk_NN1 glanced_VVD over_RP her_APPGE shoulder_NN1 toward_II Molly_NP1 ,_, and_CC that_CST snapped_VVD him_PPHO1 out_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE shock_NN1 ._. 
Molly_NP1 watched_VVD him_PPHO1 say_VV0 ''Thank_VV0 you''_NNU as_CSA he_PPHS1 grabbed_VVD a_AT1 small_JJ plastic_NN1 sack_NN1 and_CC stepped_VVD away_II21 from_II22 the_AT counter_NN1 ._. 
Away_II21 from_II22 the_AT entrance_NN1 ._. 
Toward_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 remembered_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 he_PPHS1 did_VDD ,_, and_CC Molly_NP1 was_VBDZ horrified_VVN that_CST she_PPHS1 found_VVD that_CST so_RG gratifying_JJ ._. 
You_PPY are_VBR not_XX seventeen_MC anymore_RR ,_, she_PPHS1 chastised_VVD herself_PPX1 as_CSA his_APPGE body_NN1 grew_VVD larger_JJR in_II her_APPGE vision_NN1 making_VVG her_PPHO1 feel_VV0 small_JJ in_II a_AT1 very_RG good_JJ way._NNU ''Molly_RR ?_? ''_NN1 That_CST tentative_JJ word_NN1 rumbled_VVD from_II his_APPGE chest_NN1 and_CC gave_VVD her_APPGE goose_NN1 bumps._NNU ''Ben_NN1 !_! 
Hi_UH !_! 
It_PPH1 's_VHZ been_VBN a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 huh_UH ?_? ''_NN1 Uh-oh_UH ._. 
Wrong_JJ thing_NN1 to_TO say_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 looked_VVD stunned_JJ again_RT and_CC a_AT1 dull_JJ flush_NN1 crept_VVD over_RP his_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
Yes_UH ,_, it_PPH1 had_VHD been_VBN a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 --_NN1 ten_MC years_NNT2 --_JJ and_CC there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 reason_NN1 for_IF that_DD1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ thinking_VVG of_IO the_AT last_MD time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN him_PPHO1 and_CC now_RT she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ thinking_VVG of_IO the_AT last_MD time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN him_PPHO1 ._. 
Hoo_UH boy_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 felt_VVD her_PPHO1 own_VVI face_NN1 heat_NN1 in_II response_NN1 ._. 
Ben_NP1 cleared_VVD his_APPGE throat_NN1 ._. 
''I_NN2 ,_, uh_UH ..._... ''_VV0 His_APPGE mouth_NN1 thinned_VVN and_CC he_PPHS1 nodded_VVD ,_, perhaps_RR chastising_VVG himself_PPX1 as_CSA Molly_NP1 had_VHD done_VDN moments_NN2 before_RT ._. 
You_PPY are_VBR the_AT chief_NN1 of_IO police_NN2 now_RT ._. 
Pull_VV0 it_PPH1 together_RL ._. 
''I_NN2 'm_VBM sorry_JJ about_II your_APPGE aunt_NN1 Gertie_NP1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 lively_JJ woman_NN1 ._. ''_VV0 Lively_JJ indeed_RR ._. 
Violently_RR opinionated_VVD was_VBDZ more_RRR like_II it_PPH1 ._. 
''My_JJ mom_NN1 always_RR said_VVD Gertie_NP1 was_VBDZ too_RG stubborn_JJ to_TO die_VVI ,_, but_CCB all_RR31 the_RR32 same_RR33 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX unexpected_JJ ._. ''_VV0 He_PPHS1 tipped_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
''I_NN2 'd_VHD heard_VVN she_PPHS1 left_VVD you_PPY the_AT house_NN1 ,_, but_CCB no_PN121 one_PN122 expected_VVD you_PPY 'd_VM move_VVI from_II Denver_NP1 ._. 
Are_VBR you_PPY here_RL to_TO put_VVI it_PPH1 on_II the_AT market_NN1 ?_? ''_NN1 ''Nope._NNU ''_JJ Wariness_NN1 crept_VVD into_II his_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
''Closing_VVG it_PPH1 up_RP for_IF winter_NNT1 ?_? ''_NN1 ''Nope_NN1 ,_, sorry_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM actually_RR moving_VVG in._NNU ''_VV0 The_AT wariness_NN1 shut_VVD down_RP to_II a_AT1 cold_JJ blankness_NN1 that_CST Molly_NP1 imagined_VVD served_VVD him_PPHO1 well_RR as_CSA chief_NN1 of_IO police._NNU ''Moving_VVG in_RP ,_, ''_VV0 he_PPHS1 repeated._NNU ''Yep_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE stuff_NN1 should_VM be_VBI here_RL in_II about_RG an_AT1 hour_NNT1 ._. 
''You_NNU 're_VBR moving_VVG back_RP to_II town_NN1 ?_? ''_NN1 His_APPGE eyes_NN2 swept_VVD down_RP her_APPGE body_NN1 before_CS they_PPHS2 jerked_VVD back_RP to_II her_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, and_CC Molly_NP1 was_VBDZ reminded_VVN that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX exactly_RR dressed_VVN to_TO impress_VVI ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD on_II a_AT1 pair_NN of_IO loose_JJ khakis_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 T-shirt_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ almost_RR as_RG old_JJ as_CSA her_APPGE beat-up_NN1 Keds_NP1 ._. 
Her_APPGE dark_JJ blond_JJ hair_NN1 was_VBDZ pulled_VVN back_RP into_II a_AT1 messy_JJ ponytail_NN1 ._. 
Thank_VV0 God_NP1 she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX wearing_VVG shorts_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX shaved_VVN her_APPGE legs_NN2 in_II a_AT1 week_NNT1 ,_, theorizing_VVG that_DD1 October_NPM1 in_II the_AT mountains_NN2 was_VBDZ pretty_RG darn_JJ cold_NN1 and_CC she_PPHS1 might_VM need_VVI the_AT extra_JJ layer_NN1 of_IO insulation_NN1 ._. 
Molly_NP1 swept_VVD a_AT1 look_NN1 over_II his_APPGE body_NN1 just_RR as_CSA he_PPHS1 'd_VHD done_VDN hers_PPGE ._. 
Cold_NN1 or_CC not_XX she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ going_VVG to_II shave._NNU ''But_VV0 you_PPY work_VV0 down_RP in_II Denver_NP1 ,_, do_VD0 n't_XX you_PPY ?_? ''_NN1 he_PPHS1 finally_RR managed_VVN ._. 
His_APPGE face_NN1 had_VHD gone_VVN impassive_JJ with_IW innocence_NN1 ,_, but_CCB Molly_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX fooled_VVN ._. 
Ben_NP1 was_VBDZ her_APPGE brother_NN1 's_GE best_JJT friend_NN1 ._. 
No_AT way_NN1 was_VBDZ he_PPHS1 unfamiliar_JJ with_IW The_AT Molly_NP1 Jennings_NP1 Question_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 smiled_VVD up_RP into_II his_APPGE deep_JJ brown_JJ eyes_NN2 and_CC winked_VVD ._. 
''Nice_VV0 try_VV0 ,_, Chief_NN1 ._. ''_VV0 He_PPHS1 raised_VVD both_DB2 eyebrows_NN2 ,_, silently_RR protesting_VVG confusion_NN1 ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ unmoved_JJ ._. 
''Speaking_NN1 of_IO work_NN1 ,_, congratulations_NN2 on_II making_VVG it_PPH1 to_II chief_NN1 so_RG quickly_RR ._. '_" 
His_APPGE head_NN1 tilted_VVN in_II acknowledgement_NN1 ._. 
''Nobody_NN1 else_RR wanted_VVD the_AT job_NN1 ._. ''_VV0 "_" Wow_UH ,_, such_DA modesty_NN1 ._. ''_VV0 Oops_UH ._. 
Ben_NP1 blushed_VVD again_RT ,_, and_CC then_RT she_PPHS1 blushed_VVD ,_, knowing_VVG exactly_RR what_DDQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ thinking_VVG about_II ,_, picturing_VVG it_PPH1 until_CS the_AT heat_NN1 spread_VVN from_II her_APPGE face_NN1 to_II her_APPGE whole_JJ body._NNU ''Well_NN1 ..._... ''_VV0 Ben_NP1 stuck_VVD out_RP his_APPGE hand_NN1 and_CC when_RRQ she_PPHS1 took_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, he_PPHS1 gave_VVD her_PPHO1 a_AT1 curt_JJ ,_, professional_JJ shake_NN1 ._. 
''Welcome_NN1 back_RP to_II town_NN1 ,_, Molly_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM see_VVI you_PPY around_RP ._. ''_VV0 Before_CS she_PPHS1 could_VM respond_VVI he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ gone_VVN ,_, the_AT door_NN1 of_IO the_AT market_NN1 closing_VVG behind_II him_PPHO1 and_CC cutting_VVG off_RP an_AT1 excellent_JJ view_NN1 ._. 
MOLLY_NP1 JENN_NP1 INGS_NP1 ._. 
Good_JJ Lord_NN1 ._. 
Ben_NP1 changed_VVD out_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE uniform_NN1 and_CC into_II his_APPGE running_JJ clothes_NN2 ,_, suddenly_RR wishing_VVG he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 smoker_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 needed_VVD a_AT1 cigarette_NN1 ._. 
Or_CC a_AT1 drink_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB a_AT1 run_NN1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO have_VHI to_TO do_VDI since_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ back_RP on_II duty_NN1 in_II a_AT1 few_DA2 hours_NNT2 ._. 
Frank_NP1 was_VBDZ on_II vacation_NN1 for_IF the_AT next_MD couple_NN1 days_NNT2 and_CC with_IW a_AT1 police_NN2 force_NN1 of_IO four_MC and_CC a_AT1 half_NN1 ,_, that_CST meant_VVD overtime_RR for_IF everyone_PN1 else_RR ,_, including_II the_AT chief_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 gathered_VVD his_APPGE phone_NN1 and_CC keys_NN2 ,_, then_RT stopped_VVN on_II his_APPGE way_NN1 out_II the_AT door_NN1 to_TO grab_VVI a_AT1 lead-weighted_JJ stick_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN too_RG many_DA2 cougar_NN1 and_CC bear_VV0 attacks_NN2 in_II his_APPGE lifetime_NNT1 not_XX to_TO be_VBI cautious_JJ ._. 
Spring_NN1 was_VBDZ far_RG more_RGR dangerous_JJ than_CSN fall_NN1 ,_, but_CCB there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT reason_NN1 to_TO be_VBI careless_JJ ._. 
Careless_JJ ._. 
Like_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN when_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN Molly_NP1 standing_VVG there_RL in_II the_AT grocery_NN1 store_NN1 like_II some_DD vision_NN1 from_II his_APPGE most_RGT embarrassing_JJ dream_NN1 ._. 
Ben_NP1 grimaced_VVD and_CC pushed_VVD his_APPGE body_NN1 into_II a_AT1 fast_JJ run_NN1 without_IW bothering_VVG with_IW any_DD warm-up_NN1 ._. 
Hell_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ warm_JJ enough_RR already_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD blushed_VVN like_II a_AT1 damn_JJ schoolgirl_NN1 at_II the_AT sight_NN1 of_IO her_PPHO1 ._. 
Another_DD1 mortifying_JJ moment_NN1 with_IW Molly_NP1 Jennings_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX some_DD twenty-two-year-old_JJ kid_NN1 anymore_RR ._. 
And_CC she_PPHS1 definitely_RR was_VBDZ n't_XX seventeen_MC ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD looked_VVN fresh_JJ and_CC natural_JJ and_CC fully_RR mature_VV0 ,_, standing_VVG there_RL with_IW her_APPGE dark_JJ gold_NN1 ponytail_NN1 swaying_VVG and_CC her_APPGE belly_NN1 just_RR peeking_VVG out_RP between_II ratty_JJ cargo_NN1 pants_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 tight_JJ baby-blue_JJ T-shirt_NN1 ._. 
God_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 loved_VVD cargo_NN1 pants_NN2 ._. 
Strange_NP1 ,_, probably_RR ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 always_RR seemed_VVD to_TO hug_VVI a_AT1 woman_NN1 's_GE ass_NN1 just_RR right_JJ ._. 
Thankfully_RR he_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX been_VBN treated_VVN to_II the_AT sight_NN1 of_IO Molly_NP1 's_GE ass_NN1 ,_, because_CS the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE had_VHD been_VBN more_RRR than_CSN enough_DD Ben_NP1 pushed_VVD his_APPGE body_NN1 up_II the_AT steep_JJ incline_NN1 where_CS the_AT road_NN1 ended_VVD ,_, then_RT turned_VVD left_RL onto_II a_AT1 worn_JJ trail_NN1 ._. 
The_AT trail_NN1 just_RR happened_VVD to_TO follow_VVI the_AT ridge_NN1 that_CST ran_VVD behind_II Molly'_NP1 house_NN1 but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ his_APPGE favorite_JJ route_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX going_VVGK to_TO change_VVI it_PPH1 just_RR to_TO avoid_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. 
And_CC if_CS he_PPHS1 happened_VVD to_TO glance_VVI down_RP into_II her_APPGE back_NN1 windows_NN2 as_CSA he_PPHS1 passed_VVD that_DD1 was_VBDZ only_RR natural_JJ ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ curious_JJ ._. 
They_PPHS2 'd_VHD been_VBN friends_NN2 ,_, or_CC at_RR21 least_RR22 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN around_II her_PPHO1 all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 in_II their_APPGE youth_NN1 ._. 
And_CC sure_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VHD thought_VVN her_PPHO1 utterly_RR cute_JJ as_II a_AT1 teenager_NN1 ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 'd_VHD also_RR been_VBN his_APPGE best_JJT friend_NN1 's_GE underage_JJ little_JJ sister_NN1 ._. 
Completely_RR off-limits_JJ ._. 
Now_RT she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ twenty-seven_MC ..._... and_CC still_RR completely_RR off-limits_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX date_VVI women_NN2 who_PNQS lived_VVD in_II Tumble_NN1 Creek_NN1 ._. 
Too_RG much_DA1 talk_NN1 too_RG many_DA2 complications_NN2 ._. 
If_CS there_EX was_VBDZ anything_PN1 worse_JJR than_CSN being_VBG lovers_NN2 in_II a_AT1 very_RG small_JJ town_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ being_VBG ex-lovers_NN2 ._. 
The_AT definition_NN1 of_IO messy_JJ ._. 
So_RR Ben_NP1 pretty_RG much_RR confined_VVN himself_PPX1 to_II women_NN2 outside_II the_AT town_NN1 and_CC since_CS half_DB the_AT roads_NN2 were_VBDR closed_VVN in_II winter_NNT1 ,_, whatever_DDQV affairs_NN2 he_PPHS1 did_VDD have_VHI were_VBDR seasonal_JJ ._. 
Molly_NP1 would_VM be_VBI here_RL year-round_JJ ._. 
Or_CC maybe_RR not_XX ._. 
Maybe_RR she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ just_RR here_RL for_IF the_AT winter_NNT1 ._. 
Maybe_RR she_PPHS1 'd_VM stay_VVI for_IF a_AT1 few_DA2 months_NNT2 and_CC then_RT leave_VV0 for_IF another_DD1 ten_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
That_DD1 decade_NNT1 in_II Denver_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN good_JJ to_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ slim_JJ without_IW being_VBG skinny_JJ ,_, curvy_JJ and_CC firm_NN1 in_II just_RR the_AT right_JJ places_NN2 ._. 
And_CC her_APPGE sparkling_JJ green_JJ eyes_NN2 were_VBDR livelier_JJR than_CSN he_PPHS1 'd_VHD remembered_VVN ._. 
More_RGR confident_JJ ._. 
Knowledgeable_JJ even_RR ._. 
Ben_NP1 shook_VVD off_RP the_AT dangerous_JJ thought_NN1 and_CC ran_VVD higher_JJR up_II the_AT path_NN1 ._. 
The_AT trail_NN1 forked_VVD here_RL ,_, one_MC1 path_NN1 cutting_VVG back_RP to_II the_AT street_NN1 ,_, the_AT other_JJ toward_II a_AT1 ridgeline_NN1 that_CST eventually_RR curved_VVN out_RP to_TO look_VVI over_II the_AT wide_JJ valley_NN1 west_ND1 of_IO town_NN1 ._. 
The_AT sun_NN1 shone_VVD bright_JJ and_CC warm_JJ ,_, the_AT air_NN1 just_RR crisp_VV0 enough_RR to_TO cool_VVI his_APPGE sweat_NN1 but_CCB not_XX nearly_RR cold_JJ enough_RR to_TO numb_VVI his_APPGE roiling_JJ emotions_NN2 ._. 
Breathing_VVG in_II the_AT scent_NN1 of_IO turning_VVG aspen_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 headed_VVD toward_II the_AT ridge_NN1 and_CC did_VDD his_APPGE best_JJT to_TO breathe_VVI out_RP the_AT memories_NN2 of_IO Molly_NP1 that_CST insisted_VVD on_II flitting_VVG through_II his_APPGE mind_NN1 He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ still_RR in_II the_AT thick_JJ of_IO the_AT trees_NN2 when_CS his_APPGE phone_NN1 beeped._NNU ''Lawson_NN1 ,_, ''_VV0 he_PPHS1 said_VVD into_II the_AT phone._NNU ''Chief_NN1 ,_, ''_VV0 the_AT voice_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE answered_VVD ._. 
''It_NN1 's_GE Brenda_NP1 ._. 
Are_VBR you_PPY home_RL ?_? ''_NN1 Not_XX quite_RR ,_, why_RRQ ?_? ''_NN1 ''Oh_NN1 we_PPIS2 've_VH0 got_VVN a_AT1 small_JJ problem_NN1 ._. 
Andrew_NP1 's_VBZ over_RP to_II the_AT Blackmound_NN1 place_NN1 helping_VVG round_RP up_II some_DD cattle_NN2 that_CST broke_VVD through_II the_AT fence_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT there_EX 's_VBZ a_AT1 big_JJ moving_JJ truck_NN1 taking_VVG up_RP half_DB of_IO Main_NP1 Street_NNL1 and_CC it_PPH1 ca_VM n't_XX get_VVI through_RP ._. 
Jess_NP1 Germaine_NP1 's_GE car_NN1 is_VBZ in_II the_AT way_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 's_VBZ not_XX answering_VVG his_APPGE door_NN1 ._. ''_VV0 Ben_NP1 grunted_VVD and_CC slowed_VVD his_APPGE pace_NN1 ._. 
The_AT situation_NN1 would_VM probably_RR resolve_VVI itself_PPX1 by_II the_AT time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 got_VVD back_RP down_II the_AT ridge_NN1 ,_, but_CCB then_RT again_RT if_CS Jess_NP1 was_VBDZ sleeping_VVG off_RP a_AT1 few_DA2 drinks_NN2 ..._... ''All_VV0 right_RR ._. 
Give_VV0 me_PPIO1 twenty_MC minutes_NNT2 ._. 
Call_VV0 if_CS Jess_NP1 shows_VVZ up_RP ._. ''_JJ ''Right_NN1 ._. 
Say_VV0 ,_, what_DDQ 's_VBZ a_AT1 moving_JJ truck_NN1 doing_VDG here_RL ?_? ''_NN1 He_PPHS1 felt_VVD his_APPGE jaw_NN1 jump_VVI with_IW tension_NN1 ._. 
Thank_VV0 God_NP1 no_PN121 one_PN122 knew_VVD about_II his_APPGE brief_JJ inadvertent_JJ history_NN1 with_IW Molly_NP1 or_CC there_EX 'd_VM be_VBI delighted_VVN whispering_VVG all_DB around_II town_NN1 ._. 
Molly_NP1 Jennings_NP1 is_VBZ back_RP ,_, ''_VV0 he_PPHS1 made_VVD himself_PPX1 say_VV0 calmly_RR ._. 
And_CC damned_VVN if_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX causing_VVG him_PPHO1 trouble_NN1 already_RR ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 hell_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 long_JJ winter_NNT1 ._. 
