Plenty of women noticed that Miles had left. The older, female population of Bradley paid close attention whenever there was a new, eligible, attractive, older man in town. They brought over their tastiest casseroles, being sure to say that it was so hard cooking for one person—could he please take the extra helpings? They dressed up in their prettiest dresses for book club and wore carefully-applied makeup. And Miles was still considered a newcomer. The way Bradley operated, he’d probably still be considered a newcomer ten years from now. His obituary would probably read “Miles Standish, a recent resident of Bradley, died ... .”
Erma grabbed Myrtle’s arm tightly. “Where is Miles, Myrtle? Where did he go?”
Myrtle shook her arm free in irritation. “He’s gone home to clean up the mess, Erm
