“It’s too far gone now.”
“I love him, Miss Rose.”
“I know you do.”
So sweet, so comforting, Gustavo’s voice and declaration were the last things Alfie heard. He tried to get out. Left, right, in front of him, behind, where an exit once was certain, now it all looked the same.
Dark like the inside of a tomb.
“Alfie!” Gustavo’s wailing, it was the only guide.
“There.” He gave the last horse a hard smack on its rump and sent it running in that direction. “I’m right behind you.”
“I love you, gringo!”
“I love you, too,” Alfie whispered. “I’m coming.” His final thought was drowned out by an ominous snap and a lengthy, high-pitched creak right before the barn roof collapsed on top of him.
* * * *
“Jesus!” That was August’s reaction when he’d first heard the final sentence in the latest
