JV hoped Steve would make it back before bedtime, but it got late and he still hadn"t returned. She hoped he hadn"t had much trouble as she said goodnight to her hosts and headed for her room.
She lay in bed, wondering what could have happened to keep him out so long as she tried to fall asleep. She dozed a little, but spent more time tossing and turning than sleeping. It was just after midnight when she heard his pickup pull in.
Giving up on sleep, she tossed the blanket back and pulled on a pair of warm socks in addition to her sweats before heading for the back porch. She slipped silently from of her room and waved to Bobby where he sat reading as she crossed the living room, then went out through the kitchen to the back door. Steve was almost to the tree line, where he would disappea
