Evenfall Read Free

hopped the first plane home to give Aunt Gert a hand. We were behind you on the road, coming in from the airport, when we saw you pull in here.”
    “My lucky day,” he says.
    They talk about Andie’s flight, about the two-week camping trip the boy just took, and then the people they both know who are still in Hartman. All the while I’m seeing the place the way it must look to Andie. Ass end of nowhere, indeed. There are weeds sprouting through the gravel driveway and the lawn is almost knee high, sure, but it’s nothing a few afternoons of hard work can’t fix. Finally the boy circles back to the part that interests me.
    “So you’re really going to sell it?”
    She nods. “You know how hot the market is right now. A couple of developers are already pretty eager. Aunt Gert thought you were another one poking around up here without permission. She’s kind of had it—she was ready to call the police on you.”
    “She did seem pretty ticked,” the boy says, and I snort. If Gert’s worst threat is calling the police, she’s mellowed considerably.
    “She wants to get the house cleaned up and paintedbefore she calls an assessor in,” Andie says. “I keep telling her, once it’s sold, the house will probably be gone, but she doesn’t want to hear it. You know how she is.”
    I’m still chewing over that one when the boy asks if the whole parcel is for sale.
    “Aunt Gert will probably keep the cottage and an acre or two, but that’s it. She can’t handle more. That’s why she’s putting it on the market in the first place.”
    “Huh. What about you?”
    “Me?” Andie says. “Right. There are still skid marks on the road, I left town so fast. I’m here to help out, nothing more. Then I’m out of here and back to civilization.”
    Her words remind me that Gert’s still inside, trying to find somebody to collar my dog.
You
, I say to Nina.
You need to go hide
. She’s sprawled in front of Andie, happily panting, and makes no move to get up.
Shoo
, I say.
Shoo. Quickly now
. I think of the pound, all concrete and chain link, and she reluctantly shakes herself to her feet. But still she doesn’t run. Instead, she stands in front of the boy and gives two sharp, commanding barks. My niece jumps, but the boy doesn’t flinch.
    “Hey there, easy,” he says. “What’s the problem?”
    She looks at me, and I could swear there’s an apology there somewhere. Then she runs to his truck, stands there for a second, and runs back.
    “I think she’s telling you it’s time to go,” Andie says.
    “I think she’s saying she wants to come with me,” he says. “How mad will your aunt be if I take off with the dog?”
    Andie considers. “It’s hard to say.”
    “Well, live dangerously. That’s my motto,” he says, squatting and looking Nina in the face. “Come on, girl. We’d best organize a breakout for you now, before Gert comes back with the law.” He stands and stretches. “It was nice seeing you again. How long are you staying?”
    “I’m not sure yet. Awhile—there’s a lot to do.”
    “Well, if I can give you a hand at all, just holler. I’ll be around.” He starts toward the truck, Nina following. He opens the cab door and she leaps inside, moving over to make room for him and to claim the passenger window.
    Cort turns the truck around, then brakes near Andie. He’s grinning.
    “Hey, tell Miss Gert I said good-bye—and thanks for not pressing charges.” Before she can reply, the truck is rolling down the driveway, stirring up little clouds of sand-colored dust. Nina leans out the window and barks once. Andie and I watch them go.

Andie
    ANDIE is leaning against a birch tree, idly stripping bark off its trunk, when Gert comes out of the house.
    “Where did that boy go?” Gert says, shading her eyes and gazing around as if she expects him to pop out of the woods at any minute.
    “Home, I guess. He took the dog with him.”
    “Then I spent the past twenty minutes on the phone for