Chapter 154

The moon is low now, bleeding into the fields until the whole world looks dipped in silver. Crickets have started up in the tall grass, and the smell of woodsmoke drifts faintly from the fire pit near the barn. It’s quiet, the kind of quiet I used to mistake for loneliness. Now it just feels like space to think. Pa’s still leaning against the railing beside me, the little velvet box glinting betwe