Flynn said, "He seems fine, Kimber does. He has an IV running. But because of the nerve block the nurse said the pain won't start until after he gets home." "Is his shoulder going to be okay?" Lauren asked.

"Apparently. But the recuperation is going to be painful."

I helped Russ transfer the luggage to the plane. Sam and I promised to ferry the Taurus over to the rental car company lot and drop the keys into the after-hours box.

Ten or fifteen minutes later, Satoshi emerged from the jet cabin and asked us all on board.

"Mr. Lister wants to say good-bye to everyone."

Lauren preceded me up the steps. At the landing she paused and made a little sound that was somewhere between a yelp and a coo.

"Are you all right?" I asked, startled.

When she turned to me her face and eyes were lit with a smile. She lowered both hands to her abdomen and said, "Sweetie, the baby just moved."

It took us a minute or two-maybe three-to make it the last few feet through the door. The plane seemed much smaller with so many people on board.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Although I found Steamboat Springs on my own, Lester Wall pointed me toward the splendors of the Elk River Valley and Larry and Marilyn Shames planted the seeds that led me from there to the blow down in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness.

I'm grateful for their guidance.

While writing and revising, I received invaluable advice from trusted friends and colleagues Harry Ma clean Mark Graham, Elyse Morgan, Jaime Brown, and Tom Schantz. Over the years I've learned to rely on their counsel as I rely on their friendship. Each completed book reminds me of the first, which would not have been possible without the help of the Limericks, Patricia and Jeff. My gratitude to them endures.

As always, my most precious thanks to my family, especially to my mother, Sara Kellas.