like never before

8202019 Like Never Before

httpslidepdfcomreaderfulllike-never-before 159



ldquoWith profound truths on one page and laugh-out-loud hilarity

on the next Like Never Before quickly became one of those

novels I didnrsquot want to end Melissa Tagg has penned a delight-ful story that took hold of my heart and didnrsquot let go Superbly

well donerdquo

mdash Katie Ganshert bestselling award-winning author

ldquoIn Like Never Before readers are invited to revisit the much-

loved Walker clan in a story that delivers on the promise that

even if lost once love can be found again In true Melissa Tagg

style the dialogue is smart and the romance is real and raw in

all the right places This series is witty storytelling at its bestrdquo

mdash Kristy Cambron author of the H983145983140983140983141983150 M983137983155983156983141983154983152983145983141983139983141

series and The Ringmasterrsquos Wife

ldquoLike Never Before is a gem of a story I never knew Iowa could

be so charming until I met the Walker family from Maple Valley

Logan and Ameliarsquos story is pure delightmdashfunny sweet roman-

tic poignantmdashand it even has a touch of historical mystery

The perfect weekend readmdashMelissa Tagg just keeps getting

better and betterrdquo

mdash Susan May Warren RITAreg and Christy Award-winning

bestselling author of the C983144983154983145983155983156983145983137983150983155983141983150 F983137983149983145983148983161 series

ldquoIn Like Never Before Melissa Tagg once again delivers a won-

derful romancemdashand a fun little mysterymdashwith her signature

swoon-worthy characters and laugh out loud moments that

will make every reader fall in love with both the story and the

author As always a wonderful read by a very talented writerrdquo

mdash Sarah Price



ldquoLike Never Before is like a warm embrace from the Walkers

with the added sweetness of a heroine who feels like your best

friend Amelia just wants a home Logan just wants to keepmoving Both are burdened by deep pain from the past In Like

Never Before you will be reminded that love is worth the risk

no matter what has hurt you in the past And by opening your

heart you may just find a home This is another keeper from

an author who somehow makes each novel better than the lastrdquo

mdash Cara Putman award-winning author of Shadowed

by Grace and Where Treetops Glisten

ldquoIn Like Never Before author Melissa Tagg once again wel-

comes readers to the fictitious town of Maple Valley even as she

crafts characters you come to care about like real-life friends

The story woven through with Taggrsquos trademark humor high-

lights an abiding love of family and the importance of anchoring

yourself to God when life is hard One of my favorite booksby this authorrdquo

mdash Beth K Vogt 2015 RITAreg Finalist author

of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

ldquoWarm witty and insightful no one crafts a romance like

Melissa Tagg After just a few pages I found myself sighing

with happinessmdashprepare to be charmedrdquo

mdash Hillary Manton Lodge author of Reservations for Two

ldquoReading a Melissa Tagg novel is like sharing coffee with a close

friend in cozy diner where the conversation and laughter flow

freely Like Never Before offers readers a charming setting with

passionate characters snappy dialogue heartfelt moments and

threads of faith woven throughout the story to pull everything

together Another book on my keeper shelfrdquo

mdash Lisa Jordan author of Lakeside Redemption



Books by Melissa Tagg

Made to Last

Here to Stay

T983144983141 W983137983148983147983141983154 F983137983149983145983148983161 B983151983151983147983155

Three Little Words A Walker Family Novella

From the StartLike Never Before



L i k e N e v e r

B or e Melissa Tagg

5



copy 2016 by Melissa Tagg

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington Minnesota 55438

wwwbethanyhousecom

Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group Grand Rapids Michigan

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval

system or transmitted in any form or by any meansmdashfor example electronic pho-

tocopy recordingmdashwithout the prior written permission of the publisher The only

exception is brief quotations in printed reviews

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataNames Tagg Melissa author

Title Like never before Melissa Tagg

Description Minneapolis Minnesota Bethany House a division of Baker

Publishing Group [2016]

Identifiers LCCN 2015039202 | ISBN 9780764213083 (softcover)

Subjects LCSH Man-woman relationshipsmdashFiction | GSAFD Christian fiction |

Love stories

Classification LCC PS3620A343 L55 2016 | DDC 8136mdashdc23 LC record available

at httplccnlocgov2015039202

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible New Living Translation copyright copy 1996

2004 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation Used by permission of Tyndale House

Publishers Inc Carol Stream Illinois 60188 All rights reserved

This is a work of fiction Names characters incidents and dialogues are products

of the authorrsquos imagination and are not to be construed as real Any resemblance to

actual events or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental

Cover design by Faceout StudiosKara Davison

Melissa Tagg is represented by MacGregor Literary Inc

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7 6 5 4 3 2 1



To my nephew Ollie

Someday yoursquoll be old enough

to read this and understand

how much your strength

and personality inspire me

For now Irsquoll settle for spoiling you

every chance I get

I love you buddy



For I am about to do something new

See I have already begun Do you not see itI will make a pathway through the wilderness

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland

mdashIsaiah 4319



9

1

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Subject Hello

Hi Logan

Yep itrsquos me again Amelia Bentley I know yoursquod think after

three unanswered emails Irsquod give up But reportersmdasheven

small-town Iowa onesmdashhave spunk Except hmm maybe

yoursquore some Lou Grantndashtype and you hate spunk

In that case Irsquove got persistence determination and fine a

fair bit of stubbornness

Which is why Irsquom writing you this third email to see if you have

any interest in coming back to work for the News Since Fred-

die passed away wersquore short a reporter I know you live in LA

now so this is probably crazy talk But you told me yourself

you miss the newspaper world So I canrsquot help asking

Amelia Bentley

Editor Maple Valley News

ps It just occurred to me that maybe the reason you havenrsquot

replied is you donrsquot remember me I was the reporter at your

sisterrsquos boyfriendrsquos nonprofitrsquos grand opening last month



Like Never Bore

10

(World record for most possessive nouns used in one sentence)

We talked for a few minutes You complimented my Nikon

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash

I do remember you And your Nikon Sorry that I havenrsquot re-

sponded until now My inbox is like something out of a horror

movie

And I remember telling you I miss reporting I have to be hon-

est That might have been mostly small talk Yeah I miss it now

and then But I donrsquot have a ton of desire to go back to writing

about school board meetings and really tall asparagus )

mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

If thatrsquos a crack at how often small-town newspapers run pho-

tos of oversized produce well then okay (This is Iowa

after all)

So would you consider coming back if I promised to cover ALL

the school board meetings

Just kidding I knew it was a long shot But arenrsquot the best re-

porters the ones who chase long shots

mdashAmelia

ps Is signing off with just an initial an LA thing

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

There are long shots and then there are looooong shots



Melissa Tagg

11

But hey itrsquos almost graduation time Check with the area col-

leges I bet you can find a journalism major in need of a job

mdashLogan James Walker (There More than an initial this timeHappy)

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

I donrsquot want a journalism major I want you

And yes I realize how that sounds Donrsquot get smug or anything

Irsquom just saying your award plaques still line the office walls

When you worked here subscriptions topped 5000 Freddie

talked about you constantly If you change your mind

mdashAmelia Anne Bentley

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

The only thing Irsquom smug about is the fact that I finally figured

out the Lou Grant reference in your earlier email Mary Tyler

Moore Show right

By the way I shouldrsquove said earlier Sorry about Freddie He

was a good guy great editor I wish I couldrsquove made it home

for his funeral When I heard he died I kept kicking myself for

not keeping in better touch since moving out here

mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

He knew you were busy And he always talked about how

proud of you he was

Truthfully Freddie was ready to be done with the newspaper

biz long ago too The flood last year did a number on him

(not to mention our equipment) He was in the process of



Like Never Bore

12

selling the paper and retiring before he passed He only

passed on the editor mantle to me a month ago Itrsquos all up

in the air nowmdashwe donrsquot even know who our current owner

is

Thatrsquos not meant to be a guilt trip by the way Just letting you

know why Irsquom grasping at straws and trying to talk an Iowa boy

home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

I get it And I do appreciate you asking me to come back

Believe it or not I did actually consider it for a few nostalgic

seconds Most of my five years at the News were good ones

But my life and work are here now

Besides Irsquom not a reporter anymore

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Aw come on Newspapering gets in a personrsquos blood You

donrsquot just stop being a reporter

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Whatever you say Hildy

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Yoursquore a reporter Figure it out )

On days like thismdashwhen sunlit snowflakes fell like tiny

glistening jewels and a crisp quiet brushed through the coldmdash

Amelia Bentley could almost believe shersquod never led another

life

Never stood in front of an altar one morning to begin what a

hastily scrawled signature smudged by tears would eventually

end Never carved open a chamber of her heart only to later

lock it tight hiding away the goodbye shersquod never asked to say

Amelia pulled open the front door of the Maple Valley News

office bells chiming overhead as she stepped into a cocoon of

warmth and familiarity

Today there were no brick-heavy yesterdays Only the inky

scent of newsprint and the embrace of this wintry townmdash her

town Well and the yipping voice at the back of her mind

reminding her she wasmdash

ldquoYoursquore laterdquo The Newsrsquos receptionist peered over thin bi-

focals silver-tinted hair coifed with enough bobby pins to pick

every lock in the countyAmelia loosened the turquoise scarf at her neck camera bag

slinking down her arm ldquoI know Just need fresh batteries for

my flash But Mae rdquo The rubber soles of her fur-lined boots

squealed against the laminate floor as she slid to the reception

desk Her voice lowered to an awed whisper ldquoItrsquos snowingrdquo

ldquoYou think I donrsquot know that Yoursquore tracking it all over my

spacerdquo

Amelia glanced down at the puddle forming around her feet

ldquoSorry Itrsquos pretty though donrsquot you thinkrdquo



Like Never Bore

14

ldquoIf it were December sure But itrsquos the middle of March No

way yoursquoll hear me calling snow pretty in Marchrdquo

ldquoYou just said snow the way most people say oral surgeryOr taxes Or beetsrdquo

Mae only harrumphed and turned back to her computer

Amelia nudged the camera bag back up over her shoulder

stomped the last of the snow from her boots and hurried

through the room that contained the ad departmentmdashif two

women and a part-time intern counted as a department She

waved at Kat Mikaela and Abby as she passed Pin-ups of adsfor this weekrsquos issue dangled from the cloth-covered cubicle

wall separating their desks and sunshine spilled in through

generous windows

She pushed through the newsroom door

Just inside Owen swiveled in his chair ldquoYoursquoremdashrdquo

ldquoSave it Already got the third degree from Eeyore at the front

deskrdquo Amelia dropped her bag onto the sprawling island coun-ter that gulped up most of the newsroomrsquos space Back issues

of the News and other area papers covered the high tabletop

ldquoThe fire chiefrsquos already called twicerdquo

ldquoIrsquom not even five minutes late You told him to keep his pants

on rightrdquo She bypassed her own cluttered desk and bee-lined

for the row of pale blue cupboards lining the back wall She

hoped that at some point shersquod remembered to pick up a pack

of spare batteries

Owen stood straightening the gray vest that matched his

slacks lavender shirt underneath He was the only sports re-

porter shersquod ever met who dressed like he belonged at InStyle

magazine rather than a small-town weekly with a circ of barely

3500 He perched on the corner of his desk arms folded ldquoNo

I did not tell him to keep his pants on I didnrsquot think that the

best choice of words considering your little incident last yearrdquo

Amelia opened a cupboard hiding her almost-smile ldquoHow



Melissa Tagg

15

was I supposed to know theyrsquod just gotten back from a drill

How was I supposed to know that door in the station led into

the room where they changerdquoNineteen volunteer firefighters in various states of undress

Some things you couldnrsquot un-see

Nor could she apparently live down

ldquoTwelve months Irsquove endured the taunting of the entire Maple

Valley Fire Departmentrdquo But ooh score a foursome of double-

As loose in the cupboard ldquoWhat are the chances theyrsquoll drop

it one of these daysrdquoldquoNot gonna happen They love teasing you Same with the

police The EMTs Every farmer at the co-oprdquo Owen moved

away from his desk unzipped her camera bag and pulled out

the flash

Behind him the mockups of this weekrsquos paper still hung

from two long metal strips on the opposite wall held in place

by magnets Twenty-four pages final edits visible in red inkFour spreads less than the issues theyrsquod put out even just two

months back

But short a reporter and with both circulation and advertis-

ing down Amelia was doing good to churn out a paper at all

Her gaze slid to the dark closet of an office in the corner How

many mornings did she waltz in to work still half expecting

to see Freddie settled in his raggedy chair slurping on a vanilla

shake for breakfast The window in his office looked out on the

riverfront where late afternoon brushed shades of tangerine

and pink through the skyrsquos wispy clouds and the Blaine River

ice-frosted and calm cut through the center of town

ldquoAdmit itrdquo Owenrsquos voice cut in ldquoYou may not be a native

but yoursquore the whole townrsquos kid sisterrdquo

ldquoIf thirty counts as kidrdquo But Owen had a point Shersquod wan-

dered into town a wounded heart three years ago The people of

Maple Valley had begun sweeping up her broken pieces before



Like Never Bore

16

shersquod even decided to stay Shersquod spent the time since doing all

she could to repay that gift Made sense that shersquod earned some

friends along the wayldquoYoursquore forgetting Mae thoughrdquo She took the flash from

Owen ldquoShersquos never warmed to merdquo

ldquoMaersquos never warmed to anyone Except maybe her cat By

the way Cranford called while you were outrdquo

A groan worked its way up her throat and she chucked the

flashrsquos dead batteries at an already-overflowing trash can Missed

They hit the wall and clunked to the floor ldquoWay to bury the lederdquoldquoYou canrsquot keep ignoring thisrdquo

ldquoWhy Itrsquos been working okay for a few weeks nowrdquo She

reloaded the flash

ldquoAmeliamdashrdquo

ldquoBesides lawyers are still hashing out if the sale was even

final before Freddie died Until I know for sure Cranford Com-

munications is the new owner of the Maple Valley News Idonrsquot feel any obligation to take CJ Cranfordrsquos calls Especially

since I know exactly what hersquoll sayrdquo She plopped the flash back

in its bag ldquoHersquoll do to us what hersquos done to dozens of small

papersmdashdissolve us and roll us into a larger regional pub He

owns the Central Iowa Communicator you knowrdquo A four-color

beauty of a paper with a tri-county reach She could admit to

ogling the Communicatorrsquos zingy headlines and pretty photos

each week

Didnrsquot mean she wanted to see it swallow up the News

Owen only shrugged and picked up the batteries rolling

across the floor

Maybe she shouldnrsquot expect him to share her worry He was

a twenty-four-year-old transplant from Omaha with his eyes on

grad school Shersquod seen the applications he worked on during

his lunch hour the ones he minimized on his computer screen

whenever she walked past



Melissa Tagg

17

He couldnrsquot understand Ameliarsquos ties to this town the

paper Didnrsquot knowmdash couldnrsquot knowmdashhow theyrsquod filled up the

hollowed-out spaces inside her ldquoDid Cranford leave a messagerdquoldquoMaersquos the one who took the call but according to her

Post-Itmdashrdquo He walked to Ameliarsquos desk and peeled the note

from her monitor ldquoHersquos coming to town and wants to meet

with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo

ldquoDoesnrsquot say But therersquos a numberrdquo

ldquoHersquos going to have to wait until after the fire departmentphotordquo Which could end up being one of her last tasks as

editor Because if Cranford did own the News now what were

the chances shersquod still have a job after he swooped in Even if

he did keep the paper open hersquod probably take one look at her

empty reacutesumeacute and her nonexistent college degree and wonder

why Freddie ever hired her

Owen stood close to her now fingers still wrapped aroundthe strap of her camera bag ldquoLook itrsquos going to be okayrdquo

ldquoIrsquom not so sure but I appreciate the optimismrdquo She started

to turn but Owenrsquos hold on her camera bag halted her

ldquoJust return the call okay Meet with the manrdquo His expres-

sion took on an abrupt intensity ldquoYoursquoll impress him like you

do everyonerdquo

She blinked at his shift in demeanor but reached up to pat

his cheek ldquoYoursquore a good guy Owen Berry But I gotta runrdquo

He released her bag and she angled around the counter but

stopped halfway to the door ldquoHey does the name Hildy mean

anything to yourdquo

He shook his head ldquoNo whyrdquo

ldquoJust a reference that has me stumpedrdquo Two weeks and she

still couldnrsquot figure it out

She retreated the way shersquod come Mae was helping a cus-

tomer as she approached the receptionistrsquos deskmdasha tall woman



Like Never Bore

18

with the kind of burnished chestnut hair Amelia could only

dream about and lipstick a jarring shade of magenta Mae

glanced at her as she passed ldquoAmeliamdashrdquoldquoI know Irsquom laterdquo She swung to face Mae arms out ldquoIf

Chief Daniels calls tell him to hold his horsesrdquo She fingered

on one glove ldquoAnd if CJ Cranford calls again tell him hersquos

got the wrong numberrdquo


ldquoBetter yet pretend you called him and try to order a large

pepperoni pizza If he laughs and goes along with it wersquoll knowmaybe just maybe hersquos not the corporate buzzkill Irsquom imagin-

ing him to berdquo

ldquoAmeliardquo Mae barked

Amelia fumbled pulling her second glove from her pocket

ldquoWhatrdquo And why was the woman at the counter looking at

her like it was a hand thatrsquod just fallen to the floor not merely

her glove

Mae gestured to the woman ldquoTherersquos someone here to see

yourdquo Her words were slow measured ldquoThis is CJ Cranfordrdquo

Ameliarsquos breathing hitched Her glance darted from the

woman to Mae and back to the woman Oh no No no no

The woman stepped forward held out one palm ldquoYou must

be Amelia Bentley Irsquom CJ but you can call me CorporateBuzzkill if you like Now that was a large pepperonirdquo

A few neatly arranged words clever and concise shouldnrsquot

be enough to make or break a reputation

Then again if they werenrsquot Logan Walker wouldnrsquot have

a career

ldquoI canrsquot believe wersquore driving forty-five minutes in stupid LA

traffic just to find a napkin from dinner three nights agordquo Impa-



Melissa Tagg

19

tience rattled in Theodore Tompkinsrsquos voice and the drumming

of his fingers on the armrest of the passengerrsquos door

ldquoFour nightsrdquo A blast of cool from the carrsquos rasping air-conditioner chafed over Loganrsquos skin He may have lived in

California for a good seven years now but the Midwesterner

in him still hadnrsquot adjusted to eighty-degree weather in March

ldquoTrust me itrsquos a piece of rhetorical brilliance written on that

napkin You and the senator will be glad we fought the freeway

to get it from my apartmentrdquo

He glanced over at his friend sandy blond hair still leftoverfrom the manrsquos past as a competitive surfer These days Tomp-

kins was all pressed suits and glossy-hued ties

Not that Logan was any different Sure hersquod loosened his

tie into a droop unfastened the top button of his shirt and

abandoned his suit jacket in the backseat before theyrsquod left the

firm But just like Tompkins had deserted his surfboard and

tan Logan had traded in the life of casual jeans and tees witha reporterrsquos notebook in his back pocket plenty long ago

Logan veered his Ford four-door around an SUV and then

onto an off-ramp Only ten minutes from his apartment build-

ing now Maybe he shouldrsquove waited until tonight to ditch the

office and go in search of the napkin hersquod used as a notepad

earlier this week but frankly he welcomed a midday stop at

home A chance to see Charlie for more than his usual too-few

minutes at the bookends of each day

Besides his house was on the way to tonightrsquos legislative

fundraiser

Theo pulled out his phone ldquoIf what you wrote on that napkin

was so brilliant why canrsquot you remember itrdquo

ldquoBecause Irsquom a thirty-four-year-old single dad whose brain

is at capacity This morning I called the nanny Kristy instead of

Kristardquo The phrase If looks could kill had taken on a whole

new meaning ldquoShe pretty much eviscerated me with her scowlrdquo



Like Never Bore

20

ldquoEviscerated Nice word Thatrsquos why yoursquore the speechwriter

and Irsquom just the measly political strategistrdquo Theo tapped his

phonersquos screen ldquoBut maybe start writing those fancy words onsomething other than napkins Just a thoughtrdquo

ldquoWhen the muse hits I scribble on whateverrsquos handy my

friendrdquo

A siren screeched somewhere in the distance Not an uncom-

mon sound in this claustrophobic city even in the relatively

nice neighborhood where Logan and Emma had settled down

Nice or not theyrsquod sworn the apartment was only tem-porary a short-term campout until they picked a house to

call home Then in a blink and a phone call everything had

changed

And Logan hadnrsquot been able to make himself leave

He reached for the sweating water bottle in the cup holder

between the seats

ldquoWhat themdashrdquoLogan dropped his bottle at Theorsquos outburst It plunked to

the floor and rolled to where his foot had just slipped on the

accelerator ldquoMan trying to drive hererdquo

ldquoSorry but this canrsquot be for real Seriously It canrsquotrdquo

Logan steered onto Shoreline Road stretching cement apart-

ment buildings lined up like a welcome crew Lanky palm trees

bowed overhead the only brush of color on an otherwise beige

and gray canvas Even the sky seemed tinged with an ashen hue

With his left foot Logan kicked the swaying water bottle out

of the way ldquoFantasy surfing team lose againrdquo

Theo slapped his phone to his thigh ldquoYou will use any excuse

to bring that uprdquo

Logan pushed a flopping piece of dark hair from his forehead

Emma wouldrsquove made me cut it by now She wouldrsquove called

the barber scheduled an appointment driven him there herself

if she had to andmdash



Melissa Tagg

21

He swallowed the swell of memories before he had a chance

to taste them In the distance the sirenrsquos peal grew louder

ldquoIrsquom just saying rdquo The words took extra effort ldquoFantasysurfing Whatrsquore you going to pseudo compete in next Fantasy

tetherballrdquo

ldquoYou going to keep mocking the only hobby I still have time

for or you going to let me tell you about the email I just read

Yoursquore copied on itrdquo

ldquoFine Talkrdquo Parking on both sides of the road narrowed his

lane the street seeming to shrink as he reached the final turntoward his unit Eight more congested blocks

ldquoItrsquos an email from Roberta S Hadley She wants to meet

with usrdquo

ldquoRoberta S Hadleyrdquo Two-term senator Party darling Shoe-

in contender in next yearrsquos presidential primaries

ldquoRoberta S Hadleyrdquo Theo drew out each syllable awe hov-

ering in his voice ldquoYou know that can only mean one thingrdquoldquoRoberta S Hadleyrsquos putting together an exploratory com-

mittee Shersquos gonna runrdquo

ldquoAnd shersquos actually considering usrdquo

Of its own accord Loganrsquos foot nudged the brake and his

car slackened to a crawl He glanced at Theo ldquoIs it weird that

we canrsquot say her name without saying the full thingrdquo

ldquoWhatrsquos weird is we work this campaign and two years from

now if she actually winsmdashmaybe even if she doesnrsquotmdashwe could

have jobs on Capitol Hillrdquo

Washington DC A political speechwriterrsquos Mecca Every

homily hersquod ever begun on a napkinmdashor Post-It or magazine

margin or even his handmdashhad been a resting place for his own

hopes and dreams

rsquoCourse the thought of uprooting Charlotte held about as

much appeal as stepping in hot tar Not even four years old yet

and shersquod been through so much already People told him one



Like Never Bore

22

day hersquod consider it a blessingmdashCharliersquos young age at the time

of the accident Meant she wouldnrsquot remember it they said

Yeah well what kind of blessing was it knowing shersquod growup with so fewmdashmaybe nomdashmemories of her adoptive mother

That she had to make do with a father whose career though

promising was too often all-consuming

ldquoWersquoll schedule it as soon as possible of courserdquo Not even

a hint of a question in Theorsquos voice

ldquoA presidential campaign though Think of the time commit-

ment Wersquod basically be putting the rest of our lives on holdrdquoTheo snickered ldquoWhat lives Itrsquos not like either of us is swim-

ming in free time right nowrdquo

True Running an independent political consulting firm didnrsquot

exactly equal a life of leisure ldquoBut donrsquot you ever miss the old

daysrdquo Pillars of smoke rose in the distance ldquoYou know back

when we were working on local campaignsrdquo

ldquoAre you crazy Low-profile races that drew as much atten-tion as ants on the sidewalkrdquo

A fire truckrsquos lights appeared in his rearview mirror and he

pulled over to let it wail past ldquoYeah but to this day Irsquove never

had more fun than that first campaign back in Iowa Therersquos

something about local politics Makes a person feel like they

really have a voice you know

ldquoMaybe but it also pays a lot less If I never see another

package of ramen itrsquoll be soon enough Yoursquore just having a

homesick day That reporter or editor or whoever got to you

more than yoursquore letting onrdquo

He started forward again grin stretching past his hesita-

tion No Amelia Bentleyrsquos emails a couple weeks ago hadnrsquot

gotten to him not really Theyrsquod made him laugh more than

anything Leave a career on the brink of actual success to go

back to small-town reporting No thanks

But he could appreciate her persistence



Melissa Tagg

23

ldquoTheo all Irsquom saying ismdashrdquo He broke off as the scene ahead

came into view and dread burrowed through him Fire trucks

police cars people milling about on the sidewalk all lookingtoward

His apartment building

Instant fear lodged in his throat ldquoOh nordquo

Theo had gone silent eyes wide

Logan swerved his car to the curb yanked it into Park and

bolted from his seat

ldquoLoganrdquo Theorsquos call and the sound of his door closing fadedas terrified instinct sent Logan flailing down the sidewalk and

toward his building Smoke tunneled from windows halfway

up its rise

Charlie

He pushed through the barrier of people crowding the lawn

behind the emergency respondersrsquo activity his first prayers in

forever beating through him in spurts and fitsLet her be okay Let me find her

His phonemdashhersquod left it back in the car in a cup holder still

silenced following a morning meeting What if the nanny had

been trying to call andmdash

Strong arms pushed against him A firefighter blocking his

path ldquoSir this isnrsquot a drill You canrsquot go inmdashrdquo

ldquoMy daughterrsquos in there Charlie Charlotterdquo He hurled

forward once more but the firemanrsquos arm jutted out to stop him

ldquoPlease stay hererdquo

The manrsquos firm grip held him in place his face hidden be-

hind his helmet He heard jogging steps coming up behind him

Theorsquos panting breath

The firefighter looked over his shoulders ldquoYour friendrdquo

Theorsquos rasped ldquoyesrdquo drew a nod ldquoMake sure he stays here

okay Irsquom sure his daughter is fine Wersquove already evacuated

almost the whole buildingrdquo



Like Never Bore

24

In a daze Logan watched the man hurry away terror twist-

ing every nerve inside him and a voice from the past feeding

his dread as he stared at the buildingldquoIrsquom so sorry Logan If yoursquod gotten here ten or even five

minutes ago rdquo

The shake of a doctorrsquos head

An ER nurse unable to stop her tears

ldquoYou almost made itrdquo

The snap of his heart like a broken guitar string sharp and

callousingAlmost wasnrsquot good enough

Theorsquos hand found his shoulder ldquoCome on Letrsquos start asking

around Shersquos probably out here with the nanny somewhererdquo

Logan nodded blinked tried to reach through the fog of

alarm for something solidmdashcommon sense or courage or

something

NothingldquoMr Walkerrdquo

He pivoted at the frantic call Krista The nanny

Without Charlie

She reached him tears streaming down her face head shak-

ing before he could even ask the question ldquoI couldnrsquot find her

I called and called and I couldnrsquot find her The alarm and

then this firefighter made me leave the apartment and rdquoBeside him Theo sprang into action running after the fire-

man theyrsquod just talked to Krista kept talking waving her hands

But Logan couldnrsquot hear over the roaring waves of his own

panic



25

2

L

ogan couldnrsquot make himself let go of Charlie

A chugging breeze carrying the bitter odor of smoke

sent his daughterrsquos reddish curls tickling against his jawand cheek her head buried in his neck Her limbs hung loose

around him her breathing heavy Amazing that shersquod been able

to fall asleep amid the clamor of angst-ridden residents and

firefighters swarming the lawn

Itrsquod been forty-five minutes since the fireman had come jog-

ging from the apartment building Charlie in his arms and

Loganrsquos pulse still hadnrsquot steadied

ldquoI heard someone say it was a microwave firerdquo

Theo was still here Had he been standing next to Logan

this whole time The muscles in Loganrsquos arms pinched ldquoBadrdquo

ldquoNot from the sound of it I bet theyrsquoll let residents back in

soon I already called the committee for the fundraiser let them

know you wonrsquot be thererdquo

ldquoThanksrdquo His voice was flat even if his heart rate wasnrsquot

Didnrsquot matter if the fire hadnrsquot amounted to any real dam-

age Didnrsquot matter if he ever found that napkin scribbled with



Like Never Bore

26

whatever important wording about whatever important political

issue

Only thing that mattered was his little girlAnd those minutes of terror when hersquod instantly morphed

into the same Logan Walker whorsquod stood by Charliersquos crib the

night of Emmarsquos funeral three days after the drunk driver had

stolen his wife from him suddenly so horribly abandoned de-

spite the relatives who still lingered in the living room

Convinced he couldnrsquot do this by himself

AloneldquoShersquos okay Walkerrdquo

Theo Theo with his wife waiting for him at home at night

Theo who couldnrsquot possibly understand despite his best inten-

tions

ldquoTell me yoursquore going to fire that nanny thoughrdquo

Logan shifted Charlie to his other shoulder She barely stirred

at the movementldquoHe doesnrsquot have to fire me I quitrdquo

Both Logan and Theo pivoted at the voice Krista stood

with her hands on her waist ponytail askew and frown glued

in place Gone were the tear streaks from earlier In their place

a biting resentment hardened her eyes

ldquoYou quitrdquo Loganrsquos arms tightened

ldquoThatrsquos what I saidrdquo

Theo visibly bristled ldquoYoursquove got some nerve kidmdashrdquo

Logan cut Theo off with a glance then pinned Krista with the

kind of glare he used to give when his younger brother hustled

him at basketball ldquoYou left my daughter in a building on fire

and yoursquore the angry onerdquo

She cocked her head ldquoYeah Irsquom angry She wouldnrsquot answer

Charlotte never answersrdquo She flung her hand toward Charlie

ldquoIrsquom yelling for her panicking looking everywhere I can think

of Do you have any idea how freaked out I wasrdquo



Melissa Tagg

27

ldquoYou were freaked out Irsquom her dadrdquo

ldquoThen act like itrdquo The words burst from Krista pummeling

Logan with their force ldquoGet her some help Shersquos three Sheshould be talking by now She should at least be able to answer

when someone calls her namerdquo

Every defensive nerve in his body surged anger throbbing

through him ldquoYou have no idea what yoursquore talking aboutrdquo

Their argument had begun to attract attention He could feel

the curious stares of neighbors hersquod never had time to get to

knowldquoKeep telling yourself that if you want but it doesnrsquot take

a child psychologist to know somethingrsquos not rightrdquo Krista

swung her backpack over her shoulder ldquoAnd I canrsquot handle just

standing by and watching while you neglectmdashrdquo

ldquoThatrsquos enoughrdquo Theorsquos firm voice severed Kristarsquos tirade

ldquoYou obviously donrsquot know the person yoursquore working for Ne-

glect isnrsquot even in Walkerrsquos vocabulary You want to quit quitBut no one needs to hear your lecturesrdquo

Kristarsquos frown deepened and she looked from Theo back to

Logan then to Charliersquos still-sleeping form draped over Loganrsquos

shoulder For a fraction of a second her expression softened

She met Loganrsquos eyes ldquoIf you need two weeksmdashrdquo

ldquoI donrsquotrdquo

She nodded stiffly and turned as if to leave But then she

looked over her shoulder once more ldquoDid they say where she

was hidingrdquo

ldquoMy walk-inrdquo The fireman hadnrsquot needed to be any more

specific Logan had known Emmarsquos side of the closet behind

her dresses wrapped in the tulle of her wedding gown

A shudder ripped through him now the ache pleading for

release And Krista saw it didnrsquot she Saw the panic-induced

pain threatening to undo him right here on the lawn in front

of everyone



Like Never Bore

28

But she only turned walked away

Logan made himself blink Swallow One deep breath and

then another And the second hersquod lured the grief back intoits hiding place a bevy of questions rocketed to the surface

What would he do without a nanny Who would watch Char-

lie during tomorrowrsquos press conference Was their apartment

still livable

Charlie stirred in his arms a tiny whimper feathering against

his skin He pressed a kiss to her head Hersquod figure it out Hersquod

figure it all out Because thatrsquos what he did What hersquod beendoing for two years now

ldquoListen I should probably get backrdquo

He blinked for what felt like the hundredth time and turned

to Theo ldquoOf course Need to take my carrdquo

ldquoAlready called a cabrdquo Theo patted Charliersquos back ldquoGlad

shersquos okayrdquo

But she wasnrsquot okay was she Krista was right Charliewould celebrate her fourth birthday this August and she had yet

to start really talking beyond a word or two here and theremdashno

full sentences

A pediatrician had momentarily quelled Loganrsquos concerns

last summer Explained that without an older sibling to mimic

it might simply take her longer ldquoBring her back in six months

if she still isnrsquot talking But I bet shersquoll be jabbering your ear

off in no timerdquo

The beating sun heated him now Six months Itrsquod been eight

And he hadnrsquot even called to schedule an appointment

ldquoOh before I go we should probably get back to Hadley

ASAPrdquo Theo had his phone out as he moved toward the taxi

thatrsquod somehow wound its way through the crowded street

ldquoYou okay with me taking the leadrdquo

Had it only been a couple of hours ago that he and Theo had

gushed about the senator Dreamt about futures that looked



Melissa Tagg

29

like something off The West Wing ldquoSure go for itrdquo His voice

came out dull croaky as if hersquod been the one to enter the smoke-

filled buildingBut he hadnrsquot Someone else had been watching his daughter

before the fire Someone else had rescued her during it

He was just the guy who clung helplessly to her in the after-

math

Just like so many evenings when he arrived home hours

after dark only minutes before Charlie drifted off to sleep for

the night Hersquod rock her long after she nodded off trying toconvince himself this was working this single parent thing

But it was getting harder and harder to believe his own as-

surances

A male voice speaking through a megaphone blasted in ldquoAt-

tention pleaserdquo

Theo paused leaning over the open taxi door ldquoDonrsquot do it

to yourself WalkerrdquoLogan glanced at his friend Was he that see-through

ldquoDonrsquot beat yourself up for not being there earlier or think

yoursquore a horrible dad Anybody would admire the way yoursquove

raised Charlie since Emma rdquo

The firemanrsquos voice droned in the background letting the

crowd know therersquod been only structural damage to a couple

apartments Most residents could reenter the building in a few

minutes A couple units on the sixth floor thoughmdashLoganrsquos

floormdashhad suffered heavy smoke damage

ldquoIrsquoll tell you what Roberta S Hadley says after I talk to her

okayrdquo

Logan grasped for the interest he knew he should be able to

muster Roberta S Hadley Presidential campaign She wants us

Minutes later he watched the taxi cut a path through the

maze of vehicles and fire engines blocking the street He felt

the softness of Charliersquos palm on his cheek and looked down



Like Never Bore

30

at her Shersquod awakened emerald eyes grinning at him whatever

fear had driven her into his bedroom closet now gone Did she

even remember being carried from the buildingldquoHowrsquos my Charlierdquo He touched his forehead to hers and

she giggled ldquoDaddyrsquos home early Sounds like we might need

to camp out in a hotel for the night Maybe one with a poolrdquo

Her lips rounded into a surprised and happy O and for an

elastic moment that stretched with hope he thought she might

actually verbally reply Come on honey let me hear your voice

But instead she only clapped her hands kissed his cheekHersquod take it For now hersquod take it

Charlie wriggled then and tapped his back She may not talk

all that much but she didnrsquot have any trouble communicating

He bent over to slide her around his body piggyback style and

started for the apartment building

ldquoLogan Walkerrdquo

He paused and turned squinting against the evening sunand saw the silhouette moving toward him A mailman

ldquoYesrdquo Charliersquos feet bumped against his sides

ldquoGot a piece of certified mail for you Yoursquoll need to signrdquo

Hard to do with Charlie on his back but he managed ldquoSur-

prised you could find me in this mess of peoplerdquo

ldquoSomeone pointed you out Most of the rest of the build-

ing will have to wait for their mail rsquotil tomorrow Fire truckrsquos

blocking the mailboxesrdquo

Logan glanced at the manila envelope Maple Valley address

A law firm

ldquoGlad I could at least deliver this though Certified usu-

ally means importantrdquo The mailman winked at Charlie and

moved away

Afternoon warmth tinged with coastal humidity curled

around Logan as he tore open the envelope and pulled out

the packet of papers Skimmed what looked like a cover letter



Melissa Tagg

31

crowded with legalese until his attention hooked on Freddie

Fitzsimmonsrsquos namemdashthe old owner of his hometown paper

his one-time mentorAnd the words last will and testament

ldquoWant to tell me why wersquore sitting out here in the cold Is

there a reason we couldnrsquot talk at your officerdquo

Amelia winced at the impatience huddled in CJ Cranfordrsquos

voice The woman rubbed her hands together breath forming

clouds of white and heels tapping against the shoveled sidewalk

underneath the park bench

ldquoJust waitrdquo Amelia dipped her chin into her scarf ldquoYoursquoll

seerdquo

ldquoWill I Or will my eyeballs get frostbite firstrdquo

So maybe this hadnrsquot been the best plan evermdashthe short trek

around the block toward downtown Wasnrsquot it enough Amelia

had already blown any chance at a good first impression with

the woman who might be her new boss

But if CJrsquos presence in Maple Valley meant what it had

tomdashthat Freddie had indeed signed all the documents before

hersquod died gone and sold the News mdashthen there was only one

thing to do Convince Cranford the paper was worth salvagingForget the flood-damaged equipment Forget the paltry ad-

vertising numbers Forget all the reasons print publications in

small towns were folding around the country The News could

be the exception

Because it wasnrsquot just any old newspaper And Maple Val-

ley wasnrsquot any old town In about five minutes CJ would see

for herself

The downtown fanned in front of them like a quiet audiencemdash

quaint storefronts brushed with the peachy-pink hues of an



Like Never Bore

32

ambling dusk The shadows of bony trees and globe-topped

lampposts patterned the blanket of white covering the town

squareCJ glanced over ldquoYou do know eventually wersquore going to

have to talk businessrdquo

ldquoI thought thatrsquos what we did back at the officerdquo After beg-

ging Owen to cover her scheduled photo Amelia had given

CJ a quick tour of the Newsrsquos domain Shersquod recited recent

headlines and rattled off newspaper historymdashlike the fact that

this summer the News would celebrate its 100th year An effortat damage control that may or may not have done any good

Because all CJ had done after Amelia ran out of words was

tilt her head and say ldquoCoffeerdquo

ldquoThat wasnrsquot talking businessrdquo CJ said now ldquoThat was a

tour A very perky tinsely onerdquo

Because shersquod overdone it hadnrsquot she Pumped too much

cheer into her voice and brown-nosed it ldquoSorrymdashrdquoldquoYou like your job Nothing wrong with thatrdquo CJ crossed

one leg over the other The zigzag stripes of her tights were

the one standout feature of her attiremdashblack blazer over black

pencil skirt Black heels Black purse

ldquoI do like my jobrdquo

ldquoWhich is why yoursquove been avoiding my callsrdquo

Couldnrsquot argue that Across the square Mr Baker locked

the front door of his antique shop under a flapping awning

He turned caught Ameliarsquos gaze waved and then hunched

his way toward his station wagon ldquoI did mean to get back to

yourdquo Eventually

The first light in the park flickered as Mr Bakerrsquos engine

sputtered down Main ldquoOh here we go Itrsquos about to happenrdquo

ldquoWhatrsquos about to happenrdquo

ldquoYoursquoll seerdquo

Just a breath later as if tapped by a magic wand every-



Melissa Tagg

33

thing blinked to life at once a glow of yellowy-white against

the deepening skymdashthe globe lights atop the lampposts the

lanterns hanging from the band shell strings of twinkle lightsdraped over wrinkled branches

ldquoWowrdquo CJ released the word in an awed sigh

ldquoPretty isnrsquot itrdquo Wind-dusted snow sparkled against the

light

ldquoMagicalrdquo CJ uncrossed her legs and leaned forward el-

bows on her knees ldquoPossibly worth the coldrdquo

Satisfaction warm and sweet glided through AmeliaUntil CJ tilted her head ldquoI wonder how much it costs the

city to keep it lit up like thisrdquo

The question landed with a thud ldquoThe lights donrsquot stay on

all nightrdquo

CJ stood ldquoSo wherersquos the coffee you promisedrdquo

Amelia swiped at her disappointment as they retreated the

same way theyrsquod come their footprints from before alreadysmudged out of sight Silly probably thinking a few minutes

and some pretty lights might change a businesswomanrsquos mind

But then that was the problem with Amelia Always hop-

ing in the wrong things Almost three years post-divorce and

apparently the lesson still hadnrsquot sunk in Some minds donrsquot

change Some fights you donrsquot win

Yeah well CJ wasnrsquot Jeremy

And Amelia wasnrsquot the same Amelia shersquod been back in Des

Moines broken emptied drained of any fight

The riverfront came into view as they rounded the block Sheets

of ice bobbed in the tumbling waterway that split the town in

half The river had flooded early last fallmdashdamaging not only the

News office but the bridal store next door and the coffee shop

they were about to enter Amelia had been out here sandbag-

ging with the rest of the town in the hours before the flood had

its way That same summer theyrsquod been pounded by a tornado



Like Never Bore

34

But therersquod been happy times in the last year too Seth Walker

had turned an old abandoned bank building into the coolest

restaurant around An exndashNFL quarterback had moved to townand opened up a nonprofit The community had pulled together

to keep its historic railroad running

And in the midst of all the big things everyday life moved in a

rhythm not all that different than the riverrsquosmdashfast and whoosh-

ing some days slow and serene others But always it moved

ldquoYoursquore upsetrdquo CJrsquos heels clipped against the sidewalk as

they neared the coffee shopldquoNot upset just frustrated Itrsquos not only paper and ink

wersquore talking about Itrsquos peoplersquos jobs Wersquore a family in that

office Katrsquos a single mom trying to put two sons through col-

lege Owenrsquos saving up for grad schoolrdquo


ldquoIf you close the office their jobs will go awayrdquo Along with

her dream of running the paper herself finally cementing herplace here in Maple Valley If shersquod had the money shersquod have

bought the News herself the second Freddie mentioned selling

ldquoIrsquom just asking you to considermdashrdquo

ldquoWhat in the worldrdquo CJ halted in front of the coffee shop

focus hooked on its stretching windows a clamor of rising

voices along with the brisk aroma of Coffee Coffeersquos brew

eking outside

Amelia glanced at the crowd inside ldquoNot unusual for Coffee

Coffee to have mobs reminiscent of Depression-era bank runs

Wersquove sorta got a town-wide caffeine dependencyrdquo She cupped

her hands to the window and peered through ldquoBut this looks

way more organized than usualrdquo Yes there was Mayor Milton

Briggs up near the order counter waving his hands from his

perch atop a chair

Great Just when she needed this town to make a good im-

pression



Melissa Tagg

35

ldquoWhateverrsquos happening the only important question is can

we still get coffeerdquo

ldquoOh wersquoll get you your coffeerdquo This one thing she could getright She pushed through the entrance the jingle of bells above

the doorway mingling with the commotion inside

ldquoNow I know itrsquos confusingrdquo Mayor Milt with his salt-and-

pepper beard and usual cardigan stood on a chair up front

exaggerated exasperation in his voice ldquoBut since the mother

insists she doesnrsquot like the traditional pink and blue yoursquoll see

the ribbons are green and yellow Green for a boy yellow fora girlrdquo

All around the eclectic coffee shop townspeople sat at tables

of varying heights and lounged in leather furniture Behind the

mayor an espresso-hued counter fronted the back wall with

its chalkboard menu and mosaic backsplash

ldquoWhat is thisrdquo CJ leaned toward her ldquoA community-wide

baby showerrdquoldquoI donrsquot think sordquo She wouldrsquove heard about that kind of

thing This smacked of exactly the kind of impromptu town

meeting Mayor Milt loved to throw

ldquoSo pick whatever gender you think the baby will be Wear

the ribbon any time you come in to Coffee Coffee until next

week to show your support for Meganrdquo

Megan Of course

The pang started in Ameliarsquos heart and landed in her stomach

ldquoDouble shot espressordquo

Amelia blinked Right coffee ldquoGot it Irsquoll be backrdquo

She arced around the throng and made for the counter

scooted behind it andmdashnot seeing any employees in sightmdash

went for the espresso machine She had the cup half filled the

machinersquos whir nearly drowned out by the crowd before the

voice cut in behind her

ldquoWhatrsquore you doing back here Bentleyrdquo



Like Never Bore

36

Amelia finished filling the cup before turning toward the droll

voice Megan the coffee shoprsquos young ownermdashjet-black hair

and charcoal-like eyeliner as surly as she was resilient Meg hadbeen forced to close for nearly a month after the flood last year

But that hadnrsquot been the biggest of the young ownerrsquos chal-

lenges

Amelia glanced at Megrsquos protruding stomach under her

purple apron and felt the knobby ache grappling through hermdash

familiar dense with memories

What should have been one of the happiest days of her lifetaking a sudden and harsh turn

Danirsquos decision to back out of the adoption

Maryrsquos wails in the hospital nursery

And the chafing realization that Amelia wouldnrsquot be the one

to soothe her Not now Not ever

Should it still sting so much this many years later

ldquoWellrdquo Megrsquos fists were on her waist And oh she remindedAmelia of Dani in that moment

Amelia swallowed ldquoIrsquom making sure you get at least one

paying customer out of this chaos thatrsquos whatrdquo

The girl who couldnrsquot be older than twenty-one or twenty-

two lifted one pierced eyebrow ldquoCan you believe this town I

tell one person Irsquom finding out the gender next week and before

I know it theyrsquove turned it into a full-blown event Maple Val-

ley will use literally anything as an excuse to celebraterdquo She

pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes ldquoEven a single girlrsquos

unplanned pregnancyrdquo

Amelia had to work not to flinch ldquoI thought you didnrsquot work

on Thursdaysrdquo

ldquoKeeping tabs on my schedulerdquo

ldquoUh no not keeping tabsrdquo But maybe truthfully avoiding

Was it so wrong to know her weak spots To do her best to

keep the whispers of her past entombed where they belonged



Melissa Tagg

37

Focus CJ Cranford The News The jobs you need to save

Things she might be able to change

Versus things she couldnrsquot No matter how hard she triedMegan kneaded the small of her back just below her apronrsquos

knot ldquoHired a new girl last week and turns out shersquos about as

dependable as an untrained puppyrdquo

ldquoToo bad I gotta run but herersquos hoping you survive the next

weekrdquo She handed Megan a five ldquoKeep the changerdquo

She didnrsquot run from the counter but she might as well have

for all the polish of her escape Meg probably wondered whather deal was They used to be friendsmdashor friend-ish at least

Amelia had even worked a few shifts at the coffee shop just to

pad her income Meg had asked her back when shersquod reopened

after the flood

But by then Amelia had heard the news about Meganrsquos sur-

prise pregnancy

And she just couldnrsquotShe found CJ where shersquod left hermdashnow wearing a green-

and-yellow ribbon

ldquoTwinsrdquo CJ said as she accepted the cup from Amelia

ldquoThatrsquos my voterdquo

ldquoDonrsquot say that too loud or Megan might chuck a sugar

shaker at yourdquo

ldquoWill I get in trouble for voting even though Irsquom not an of-

ficial Maple Valley citizenrdquo

ldquoAre you kidding The mayormdasheveryone reallymdashwould love

the thought of sucking in an outsiderrdquo

Amelia followed CJ to a counter crammed with coffee sup-

plies CJ set down her cup and reached for the sugar ldquoListen

I need to get back and we havenrsquot even touched on why Irsquom

here yet You clearly think I want to talk about the closing of

the Newsrdquo She popped the lid off her cup ldquoYoursquore wrongrdquo

ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38

ldquoFreddie never finalized the sale I donrsquot know who your new

owner is but itrsquos not Cranford Communicationsrdquo She mixed

her coffee with a stir stickldquoI shouldnrsquot be smiling right now should Irdquo

ldquoDonrsquot get too excited Our board is already prepping a

package for the new owner whoever he or she is Wersquoll likely

acquire the News by the end of the summer The new owner

would be crazy not to sell Itrsquos not a financially solvent business

you have to know thatrdquo

ldquoFinances can change We can work on upping our subscrip-tions maybe put together some new ad packagesmdashrdquo

ldquoLike I said Irsquom not here to talk about thatrdquo

The ruckus of the disorganized town meeting still rose

around them

ldquoItrsquos gonna be a girl I can tell by her stomachrdquo

ldquoA boy No doubtrdquo

ldquoItrsquos a crapshoot and you all know itrdquo

Amelia swallowed too many distant moments trying to

swarm in Jeremy The hospital nursery The social workerrsquos

gauzy voice ldquoIrsquom sorry this happens more often than wersquod likerdquo

ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked

ldquoIrsquom not here to talk about the future of the News Irsquom hereto talk about your futurerdquo CJ lifted her cup ldquoIrsquod like to offer

you a jobrdquo

ldquoYoursquore not seriously doing thisrdquo

Logan momentarily ignored Theo as he accepted a stack of

files from the intern Alena would put an executive assistant at

a Fortune 500 company to shame

ldquoThe senatorrsquos office still needs wording for that energy pol-



Melissa Tagg

39

icy press releaserdquo She added another folder to the pile in his

arms ldquoAnd the Cohen Foundation wants a bullet-point overview

for the governorrsquos fundraiser speech next weekrdquoldquoNot happeningrdquo Logan pulled the pencil from between

his teeth eyes on the top file He perched on the corner of the

mahogany desk that claimed one corner of the small office

So much to get done today Especially if he meant to pack up

and travel back to Iowa this week Which he did Theo might

throw a fit but what could he do That certified letter from the

law firm in Maple Valley hadnrsquot left him much choiceOh Freddie you were great in so many ways But why me

Couldnrsquot he have left his newspaper to someone who

well wanted it And how horribly ungrateful was that

thought

ldquoAre you even listening to me Walkerrdquo Stress curved Theorsquos

brow from where he stood behind Alena

ldquoTheyrsquore concerned the governor will go over his allottedtwenty-five minutesrdquo Alena said as she moved around him to

straighten the contents of the plastic shelf on his desk marked

Inbox The one he rarely remembered to riffle through

Logan dropped the files onto his chair attention darting to

Charlie playing in the corner Books dollsmdashhersquod brought all

her quietest toys to the office today ldquoGov goes over one time

and suddenly wersquore incapable of pacing his speech Tell them

the speech will be perfectly timed down to his every pausemdash

twenty-three and a half minutes with ninety seconds for ap-

plause before and afterrdquo

Alena used the edge of her shirt to dust off his laptop ldquoWhat-

ever you say boss Though I think itrsquod be funny if you pared

the whole thing down to oh fifteen minutes Just for shock

value Let the event organizers scramble to fill the extra ten

minutesrdquo She stopped cleaning his desk and stood in front of

him playful smirk in place



Like Never Bore

40

He nudged up the glasses he wore today instead of bothering

with contacts ldquoBetter yet we give them their bullet pointsmdash

ninety minutes worth Then take bets on how long itrsquoll take forthe foundation director to callrdquo

Laughter bubbled from Alenamdashand then Charlie who obvi-

ously had no idea what she was laughing about But she giggled

all the same leaving the play mat hersquod set up for her and walking

to him She stretched her arms and he stooped to pick her up

Two nights in a hotel while the apartment aerated obviously

hadnrsquot bothered her ldquoWhat do you think kid Make the foun-dation squirm just for the fun of itrdquo

Alena reached forward to straighten the barrette Logan had

attempted to fasten in Charliersquos hair this morning ldquoYou should

bring her to the office more oftenrdquo

ldquoIrsquod never get another page writtenrdquo

Alena kissed Charliersquos cheek then picked up a stack of papers

from his printer ldquoIrsquoll proof these for you by this afternoonrdquoShe retreated from the office leaving Logan to face the disap-

proval written all over Theorsquos face ldquoWhatrdquo

ldquoShe likes yourdquo

ldquoOf course she does I keep her stocked in punch cards for the

coffee cart Itrsquos the least I can do since shersquos not getting paidrdquo

ldquoYou know thatrsquos not what I meantrdquo Theo walked to the

mini fridge against one wall He plucked a water bottle from

inside ldquoShersquos got a crush on yourdquo

ldquoYou should start a stand-up act Yoursquore funnyrdquo

ldquoWasnrsquot jokingrdquo

ldquoI bet shersquos what Ten years younger than me Probably

has a boyfriendrdquo

ldquoShersquos so into you she might as well embroider I Love Walker

onto a shirt and wear it to workrdquo He took a swig from his water

bottle ldquoTattoo your name on her armrdquo

ldquoYoursquore seeing thingsrdquo



Melissa Tagg

41

ldquoWhateverrdquo Theo capped his bottle ldquoNot here to talk about

your love life anywayrdquo

Logan let Charlie down and returned to his desk pickingup the files Alena had delivered ldquoThen what are you here forrdquo

As if he didnrsquot know Hersquod figured the second he pressed

Send on that office-wide memo hersquod have Theo in his office

ldquoYoursquore taking a personal leave of absence So nice of you

to tell me first You didnrsquot even say how long yoursquore going to

be gonerdquo

ldquoTwo weeks topsrdquo I hope His gaze fastened on the slitof a window carved into the wall which let in just enough

sunlight to keep alive the one plant on the corner of the desk

His focus flitted to the plant now wilted and brown Well

almost alive

ldquoIs this because of your apartment I told you Jill and I would

be happy to put you up in our guestroomrdquo

ldquoItrsquos not thatrdquo Although the apartment did smell like a forestpost-wildfire And the unit next door was going to be under

construction for weeks

But it wasnrsquot their living space thatrsquod kept him awake the

past two nights It was the fact that Freddie had gone and left

him a businessmdashand with it employees obligations It should

be good news a sign of the manrsquos fondness and respect But

it felt weighty Another responsibility when Logan could

barely keep up with the ones he already had

But maybe this is a good thing

The same whisper wandered in now that had last night when

hersquod finally made the decision to go back to Iowa Maybe this

is exactly what you and Charlie need

A break A chance to spend real time together Vacation

The word tasted foreign

Theo took another swig of his water ldquoYou couldnrsquot have

worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42

ldquoI could actually We could be mid-campaign We could be

dealing with a PR crisis Itrsquos political off-season right nowrdquo

ldquoTherersquos no such thing as off-season and you know it Wersquoredrowning in work Your home and nanny situation are up in the

airrdquo Theo pointed to the plant ldquoYou canrsquot even keep a plant

alive No way do you have time for thisrdquo

Logan dropped his files onto the desk with a thud his last

grip on restraint slackening ldquoYou want to talk about time I

have poured myself into this business Theo I havenrsquot taken

more than a handful of days off in two years I forgot what aweekend feels like forever agordquo He could hear his voice notch-

ing forced it down ldquoI barely see my daughterrdquo

ldquoLogmdashrdquo

ldquoAnd if therersquos anything I really donrsquot have time for itrsquos an

argument about how I donrsquot have time You heard Alena I have

a dozen things to finish before tomorrowrdquo

ldquoTomorrow Yoursquore leaving tomorrowrdquo Statement not aquestion Theo abandoned his water bottle on the windowsill

and stepped closer to Logan blocking his view of Charlie Voice

low deliberate ldquoWe have a flippinrsquo presidential candidate vet-

ting us for her campaign team And yoursquore just going to leaverdquo

ldquoA man I hugely respected diedrdquo Hersquod already told Theo

about Freddie yesterday Not just about inheriting the paper but

about Freddie himself How hersquod offered Logan an internship

at the paper when Logan was still in high school Taken him

under his wing when Mom first got sick and Dad had been so

consumed with caring for her

Why couldnrsquot Theo muster some understanding

ldquoIrsquom sorry about that editor I am But this is everything

wersquove worked forrdquo

ldquoYeah well I wonrsquot be any good to Hadley if Irsquom burnt out

Yoursquore the one who just said I canrsquot even take care of a plant

That speech Alena had mentioned Irsquove been trying for days to



Melissa Tagg

43

get it right Usually Irsquod whip it out in a few hours This is what

I need What Charlie needsrdquo His voice was a strained whisper

now ldquoThat stuff her nanny saidmdashrdquoTheo shook his head ldquoShe was frightened and blowing off

steamrdquo

ldquoShe was right Irsquove been pretending things are fine for way

too longrdquo

He brushed past Theo Charlie held a book toward him green

eyes so much like Emmarsquos most people never wouldrsquove guessed

she was adopted The resemblance to Emma made sensemdashChar-lottersquos birth mother was Emmarsquos little sister after all

ldquoSo this is for surerdquo

He looked back Resignation marred Theorsquos expression

ldquoYesrdquo

The Logan from a few years ago wouldrsquove thought longer

Wouldrsquove prayed about it

But he didnrsquot have the luxury of time or the comfort of faiththis time around No what remnants of belief loitered in his

spirit these days were immobile passive

He had to figure things out on his own

ldquoAnd Hadleyrdquo

ldquoIrsquoll do whatever I need to Irsquoll fly back heremdashor over to DC

if thatrsquos where she wants to meet This is just temporaryrdquo He

walked to Charlie sat down beside her and accepted the bookldquoTwo weeks topsrdquo



Dear Mary

If you were my daughter Irsquod tell you about how Iended up in Maple Valley Iowamdasha little town west of

Ames tucked into a rolling landscape of quilted fieldsand patches of trees and prairie grass We like to call

ourselves a tourist spot with our heritage railroad andmore antique stores than any one town needs

I came here on a whim looking for a man Irsquod nevermetmdashhis name was Kendall Wilkins I was two years toolate

I didnrsquot find Kendall But what I found instead was

home



45

3

Y ou have a potentially career-altering decision to make

by tomorrow but instead of hashing it out or making a

procon list or even just flipping a coin yoursquore making

cookies for a woman who doesnrsquot like yourdquoAmelia couldnrsquot help but smirk at the exaggerated disbelief

in Raegan Walkerrsquos tone As if her friend was one to talkmdashshe

and the revolving door that was her employment status

Amelia opened the stainless-steel door of the oven in the

Walkersrsquo kitchen heat billowing over her cheeks as the impa-

tient rhythm of Raeganrsquos nails tapped behind her She couldrsquove

made the cookies in her own kitchen But there was something

enchanting about the Walker family homemdashnestled into a clear-

ing between a cornfield and a twisting tree-packed ravine The

spacious kitchen with its cherry cupboards and coppery-beige

tiled floor the collage of photos stuck to the fridge the window

above the sink overlooking a frosty backyard dappled with pale

moonlight and evening shadowsmdashall of it tingled with peace

and calm and family

And on nights like tonightmdashwhen indecision buzzed like

a plague of mosquitos it was just what she needed Yes she



Like Never Bore

46

owed CJ Cranford an answer tomorrow Accept the job at the

Communicator and move Or stay in Maple Valley holding out

hope that the News somehow survived its change in ownershipShe was no closer to a decision tonight than shersquod been nearly

a week ago when shersquod stood in Coffee Coffee listened to CJrsquos

out-of-the-blue offer and for the first time in three years con-

sidered leaving the town thatrsquod become home But the Walker

house and Raeganrsquos company made up for a world of confusion

Amelia used one oven-mitted hand to pull out the metal sheet

chocolate chip cookies goldened to perfection ldquoMae may notlike me but she loves my cookiesrdquo

ldquoShe doesnrsquot even know theyrsquore from yourdquo Raegan twirled

in a half-circle atop a barstool edged up to the counter in the

middle of the room her feet bumping against its base

True Amelia had taken to dropping off baskets of cookies

at the News receptionistrsquos house late at night or early in the

morning Sometimes she left a plateful in Maersquos little HondaThank you small-town Iowa people for not locking your car

doors As far as she knew Mae didnrsquot suspect a thing

ldquoShe doesnrsquot need to know theyrsquore from me Irsquom convinced

shersquos simply lonely Thatrsquos why shersquos so grouchy all the time

The cookies let her know someone caresrdquo

Raegan stilled on her stool ldquoYoursquore kind Amelia Bentley

you know that A little weird way too into grunge rockmdashrdquo

ldquoLong live the ninetiesrdquo

ldquomdashand obsessive about wintermdashbut kindrdquo Raegan slipped

a shock of blue-streaked blond hair behind her ear She was

one of the first people Amelia had met when shersquod moved to

townmdashand easily the most buoyant Amelia might have a few

years on her but theyrsquod become fast friends

Amelia used a spatula to pry a cookie off the tray ldquoSpeaking

of things Irsquom obsessive about rdquo

Raeganrsquos laugh rang through the kitchen and she shifted



Melissa Tagg

47

to pull a wad of rolled-up papers from the back pocket of her

faded jeans then held the papers in the air ldquoIrsquoll trade you for

a cookierdquo She snatched one and took a bite ldquoMake that twocookiesrdquo

Hands still encased in oven mitts Amelia nabbed the papers

from Raegan focus immediately landing on the words in the

upper right corner

Logan Walker speechwriter

Tompkins amp Walker Consulting

ldquoOne of these days Irsquom going to start charging you moneyfor transcripts of my brotherrsquos speechesrdquo Raegan stood ldquoI

need milk And donrsquot get me wrong Your cookies are de-lish

but the way you gobble up Loganrsquos writing I have a feeling I

could make some serious moolardquo

ldquoJust as long as you never tell him Irsquom the one who reads

themrdquo Amelia scanned the first few lines the same awe as always

settling in her stomach Raeganrsquos brother could write Oh hecould write And every time she read one of his speeches it was

a reminder of why shersquod taken up writing herself

Words could impact They could shape opinions and per-

spectives They could move a person to action

Maybe given enough time they could even heal

Raegan poured milk into two glasses offered one to Amelia

ldquoDonrsquot worry I wonrsquot tell him Logan still thinks his little sister

is all fascinated with his career Probably hopes itrsquoll influence

me to find one of my ownrdquo

Amelia glanced at her friend as she accepted the glass of milk

Rae often seemed younger than her twenty-six yearsmdashthe hair

that always changed colors the graphic tees the fact that she

still slept in the daybed in her childhood bedroom Was it hard

to be the youngest in a line of such successful siblings Beckett

the lawyer in Boston Kate the movie scriptwriter and novelist

whorsquod just moved home from Chicago



Like Never Bore

48

And Logan The guy who could weave emotion with words

Therersquod been a time when Jeremy had been the one to woo

Amelia with his speeches back before his fame and her failurecurdled her dreams for the future

She sluiced the thought with a shake of her head ldquoDoes it

bother you Raerdquo

ldquoYou mean the fact that I have a hodge-podge of part-time

jobs instead of a career -careerrdquo Raegan shrugged took an-

other bite ldquoNot usually Just every once in a while Irsquoll get this

feeling that everyonersquos waiting for me to figure out what Irsquomgoing to do with my life And I just want to say whatrsquos wrong

with being content right where I amrdquo

That was exactly what Amelia had wanted to say to CJ

Cranford last week The woman had offered her the job of

Features Editor for the Communicator Reminded her the paper

was one of the statersquos leading weeklies

ldquoWe own publications in three states You know that rightIrsquove read your stuff Bentley You should be writing for some-

thing with an actual readership Itrsquos a guaranteed step uprdquo

Amelia hadnrsquot been able to find a reply behind her surprise

CJ had kept talking while shersquod stared across the crowded

coffee shop watching Megan rub her belly

Problem was shersquod stopped believing in guarantees long

ago

The sound of the front door banging open drifted through

the house pulling Amelia to the present Probably Case Walker

Raeganrsquos dad Or Seth the cousin who lived in the basement

Whoever it was bypassed the kitchen footsteps sounding on

the stairs that led to the row of bedrooms on the second floor

She settled on a stool beside Raegan bit into a perfectly

chewy cookie How many evenings had Amelia spent in this

house pretending she was part of this close-knit and support-

ive family They were one of Maple Valleyrsquos staple familiesmdash



Melissa Tagg

49

the kind everyone loved and not-so-secretly wanted to be a

part of

The kind of family she used to think she and Jeremy mighthave before

ldquoSo are we ever going to talk about thisrdquo Raeganrsquos voice

cut in

ldquoMy job offer The possibility of the News going underrdquo

ldquoNo the fact that yoursquore in love with my brotherrdquo

ldquoWhatrdquo Amelia choked on a cookie crumbs spewing to

the counterldquoAt least admit yoursquove got a crush on himrdquo

She downed half a glass of milk in one swallow ldquoYoursquore

delusionalrdquo

ldquoIrsquom rightrdquo

ldquoI love his writing Raegan Therersquos a big difference between

admiring someonersquos talent and whatever yoursquore thinkingrdquo She

shuffled the speech papers into a pile and dropped an oven mitton top ldquoIrsquove only met him one timerdquo

Hersquod been in town for Colton Greenersquos press conference an-

nouncing his new nonprofit A former NFL player Colton was

an old friend of Loganrsquos Hersquod come to Maple Valley last fall

for a temporary stop thatrsquod turned permanent once hersquod fallen

for Kate Walker

ldquoI know I was there I saw you turn about a dozen shades

brighter than theserdquo Raegan wriggled her fingers in the air

hot pink polish coloring her nails

ldquoI did notrdquo

Except that she had She could still feel the way the warmth

had practically scrambled over her cheeks It was that mellow

baritone voice that did it the dancing laugh Logan had seemed

observant a little quiet Which made her think there probably

wasnrsquot much he and those inky-dark eyes missed

And then therersquod been the disheveled hair and crooked tie



Like Never Bore

50

And fine maybe for a few ridiculous minutes there Logan

Walker had made her think it really was possible to finally forget

JeremyBut that was only in-the-moment silliness The man had

unknowingly become her writing heromdashthree years of reading

his past articles listening to her old editor talk about him and

following his speechwriting career could do that to a person

Shersquod simply had a fan girl moment thatrsquos all

ldquoLook at you yoursquore blushing right nowrdquo Raeganrsquos smirk

dared her to argueldquoAm notrdquo

ldquoI could roast a marshmallow from the heat on your face

Donrsquot feel bad Most girls who meet my brother who arenrsquot

related to him fall for him And some who are related to him

I have this third cousin who I swearmdashrdquo

Amelia fumbled off her bar stool sweeping up her empty

milk glass and plate ldquoIrsquom regretting coming over hererdquoldquoI could set you guys uprdquo

ldquoRaemdashrdquo

ldquoBesides you havenrsquot gone on a single date since I met you

Somdashrdquo

ldquoShouldnrsquot you be at one of your forty jobsrdquo Her voice came

out harsher than shersquod intended punctuated by the clatter of

her dishes in the sink

And Raeganrsquos silence

She whipped around ldquoRae I didnrsquot didnrsquot mean rdquo

But Rae was standing wiping crumbs from her fingertips

refusing to meet Ameliarsquos eyes

Why had she said that Obviously Raeganrsquos lack of career

direction bothered her more than she let onmdashand Amelia had

gone and trampled on what was already a sore spot

ldquoYour next batch is burningrdquo Raegan thumbed toward the

stove then left the room



Melissa Tagg

51

With a sigh that was as much frustration as regret Amelia

flicked off the oven and pulled out the tray of overly brown

cookies She transferred them to a cooling rack plated up theleftovers from her previous batch and covered them with Saran

wrap then went looking for Raegan Up the stairway leading

to the second floor Down the dim hallway

She stopped at the soft lilt of a voice A low whisper singing

a gentle melody she didnrsquot recognize coming from one of the

bedrooms shersquod never been inside

And she couldnrsquot help it She slipped closer to the open doorallowed herself to peek inside Her heart turned to liquid at

the sight Someone leaning over a bed pulling the covers over

a curled bundle hushed song melting to an end

Logan

She peered in Canrsquot be him Hersquos in LA

Whoever it was she shouldnrsquot be intruding on this moment

So why was she standing in the doorway Watching the manarrange the covers Holding her breath

He leaned over to kiss the child in the bed then stood ldquoGood-

night Ladybugrdquo

And then Loganmdashyes definitely Loganmdashturned He started

only for a moment when he saw her there And before she real-

ized what was happening hersquod crossed the room and wrapped

his arms around her pulling her to a solid chest Her face landed

in the crook between his shoulder and a stubble-covered chin

that brushed over her forehead And oh he smelled goodmdash

woodsy masculine

Did he think she was Raegan or Kate

She could feel the muscles in his arms as they tightened

around her

Men donrsquot hug their sisters like this

What was she thinking leaning into the hug as if she be-

longed there Words not fully formed climbed up her throat





Melissa Tagg

53

than embarrassment Try mortification Partially because of

the hug but mostly because of the stinging whiplash his mind

and heart had just gone throughAnd the stark reminder Emma Gone Two years

ldquoSorry for walking in I just heard you singing and well rdquo

ldquoYou heard thatrdquo

ldquoIt was sweetrdquo She nodded to the bed ldquoYour daughter

Raersquos told me about herrdquo

She was friends with Raegan then That explained what she

was doing here Too the laughter hersquod heard from the kitchenwhen hersquod first walked into the house Hersquod purposely skirted

past the main living area intent on getting Charlie to bed before

his family could get ahold of her Theyrsquod rile her up and hersquod

never get her back to sleep

He followed Ameliarsquos gaze toward Charlie now She sighed

in her sleep turning to her side a stray curling drooping over

her foreheadldquoAbout that hugmdashrdquo

ldquoItrsquos really okayrdquo

He met Ameliarsquos eyesmdashhazel flecked with amber He re-

membered meeting her back in February Shersquod rambled on

about how shersquod read all his old articles while hersquod stood there

thinking hersquod never seen irises so shifty in color Like sunlight

through autumn leaves

And the way she looked at him now it was like she knew

all about Emma

ldquoLoganrdquo Raeganrsquos squeal bounded into the room ldquoWhat

in the worldrdquo

She barreled toward him And it wasnrsquot a minute until half

his family barreled in Seth his cousin Kate and Colton And

of course Charlie woke up Laughter rounds of hugs Then

Dad too wandered in

Ten minutes and a drawn-out explanation later they found



Like Never Bore

54

their way to the kitchen The smell of cookies hovered in the

air voices all talking over one another Charlie was already

playing catch with Colton a pair of rolled-up socks for a ballKate was pouring glasses of milk and handing out cookies

ldquoIrsquom making decafrdquo Raegan held up a coffee pot

He felt a palm on his shoulder Dad

ldquoYou sure know how to turn a house into an uproar Loganrdquo

ldquoSorry to get here so late I know the plan was tomorrow

but once we hit Nebraska I got eager You sure yoursquore okay

with us staying for a couple weeksrdquoDad grinned eyes on Charlie Colton had once said Dad

reminded him of John Waynemdashsame height and broad build

Same etched face But to Logan Dad was just Dad The man

he most admired in the world ldquoAre you kidding me You know

I love having a full houserdquo

Which was exactly what he was about to have Although

surely Kate and Colton would end up married before long andKate would move out once more

For the first time in a long time Loganrsquos heart hitched on the

thought of well love he guessed The kind of romance that

looked to be a lifelong thing

Then again he knew more than anyone that lifelong wasnrsquot

a guarantee

No not more than anyone

He looked back to Dad now sliding onto a seat at the island

counter The crinkles in the corners of his eyes when he smiled the

rumble of his laughter belying the heartache his father had been

throughmdashthe slow-churning tragedy of losing Mom to cancer

But Dad had healed hadnrsquot he Settled into running Maple

Valleyrsquos historic railroad and depot museum carved out a new

life for himself

Unlike Logan who mistook a random woman for his dead

wife



Melissa Tagg

55

ldquoAmeliardquo Her name slipped out

Raegan paused at the coffee pot ldquoOh yeah wherersquod she gordquo

He had no idea Shersquod come down to the kitchen with themand gathered up some papers on the counter while everyone

else was a tornado of activity

The coffee pot moaned and Raegan pushed it under the

counter ldquoI hope she didnrsquot think she needed to leave because

this suddenly turned into a family night Irsquoll go seemdashrdquo

ldquoLet merdquo Logan interrupted and pivoted from the room

before anyone could question him He toed on his shoes in theentryway Sharp cold pricked his cheeks as soon as he stepped

outside The light over the garage hummed against the still of

the night

He scanned the driveway before his attention hooked on

footprints leading to the side yard And there she was build-

ing a snowman

The porch swingmdashthe one where Mom and Dad used tosit at night their muted voices drifting up to his screened bed-

room windowmdashcreaked in the breeze He followed the footsteps

ldquoAmeliardquo

She turned at the sound of his voice his snow-packed steps

ldquoOh hirdquo

He stopped in front of her breath visible in front of his face

ldquoWhat are you doingrdquo

A gust of wind sent a cloud of snow curling off the roof and

into her hair ldquoI coerced Raegan into building a snowman with

me earlier this evening When I came out to leave I noticed his

head had fallen offrdquo She shrugged ldquoDecided to help Frosty outrdquo

ldquoDo you often play in the snow at ten orsquoclock at nightrdquo

ldquoI love snow Irsquod play in it any time of day I think Irsquom the

only person in all of Iowa who mourns the end of winterrdquo

How could he have possiblymdasheven for a hazy yearning

secondmdashmistaken her for Emma The hair shouldrsquove been a



Like Never Bore

56

giveaway Or the frame Emma was slighter Even with a coat

he could see Amelia had

He cleared his throat ldquoYou didnrsquot have to leaverdquoAlthough now he kind of wished hersquod let her He was coldmdash

shouldrsquove grabbed a jacket on his way outmdashand he was embar-

rassed all over again uncomfortably cognizant of her probing

study

ldquoI figured you Walkers could use some family time So what

are you doing home Did your family know you were comingrdquo

Her grin turned playful ldquoDecided to take up my job offerrdquoMoonlight brushed streaks of gold in her hair and eyes

ldquoYou ask a lot of questionsrdquo

She shrugged ldquoIrsquom a reporterrdquo

Yes at the paper he now owned The paper he planned to

sell Because it made sense Because his life was back in LA

Because he had a presidential candidate waiting on him and

because hersquod promised TheoAnd because for all the good times hersquod had working with

Freddie at the News one lousy story had been enough to sour

him Local politician Big secret Scandal and a wrecked career

And Loganrsquos name in the byline

This many years later he shouldnrsquot still feel guilty But it

made the desire to sell even stronger

Amelia dotted two eyes into the snowmanrsquos face with her

finger He should tell her

Instead he found himself reaching down for a handful of

snow patting it into the side of the snowman ldquoYou know if

yoursquod made the base bigger the head might not have fallen offrdquo

ldquoWay to critique my snowman-building skills instead of an-

swering any of my questionsrdquo

He laughed An honest-to-goodness unadulterated laugh

Possibly his first since leaving California ldquoHowrsquos the news-

paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57

ldquoFine Could be better I guess Therersquos a strong chance wersquore

going to get sold off And I was offered a job at the paper thatrsquos

likely going to buy us out I have to make a decision by tomor-row A logical person would take it but I happen to love the

News this town First place thatrsquos felt like home since forever

and I keep thinking if I can just come up with the right plan

maybe I can save the News andmdashrdquo She broke off ldquoI donrsquot know

why Irsquom telling you thisrdquo

Cold burrowed through his thin coat ldquoAnd I donrsquot know why

I hugged you earlier thinking you were rdquo He coughed breathforming clouds of white ldquoAnyway again sorry about thatrdquo

ldquoAgain itrsquos really okayrdquo Her voice was soft She drew a smile

onto the snowman with a stick ldquoI guess Irsquod better get going I

still have cookies to deliver after allrdquo

ldquoYou made the cookiesrdquo He trailed her from the yard to

the driveway

ldquoMy one and only specialtyrdquo She stopped at the tiny two-door that must be hers ldquoRaegan told me yoursquore a health nutrdquo

ldquoNot a health nut Just a believer in the food pyramidrdquo

ldquoWell try one of my chocolate chip cookies and you might

be tempted to give them a spot on the pyramid I burned the

last batch but if you snag one of the early ones yoursquoll seerdquo

ldquoYoursquore modestrdquo

ldquoOr just honestrdquo He reached for her car door but before

he could grab it she stopped with a questioning look ldquoHey

Logan how would you do it Save a dying newspaper I meanrdquo

Tell her ldquoAmeliamdashrdquo

ldquoJust hypothetically If a newspaper you loved was about to

go under how would you turn the tide Impress a new ownerrdquo

He sighed ldquoHypothetically Irsquod work my tail off enticing

advertisers Shave off a couple spreads to lower print costs

and make sure the space I have is filled with good materialrdquo

He shrugged ldquoAnd Irsquod go hunt for a riveting front-page story



Like Never Bore

58

Something Irsquom passionate about Because passion shows and

a good story canrsquot hurtrdquo

He could practically hear her latching on to hope at his ad-vice He could kick himself ldquoAmeliardquo he began fully intent on

finally being honest as he opened her car door But the second

the door opened a sheaf of papers came fluttering out They

slapped against each other and he rushed to catch them before

the wind stole them away

Amelia managed to catch one of the rustling pages He

snagged the other two and started to hand them to her butstopped when his gaze landed on familiar words Wait a sec

ldquoMy education speechrdquo His gaze whipped to Amelia ldquoWhat

are you doing with thisrdquo

ldquoI Rae rdquo

Either her winter coat and scarf werenrsquot nearly warm enough

or that was a blush plain as day painting her cheeks ldquoAmeliardquo

ldquoI read your speeches sometimes okay I think theyrsquore greatRaegan gets you to send them and she passes them on to me and

I just like reading them all rightrdquo Her words released in bullets

ldquoI bribed her with cookies for this one Go ahead and laughrdquo

ldquoIrsquom not laughingrdquo Though he couldnrsquot have stopped the

tease from infusing his voice if hersquod tried ldquoI am however en-

tirely flatteredrdquo

She snatched away the papers he held ldquoDonrsquot get smug Itrsquoll

ruin my image of yourdquo

ldquoYou have an image of me And tell me how do my speeches

match up to your cookies Am I as at the top of my game with

my skillset as you are at yours Allegedly anywayrdquo

She thrust the papers inside the car and turned back to not-

entirely-convincingly glower at him ldquoTherersquos no allegedly about

it Go inside and eat a cookie Logan Walkerrdquo She dropped

into her car

One hand on her door handle he leaned over ldquoHappy speech-



Melissa Tagg

readingrdquo He closed her door and her engine sputtered He

turned back to the house to see Dad waiting on the porch

But before Logan made it up the stairs he heard a car doorclosing again and pivoted to see Amelia outside once more

ldquoHis Girl Fridayrdquo

Even from across the driveway in the dark he could see her

eyes light realization dancing through them

ldquoHildy From the classic movie His Girl Friday Cary Grant

Rosalind Russell Caryrsquos the editor who keeps trying to get

Rosalindrsquos character Hildy to come back to the paperrdquoOh right from that email exchange Hersquod called her Hildy

and told her to figure it out ldquoWell donerdquo he called back at her

Behind him Dad whistled ldquoFlora would be proudrdquo

Mom had loved old movies So much so that hersquod wound up

with an impressive storehouse of trivia

Except Amelia looked more impish than impressed She

shrugged as she leaned against her car ldquoI got the movie righteven if you got the characters wrongrdquo

ldquoSay againrdquo

ldquoIn our scenario Irsquom Cary Grantrsquos Walter Burns trying to

lure you back to the paper Yoursquore Hildyrdquo She straightened one

eyebrow lifted ldquoIf yoursquore going to whip out a classic Walker

donrsquot botch the referencerdquo

And then she dropped back into her car and backed out ofthe driveway

Dadrsquos chuckles then his footsteps sounded in the snow be-

side Logan Gawking stars blinked overhead

ldquoShe doesnrsquot have any idea yoursquore her new boss does sherdquo

Dad said

Logan folded his arms the heaviness hersquod felt ever since

receiving that certified letter finally whisked away at least for



ldquoWith profound truths on one page and laugh-out-loud hilarity

on the next Like Never Before quickly became one of those

novels I didnrsquot want to end Melissa Tagg has penned a delight-ful story that took hold of my heart and didnrsquot let go Superbly

well donerdquo

mdash Katie Ganshert bestselling award-winning author

ldquoIn Like Never Before readers are invited to revisit the much-

loved Walker clan in a story that delivers on the promise that

even if lost once love can be found again In true Melissa Tagg

style the dialogue is smart and the romance is real and raw in

all the right places This series is witty storytelling at its bestrdquo

mdash Kristy Cambron author of the H983145983140983140983141983150 M983137983155983156983141983154983152983145983141983139983141

series and The Ringmasterrsquos Wife

ldquoLike Never Before is a gem of a story I never knew Iowa could

be so charming until I met the Walker family from Maple Valley

Logan and Ameliarsquos story is pure delightmdashfunny sweet roman-

tic poignantmdashand it even has a touch of historical mystery

The perfect weekend readmdashMelissa Tagg just keeps getting

better and betterrdquo

mdash Susan May Warren RITAreg and Christy Award-winning

bestselling author of the C983144983154983145983155983156983145983137983150983155983141983150 F983137983149983145983148983161 series

ldquoIn Like Never Before Melissa Tagg once again delivers a won-

derful romancemdashand a fun little mysterymdashwith her signature

swoon-worthy characters and laugh out loud moments that

will make every reader fall in love with both the story and the

author As always a wonderful read by a very talented writerrdquo

mdash Sarah Price


































Made to Last

Here to Stay

T983144983141 W983137983148983147983141983154 F983137983149983145983148983161 B983151983151983147983155





L i k e N e v e r

B or e Melissa Tagg

5







wwwbethanyhousecom













Love stories











16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7 6 5 4 3 2 1



To my nephew Ollie






every chance I get

I love you buddy






mdashIsaiah 4319



9

1

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Subject Hello

Hi Logan












Amelia Bentley







Like Never Bore

10



mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash



movie





mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



after all)





mdashAmelia


mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker




Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said




































Made to Last

Here to Stay

T983144983141 W983137983148983147983141983154 F983137983149983145983148983161 B983151983151983147983155





L i k e N e v e r

B or e Melissa Tagg

5







wwwbethanyhousecom













Love stories











16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7 6 5 4 3 2 1



To my nephew Ollie






every chance I get

I love you buddy






mdashIsaiah 4319



9

1

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Subject Hello

Hi Logan












Amelia Bentley







Like Never Bore

10



mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash



movie





mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



after all)





mdashAmelia


mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker




Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





L i k e N e v e r

B or e Melissa Tagg

5







wwwbethanyhousecom













Love stories











16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7 6 5 4 3 2 1



To my nephew Ollie






every chance I get

I love you buddy






mdashIsaiah 4319



9

1

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Subject Hello

Hi Logan












Amelia Bentley







Like Never Bore

10



mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash



movie





mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



after all)





mdashAmelia


mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker




Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said









wwwbethanyhousecom













Love stories











16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7 6 5 4 3 2 1



To my nephew Ollie






every chance I get

I love you buddy






mdashIsaiah 4319



9

1

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Subject Hello

Hi Logan












Amelia Bentley







Like Never Bore

10



mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash



movie





mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



after all)





mdashAmelia


mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker




Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





To my nephew Ollie






every chance I get

I love you buddy






mdashIsaiah 4319



9

1

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Subject Hello

Hi Logan












Amelia Bentley







Like Never Bore

10



mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash



movie





mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



after all)





mdashAmelia


mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker




Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said








mdashIsaiah 4319



9

1

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Subject Hello

Hi Logan












Amelia Bentley







Like Never Bore

10



mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash



movie





mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



after all)





mdashAmelia


mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker




Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





9

1

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Subject Hello

Hi Logan












Amelia Bentley







Like Never Bore

10



mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash



movie





mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



after all)





mdashAmelia


mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker




Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

10



mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker

Subject RE Hello

Ameliamdash



movie





mdashL

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



after all)





mdashAmelia


mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker




Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

11




mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley







mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker



Moore Show right





mdashLogan

mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley


proud of you he was






Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

12




is



home

mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker






mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley



mdashAmelia

mdashmdashmdash

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker


mdashmdashmdash

To Logan Walker

From Amelia Bentley

Hildy

mdashmdashmdash



Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

13

To Amelia Bentley

From Logan Walker





life




















spacerdquo





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

14











generous windows











of spare batteries











Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

15












the flash




months back

















Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

16











reloaded the flash











each week



across the floor








Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

17






with yourdquo

ldquoWhenrdquo













do everyonerdquo













Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

18










ing him to berdquo





her glove










a career





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

19
























fundraiser









Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

20





friendrdquo






changed



between the seats



















Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

21




tetherballrdquo







with usrdquo
















hopes and dreams






Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

22

































Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

23











up its rise

Charlie





















Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

24




minutes ago rdquo










something



Without Charlie







panic



25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





25

2

L





















Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

26


issue










tions





















Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

27























was hidingrdquo







of everyone



Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

28






still livable








shersquos okayrdquo



full sentences





off in no timerdquo











Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

29






math





surances


tention pleaserdquo












okayrdquo








Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

30
























A law firm



moved away






Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

31











seerdquo












be the exception



for herself





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

32

























yourdquo Eventually








Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

33






light






all nightrdquo





















Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

34





















eking outside







perch atop a chair


pression



Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

35





















Megan Of course












Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

36





lenges





















on Thursdaysrdquo







Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

37












after the flood


prise pregnancy


and-yellow ribbon




shaker at yourdquo










ldquoI amrdquo



Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

38












around them







ldquoAmeliardquo

She blinked


you a jobrdquo








Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

39












thought





















Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

40

































Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

41








be gonerdquo




almost alive


















worse timingrdquo



Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

42











ldquoLogmdashrdquo






















Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

43




steamrdquo


too longrdquo






ldquoYesrdquo












Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Dear Mary






home



45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





45

3

















and calm and family





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

46

































Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

47






upper right corner



























Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

48





bother you Raerdquo
















ago












Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

49


part of



cut in






delusionalrdquo









for Kate Walker




ldquoI did notrdquo









Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

50
















ldquoRaemdashrdquo


Somdashrdquo















Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

51












Logan





night Ladybugrdquo







woodsy masculine



around her








Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said







Melissa Tagg

53























all about Emma


in the worldrdquo




Dad too wandered in




Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

54




















a guarantee








life for himself


wife



Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

55











the night



ing a snowman



ldquoAmeliardquo


ldquoOh hirdquo














Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

56






study
























paper bizrdquo



Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg

57














the driveway



















Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Like Never Bore

58












ldquoI Rae rdquo

















into her car




Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said





Melissa Tagg
















ldquoSay againrdquo









Dad said



like never before

Documents