While Allie is having dinner with Noah, Lon tries to call her several times, only to get no answer. He is working late on a case. He reflects that his attention to detail and his willingness to work hard have made him successful. “And now a little detail bothered him” (92) about Allie. He can’t think of what it is. He knows he loves her, and she has become his best friend. He remembers something that Allie’s mother said to him once about Allie “being in love one time with a young man from New Bern” (96). Lon grows frightened and wonders if she might be with the man from her past. He tries to call her again, and there is no answer. He resolves to do whatever he must to keep her.

In the morning, Allie remembers how Noah talked about her painting. She knows he is an early riser and wonders if he is already out fishing or kayaking.

When Allie wakes up, Noah is already kayaking up a stream as he feels that “[t]here’s something special, almost mystical, about spending dawn on the water” (100). As he paddles, he think about Lon and Allie. When he goes home, he chops wood and looks at

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