Dylan Hillerman

Rogue Candle

"The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window…” Dad took in a deep breath of cleansing, mountain air for dramatic effect and opened his eyes wide to increase the tension, even though he felt relaxed. They’re sitting in a clearing in the woods at midnight. Dad is whittling a stick with a Bowie knife out of impotent nervousness.