they found georges missing rifle thrown down on the deer trail . riley sputtered , then continued : have you thought this through ? `` or , '' she added , going out on a limb . he 's the lowest of the low . `` though we both know the reason . '' she hated herself for allowing him to hug her close . he could n't help feeling sorry for her . it was a small cottage with a half-acre of land . i could sense her looking at me . 