right before he closed the door , he looked at me and forced a lopsided grin . oh , god , he said to himself and shivered frantically . she grabbed her metal tray as it slid across the table . i never asked to be sent here . dad 's not the only one who knows how to find a distraction . thank you , he mumbled as his hand glided over his dark-brown hair . slap a bandage on it and be done . '' the smells of town life reached the approaching riders . 