Well, seventeen plus twenty equals considerably older than late twenties. He wears it well.

She caught that 'I think,' as well. An uncertainty about when he was born? Too personal for a 'first date.' "So for most of your life."

And that, too, explained the flavor of death and pain she was sensing off of him. Hearing he was a soldier had settled the 'whys,' but this explained the depth. "That's a long time to be fighting."

Her tone was soft with some kind of understanding.