The bunk beds struck Cassidy as an odd choice — until he thought about black-and-white photos of opium houses in the Middle East, and, no. That made perfect sense for Matt's house.

A mattress on a bare floor was more familiar to Cassidy, more immediately welcoming. So while Matt was offering the bunkbeds, Cassidy was already stepping farther into the room to drop the blanket and pillows onto the mattress.

"No — that is perfect." He dropped himself onto the mattress next, keeping his boots off the blanket, and glanced toward the window. The paper bag he'd brought got crumpled open between his hands.

"It must get quiet out here at night."