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To his surprise, Nancy wilted under whatever Linda was saying

Nicole slid up against his side "She’s taking on Mother?"

As Salanced over her shoulder at the confrontation, then grinned "She’s scary when she goes into Medusa Marinned at her brother "Re a detention?"

"Or how she took on that old fart down the block who perved on the kids" Charles glanced at Sairl’ jerk He spoke to Brenna once, Mom had a ‘chat’ with him, and he put his house up for sale the next day"

"But she’s so sweet," Nicole whispered "Mother will hurt--"

Saed into her car She juht up to the point where you y Shores knows that" Brenna took Nicole’s hand "Froot adopted"

Nicole’s eyes filled with tears

As Saer that had filled his veins melted, and warmth spread from his heart outward He could only watch as Nancy drove…away

Hands on hips, Linda waited until the car peeled through the gate She gave a short nod--task done--and walked back to the porch

With big grins, her children parted to let her through

She patted their ar, she took Nicole fro, probably the war embrace found on the planet

Sam’s eyes burned, and he looked away

"Sweetie, you can’t help but feel bad, I know," Linda s It’s like cancer Soht back and win Others--for whatever reason--can’t If she ever turns her life around, then you can see what kind of a person she really is Until then, I hope you’ll let me stand in for her"

When Nicole burst into tears, Sa the release of years ofone

He jerked his head at Brenna and Charles and took theht as well get used to helping, since theiranywhere

Ever

A while later, he released the two kids to play with Conn while he went to the chicken coop Hard workers, those two The boy had talked about ed over the past year Well, when he graduated, there were enough Masters in the various law enforceive him a hand up

Sam shook his head When Kouros and Buchanan had driven out to the farh she’d tried to reassure theh occupation Maybe Charles should switch his hts, and foaling were a hell of a lot easier on a man

Guilt wasn’t confined to cops either When Sally had visited, she’d apologized over and over for suggesting that Linda should be a trainee

As Sahter co toward the chicken coop

Sounded as if Nicole had returned to nor how she’d learned the facts of life "I didn’t know Daddy could turn so red" She grinned at Sa, but her eyes were clear Happy His girl would be fine

He sent a look of gratitude to Linda

"I wouldn’t e to explain?"

"Hell no," Sam said