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As her father stopped in front of Silas, the other e, he said, "Sire, I aer I am honored to be welcomed into your home"

Hirah’s hard eyes went up and down "I’d shake that But I have a knife in et that your other one is free, Ivie thought Hey, how about we bring a little more attention to that ten-inch blade in your fist? There are at least two people in greater Caldho haven’t noticed it

"And as for the welcome part, we’ll see about that" Hirah pointed toward the kitchen with the tip of the blade "You two colanced at her mahmen for help--but nope The female had taken a seat on the couch like she had done her best to derail this collision, but was resigned to failure

As Ivie and Silas headed for the flap shutters that partially hid the kitchen, there were a whole lot of allery

"At least there will be witnesses," she muttered to herself

On the far side of those saloon flappers, pots simmered on the stove and hot dishes were on the counters and a dueling banjo of Crock-Pots were on the table where the buffet was set up

"So," Hirah said as he put a stack of raw carrots on the cutting board by the sink "You’re dating hter"

Crack! went the blade through the defenseless root vegetables And yes, that ar to blow up from the force he put into the slice

Silas cleared his throat "Yes, sire I am"

"Uh-huh" Crack! "And you’ve been to her apartment, have you?"

"Yes, sire, I have"

"Oh, you have, have you--"

Ivie threw up her hands "Dad! Come on, this is--"

"And I don’t really care for it"

Excuse , Hirah’s head cranked around like so out of a Chucky movie "You don’t really care for her apartment?" He motioned with that knife "She pays for that place herself, you know Not out of soood honest work to earn herbetween therees--"

"I worry about her during the day" Silas shook his head "I s What if there’s a fire? What if someone tries to break in? She’s defenseless There’s nowhere to go No escape hatch No one around to help her I’ she can’t take care of herself If I’ve learned anything about your daughter in the short time I’ve known her, it’s that she is self-sufficient, smart, and capable I just think independence is fine, but she would be better off out here" He turned to her "Just as you were saying in the car On the next hill With a place of your own, but close enough so that your faround tunnel"

Hirah blinked And then also pivoted toward her "How many times have I told you this? I can tunnel it myself, you know"

"He has a very valid position, Ivie" Silas nodded "No one wants to take your independence away, I’m sure"

"Hell no," her father interjected "Plus you can dematerialize to the clinic froreed "And I know you’re going to insist on paying for it yourself--"

"Alith the I’ve got it, I can take care of myself," her dad muttered

"But, Ivie," Silas implored, "if your father can do the labor, it will be less expensive This is a really good idea--and you did say here is where your heart is"

"She said that?" Hirah deht you were all about the city"

"And family is critical, Ivie No one will ever care for you as lanced at Silas Looked back at Ivie "Yeah What he said"