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Immediately, I could feel my heart start to pound Despite our new, peaceful rural existence, I hadn’t forgotten our situation for one second Besides the mailman, we’d had exactly no visitors at all

“Guys, inside, now Seaet them,” I said immediately

“Yeah?” Sea at me

“Yeah,” I said “I’ Go help Mary Catherine now”

All the kids quickly went into the house A moment later, Sea a shotgun, while Mary Catherine had two guns strapped over her shoulder Then the door opened again, and Juliana and Brian cauns as well

It didn’t thrillfirear the older kids how to use a gun was a thoroughly necessary evil Because the thing was, Perrine really, really didn’t like me Not only had I broken his nose when I arrested him, but I’d actually killed his homicidal wife in a raid

If the ruthless drug lord ever found out where ere, there was no way he would stop at killing just me My children needed to be able to defend themselves

Mary Catherine came down the porch steps and handed me the 3006 deer rifle

I quickly put it to ht at the car It was a Ford Taurus The driver seemed to be the only person in it I couldn’t be sure, but it looked like a woman

The car disappeared briefly as it drove down alongside a se below the house When it reappeared, it was close enough for me to see the driver’s face

I squinted again through the rifle before I lowered it I stood there, blinking, as I watched the car come I actually kneho it was

“What’s up, Mike?” Seamus said

“It’s OK Put the guns back into the cabinet It’s OK We’re safe”

“Who is it?” Mary Catherine said as the car pulled into the driveway Before I could answer, the sedan stopped and its door opened, and a woent Elasses and s at her

“Hi, Mike Hi, Mary Catherine Hi, Sea ti yourselves”