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"Are we gonna say prayers tonight?" Katie asked quietly

Tess forced a coht, sweetie I need totalk to your daddy"

"T-Tell him we love him," Savannah whispered

The softly spoken words, whispered by a child but filled with adult fear, was almost more than Tess could bear It was all she could do to nod

"Good night, girls"

Turning away, she closed the door behind her and headed toward the barn It took her a roup, then she strode purposefully down the dirt road, her chin forced up

She wouldn't let Jack retreat again They'd coo back now

But her good intentions wavered as she neared the barn Indecision slowed her step At the door, she paused Light slid through the darkened slit of the partially open door, crossing her skirt in a snakelike golden streak Fro

The sound cut through her indecision and revitalized her Jack was in there, alone, and he was hurting Tilting her chin again, she slipped inside

"Help uished moan "Please "

Sadness settled like a hard lump in Tess's heart He looked so sad and lonely and afraid, standing there at the workbench His back was to her, but she didn't need to see his face to see the fear in his eyes The eid way he stood, and the thickened rasp of his voice Even from this distance, she could see the wrinkled red fabric stretched out in front of him The dried blood was a black splotch across the buttons Next to the long Johns was a muddy pair of work boots Tess knew they were size seven

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Jack had gathered the evidence, thin as it was, and convicted himself

"Please," he whispered again "Please "

Tess's heart twisted painfully in her chest Tears stung her eyes