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He kissed her on the cheek andfor the bathroohtened her clothes and looked at herself in theout of the room

Brody walked into the kitchen a fewbefore Sarah, both of the child’s ser ones He heard her reirl and listen to what Jeb and Sadie say Stay out of trouble and o outside Try to stay clean for once”

Tears hovered over Lou’s dark lashes like a dam ready to overflow She blinked them back Sarah said, “I proood listener” She threw her arhtly Lou squeezed back until the child yelped “You’re hurting runted

Lou loosened her hold and placed her on the floor “Sorry,” she mumbled

Sadie came to stand in front of Lou and said, “I’ll take care of her, but I’m still worried about you”

“It’s okay,” Lou whispered to her loud enough Brody could overhear, “I have a plan It’s all worked out I just have to pay them what they think I owe the deal, really As long as Sarah is safe, it will be just fine Promise” She kissed Sadie on the cheek and moved to embrace Jeb

Sadie walked to stand in front of Brody He grunted “Why does she get lovely words of devotion and you look at me like I’m the cat that ate the canary”

“Because I happen to know you, Brody, probably better than you know yourself If o out of your way to find trouble” She leaned in and whispered, “Take care of her, please”

“Why do you think I’m here?” he whispered back, a smile on his face

John hugged them both as well and yanked Sarah’s ponytail “I’ll miss you, Squirt”

“I’ll miss you, too, John” He squatted so she could climb on his back and he carried her out to the truck Lou walked alongside them and buckled Sarah into her booster seat

She stepped back and waved as the truck roared to life Sarah turned around and waved all the way down the drive

Lou placed her fingers over herthat ca arm around her shoulders as he pulled her into his chest She pushed back at him with her hands “No No,” she said with confidence despite the tears that rolled down her face “I can handle this” She took a deep breath through her nose

“Glad to hear it,” John said “How about if you coratefullyar his waist

Brody coughed loudly and dramatically from where he stood on the porch They both looked up “So, which one of you is going to make breakfast?”