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dinner. Erika smelled the chicken and herbs the moment she walked through the front door. She shifted the groceries onto her hip and walked toward the kitchen. Her mom was humming some tune to herself as she fiddled with the bowl of potatoes sprinkling various herbs over it.
                  “Hey, mom.”
                  Her mother’s eyes rounded at the sight of Erika as she walked into the kitchen. “You’re soaked right through!” She helped Erika place the bags on the table.
                  “I’m ok. Evie asked how you were.”
                  “Oh, that woman. Always is worrying about me.”
                  Erika smiled. “That’s because you worry about everyone else before yourself.”
                  “People need to know that there are others in this world that have the ability to care and support them.”
                  Erika couldn’t help but think her mom was talking about her dad rather than herself. Her father had always been the first to volunteer when needed in the community. He supported various town events like the Fourth of July parade, the end of summer fair, and the Christmas pageant. He also supported the cause of fighting for freedom from the moment he was old enough to enlist.
                  “So you’re making your signature lemon meringue pie. Who did you say it was for? Mrs. Hamilton?”
                  “Yes, she and her family had lived here for so long. Real nice family. One of her son’s bought Blackie’s when he was old enough. Fred, the previous owner, was retiring. It was ideal timing really.”
                  Speaking of Blackie’s. “Ben said your car would be ready tomorrow when he called. I’ll pick it up for you as long as the rain holds out.” Erika glanced out the window to see the rain lighten to just a mist. She didn’t dare tell her mom she had to take her own Jeep to get looked at. She’d do that another day. “It’s supposed to be warm tomorrow. It will be a nice walk.”
                  “Good, then you can take the pie over to Maureen Hamilton and her family.”
                  “Me?”
                  “Yes. I have to run to Quantico to sign some papers. Always something to sign.” She brushed her hand in the air dismissing it.
                  “When will this all be over?”
                  “Soon dear. I’m sure, soon. You get upstairs and change out of those wet clothes before you get sick. Go.” Erika hesitated, and Brianne shooed her out of the kitchen.
                  “Not soon enough.” Deciding on a quick hot shower, Erika changed out of her muddy jeans and wet clothes. Refreshed, she put on sweats and her dad’s t-shirt. Once back in the kitchen, she helped her mom put away the groceries.

Six
    ***
    Gibbons. Blake thought for a moment. The name seemed really familiar. He was certain he had heard it or seen it somewhere before, not just on the invoice in front of him. Blake frowned as he glanced over the invoice at the beat up old Ford in the bay of the garage and the name scribbled on it. It would eat at him until he was able to put the pieces together. For now he’d get back to work fixing the belts on the car, and try to get his mind off that woman with the Jeep. He didn’t need that distraction anyway.
                  The brothers had been a team. Blake ran the business end from his office in D.C. and Jared got hands-on dirty with the cars, but it was all Jared’s dream. Jared knew from the beginning that he had wanted something of his own that he could be proud of. So when Jared turned 30 and had enough money saved up from handy man jobs and late night bartending sleepless nights, he bought Blackie’s from the retiring owner. Jared had wanted to leave a legacy. Blake smiled and knew Jared had done just