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one thing, but kidnapping? Benton County had one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Most people in town didn’t even bother to lock the doors to their cars when they stepped into the local market.
    The entire thing just defied logic. Deed the land over and Christina would be released. That just didn’t seem very likely.
    So, what if she called their bluff?
    Dropping her head into her hands, she renewed her attempts to soothe away her headache. Nausea was rising up from her stomach to join it. Just what the hell was going on? It had all begun with him .
    Abruptly her mood changed as anger burned away at her body’s distress. She had every right to live on her land! No dream specter was going to drive her out and she was not going to put up with her friends being held hostage!
    After all, she really didn’t have any other choice. Christina was all she had.
    * * * * *
    “Now, Roshelle, you’re asking an old man to break the law.”
    Forcing her mouth into a smile, Roshelle twisted her hands. “Mr. Findlay, it’s not like the gun laws were made for someone like me. I’m not a criminal, just a little scared. Why my grandfather’s rifle sat in the corner of the kitchen every day that Abba lived and I just would feel so much better with a bit of protection about.”
    Tomas reached up to scratch his head as he eyed her. Roshelle held her breath but kept her eyelashes moving. She’d watched Christina twist men around her little finger with just a smile and a few eyelash flutters!
    “I’m not going hunting. I promise no one will even know the gun left this store. Unless something happens.” Now she let her eyes open wide. The gun shop owner melted right in front of her. He took the credit card she held and rang up the sale.
    “Well, now it just ain’t right for a woman to be all tied up in knots and so on. What you need is to get on with settling down. You young folks don’t take family as serious as you should. Waiting to have your babies ‘til half your life’s gone. A good, sturdy husband is all the protection you really need.”
    Her smile melted off her face the second she stepped out of the shop. Clutching her purchase under her arm, Roshelle forced her feet forward.
    Her feet stumbled as she looked at the Benton County Sheriff Station. Sitting just half a block away it was so very tempting to go lay her burden on law enforcement’s shoulders.
    But she couldn’t take that chance. The thought of never seeing Christina toss her blonde curls again stiffened her resolve. Clutching her purchase to her chest, she turned away from the sheriff’s station.
    * * * * *
    Roshelle had never been so grateful for her odd senses. Tonight, she bowed her head in gratitude for the singeing sting that would inform her when she was no longer alone. She opened her mind and for the very first time attempted to feel for her approaching company.
    Standing in the shadows cast by a half-dead tree, she waited. Her anger was still biting away at her emotions. Roshelle intentionally allowed it free rein. It was better than being afraid.
    Her fingers curled around the handle of the small caliber pistol. Her baggy sweatshirt let her keep the weapon concealed in its folds.
    It was going to be one of the greatest tests of character that she had ever undergone. Threatening to take another human being’s life was something that was in direct conflict with every thing that she believed in.
    It was amazing how loud the sensation was when she was attempting to use it. Roshelle felt her senses ring in a near-deafening level across her mind.
    “The deed please.”
    “Christina first.”
    “You are not in a position to make demands.”
    The arctic tone of his voice was grating on her nerves.
    “Neither are you. If you can’t show her to me then you’ll never see that land deed.”
    Her mind suddenly became alight with several new sensations. Having never truly attempted to develop her extra senses, Roshelle struggled to understand just