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you!”
     
    “I’m beginning to see what you see in this man,” Magdalene said. “I believe he might be able to come up with a solution to help.”
     
    “Still not quite the legend you created,” Bob said, “But I do like the way he thinks.”
     
    “Oh, Dad! You just don’t like any man being interested in me. And vice versa.”
     
    Now that made Bandy feel good. And he smiled, bringing a broader one to Ana-Bella’s that both Magdalene and Bob noted. Magdalene with a small smile of her own, and Bob a slightly sour look, but only for an instant.
     
    “You’ve come up with a plan?” Ana-Bella asked, walking over to the desk and leaning a trim hip against it.
     
    “I’m afraid not,” Bandy said immediately. “Your mother and father were filling me in on what the situation was, in addition to what you told me. I’m getting an inkling of an idea. But…”
     
    Bandy looked from Ana-Bella to Bob. “But it could be somewhat expensive, a bit time consuming, put the family and place in more danger than it might be otherwise, and some elements of it are bordering on legal.”
     
    “I don’t like the greater danger part,” Bob replied. “The other doesn’t bother me. As long as it works.”
     
    “It would mean working with Mr. Longhammer and getting him to start doing things that are going to upset the militia if, or more likely when, they find out what it is that he will be doing. It would put his family at more risk, too.”
     
    “He’s ready to send them away for a while,” Bob said.
     
    “You didn’t tell me that,” Magdalene said.
     
    “It was just something he was considering. He didn’t want me to mention it. He hasn’t, or hadn’t, when we discussed it, even mentioned it to June.”
     
    “Oh,” Magdalene said. “June won’t go for it. The kids, probably, but she won’t run.”
     
    “It would be so much easier for this to work if all unnecessary people were out of harms’ way for the duration, wouldn’t you say, Hawkins?” Bob asked.
     
    “Don’t put him on the spot, Dad,” Ana-Bella said. “I’m not leaving, and once Mother has her say, she isn’t going, either. I can’t believe June would leave, other than to protect the kids. And they are old enough to be on their own for a while if needs be.”
     
    Bob didn’t like it. Wife and daughter were standing together on the situation. And he knew he wouldn’t like it with them gone, even if safer, if safer they would be.
     
    “All right. That discussion is over. Up to June and Angus to decide for themselves.”
     
    “You are a wise man, Dear,” Magdalene said.
     
    Ana-Bella grinned, but Bandy quickly hid his behind the cup of tea.
     
    “Humph!” Bob looked over at Bandy again. “So what is this plan of yours?”
     
    “I’d rather not say at the moment. I’d like to talk to Mr. Longhammer, get a good look at his business and home, and look this place over in terms of defense. I’ll have something to give you and Mr. Longhammer before I leave after Thanksgiving.”
     
    Again Bob didn’t particularly like it, but again he didn’t protest other than with a look.
     
    “Mother, Dad, I’m tired. I’m going to lie down for a while before supper. I pushed to get here as soon as I could. But I’ll be fine to help with Thanksgiving preparations after supper.”
     
    Ana-Bella looked over at Bandy. “You need some help with your bags before I go up?”
     
    “I still think I should go into…”
     
    Three firm looks shut him up. “No. I can manage the bags. Thank you.”
     
    “Okay. Follow me up. I’ll show you the room you’ll be using and then you can get your gear.”
     
    The two left Magdalene and Bob in the study to have their own discussion.
     
    Bandy wished Ana-Bella had let him go up the stairs first. Going up behind her was pleasant, but disconcerting. But she was all business. She showed him a small room, with a bathroom just down the hall. “Pretty much just be you using this