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their absence.
    When they entered, Cody ran up to her. She caught him close in a quick hug, which he tolerated for a half a second before squirming away. She reluctantly released him.
    “Aunt Shelby, were you practicing shooting with my other dad outside? When I get older, he said he’s gonna teach me how to shoot a real BB gun.”
    “Oh, really?” Calmer now, Shelby sent Alex a narrow look. Just who did he think he was making a promise like that, without even asking her? No matter what biology said, he was not Cody’s only parent, and he had no right to make decisions like that without consulting her. She didn’t approve of guns and she especially didn’t approve of teaching children how to shoot them. Shelby held on to her temper with an effort, turning her attention to Cody. “Who’s your new friend?” she asked, gesturing to the girl standing near the stove with Kayla.
    “That’s Brianna. She’s five. Clyde’s her puppy, but he likes me better.”
    Shelby rolled her eyes at the rivalry in his tone. “I’m sure Clyde likes you both the same. Are you hungry, or did you eat dinner without me?”
    “No, of course not,” Kayla said. “Brianna, you and Cody need to set the table.”
    “Okay,” Brianna agreed as she dashed toward thecabinets on the other side of the kitchen, dragging Cody with her.
    “I’m sorry,” Kayla murmured, her gaze apologetic. “I didn’t realize you’d heard the gunshots until I saw you running for the door. I wanted to come after you, but I couldn’t go outside like this.” She pointed down to her feet, covered only in thick socks.
    Shelby tried to smile. Cody was safe and that was the important thing. “It’s okay. I’m just not keen on guns.”
    “Guns are only a problem when they’re misused.” Alex spoke testily. “Don’t worry, I keep trigger locks on all my weapons.”
    All his weapons? How many did he have? Shelby wasn’t about to stand around, debating the pros and cons of gun legislation with him. Not on the same day when she’d watched someone shoot her sister. In fact, she was glad Cody was doing all right in here, and hadn’t reacted to the noise of the gunshot with the heart-wrenching fear she’d felt. Maybe he hadn’t seen as much during their frantic dash to the parking lot as she’d thought. Gathering every ounce of patience, she steered the conversation toward a safe topic. “So, what’s for dinner?”
    “Venison stew,” Kayla replied.
    “Venison?” Shelby tried to hide her dismay.
    Kayla chuckled. “That was my reaction too, at first. But trust me, you’ll like it.”
    “Don’t tell me it tastes like chicken.”
    Kayla laughed. “Why don’t you two go have a seat in the great room?” she suggested. “I’ll call you when everything’s ready.”
    Back in the great room, Shelby noticed that the fire had died down. She reached for a log, intent on addingto the dying embers, but a masculine arm snatched it from her grasp.
    “Here, let me. You need to change into some dry clothes.”
    Annoyed, Shelby wondered if all men liked to pretend they were in charge of the world, or if this was a characteristic unique to Alex McCade. She might be afraid of the shadows, but years of living alone had taught her to fend for herself in her own way. She valued her independence and preferred to keep it that way. Dire circumstances had brought her here. She needed Alex to keep Cody safe. She did not need him to boss her around.
    She sat on the edge of the sofa, propping her feet on the stone hearth of the fireplace. “I don’t have anything else with me. Besides, I’m fine.”
    “I’m sure Kayla will lend you a few things.”
    “I’m fine,” she repeated stubbornly. She didn’t want to put her hostess out any more than she already had.
    “I know you’re upset with me,” Alex murmured in a low tone. “I promise I’ll try to answer your questions. But I don’t want to talk in front of the kids.” Alex waved in the general direction of