Read The Returners for Free Online Page B

chairs were scattered about the cabin. There were several old wildlife paintings adorning the walls as well as a NAPA auto-parts calender that had run out back in 1997.
    Jacob noticed there was also a loft above the wood stove in the kitchen. He noticed the few windows in the cabin had boards across them. They were almost completely blocked except for a small slit to see out of. Besides the boards across the windows It was a typical hunting cabin from what he had seen.
    Emily walked up to him as he was looking around and handed him a glass of water.
    "Thanks Emily." Jacob put the glass to his lips and took a drink. The water was surprisingly cold.
    "You’re welcome." Emily turned and went back to the kitchen.
    Jessica came over to him as he stood there drinking the water Emily had given him. "Feel free to put your things down and make yourself comfortable. Emily is quite the chef. She'll have dinner ready for us soon."
    He could see Emily was already opening cans and putting them into pots on the wood stove. Jacob put his backpack and gun in the corner before sitting down in a small wooden chair just outside of the kitchen. Jessica pulled up one of the oak stools and sat facing him. She leaned in towards him and began to speak in a whispered voice so Emily wouldn't hear her.
    "Listen, I'm trusting you to stay here with us. If you do anything, and I do mean anything to make me think you're going to hurt my daughter or me, I wont hesitate to kill you. Do you understand me?"
    He understood whole-heartedly what she meant and nodded his head yes to the question.
    "Good, we won’t have any problems then. You can sleep in the bunk bed." She stood up and walked over to the table. "Now come over here and sit at the table. We may not have much, but we eat at the table in this house." 
    Jacob moved over to the table and sat down. Jessica joined Emily in the kitchen and brought over plates and silverware.
    "Is there anything I can do to help? I kind of feel like a fifth wheel here," Jacob said as Jessica set everything down and walked back into the kitchen.
    "No sir. You're a guest in our home. You just sit there and let us take care of you this evening."
    He was a bit overwhelmed at finally being back around people. It actually made him somewhat uncomfortable.
    "I do appreciate the hospitality, probably more than you realize. It's been a long time since I've gotten to sit down and have a civilized meal with other people." 
    Jessica and Emily walked back to the table carrying pots of food with them and placed them upon the table. Jessica sat down as Emily scooped food onto each of their plates. She had made beets, beans and what looked like some sort of stew. There were even fresh biscuits. It was an odd combination of food, but to him it looked like the greatest meal he'd ever seen. He grabbed his silverware and started for the food on his plate.
    Jessica grabbed his hand. “We don't eat until everyone's ready, and we say what we are thankful for."
    Jacob placed his silverware back upon the table as Emily sat down with them.
    "Emily what are you thankful for?" Jessica asked.
    The young girl thought for a moment. "I'm thankful for you mom and Mr. Jacob, and we have a roof over our head and food on our table. What are you thankful for Mom?" Emily looked at her mother and waited for her response.
    "I'm thankful for you my beautiful daughter. I'm thankful for all we have in these trying times. I'm thankful that Jacob is here to share this meal with us."
    Emily spoke again as she turned towards Jacob.
    "What are you thankful for Mr. Jacob?"
    It took him a moment to choose the words he wanted to say. "I guess I'm thankful to be alive. I'm thankful your mom came along when she did and I get to have this wonderful dinner with two very beautiful ladies. I'm also thankful for Flash and the time I spent with him."
    The room was silent for a moment. Jacob could see both Emily and Jessica smiling at him. Jessica touched his hand.
    "That was very