"Kate helped me get the dead man across his saddle and I tied him on. The ride back to the ranch house seemed a lot longer than the ride out had seeme....Angie did, indeed, know the dead man. "He's my cousin Ralph," she said with a disgusted look. "We're in for it now, you know." I'd reckon we are," Rawhide agreed. "Wasn't no getting around it though." What do you think they'll do now," I asked Angie."It depends. If my pa has his way, they'll probably try to ambush us while we're riding out. Let's go on inside and have a cup of coffee, or a soft drink if you prefer. No use standing out here if we don't have to. Have either of you been inside the Retreat before?" he asked as they followed him through the mudroom."No, Sir," they responded in unison."But you've reviewed pictures, I assume." Yes, Sir," the first trooper responded. "Memorizing the layout of the Retreat is part of everyone's training."Since they were both wearing environmental fatigues, neither had on coats. As the three. ”“Pity,” Ravon said, unblinking. “I’d have loved to borrow that one from you for a night or two.” He jutted his chin out, pointing towards Mursa.Avery could feel the heat of the barbarian couple’s anger radiating out from behind him. But thankfully, they did not respond.“Where’s Jacob and our uncle?” Ravon asked, still staring at Mursa as his gaze roved up and down her chiseled physique.“They are yet to arrive. Scouts tell me they’re but a few days away.”Ravon nodded and started to ride off.“Uh. Emma met me at the door, took my coat and hung it up before ushering me into her kitchen, where she insisted we should have a cup of tea first.I sat at the table while she scurried around pouring the tea before dragging up a chair to sit close to me. I could see she was excited as she took my hand in hers and started talking to me. Now I'm not going to pretend I remember exactly what she said to me after all these years, so what follows is how I remember it. Clasping my hand she said something.