I'll be talking soprano. Now, do you want to come with us?"Carol looked at her father and Joseph nodded his head."Well, I was going to spent a quiet e...ening at home with mom and dad, but I'll go with you and Amy." Good I'll pick you up about five and we'll drive up tonight. Be sure to bring heavy clothes, it gets cold up there this time of year. It might be wise to bring boots in case we get some snow."They drove home after lunch and Brad told her how Carol and her family had spent several. " She calmly looked up at me then rose, sat in my lap and hung on for dear life. I heard from somewhere below my chin, "Don't leave me alone. Please?"I couldn't help myself. I hugged her back. "All right, little one. All right. We'll figger somethin' out, you'll see."I'd been nothing but a drifter, in the sheriff's service for some eighteen, nineteen years, moving from village to village as I kept the peace and did my best for the balance. I'd been taking a salary from the sheriff and salting. I love you."Liam replaced the phone in its cradle and stared off into the darkness for a few moments. He slouched in the bed and pulled Gina into his arms. As he caressed her side, his tears flowed steadily. "That was Dad, Gina. He woke up and Mom had died in her sleep."Gina clung to Liam and they both cried openly. Two hours later, they were showered and dressed and on their way back to Liam's childhood home.Liam helped his father arrange for the funeral. Despite it being so close after the. “Women. You can’t get them to stay on topic.”“Magus, you are this close to being dead meat,” Karen said while holding her fingers an inch apart.He leaned forward and looked at her fingers. He leaned back and said, “I’ve been closer than that.”There was a knock on the door. Still holding her jaw closed, Thursday said, “You bellowed.”“Yes, Thursday I did bellow,” Magus said. “Come on in and meet Stephen’s mother, Karen.”“Hello, Karen,” Thursday said. “I’m Willa.”Karen looked at Thursday and.