‘I just figured a good looking guy like you would have . . .’ her voice trailed off. ‘I guess it was silly of me to think that way. Everyone say... how nice you are and everything so naturally I thought . . . ‘ again her voice trailed off. ‘Are you a virgin?’ I was quite startled by her question. I was also ashamed of this condition I was in and sheepishly nodded yes to her. The quiet in the car was deafening. I couldn’t think of a thing to say and I was desperately hoping Ellie would say. I was sure the van had been stolen and was now gone forever.My guess is that all these guys were outside help that would be harder to identify than someone local. I wondered why Mr. White showed me his face and threatened me personally. He probably could have gotten more cooperation if he had threatened Greta.I needed some personal protection and I knew who to call. I used my cell as I headed home.I got home and went inside. I packed a few things and put Greta's bowls in a bag with her dog. Adversaries ranged among Earth Firsters, plain bad guys, and even inertia.Missions one and two were virtually identical. Rachel and Cathleen had each served a turn as team leader, and both missions were successful.In our roles as deputy US marshals, we were sent into the interdicted area to persuade two groups of survivalists to leave before hellfire rained down on their compounds. These groups were lucky the Sa’arm had not yet found them - others had not been.Convincing stubborn folks was not. Knowing we had an audience was one thing. Knowing our audience was Katie took what we were doing to a place neither of us had ever visited. I was certain Katie was just as new to this land as we were. I wanted to kiss my wife like I had never kissed her before. I wanted to kiss her till she could feel me in her bones. I wanted to kiss her till kissing was all that mattered. Like Cee, I wasn’t doing what I was doing to make a statement to Katie. I was doing the most honest thing I could do..