" Steve said with a grin, and disappeared into the flight deck hatch."Uh, Bob? Can I ask you something?" Jessica asked hesitantly."Sure thing. If I kn...w the answer I will give it a whirl." Bob answered, grinning at Jessica."Well, what's this sling shot thing everyone is talking about? We have a sling shot up here? I know that can't be, but still..." Jessica blushed as she asked."Don't they teach you kids anything anymore? Sorry. I am not mad at you, but this dumbing down of our kids is a stupid. I know that winter air still seeps through places in the car that can never be entirely sealed off. But I only feel your warmth. The tapping against your chest,soft rhythms that can lull me into sleep. Something in me almost cracks then, so strong that I almost expect it to make a sound like the snapping of a bone or thick tree branch. It's like my heart almost cracks with gratitude here. Out here in the late night,in the windy cold of winter, parked near the ominous stretch of forested land. ‘So you go to work every day in Willcox?’ ‘That’s right Kate, Monday through Friday, I leave before dawn, our starting hours are earlier in the summer, because of the daytime heat.’ ‘Were you serious about offering me a place to watch the birds from?’ ‘Yes, although I didn’t think you would be interested.’ I could see she was watching me in the same way. I suppressed the sudden urge to tighten up, to show off. ‘It’s not perfect.’ She said. ‘But there are fringe benefits.’ Now, I knew she was. Arguing about how to help me was a sure way to not please me.As if reading my mind, Emily turned to me and said, "Rebecca and I already have an understanding, Master. You do not need to worry about us."She paused and gave me a smile. "She will remain with you in all business matters and I am to help with your personal affairs. Of course, Angela and Kayla may have some issues if I'm able to get a few extra benefits along the way!"And with that, she gave me a predatory smile and licked her lips.A.