Free Tides of Vengeance (The Montclair Brothers Book 4) by Terri Marie Page B

raised that shotgun at us. The only law I’ve ever broken was to snatch that kid out of his mother’s grasp. She will literally kill him. I won’t go into the gruesome details, but if you knew what they’d done to their own child, you’d help him to run for his life, too.”
    “Fair enough,” said Ralph as he nodded his head. “He’ll be safe here.”
    “Before we go inside, I need to know where this gun collection is that your wife is so afraid of.” Carrie looked hard into his eyes. She was ready to call the bullshit card.
    “I can show it to you. There’s a footlocker in that shed back there. The guns belonged to my father, and they’re pretty old. I really don’t think they’d fire to be honest. I don’t have any ammunition for ‘em anyways. Heck, I haven’t even hunted in years, so I sold my rifle. That shotgun is the only weapon I keep loaded, and even that stays in the truck behind the seats. If Stella knew it was back there, hell, she’d never ride in it. Let me run inside and get the keys to unlock the shed and the chest.”
    “That’s okay, Ralph. We’ll look at them later. Just so you have a heads up, Brian and I aren’t going to be separated for any reason. If he leaves a room, so will I. You also need to know that this .9mm in my purse, will be close at hand at all times. I’m not trying to freak you out, but I’ll protect that kid, even if I have to shoot someone to do it. You respect us, we’ll give you the same. That’s all I’m saying.”
    Stella stepped out onto the porch, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. She was a petite woman, with short gray hair, and Carrie could see her smiling and waving as Ralph led them up the walkway.
    “Ralph, you didn’t tell me we were expecting company! What a nice surprise!” She seemed as cheerful as Mrs. Claus, and Carrie felt herself being drawn to the woman.
    “Sweetheart, this is Carrie, and that fine lad right there is Brian. They’re new friends I met, and they sure could use some good hospitality.” Ralph leaned down and kissed her cheek. The love in his eyes for the woman was obvious.
    “I hope ya’ll are hungry. I have leftover meatloaf warming in the oven, and I just made a fresh batch of sweet tea.” She opened the screen door and went inside. “Come on in and sit a spell. Dinner will be ready shortly.”
    The inside of the house reminded Carrie of an adorable, little cottage. She could tell that Stella took a lot of pride in her crocheting, by the many projects that were displayed. In the corner of the sofa was a large ball of yarn, and the beginnings of an afghan. It smelled like heaven the first time Carrie inhaled. Even if that meatloaf was made from cardboard, she was going to eat it. Her stomach was rumbling and so was Brian’s.
    “How long are you folks in town for?” Stella asked loudly. Carrie didn’t want to yell back to answer, because she honestly had no idea how to answer the question. Brian looked over at her immediately.
    “Honey! Let’s wait until we’re all in the same room before we start talking. I doubt they’re used to hollering through walls.” Ralph’s cheeks reddened, but he laughed.
    Carrie looked around the room and couldn’t spot a single photograph of any babies. There was a framed picture on the end table of two young boys, and one of them was obviously Ralph. She lifted the picture up and held it in front of her. “This has to be you, Ralph. Is this a brother or cousin?” she asked while pointing to the boy Ralph had his arm around.
    “Now’s a good a time as any to tell you, I guess. I’ll need to keep my voice down so she doesn’t hear me.” He pointed his thumb towards the kitchen. “That’s Johnny, my only sibling. Stella isn’t in this picture with my brother, but I have a couple of the three of us from back then. I’ve known her all my life.” Ralph paused and smiled. “We were raised in the same church and all, so our families spent a lot of time together. After