Free Shattered Justice by Karen Ball Page B

aplenty in Sanctuary. In fact, though it was late March and warm enough to be comfortable outside, there was still some on the ground now. So that would be a real treat for the kids. Dan planned to let them play outside as much as they wanted.
    Anything to distract them from the pain of setting up a new home without their mom.
    Aaron spotted another sign just on the outskirts of town. His chin dropped. “Is that right, Dad?”
    “Hmm? Is what right?”
    Aaron read the sign: “Sanctuary, population 659½.” Dan and Aaron stared at each other then broke into laughter.
    “A
half
? Does that mean, like, half a person?”
    Dan shook his head. “I suppose we’ll find out, son. Should be interesting.”
    Within minutes, they reached downtown Sanctuary—such as it was. Rather than sidewalks, Sanctuary had old-fashioned wooden walkways. Dan wasn’t sure if that was for atmosphere or because they’d just never replaced the original sidewalks.
    All along the walkways, in front of the few select businesses keeping the downtown alive, were rows of rocking chairs, most of which were in use by locals of all ages.
    Dan drove through town slow enough to study the buildings lining the street. Continuing his role as tour guide, Aaron read off the business names as they passed them. “The Sanctuary Trophy Room …”
    Dan smiled. The Trophy Room, so called because of the multitude of hunting trophies mounted on the walls, was the town’s one somewhat formal restaurant. He and the kids had eaten there once. Aaron thought it was cool; Shannon, on the other hand, couldn’t eat a bite. When Dan asked her why, she looked up, her lip trembling.
    “I can’t eat in front of
them
!” She jerked her chin toward the animal heads looking down on them. “I mean, what if this hamburger is their … their
cousin
or something?”
    Needless to say, it would take a little time to convince tenderhearted Shannon to go back there.
    “The Sanctuary Beauty and Video Salon …”
    Beauty and videos. A different kind of combination, but one that made infinite sense, or so Mabel Jones, the owner of the place, had told Dan on his first visit to town. “Who chooses the videos families watch? The mother. So she can kill two birds with one stone.”
    “The Sanctuary Fire Station, Post Office, First Evangelical Church of the Savior’s Brethren, the Sanctuary Public Library …”
    And on the list went. Dan looked forward to getting to know each establishment—and the owners—well. That was one of the great things about living in a small town. Everyone knew you—
    “Um … Dad?”
    He glanced at Aaron. “You run out of buildings, son?”
    Aaron frowned. “Well, no. I mean, yes, pretty much. But that’s not why I stopped.” He pointed out the truck window. “Look.”
    Dan directed his attention out the window and had to fight back a laugh. Behold, one of the drawbacks of moving to a small town. While Dan and Aaron had been studying Sanctuary, the good people of the town had been studying them. Anyone seated in a rocking chair leaned forward to watch Dan’s truck as it rolled by.
    He nudged Aaron. “What say we stop and say hello?”
    Aaron peered out the window. “You sure they’re safe?”
    “Safer than most, I’d guess.” He parked the moving van alongside the walkway. A quick look in his side mirror showed him his sisters had followed his lead and parked behind him.
    Dan grabbed the door handle, then nudged Aaron. “Ready to check out your new hometown?”
    “Let’s go!” Aaron hopped out of the van.
    Annie was already on the sidewalk, waiting for them. “What’s up, brother? I thought we were going to the house first.”
    He held his arm out for Shannon, who came to stand next to him. “Aaron and I just thought it would be nice to meet our new neighbors.”
    Annie looked over her shoulder at the rocking chair crowd, several of whom were still leaning forward to watch—and listen—better. “Why bother?” she whispered.