Inherited: Instant Family. Judy Christenberry

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      “You have my word.”

      “Thank you, Sheriff. They’re good kids.”

      “I can tell that.” He smiled at Anna. “Everything’s going to be fine,” he crooned to the little girl. “No need to cry.”

      Brad thanked Mike. “Is that all you need for tonight? I think Anna is pretty tired, too.”

      “Yeah, that’s all for tonight. I’ll check with the Denver PD to see if they’ve got an Ellis Ashton in custody.”

      “Then, Sarah, if you’re ready, we’ve got an empty bedroom for you two to share tonight. Want me to carry Anna?”

      “No, thank you. I’ll carry her.”

      Brad picked up the suitcases and led the way down the dimly lit hall. He opened the farthest bedroom door and turned on the bedside light. “There are extra pillows and a quilt in the closet, in case you get cold during the night.” He told her where to find the bathroom and fresh hand towels. All the while Sarah just stood there, holding Anna. She looked frozen to the spot, almost shell-shocked. He couldn’t even imagine what she’d been through, how awful it must have been, how terrified she was. An urge to reach out to her and wrap her in his arms suddenly overtook him, hard and strong. He took a step toward her, but she backed up.

      Looking at him, her brown eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot, she shook her head, but said in a small voice, “Thank you, Brad. Thank you for helping us.”

      Brad rose the next morning and showered and shaved, then dressed. After that, he headed for the kitchen, where he knew he’d find his brother cooking breakfast.

      “Morning,” he greeted Nick as he stepped into the doorway.

      “Morning.” Then Nick continued before Brad could say anything. “You got back kind of late last night, didn’t you?”

      “Yeah, but—”

      Robbie raced into the kitchen, interrupting what Brad was going to say. Following him was Davy. “Daddy, look!”

      Nick looked at his son and suddenly realized Robbie wasn’t alone. “What the—”

      “That’s what I was going to tell you, Nick,” Brad hurriedly said.

      “He belongs to you?” Nick asked. “Something you forgot to mention, brother?”

      “No, he’s not mine, but I brought him here. I found him and his sisters camping out on the government land last night.”

      “That’s not allowed,” Nick said.

      “I know that, but— Anyway, I put out the fire and I brought them here to talk to Mike.”

      Brad was glad he got those words out because he heard more steps coming down the hall.

      Sarah and Anna came into the kitchen. He noticed how much they looked alike, the same coloring and facial features.

      “Good morning,” Sarah said softly.

      “Hello,” Nick said. “I’m Nick Logan.”

      “I’m Sarah Brownly and this is Anna. And also Davy. If we’re intruding—”

      “Not at all. Have a seat. I’ll have breakfast ready in a minute.” Then he looked at Brad. “Can you get some silverware and drinks for our guests?”

      “Sure.” Brad got the silverware and poured three glasses of milk. After he brought those to the table, he filled a mug of coffee for Sarah and put it on the table. “Have a seat,” he added.

      Brad hoped Nick would not ask questions. He could explain the events while they rode after breakfast.

      Nick didn’t say anything until he’d dished up breakfast for everyone. But when he sat down to eat, he asked, “Where are you from?”

      Sarah didn’t want to tell him, but after a look at Brad, she replied, “Denver.”

      “It’s an unusual month for a vacation with kids. Won’t they be missing school?”

      Sarah looked at Brad, a plea in her gaze.

      “I’ll explain after breakfast,” Brad said. “Eat up, Sarah. Nick wants to get the kitchen clean before we go.”

      “I’ll be glad to clean the dishes. I don’t know what— I mean, I’ll be waiting to hear from the sheriff.”

      Nick looked at Brad, as if wondering if he could trust Sarah.

      Brad said, “That’d be good, Sarah, if you don’t mind. The kids can watch cartoons while you work.”

      “Can I stay home and watch cartoons, too?” Robbie asked eagerly.

      “No, son. You know you have to go to school. Mommy would be upset if you stayed home for no reason.”

      “Aw, Daddy. Why—”

      “Eat up,” Nick ordered.

      They had all finished in a couple of minutes. Nick took Robbie out to wait for his school bus, planning to meet Brad in the barn afterward.

      As they left, Brad turned to Sarah. “My sister-in-law is sleeping in. Can you cook breakfast for her?”

      “All right. Thank you for reassuring Nick without—without upsetting the kids.”

      “No problem,” Brad said as he walked out of the house.

      In the barn he saddled both horses and waited for his brother.

      Minutes later he arrived, and he was barely in the saddle when he blurted, “Okay, what’s the story?”

      Nick might not have been prepared for the violent story, but Brad held nothing back. He told his brother as much as he knew.

      In the end, Nick could only shake his head. “What a story.”

      “I know. And I only saw them because I caught a flicker of a fire. I stopped and went back. I put out the fire and told her she had to take the kids and leave. It was pretty obvious she thought she could just tell me she was leaving. I called Mike and he said to bring them in.”

      “She’s lucky you found them,” Nick said. “Been a shame if they’d made it away from the father and been attacked by the bears out there.”

      “That’s what I told her.”

      But as Brad rode out beside his brother, he couldn’t help wondering if he’d really brought Sarah to safety.

      CHAPTER TWO

      SARAH wondered if this ranch was as safe a place as the Logans and the sheriff had told her. She hated to think she’d led her brother and sister to more danger. After checking on them in the family room, where they were watching television, she returned to her kitchen chores.

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