“The ranch is the best place for him until we figure out how to get him home,”Jake said.
I raised my hand,“Or he could become a cop. We are shorthanded.”
Jake and Uncle Saul looked at me like I had lost my mind.
“At least think about it,” I said.
Kaelen’s fingers shackled my wrist.“Lexi stays with me.”
One look at the steely authority on his face and Uncle Saul nodded.“Of course, Battle Commander.”
Dad went toe-to-toe with Kaelen. “If anything happens to Lexi, I’ll kill you.”
“Knock it off, Dad.”
In perfect English, Kaelen replied, “I would give my life to protect your daughter.”
“Oh.” The anger drained out of my father. “Good. Once you get to the ranch Lexi, see if you can bag us a deer or elk.”
My stomach rumbled hungrily. “Count on it.”
“You hunt?” Kaelen interjected.
I laughed. “We all do. Uncle Saul has a herd of cattle and buffalo if we come back empty-handed.”
“Fresh meat is really appreciated after months of eating MREs,” Jake added.
Dad sighed. “We won’t starve. Ben still has over a ton of MREs stored in his bunker.”
“MREs?” Kaelen asked.
“Military ready to eat meals,” Uncle Saul answered. “Soldiers, police officers and all essential personnel receive them.”
Kaelen frowned. “The MREs sound like warriors’ rations. I will help you hunt for the elk.”
“I’ll arrange a hunting party,” Uncle Saul said as he ushered us toward the front doors.
Getting his notepad out, Dad started taking victim statements.
I felt guilty leaving him to deal with the mess.
“Relax, I’ll help your father,” Jake said and came to an abrupt halt. “Or not.”
A group of heavily armed men wearing camouflage uniforms had gathered in the parking lot.
“Oh looky, it’s Timmy and his Oath Keepers,” I said brightly.
Kaelen pushed me behind him. “You know them?”
“We do,” Jake grumbled.
Timmy, a pipsqueak in camouflage who thought he was Napoleon Bonaparte, stomped over to us. “General Jones you have no authority here. You will turn the prisoners over to us.”
“No.” Uncle Saul looked bored.
Timmy gestured and his men drew down on us. “I insist.”
“Hey asshole, remember me,” I snarled and stepped in front of Kaelen.
