Preparing

Carson resists a little, just out of spite, but finally gives in, returning an energetic kiss. His fingers run through Misty’s hair before moving down her shoulders then around to her back as he lets the exchange continue.

Finally he manages to pull himself away enough to see Misty’s eyes, leaning his forehead against hers. “Despite a warriors strength. Despite all of his might. The one who conquers cannot be stopped. Instead she robs the heart from his very chest to call her own. And so they stand in the battlefield, eye to eye, sword to sword.”

Carson shakes his head, the drama fading from his eyes, replaced by mischief. “I had all night to kiss you, and yet you insist on provoking me on the way out the door. You’re a mean woman, Sassy.”

Touching his fisted knuckles to her chin in a playful tap, he lets her go, sidling back to the door, and bows low. “Melady. If we don’t leave now, Reese will have both our hides.” He quirks an eyebrow. “Not that I would mind being locked in a cell with you again.”


Reese can’t help that his smile spreads as Lockheart speaks. “Well, if there’s anybody I trust to get us out of this, it’s you.” He pauses in thought, then cocks his head slightly. “I want you to know that…if things go sour…if we lose this battle, you are in no way to blame. Now I don’t want to think negatively, but we have to face the facts that we’re up against a lot. But…I admire you for your courage and boldness.”

He gives a little nod. “And even if we all get thrown into prison…we all appreciate and value everything that you’ve done Angelica.”


“You know…staring off into the horizon doesn’t make it come any closer.” Scott ambles up behind Katie in the parking lot, slowly approaching. “You have to chase it.”

His gaze follows hers for a moment, not looking at her face, but at the sky, and the line that was forever out of reach. His hand finds hers with a comforting strength new to his character. “Come on…let’s go win this thing.”


Hal turns on the second van and backs it out of its space to pull around front by the other two vans. They had quite a group going today and would need all three. Keeping it running, he waits.