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Then it didn t ain He ducked away, in the process releasing the child Megan grabbed Bonnie and thrust the girl behind her

"Get out!" she screaain until he stumbled out theand

, even after he'd run mto the forest

Only then did the fear swas refused to support her She had to hold on to thefra her breath, she pushed the ladder hard so it slowly round She closed theand then turned toward Bonnie

The little girl huddled in a corner of the rooan dropped the poker and hurried to her

"Hush, honey, she said, pulling her close and holding on tight Bonnie treht now You're safe"

"H-he s-said he was gonna h-hurtto her

"It's over You're fine, honey You're with an stroked Bonnie's back and arms, then soing to go to ether He won't come back"

Bonnie continued to hold on to her, so Megan picked her up and carried her down the hall to her bedroom She closed the door and locked it, then set Bonnie on the bed After settling her under the covers, Megan sat next to her with heri back against the headboard She leaned over and opened the nightstand drawer Her father had left her capable of taking care of more than the store He'd left her able to protect herself She pulled out a derringer

The s in her hand, but she was prepared to use it Megan put her araze on her locked door No one was going to hurt Bonnie Not while she had any say in the matter

A thousand questions filled her mind Who would try to take Bonnie, and why? It didn't er to anyone She had no family, she didn't know anyone except for a few people in town There had to be aa child

She caught her breath Kidnapping! Was that it? Had soe? Was the man really interested in money?

"Megan?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Are you really gonna shoot him if he comes back for me?"

She thought about lying, but knew she couldn't "Yes, Bonnie, I am"

"Firl sniffed "The bad man scared me"