Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings

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PacNorWest

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#555

"No!! I'm not coming into town. I don't care what sort of calamity you're having, we have a real problem here, and I'm not leaving." Donny was loud and determined to let Gary take care of his own troubles.

"What's happening there?" Gary's deep voice rumbled through the phone.

"Dad got into some kind of poison and it's really doing a number on him. You might remember what happened when he came back from his Washington walk. Anyway, it requires a lot of vinegar, Tess and I have been out buying gallons of the stuff."

"Yeah, I remember, that was a scary time for all of us." Gary replied. "Well, this is a fine pickle, I've got to figure our some evasive defense here. Go ahead and take care of what you need to do there. You and Big should be able to handle that end of it all."

"I'm sure glad you think so," Donny was a touch sarcastic. "I don't see that we have any other choice. Ma has Big helping her, so it wouldn't be a bad idea if you got your tail feathers home. if you can't leave her, bring her." There was no doubt as to Donny's frame of mind.

"There's about zero chance of that happening," Gary was resigned to another long night on the floor. :See ya later," Gary ended the call, and went back into the kitchen to check on Breezy and the last crew to finish the wall.

Donny ended the call and went into the animal part of the barn to check on the status of the animals. He was cooling down, not as hot under the collar with Tess, as he had been. He could hear the whine of a vacuum, so he supposed that the boys were figuring out how to clean up their mess.




"I've got a project downstairs that will take about an hour, is anyone interested in additional work? "Gary propositioned the three man crew. Nobody was interested.

"If we don't go back to the yard in the work van, we ain't got any way to get home." The more experienced of the guys spoke up. "How long would it take all three of us, to do the job."

"You're hired," Gary said instantly, "let me show you what I want done." and they walked to the basement.


Clora and Big washed, scrubbed and sloshed vinegar on Mark, until Clora was satisfied for the moment. Getting Mark into bed, she pulled a chair to Mark's side of the bed and sat down to monitor her groggy husband.

"Go have a break," she told Big. "Thank you for your help." Big nodded, and walked from the room. He checked on the noise outside, approving that the boys were cleaning their mess.
 
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PacNorWest

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#556

It took the three man crew less than 30 minutes to fix the barn door lock on the offending window. Gary paid them each an hours worth and felt the lightness of his wallet.

The house was reasonable secure. Breezy was totally involved in her court presentation for the following morning, and it didn't seem to Gary that any food was going to magically fall on the table. He started a pan of rice, intending to use a can of tuna, he was starving.

Breezy might be able to live on coffee and absorbing work, but Gary felt he was still a growing boy and needed quantities of food, lots of it.

An hour later Breezy was still deep into her work, so Gary took her a bowl of tuna rice. He got a kiss blown in his direction, but Breezy never lost her concentration.

Gary was sitting at the kitchen table, when the back corner motion sensor light came on. They was a popping sound and the light went out. Gary gave Ernie a few descriptive and colorful names as he reached up and shut the kitchen lights off.

It was a pleasure to walk into the law office and see the blackout curtains drawn tight against the outside night. They had moved Breezy's desk into the back corner of the room, where she was protected by a solid wall behind her. By moving the desk, Gary hoped that Ernie would use the old room layout that Breezy had used for years. A low tec was to cause the intruder confusion. should he aim from the outside, supposing where Breezy would be sitting.

On Breezy's left side. five men and a set of boards across the beautiful old cypress plank floor had moved the safr as protection. On the right side, the wall projection from the hallway buffered her some, and Gary felt they had the best they could arrange on such short notice.

There were two more pops from the outside, and Gary figured Ernie was moving around the house. The lights were troublesome to lose, but the infra-red cameras were well hidden and were doing their job.

"Breezy, I need to borrow your phone," Gary interrupted softly. Breezy waved her hand toward the corner of the desk and Gary tuned into the app that showed the camera, and watched Ernie prance around and then stop and give a howl like a coyote.

Gary nearly laughed aloud, ole Ernie was pretty good at mimicking a yote, but he didn't want to alert Breezy as to the supposed sound of terror. Ernie must be several bubbles off plumb.

The neighborhood dogs erupted into a lost mind frenzy, most likely bringing more attention to Ernie than he anticipated. But Ernie, fueled by madness, Gary supposed, had to give a few more yote warbles. That brought out shouted curses from the nearby home owners, attempting to control the loud, incessant barking.

A German Shepard got lose and guided by scent and hearing, found a soft portion of Ernie's behind, resulting in a scream that finally intruded on Breezy's concentration.

"Did you say something?" she looked up and focused on Gary.

"No, go back to work," he assured her, "all's well."

" K" she mumbled.

Gary watched from the dark kitchen window. There was the sound of a car starting, and lights flashed on as the vehicle pulled away from the back yard fence and sped down the alley.

Gary smiled. Ernie's excursion around Breezy's house without confrontation, except for the neighbor's dog, would give the deranged man confidence to come back the following night. Gary would be ready. It was time to put a stop to the problem.
 
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PacNorWest

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#557

Clora was cat napping in her chair, when Mark's hand reached out to lay warmly on her hand.

"Mark" she said quietly,":how do you feel?""

"Terrible," he croaked, "what in the sam hill happened.?"

"Somehow, it appears that you were re-poisoned by the stuff in the cave. I'm very surprised that it was still there, I would have thought the flood waters would have scoured the cave clean."

"There was a lingering smell, but it was faint. I don't think it was from the cave," Mark shifted restlessly, running his feet on the sheet. "Damn, that hurts, what happened to the bottom of my feet?"

"We had to scrub them extra hard, the soles were covered with red blisters. We had to open them to get them to drain and start healing."

"It must have been those new socks," Mark mumbled almost to himself. "They were still in the package in the bottom of my duffle bag. I sure didn't remember putting them in, and I thought perhaps you had. Don't touch them Clora, I think we're dealing with some sabotage."

Exhausted, Mark closed his eyes and slipped back into sleep. Clora sat with him, asking for a glass of water when Tilly came to check on her. "Don't touch Mark's gym bag, there's something wrong with it," she cautioned Tilly. Shaking her head against the futility of it all, Clora continued deep praying for her beloved Mark.

Late afternoon was slipping into evening, when Tess came to ask if she could sit with Dad while Clora went to have supper. "I'll pray," she assured her mother, "you know? don't you Ma."

Clora nodded. The man that did the foul deed had come to her mind, as she was praying silently. There was a unknown person seeking out ways to kill Mark. She would speak to Mark about the danger, when he was strong enough to be coherent.

At the table, Clora had to listen to the blow by blow account of the triplets cleaning Granddad's van. "It's mostly clean," they bravely assured Clora. "Only a little bit of stain on the seat, but Donny said he'd help us tomorrow." Daniel reported , "we're real sorry for making a mess in Granddad's car,"

Clora nodded, accepting their apology with the intent it was given. "Thank you boys, Granddad and I appreciate you being responsible and doing the right thing."

The boys had finished their supper and were waiting at the table with the plate of cookies before them. Donny had made apologizing to Grandma and Granddad a requirement, before they could have one of the desired sweets.

All three boys swiveled their eyes to Donny to see if he approved, and got a small headshake of agreement. Quick as a flash, three hands grabbed a cookie. They had been in a terrible 'cookie drought' ever since Donny had scolded them before lunch. The return of cookies depended on the quality of the clean up job, and it was a good lesson.



Toby finished his court appearance in good humor. He had verbally destroyed the weak and invalid arguments his former fellow lawyers had used for prolonging the disbursement of a deceased woman's estate, and the judge had ruled in his favor and the case was closed. That he had sought damages for the aggrieved party, made him feel even better when the judge again ruled hi his favor.

Called into the judge's chambers, Toby was given an unofficial pat on the back for bringing a bevy of unscrupulous lawyers to task. "Good work, young man. I appreciate you doing a good turn for these folks. I understand you are doing this case pro bono, and I am impressed with your moral standards. I hope to see you many more times in my courtroom."

"Thank you Sir," Toby replied. "However, I do have an agenda. The opposing council today were members of a law firm I joined, and then they dismissed me, because I refused to follow their guidelines. My Grandfather had left me shares in the firm, and they had to bleed considerably for the privilege to send me packing."

"I'm aware," the distinguished judge chuckled, and shook Toby's hand. "We need more young men of your caliber in the law. Good luck to you."

"Thank you Sir, I appreciate the good will." Toby lest the hudge's chambers and wanted to whistle in his good fortune.

Tom was waiting at home with a list of couples to interview for the cook and handyman job. "I done looked'em over and I put the best one on top. I've been hanging close to the office, Miss Rennie has had a client in there doing an awful lot of hollering. It probably wouldn't hurt if you went in to sit at your desk, just a little show of power." Tom grinned. "You know, walk softly and carry a big stick."
 
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PacNorWest

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#558

Toby decided to take Tom's advice. He nodded at Rennie and her client when he walked in. Rennie and her client were in a heated argument that Toby pretended not to hear, or be interested in. He went to his file cabinet, putting away the papers from the morning's case. Looking at the judgement had him feeling good all over again.

.Rennie's voice rose almost to shouting. "Dad, there is no way in hell you are going to visit our children. You burned that bridge years ago. You and Mum were the most horrible people alive for what you did to your children, so you're never going to see ours."

Toby went to sit on the corner of Rennie's desk, staring intently at the once powerful diamond merchant that was his Father-in-law. Toby gave the man his very best Mark Linderman half lidded stare that would Lazer bore a hole in steel.

Rennie told her father to get out, and the man didn't move. So Toby added his most deadly tone, " Leave now, you are not welcome and not to come near our place. I will have a restraining order against you, yet this afternoon; including the children, their school and our house and grounds."

Toby went for the small of the back 9mm, and leveled the ugly black gun at the red faced and furious man. "Out now, walk or I will shoot you and have you carried out."

Rennie's dad glared at Toby, his teeth were grinding and the veins popping out on his neck. He stomped out and down the stairs; stopping to turn and shake his fist at Toby, standing in the door way. Just because he could, Toby gave the man a friendly wave.

The car pealed away, burning rubber and fish tailing as it sped away.
 
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PacNorWest

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#559

Toby made a couple phone calls, told Rennie to lock the doors and advise Tom to be very cautious when he went to get the children. Suddenly Tom's warning to have dogs and a tall fence was an immediate concern, Toby could have kicked himself for being a dollar short and a day late.

"I have to go sign for the protective orders, I didn't get a chance to look through the housekeeping couples. Check them over if you get a chance, Tom said he put what he considered the top prospect first."

"Toby, I'm frightened. I actually thought my parents were probably dead. There's been no contact all these years, and why now?" Rennie was frightened and trembling, staring at the door where her father had dissapeared.

"I won't be long, stay alert " Toby holstered his gun and reached for his suit coat. It was just easier ti keep the gun covered, although he did have a permit to carry in the courthouse.

Rennie locked the door after he left, going around and checking all the doors. Tom had already left to go get the children, so Rennie made a cup of tea and leafed through the applications left on the counter.

The top couple didn't seem any more or less than the rest of the applicants, so Rennie remined herself to ask Tom his reasons for recommending this couple.


Gary waited patiently for Breezy to finish her work. Sort of. For something to do, he moved a mattress to the hallway. No more of that snoozing on the floor, he had aches and pains lingering from the night before.

Breezy shut down her computer and turned off the light. Collecting her half eaten bowl of tuna casserole, she went to the kitchen to microwave the remainder of her supper.

"Breezy, we need to talk about tomorrow, I need to put together a plan. What time does your case happen? The workmen will be here tomorrow morning, but will likely finish around 1 pm or so. I am going to go with you to the court house, so you have constant protection. Any time after 1pm. the house will be unprotected. Donny can't come. I just called Tom, and he's got complications, and has to be at home. So, it's you and me Babe, against the elements."

"My case starts at 9, how long depends on the direction it goes. I would guess that we will be finished by noon, but no guarantees. Do you think the house is sufficiently secured?"

"Yes, the upstairs windows and the trim on the new wall will be finished, and I think that's all for right now. Do you have any concerns or ideas you want done, if so, we need to get the items on Ham's list. He dropped everything to help us, but he has to get on with his other clients."

"I've been seriously thinking about a fence. Like decorative black metal with spikes about six foot tall. That would provide some security, wouldn't it?" Breezy got her bowl out of the microwave and brought it to the table.

"It's a good idea, but expensive. I've got to ask, can you afford this? You need to know that I'm broke. I have to report in two weeks for a new job, and that's a two week absence. Otherwise, I'd be happy to float you a loan for the improvements."

"Tank's Gary, I deeply appreciate your offer, I can afford this, I'm not destitute, but not swimming in funds. Do you really have to go? What if we haven't been able to control Ernie by then.?" Breezy stopped eating with the spoon halfway to her mouth.

"The best thing to do would be private protection. You'd have to hire them, and that's not cheap. Donny might be able to do a shift or two, depends on what's happening at home. He needs paid also, he's as broke as I am."

"Oh, is that a request for me to pay you?" Breezy stiffly inquired, frowning and acting all suspicious.

"Nope, but we need to go grocery shopping tomorrow on the way home.. I gave all but forty bucks to the crew that secured the basement. If you'll feed me, that's good enough." Gary leaned back in the chair and smiled lazily at the flustered Breezy.

"Well,, yeah, that's fair enough. I suppose you're a meat eater?"

To reinforce his hunger Gary mock growled, causing Breezy to smile. That's what he was aiming for, to ease her stress,

Breezy was getting ready to reply, when her cell phone rang. Fishing around in her pocket, she glanced at the number before she swiped the green icon.

"Hello Uncle Cam, how are you?"
 
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PacNorWest

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#560

Breezy spent the better part of an hour listening and giving an occasional "uhmm" and a "oh"and finally said, "I'll check it out." Swiping her phone off, Breezy leaned back in her chair and looked at the freshly washed and dried dishes, the bowl of tuna rice that went in the fridge the cleaned counters and Gary was finishing up wiping the table.

"Thank you," she said, and then added impishly, "you're gonna make someone a great wife someday."

"Oh, do you really think so?" Gary's falsetto mocked a simpering voice, "you don't think it makes my butt look fat?" and he twisted around in a parody of a twirl.

By this time Breezy was laughing hard, wiping her eyes and smiling a million watt smile. "You are so impossible, I'm gonna ask your Ma if she will pay me to take you off her hands?"

The second the words were out of Breezy's mouth, she looked panicked and jumped up to busy herself away from the startling revelation. "How late is it? Do you think there's a chance Ernie will be back around tonight?"

"I can't say, he's very unpredictable. I believe we should use the same sleeping arrangements as last night. Don't worry, I'll be on guard." Gary assured the deeply concerned woman.

Breezy wouldn't meet his eyes, embarrassed by her revelation that she was blurting out feelings that he might not reciprocate.

Gary, feeling devilish, grabbed Breezy and planted one on her. When it was over, he got a gentle sigh and an "oh my" in a decidedly dreamy tone.

"Go to bed, we have to be up and attem early tomorrow," he rubbed the side of her face with his thumb. "You sure taste good for a little blue eyed woman."

"I ahh, I ahh.........." Breezy stammered, and then couldn't look away from Gary's face, staring at his mouth in a most provocative manner.

"You need another kiss? Well, I am most happy to oblige" and he performed his civic duty by giving the trembling woman a kiss that curled her toes and eyelashes all at the same time.


Breezy just stood there looking stunned. "You shouldn't so that," she protested mildly.

"Why not?"

"Because I might get to really like it." she saucily retorted, as she headed down the hall.

Gary, for all his masculine bluster, had to sit down with wobblily knees. Sitting in the dark, he smiled a very self satisfied smile. This kissing stuff was kinda enjoyable. He'd have to do comparison kissing tomorrow to make sure it wasn't a one off thing..

During the night, Gary was roused out of sleep by fingernails scratching on the window. So,......Ernie was jacking things up a notch.
 
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