The mug of coffee in front of me has gone lukewarm and I haven't drunk any of it.
The kitchen is the warmest place I've ever been in my life.
Through the kitchen window the sound of bikes carries up to the south end of the property.
Multiple sets of pipes. The brothers ride out toward the south access where Miller radioed them about something.
The sound fades down the gravel.
Then one set of pipes comes back. Just one. Coming up toward the bunkhouse.
Marlena's hand goes still on Cal's back.
The radio on her hip crackles. Phantom's voice. "Babe. Banshee's comin' to you. Stay in the bunkhouse. Lock the door."
Marlena thumbs the radio. "Copy. We're locked in."
She stands up with Cal still on her hip and crosses to the bunkhouse door. Slides the deadbolt. Comes back to the table without sitting, then walks to the back kitchen window that faces the north fence.
Dakota stands up from the floor without anyone telling her to. She crosses to the front window facing the south gate. Her eyes go to the gravel.
Grace moves toward the boys on the floor. She picks Waylon up off the floorboards and holds him on her hip and bends to scoop up the plastic horses with her free hand.
Three Lyle women in formation without a word.
Their movements tell my body what to do without my brain catching up. I pull Nash off the floor and set him on the bench next to me at the table. My hand stays on his shoulder.
Bex doesn't move from the table. Her hand stays on her belly. Her face is the steadiest I've ever seen it.
Diesel comes up off the rug by the stove. His hackles go up across his shoulders. He pads to the front door and stands there with his ears back.
I haven't asked anyone what's happening yet.
My eyes stay on Marlena's face.
A boot lands on the porch boards outside.
Two knocks. "It's me."
Marlena nods at Dakota. Dakota unbolts the door.
Banshee comes through with his cut open and his sidearm at his hip. His face is the careful face he wears when something is happening that he doesn't want to put words on yet.
Bex stands up. "Honey."
He crosses to her and puts his hand on the side of her face. His thumb moves once across her cheekbone. He doesn't speak.
Bex's hand comes up to cover his on her face. "Tell me."
Banshee looks past her at the rest of us. "Todd's at the south access. Drunk. Drove from Houston in the night. Yellin' for Hadley. He's got somethin' in his right hand, can't tell from where I was if it's a bottle or a gun. Brothers are handlin' him. Rogue's down there. Phantom, Holt, Roan, Blaze. The whole brass."
My hand tightens on Nash's shoulder.
Banshee turns to Marlena. "Prez wanted me up here. I'm on the porch. Eyes on the north."
Dakota's mouth pulls flat. "Just you?"
"Just me. Everybody else is at the south gate."