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Lori registered for her classes this fall then headed back home. When she arrived, taking the road that led past the Cantrells’ property and the Henleys’, she saw all the orange flags and some of the large holes being dug as construction vehicles started digging.

What had started out as a meeting of partnership between the Henleys and the Cantrells turned into immediate construction in less than three weeks. She was really impressed.

As badly as she wanted to stop in to see Charlie, Trevor, and Dante, she had a splitting headache and needed to talk to her parents. Registering for the classes was overwhelming and there were a few extra concerns now.

She parked the car then got out and climbed the porch stairs. They were making lunch.

“Hey, there you are. How did it go?” her mom asked as her dad, Maggie, and Ben looked up at her smiling.

She felt kind of guilty now, moving on with her life. The thought hit her hard and her smile faded.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?” her father asked then placed an arm over her shoulder and walked her toward the table.

“I’m fine, Dad. Just stressed out.” She inhaled his cologne and embraced the feel of being held by him. Even though the years had passed and she missed out on physical contact with her mom and dad, it was as if she and Maggie had never left.

She turned into his shoulder and hugged him.

“I love you, Dad.”

He hugged her tight and released an uneasy breath. He was concerned for her.

As he released her, he smiled.

“It can be quite overwhelming to register for college and pick the classes you need. I bet there were some extra costs you weren’t anticipating, too.”

She nodded her head.

“I’ll handle it though.”

“We can help you, Lori. We’ve got money saved.”

She shook her head as she held the top of the chair. “I can handle it, Dad. I still have a month of working and saving to do.”

“And what about once school starts? You’ll need time to study,” Maggie stated.

“I’m going to work it all out. I just need to confirm the schedule of classes.”

“And what about the job with the school district?” Maggie asked.

“Michelle has to get me the interview first and then I actually have to get the job, Maggie. It may not be feasible.”

“She said that was a way into the district so that once you achieve your degree they can hire you as a teacher. Your chances are better.”

“I know that. I have a lot to think about. I think I’m going to go for a run.”

“What about lunch?” her mom asked.

“I’ll get something later. My stomach is in knots right now.”

Lori left the room to go change. A jog always helped to clear her head, and as she headed out the door, she did her stretches then took off for her regular route.

* * * *

“Tom, there’s nothing anyone can do about this now. We’re in contract and no threats are going to stop us from achieving our goals,” Charlie told Tom Cantrell as he handed over yet another threatening letter from an unknown source.

“I told the sheriff about these. I don’t want anyone getting hurt on this construction site. If what you believe to be true is in fact true, then Jerry Connor will not stop trying to take this land even now that we have begun breaking ground,” Tom said.

“We’ll take the extra precautions,” Dante said.