And Amanda spent more time here.”“So long as the kids didn’t feel neglected.”“They had lots of friends visit, plus Kurt, Tom, Brian, and Bo ...all stopped by at least once. Some of the college girls spent afternoons studying here, which the kids loved, too.”“Cool. What schedule do you have next week, Babe?”“Just days, Tuesday to Friday. Are you going into the office?”“Half days, I think. I need to see my new office space!”Kara laughed, “Michelle had the room locked until you can be the first one. Mary would come and build up the fire for the day and then my thoughts were my own until lunch.Currently I was combing my fingers thinking I may ask for a tub to bathe tonight, my hair was overdue for a washing.I heard the scrap of the doors bar and turned to greet Mary. My smile faded quickly when I saw the stranger. He was tall. Dark. He wore a robe sashed at the hip. Behind him a woman, a girl really, about my own age, she two had on a robe, sashed at the waist. And last to enter, the huge. "Angela followed the faint sensation. It almost felt as if she were floatingdown a stream as she wandered up one aisle and down another. Eventually, shewas drawn to a huge wooden crate and the pull disappeared like a snappedrubber band.Angela glanced toward the end of the aisle and spied the battered toolboxshe had seen on countless rounds through the warehouse. She stifled a squealof excitement when she opened the rusty lid and found a couple of hammers,several chisels, and a long crowbar.. Just don’t call anybody on this yet. Let me think about it until next week.”“Fair enough.” I stood and shook his hand and let myself out. Gingrich was a brilliant tactical thinker, but he was too partisan and didn’t focus on strategy enough. He was the type to burn down the house to kill the rats, and then proclaim loudly and proudly he got rid of the rats, while arguing with everyone who was sifting through the smoldering ashes.I talked to Sherry and Marty about it the next day and I left it.