No Ordinary Day by Tate, Harley (best large ereader .txt) 📕

all stacked in plain sight. One look through the window and this place will be ransacked.”

Emma agreed. “We can hide everything as best we can and hopefully that will keep most people at bay.”

Raymond set the soup at the bottom of the linen closet before turning to the cans of chicken. “Let’s stack all these in the back of the Explorer. As many as will fit. Water, too.”

They did as he suggested, stacking the high-value items in the back of the SUV all the way to the ceiling. Emma broke down the cases when no more would fit and shoved individual cans and bottles of water in every nook and cranny. It didn’t take long to fill the vehicle.

Gloria flopped into an Adirondack chair at the edge of the fire pit, frustration plain. “We can make it to Mississippi with what’s in the Explorer, but what if Holly’s family refuses to let us stay? It won’t be long until we’re going hungry.” She turned back to stare at the cabin. “All that meat Ray just bought—it would have lasted a month or more smoked.” She tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear and turned back around. “Maybe he’s right. Maybe we should stay and take our chances.”

Emma dragged a chair over to Gloria and perched on the edge. “You remember what John said. Someone will come. It might not be today or tomorrow, but it will be soon. We have an empty revolver, a shotgun that’s probably rusted beyond repair, and two pistols with a handful of bullets each. We were lucky this time. I don’t think we will be again.”

 Gloria slumped back in the chair. “I know you’re right.” She turned to Emma. “But I’m scared. What if leaving only makes everything worse?”

Emma reached out her hand and Gloria grabbed it, squeezing hard. “Never in a million years did I think this would happen.”

“The EMP or the hit on our lives?”

Emma almost laughed. “When you say it out loud…” She didn’t finish the thought, but Gloria nodded in understanding. They weren’t spies or terrorists trying to destroy a country. They were ordinary women, working ordinary jobs. Whistleblowers, sure, but not enemies of the state. Not worthy of a bullet.

Holly emerged from the house, wiping sweat from her brow. “We’ve tucked away everything. If someone looks through the windows, all they’ll see is an empty cabin.”

Gloria smiled in thanks.

“Raymond is hauling the meat out into the forest. He thinks maybe a coyote or a possum will eat it. Better than leaving it to rot.”

“Thank you for all of your hard work today,” Gloria offered.

Holly’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry you have to leave so much behind. I know you worked hard to get it all.”

“It’s not your fault. Emma and I are who these men are after, not you.”

Emma chimed in. “Gloria’s right. Not only have you helped today, but you’ve given us a fighting chance. You’ve given us a place to go where we might be safe for a little while.”

Holly nodded, but Emma wasn’t sure she bought their praise. For the teenager’s sake, Emma hoped Holly’s mom wasn’t as disinterested as Holly believed. Emma was no mother. Holly’s mom might not win a parenting award, but she was family. If Emma and Gloria were forced to stay on the run, maybe Holly could find a new home in Mississippi. Somewhere safe where she could start again.

“Raymond’s just about ready. He asked us to do a final walk-through and get the dogs.” Holly turned toward the cabin and Emma watched her go, silhouette blending into the increasing darkness.

Gloria stood and Emma followed a few steps behind. As they stepped inside the cabin, Raymond emerged from the bathroom, wiping his hands on a towel. “I think that’s everything.”

Pringles ran in a circle around Gloria’s feet, yipping, and she scooped the little dog up. “Then we should find Tank.”

Holly rushed into the main living area from the bedroom. “I can’t find him. He’s not in the bedroom where I left him, and he wasn’t outside.”

Emma stepped out onto the porch and cupped her hands around her mouth. “Tank! Tank, here boy!” She waited, squinting against the fading light. “Tank!” She called a few more times, but no responding bark reached her ears. She ducked back inside as worry settled low in her gut. “Tank’s not responding.” She glanced at Raymond, anticipating his response to her next observation. “And John’s not back, either.”

Raymond rolled his eyes as Emma expected. “We aren’t waiting for John.”

“But we are waiting for Tank.” Holly crossed her arms in classic teenage fashion. “I’m not leaving without him and I’m the only one who knows where we’re going.”

Raymond cursed beneath his breath and Holly’s lower lip jutted out as if she were about to cry. Emma looked at both of them, worry growing by the minute. She stepped up, waiting until both turned in her direction. “We can wait a little while, can’t we? Maybe Tank just needed to go to the bathroom. We can spread out and try to find him.”

Raymond focused on his watch. “Sunset was five minutes ago. If we don’t find him soon, we’ll have to wait until morning to leave.”

“Is that wise?” Gloria pulled her jacket tighter as she glanced at the forest beyond the open cabin door. “John made it sound like we needed to leave ASAP.”

“Then where is he?” Raymond threw out a hand. “If it’s so important, then he would be here, pacing and cursing and generally being the charming killer that he is.”

Emma pursed her lips. “I’m sure he has a good reason for being gone.”

Raymond began to argue, but the sound of a car engine stopped him short. He reached for the handgun tucked into his jeans. “Everyone stay low.” He approached the front door as a four-door Jeep Wrangler with knobby tires barreled up the gravel drive.

Emma stole a peek out the window and almost collapsed in relief. John sat in the driver’s seat with a