Harmony shook her head, knowing that her sister was right, but guilt still swelled in her chest. “This is all happening because of me,”
“That isn’t true,” Honor replied gently as the room went still around them.
“I married him, Honor. I brought that man into our family. I’m the reason he even had a reason to come back here. This is on me.”
“No. This is on him,” Honor countered sternly, meeting her sister’s eyes. “The only person responsible for the sins Tanner Suarez has committed is Tanner Suarez. I know you and Jake are having some….difficulties,” she noted, her eyes drifting over to Jacob Stone. “And I can understand your hesitance having him here. The fact remains however that he is a trained officer of the law and he had reasons for what he kept from us. Don’t get me wrong,” she huffed, narrowing her eyes on Jake, “I think they were stupid, asinine reasons, but reasons, nonetheless. That said, I was with Harmony this morning when we uncovered your rather impressive arsenal.”
Jake met Honor’s eyes, and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Honor….”
“Frankly, the basis for my decision where Jake is concerned is quite simple. His gun is bigger than Zeke’s gun, Harmony.”
Bending his head to stare incredulously down at Honor’s head, Ezekiel shook his head. “Tell me you didn’t just say that,” he hissed, his handsome face mildly appalled.
Lifting a hand, Patience patted the sheriff on the shoulder. “Don’t feel bad, Zeke. It would be hard for any man to beat nine inches worth of steel.”
“What?” Honor asked blankly, her blue eyes widening as she realized Patience’s meaning. “Wait! That isn’t what I meant!” she moaned, burying her face in her hands as the entire family erupted into laughter, the seriousness of the moment broken for that bare second.
Lifting her head, she sighed as the people she considered family slowly quieted. “What I should have said is that Zeke has a job to do in town as sheriff. He can’t be two places at once. His firearm could be employed elsewhere at any time, but Jake’s schedule would allow you and Heaven to remain protected at all times. Whether I like it or not, you and my niece face the most danger here, Harmony, and Jacob has a vested interest in your continued safety. I know you and Patience are unhappy with the arrangements I’ve made, but hopefully, this will be a temporary situation. Tanner and this Fuentes man can’t hide forever. They want something we’ve got. Sooner or later, they’ll come looking for one of us. Since that isn’t a situation I’d like any of us to face alone, I’d prefer that when they do arrive they be met by men who possess big guns and know how to use them effectively.”
“I guess you have a good point,” Harmony admitted reluctantly, acquiescing to her youngest sister as most of them usually did. “I just wish there was another way. I don’t like the idea of any of you being a target because of decisions I made. It isn’t fair to any of you,” she said, looking at each of her sisters.
“We’re McKinnons, honey,” Aunt Orla’s wise voice counseled, her faded blue eyes on Harmony’s face. We either stand united or we fall down together. That’s the way it is, was, and always will be.”
Harmony swallowed hard as she looked from face to face around the weathered dining room table. When she reached Honor’s face, her heart broke a little at the bone-deep old pain she saw reflected in her baby sister’s eyes. Of all of those present in the dining room, Harmony understood what this plan could cost Honor. Over the years, the other woman had found her way to a new normal, but this newest challenge could hurl Honor back into the depths of a dark, agonizing time in her life. Tanner’s reappearance wasn’t only dangerous to Harmony and Heaven, but Honor, too. “Are you sure about this?” she asked softly.
Honor sat completely still for a long moment, her shoulders slumping slightly as she let out a sigh. “I remember - not a lot, but just enough – about the time I was in the hospital,” she began, her fragile voice trembling as she wrapped her hand around her mug of tea.
Harmony held her breath as she noted Zeke stiffening at Honor’s side. She knew why. Honor never discussed that time in her life with anyone. Not her. Not Aunt Orla. No one. The fact that she was doing it now meant that what she had to say mattered, and everyone sitting at the table realized it.
“You all never left me alone the whole time. Do you remember, Harm? Every time I opened my eyes, you and Aunt Orla, Faith and Patience…at least two of you were always there. Most of the time though, it was all of you.”