Shops painted in every imaginable color lined the streets, their window displays filled with everything from books to clothing to strange, modern devices I still didn’t fully understand.
The sun beat down warmly, a welcome change from the usual damp chill of this city.
I knew I would miss certain things about this era—the brilliant sun, the vast waterways, the simple pleasures of coffee, bacon, waffles, and the luxury of indoor plumbing.
But the rain?
No. I wouldn’t miss that. Seattle had far too much rain.
Something caught my eye as we strolled past a shop labeled a hardware store.
Several rifles were displayed in the window, lined up in neat rows. A few handguns rested beside them, one of which looked strikingly familiar.
I slowed my pace, studying them carefully.
“Is this where Olivia purchased her gun?” I asked.
Jack’s head snapped toward me, his eyes widening. “Olivia still has her Glock?”
“Yes,” I said, nodding toward the window display. “Same as that one.”
Jack’s face drained of color.
“Has she fired it?” he asked, his voice tight.
I frowned. “A couple of times, yes.” His sudden alarm puzzled me. “Why?”
Jack threw his arms in the air. “She could alter history!”
I blinked. “You’re concerned about that?”
“This is terrible!” He ran a hand through his hair. “If she’s not careful?—”
I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Jack, relax.” My lips twitched slightly. “It’s not as bad as you think. She uses it judiciously, I can assure you.” I turned back to the window display. “But I do think she’d appreciate more ammunition. Do you think they sell gunpowder here?”
Jack chuckled, shaking his head. “Gunpowder?” He let out a breathy laugh. “No, Roman. Now we use something called bullets.”
“Bullets,” I repeated the word, rolling it over like a foreign concept. “Do you know what kind Olivia needs for her gun?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah. Let’s head inside and pick some up. You can take them with you.”
***
After our trip into town, we returned to Jack’s house just as the sun dipped below the horizon, streaking the sky with gold, crimson, and violet hues.
I breathed in the crisp forest air, relieved to be away from the relentless noise of the city. The hum of the town had been overwhelming—the traffic, the crowds, the sheer energy of it all. Out here, surrounded by towering trees and the whisper of the wind, I could think again.
I made my way to my bedroom, placing the rings and bullets in a safe spot before heading back to the kitchen.
When I entered, Lee stood by the counter, his posture stiff—his expression… almost apologetic.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice measured. “For not being able to give you more information. Jack told me how distressed you’ve been.”
I exhaled sharply. “A bit, yes.” I pulled out a chair and dropped into it.
Jack turned to me. “Beer?”
“Yes, thank you.” I drummed my fingers against the table. “Jack explained why you’re keeping things from me. That you’re trying to protect us.” I sighed. “I can live with that—for now.”
