“Oh, use your brain!” she said impatiently. She turned her attention back to the conversation whirling around Bobo. Joe and Chuy were telling Bobo he could sleep in their guest bedroom, and Teacher was offering to install an alarm system. Manfred offered him a couch to sleep on, and Fiji said she had a guest bedroom. The Rev informed Bobo that he would pray for him and that the Almighty Father would protect the righteous.

At that, Bobo laughed. Then he apologized. “I’m sorry, Rev. I wasn’t making fun of your religion. I was just doubting I was righteous.”

The Rev said seriously—as he said all things—“Never doubt that you are a good man, Bobo Winthrop.” Then he saw that a car had pulled into the driveway at the side of the chapel. “I have a funeral to see to,” he said.

“This late? It’s almost dark. Whose funeral?” Fiji was curious.

“I turned on the lights. Blackie the cocker spaniel,” he told her, and crossed the street to attend to Blackie and his owner.

As Fiji had expected, Bobo was thanking everyone and turning down their offers. “Thanks, Chuy, Joe. Manfred. Feej. But I’ll stay here at the shop. After all, I have to work during the day. Lem can’t. And if someone threw a firebomb or set a fire . . . well, I’d have to get him out. If they come at night, he’d do the same for me. Teacher, I’ll take you up on the alarm system. But you may not want to fill in here until this situation is resolved.”

“I say yes to that,” Madonna said instantly. She was gently swaying from side to side, Grady asleep on her chest, his head on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Bobo, and you tell Lem we said so, too. But Teacher shouldn’t risk his life to keep a store open.”

“Absolutely,” Bobo said, nodding.

Teacher looked as though he had his own thoughts on the subject, but he kept his mouth clamped shut. Madonna began to walk back to the diner, and after a second of looking very unhappy, Teacher followed her.

Fiji, frazzled and exasperated, bent and swooped up Mr. Snuggly, who nestled in her arms. “You crossed the road by yourself,” she scolded the cat. He looked up at her with wide golden eyes. “Okay,” she said. “Okay. I know you’re a grown-up cat.” He stared some more. She relaxed, smiled.

“If you’re through communing with the cat,” Bobo said mildly.

“Yeah?” She looked at him, still smiling.

“I’m gonna go clean a few guns,” Bobo said.

Manfred stopped him. He said, “Bobo, I really think you should take Chuy and Joe up on their offer. Or sleep at my place. It’s really your place, after all, and you’d be right next door to the shop. We’d know if anything happened.”