For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
As we went inside the chateau Aari tried to attack me but Cynthia moved quickly, kicking him twice in the stomach, knocking him against the wall and onto the floor, groaning. John went and checked to make sure he had no weapons on him. Then a tall, thin man came out of the kitchen, obviously not knowing we were there as he was quite surprised to see us.
I went over to him and Jennifer gave him a hard back handed slap knocking him onto the chair right behind him. He spilled his cup of coffee all over himself. “What is the meaning of this?!” he yelled. “Where are the rest of my team that I sent here 3 days ago?” I asked, “I only see one right now and he is lying on the floor.” “I do not know what you are talking about!” he growled, “That is my butler Andy, he has been with me for years!”
“Wrong answer,” I said, “guess we have to be more direct with our questions. This is Mac, he is a man of few words, but he does know how to make others talk.” Mac pulled the man off the chair, punched him in the stomach, then gave him another back handed slap. “Answer the question,” said Mac calmly. “I do not need to answer a PI or anyone else!” he growled.
“Well, well,” I said, “you do know what this is about. Check the place everyone, if anyone gets in the way you know what to do.” Off they went except for Cynthia, Jennifer, Kat and Mac. Galyna and Tracy came out of the kitchen with Kristina who had been making breakfast. Kristina was fighting mad! “Help hold her Kat,” I said, “so Galyna can calm her down.”
Galyna gave her a needle and Kristina was quickly asleep, just as Aari. The man grabbed his phone and was going to call the police but Cynthia kicked the phone from his hand, then picked it up and handed it to me. “You like to be bad,” I said, “why not save yourself some pain and tell me what this is all about? A lot of people died because of you, many more are injured, it would not bother me to kill you right now.
We are angry hornets at the moment, do not mess with angry hornets, you will get stung badly.” He just sat there smiling at me. I nodded to Mac who “talked” to the man a bit more. The man’s smile was gone, but he still would not talk. “Bet I could make him talk,” said Cynthia. I looked at her. She looked quite determined, like she had done this before.
“Ha! A little girl like you?” said the man, “How do you get away with hiring little girls for your team?” This guy knows too much about us. “Sky, use scramblers at all times,” I said, “the place has been bugged, though for some reason that never showed up in our checks.” “Already ahead of you Steve,” she said, “Snow discovered it and likely there are more.” “Be careful on the computer too,” I said, “they may have added something.”
“They did,” said Cynthia, “but I cleaned that up and put extra protection on it when I redid the system.” “I got that,” said Sky, “I also have more info for you.” “Hmm, send it to Rascal,” I said, “it would be safer, and part to Midnight as well, 2 are better than one.” Cynthia, Jennifer and Kat giggled. First Rascal told his part. Meowrr.=Mariia say she know maybe who did attack, she know man who use same kind of trucks.
They very special trucks, extra strong, use radio R, have special weep ons, carry lots mens. Meower=Yep, have base in Miami city in Floor in da. Have big big organs with nations, name is Cramer Winhouse, big boss for man name Jenkins. Mariia know man, he want to do bad things with her. Midnight then put his head down, but continued.
Meower.=Mariia woman… she not… maybe going to live… not look good. “Any problems right now Sky?” I asked her. “No, but what now?” she asked. “We keep moving ahead with our plans,” I said, “we are not stopping this time.” “I agree,” she said, “but you might want to talk with someone first anyway.” “Yes, I will do that,” I said, “oh, we have found Aari and Kristina, obviously hypnotized, the others probably are as well.”
Soon Rock returned with Harvey and Hope, both struggling to get away. “Had to get them out of bed,” he said. Galyna gave them each a needle as well. We still need to find 4 more. Suddenly Aasta came running in. “Muffin is hurt bad!” she exclaimed. Kat took Muffin and sat on a chair with her. Rock ran off and returned quickly with a large towel for Muffin.
“It was Storm, he attacked Muffin when she went to talk with him,” said Aasta trying hard to hold back tears, “I got Storm, Tiger and Tracker, had to dart them, they were just wild!” The thin man began to laugh, which was too much for Mac and he began to beat the man. “Okay Mac, stop for now please,” I said and he did so. I went over to see Muffin and started crying. Cynthia had a puzzled look on her face…
To Be Continued.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
Hi everyone and Happy Sunday! The day began with a beautiful, bright, blue, sky. Then right around noon the clouds began to move in and now it is mainly cloudy again, but still a few blue patches up there. I love to see that blue sky, it is definitely one of my favorite country pleasures. But watching fluffy white clouds floating past is also a wonderful country pleasure and fun to see.

Muffin on her blanket.
Of course Muffin is also one of my favorite country pleasures as well. There is just something so nice and cozy to see Muffin curled up in front of the fireplace on a cold winter day, or night. It would be even better if I had that fireplace for her, but I do have a fake fireplace which looks nice anyway. I still enjoy the sight. Or curled up on her Buffalo plaid blanket. That one we do have.

Forest path by the river.
Walking down a forest path is another country pleasure that is just so amazingly enjoyable. Whether there is water close by or not, that forest path produces the feeling of solitude and calm, removing any thoughts of stress completely.

Down at the river where I often like to sit.
When there is a river close by then that is also a wonderful country pleasure that I thoroughly enjoy. I love to sit by the river’s edge on a bench and drink in that beautiful scene. It is another place to enjoy solitude and just let that stress float away down the river.

Song sparrow singing in spring.
The sights and sounds along the river are another wonderful country pleasure as I listen to the birds singing, so many different species, some very loud, others quiet. But they all blend in to produce such an amazing chorus of wondrous songs.

Common Loon.
Along the river is a great place to see the Common Loon as they first return from the south. I love to listen to loons as they call to each other with that long, sort of mournful wilderness call that is so fascinating. Or another call which sounds as if they are laughing together and just having a great time.

Wild Black Currant with new leaves and flower in early spring.
Another wonderful country pleasure is the first sight of green leaves in the spring, showing new life springing forth after the barrenness of winter has past. I usually see the tiny green leaves of the black currant first, along with their little flowers, blooming so early in the spring.

More wonderful green leaves beginning to show.
But other tiny green leaves are quick to follow as the temperature rises in the spring.

Beautiful Moon.
Then at the end of day, as the sky darkens and the stars appear, we have the moon shining every so brightly. That is truly another country pleasure to enjoy on a mild spring, or warm summer night. Country pleasures abound all around us if we just take the time to look for them.
Country pleasures can be found even within a city. I hope you have enjoyed this look at some of my favorite country pleasures today. I will share some more on another day. Have a great day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2024 Steve McLeod.