He smiled and made his way downstairs to the living room and sure enough there they were. He slipped on his clothes and glanced out the windows. The sheers were drawn, thankfully, but he could see Ashley Beaumont standing on her front steps. Someone was standing on the path in front of her shaking something at her. He couldn't really make out what it was but he had his boots on and was out the door before that person could hit her with whatever he was shaking.

He marched across the lawn and turned up Ashley's driveway as she caught sight of him. He saw her immediate relief then nervousness...