Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Sharing it with anyone,” I questioned.
Ian looked puzzled.
“I need to find out if my dad was the only one to interrogate Stone and if anyone was allowed to listen in on it.”
CHAPTER 22
Two days since the incident at the hospital with Stone and two days that my dad had avoided me. Something was up and I was determined to find out what it was. I had managed to get enough out of Josh to know that no one but my dad spoke with Stone at the police station. Raised voices could be heard from my dad’s office according to Josh. He was released right afterward since there was nothing that they could charge him with, though he was told in no uncertain terms about keeping his distance from the sheriff’s daughter.
Josh did say he was outside when our dad released Stone but neither of them had noticed him since he was a fair distance away. However, Josh did overhear their parting words.
“Don’t forget that bet, Sheriff,” Stone said.
“I’m counting on it, Stone,” our dad said.
When Josh asked him about it, our dad grinned and told him it was a sucker’s bet and Stone was about to lose. But he wouldn’t say anything more about it, and it left Josh wondering and me puzzled.
I stared at my screen saver on my computer, a picture of Mo and Roxie looking far too innocent. I had to have been spaced out for a while since I had to put in my password to unlock it. I was giving another once-over to the introduction in my Prepping for the Doubting Thomas book that was due to my editor.
I get it. You’re skeptical. You’re rolling your eyes and thinking, “Another prepper book telling me the world is about to end.” Well, I’m not here to convince you the sky is falling, but I am here to tell you that life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. And being prepared isn’t about doom and gloom—it’s about common sense, self-reliance, and, let’s be honest, avoiding the sheer embarrassment of being the one person in town who didn’t think ahead when the power went out.
Let’s talk about what prepping really is. It’s not about building a bunker (though, hey, if that’s your thing, I won’t judge). It’s not about hoarding canned beans like a squirrel on a caffeine binge. Prepping is simply about being ready for whatever life tosses your way—whether it’s a blizzard, a power outage, a job loss, or, heaven forbid, a zombie raccoon invasion (don’t laugh, I’ve seen some suspicious-looking raccoons in my day).
This book is for the Doubting Thomases—the ones who think prepping is over the top, unnecessary, or just plain weird. My goal isn’t to turn you into a full-fledged survivalist who can start a fire with two sticks and a glare. It’s to give you practical, everyday steps to ensure you and your loved ones are safe, comfortable, and yes, even well-fed when things go sideways.
So, whether you’re reading this out of mild curiosity, begrudging interest, or because someone gifted you this book with a knowing look, I invite you to keep an open mind. You might just find that a little preparedness goes a long way—and who knows, by the end of this, you may even be the one saying, “I told you so.”
Let’s get started.
Stay prepped and prepared,
Pepper
The Doubting Thomas, that was presently me with my dad and it disturbed me that I would feel that way since I never doubted my dad. I might question his opinion at times but most times we agreed on things when it came to solving crimes and mysteries. So, what was I missing?
Feeling left out.
I shook my head. There was more to it than that.
“Don’t overthink this,” that’s what my dad said to me. There was more to his remark than what he said, and I wondered if he meant that if I gave it simple thought then I would understand what he actually meant.
I closed out my work, realizing my thoughts were too scrambled to concentrate and went downstairs to get some tea, Mo and Roxie following me.
My cell rang when I reached the kitchen. I smiled as I answered it. “Feeling better.”
“Much and I have some exciting news to share,” Amy said. “Beau and I did a deeper dive on Melvin Waters, and I can’t wait to show you what we found.”
“Come on over and I’ll make us lunch,” I said.
“Be right there and I’ll send the info to download so we can go over it.” Just before ending the call, Amy asked, “Have you talked with your dad yet?”
I had told her all about the incident in a long phone conversation and was sorry to report, “Not yet and it’s not like him to avoid me.”