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Brock totally bought it. Without a second thought, he leapt straight from the

second floor, landing with a heavy thud.

"If it really is some wild mountain man, I'll strike it rich! Let's go!"

With his words, the whole crew swaggered out of the old ranch house and headed

past the white picket fence. But after a few steps, Brock remembered Elysia and

the others. He turned and barked,

"Leave this chick for me! Nobody touches her until I get back, you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah, Brock, don't worry! She's all yours."

Brock shot Elysia a sleazy grin before turning away, barely sparing a glance for

Tarquin or the kids.

To him, they were nothing-just harmless pests. Guns made all the difference,

after all. What could a few children and an old man do against that?

Once Brock and his men left, the little family of seven were herded into a bare,

musty room. Before the door slammed shut, one of the goons threw out a

warning:

"Sit tight and wait for Brock. Don't try anything stupid. This place is crawling with

run, you're dead wrong. Don't make

shotgun for emphasis and

heavy clunk.

tugging at it, but it was sealed

go! Find

their clever old sheepdog, understood right away. He gave Evan's hand

through a gap by

wringing her hands, her

Grandpa

would

They must

have come out

us as soon as we

only place up in the mountains," Evan said quietly. "If they're

else could

hand gently. "Maybe... maybe

else?"

shook her

you see the

out front? All

and zucchini are thriving-Grandpa

be taking

When we left,

They said

come back and find

and she blinked back tears, worry

something's happened. There are so many

guns..."

Evan looked worried too, but they shared a knowing

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