Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Evan stuck his tongue out, making a face as he translated for White.

"Great-grandpa and Great-grandma aren't here, but all their stuff still is."

"Every cabin's got someone on guard. Every place to stay is already taken."

"The storage shed is packed with all kinds of animal pelts and meat. And... there are over a dozen dead black storks."

Elysia's brows shot up in alarm. Black storks-those were on the endangered species list!

They were called the "pandas of the bird world" because they were so rare. And these people had killed more than ten?

Were these poachers?

But her grandparents had lived in these mountains for years, treating the animals as friends. How could they possibly allow people to kill so many protected animals?

Wait. Maybe they hadn't allowed it—but what could they do?

There were so many intruders, all of them armed. What could her grandparents possibly do against them?

Elysia's worry deepened, both for her grandparents and for the animals that had suffered.

"White says that when these people arrived, Great-grandpa and Great-grandma had already left," Evan said suddenly.

Elysia blinked in surprise. "They left? What do you mean?"

"They went out. Left the place."

"Where did they go?"

they left yesterday

felt a little bit of

hadn't been

"I'll ask White to look

it'd be easier for them to get info. After sending White off with his new mission, Elliot furrowed his brow

someone over here and ask a few more questions?" Tarquin nodded he had the same thought.

the cabin door

someone strode over, scowling. "What

slid a watch

and get at least

wide. He snatched up the watch, checked

his terms, calm as ever. "I'm thirsty. I want some

He had the watch, but he wasn't about to open

didn't seem surprised. His

can hand you a watch worth half a million, it means I'm loaded. I've got plenty more valuables on me. If you don't want to trade water for my money, I'm sure someone

threatened. He hissed, "Try yelling, and

raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Will you? Your boss said not to touch us before he

to shout. The guard lunged to stop

His tone was harsh.

if you're lying about the

nothing,

guard hurried

later, he

shutting the door

him-obviously, he didn't want