Free Wilder Boys by Brandon Wallace Page B

Pittsburgh.
    It’s crazy trying to look for Dad, he thought. How are we going to find him in millions of acres of wilderness? And what about Mom? Maybe we should have stayed with her. Bull might have left us alone; maybe social services wouldn’t have separated us.
    But Jake didn’t really believe any of that—he couldn’t be sure that he and Taylor weren’t in danger while Bull was around. The only person who could help them now was their father.
    What if we can’t find him? What if we do find him? What would I even say? Would I even recognize him? Will we make it before the police stop us and things get complicated?
    A loud voice brought him back to consciousness.
    â€œWake up, sleepyheads!” Sharon said. “We’re here. Rock Springs.”
    â€œHuh? Already?” Jake sat up from the truck’s bed and looked out the window to see yet another truck stop, witha town and mountains beyond that. He glanced at Taylor, who had fallen asleep in the front passenger seat and was now yawning and rubbing his eyes.
    â€œMake sure you get all your stuff,” Jake told his brother.
    Taylor stepped up to the truck’s “living room,” and the boys double-checked that nothing had fallen from their backpacks. Then they and Cody hopped out of the truck.
    Sharon walked around to meet them by the truck’s front grill.
    â€œWell,” Jake told Sharon. “Thank you for the ride.”
    â€œAnd everything else,” Taylor added. “It was cool riding in your truck.”
    Jake couldn’t imagine how else they would have come so far in so short a time—riding in the truck was a thousand times better than the dirty and cold freight train.
    â€œTo tell you the truth, I enjoyed the company,” Sharon said, but her face was scrunched up in concern.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Jake asked her.
    Sharon hesitated, then said, “Listen, boys. I’ve been thinking about this, and the more I think about it, the more I just don’t feel right about you headin’ up to look for your dad all by yourselves—even if you do have a trusty guard dog with you.”
    Jake glanced down at Cody, who was wagging his tail, ready for action, but then Jake returned his gaze to Sharon.
    â€œYour mama must be worried sick about you,” Sharon continued. “And if you’re really worried about herboyfriend—what’s his name, Bull?—well, I’m thinkin’ you can ride out to Reno with me, and we can get in touch with social services.”
    â€œNo!” Jake blurted, alarmed. He’d thought Sharon was on their side, and now she was talking about getting the authorities involved. “C’mon, Taylor, we’d better go.”
    Taylor looked uncertainly between Sharon and Jake.
    â€œNow, don’t get all torqued out of shape,” Sharon told them. “It was just an idea. You might look older, but I know you kids aren’t sixteen.”
    â€œYes, we are .” Jake tried to control the quaver in his voice. He knew Sharon was just trying to look out for them, but he couldn’t let anyone else get involved. They had to find their dad for themselves.
    â€œMy point is that there are a lot of bad people out there—people who will try to take advantage of two boys on the run, no matter how old you are. I’d like to help you out if I can.”
    â€œThank you. You really helped us a lot. We mean it, but . . . But we can take care of ourselves.”
    Sharon didn’t give up. “Jake. Taylor. I’d want someone helping you if you were my kids and on the run.”
    â€œWe don’t need any more help,” Jake repeated more forcefully. “C’mon, Taylor,” he said, grabbing his brother’s arm. “Let’s get out of here.”
    The boys and Cody quickly headed for the truck stop, Taylor calling a quick good-bye over his shoulder.
    â€œJake, Taylor,” Sharon