Free Threads of Change by Jodi Barrows Page B

drop as he drifted to sleep. He almost tuned out the slight but heavy footsteps that padded close to the small clearing.
    Startled, he opened one eye and both ears. He couldn’t see anything, but the horses appeared to sense the danger as they tossed their manes. Thomas slowly moved his hand to the side of his leg where he’d strapped his gun. He slipped it gently from its holster, waiting. The horses settled slightly, but Thomas felt as though something or someone watched him. He did not know how or why Chet was thrown from his saddle, but the whole situation seemed amiss, and his sense of duty to Lucas’s granddaughters throttled him around the throat.
    A few moments passed before Thomas sat up and stirred the fire. He placed more wood on the burning coals. He intended to keep the fire high tonight. He glanced over at Chet who slept soundly.
    One slight crack of wood sent Thomas’s hand lunging for his gun again, and he rested it on the grip as he surveyed their surroundings.

    Bear sat silently next to Luke at the campfire while John and Blue talked about the turn of events from the day and considered their options for the morning, and Liz sat with Emma, chatting softly. With his head resting on his crossed front paws, Bear’s eyes followed each of the men as they talked.
    Suddenly, the dog’s nostrils flared as he picked up an unusual scent. His nose twitched, trying to get more of the smell. Immediately, the dog rose and hastily bounded into the darkness.
    “What is it, boy?” Luke asked, looking through the undercarriage of the wagons and wheels. He tried to adjust his eyes to the blackness of the night after staring at the campfire for so long. Bear, up on all fours, had alerted to something. He let out a low growl. Liz had been around the dog enough to know that he meant business. His throat puffed and his black lips curled, exposing black gums and long pointed teeth. The deep growl continued and grew more intense. He now had the attention of Blue and John, guns in hand.
    Liz’s thoughts flew to Abby and Megan, already retired for the night.
    “Luke, get your mother and her cousin into the wagons,” Blue said sharply.
    “Yes,” Luke answered, and he flew to his feet. As his eyes searched the darkness, he grabbed Liz by the elbow and softly commanded, “Let’s go. Into the wagon.”
    Liz went into full Mother Hen, nudging Emma along like a baby chick toward the nearest wagon.
    “Liz,” Emma squealed.
    “Shhh. Let’s do as they’ve asked and get inside.”
    “What is it?” she heard Luke ask the men.
    “I don’t know,” Blue said, “but the back of my neck is crawling.”
    “I don’t like it at all,” John said quietly, his finger tapping the trigger of his revolver.
    Bear’s gaze never left the small gap in the trees. He prowled toward it and let out a fierce growl that Liz didn’t know her son’s dog could make.
    Suddenly, a white form emerged: Megan, in her nightgown, panting and looking around frantically, her face white as a ghost.
    “Megan! What are you doing out here?” Blue swore, irritated and relieved as he lowered his gun. “Are you alone?”
    John let out a breath and bent over to his knees. Bear ran to the opening Megan had flown through, his throat still rumbling.
    “Come here, boy,” Luke pressed, but Bear didn’t move.
    “What was that? Did you see it?” Megan panted, trying to catch her breath.
    “We didn’t see anything. We only heard it,” Blue said. “Or heard you. I’m not sure.”
    “Well, what did you see?” John asked impatiently.
    “Megan, you know not to go out alone,” Blue told her, and Liz let out a heavy sigh.
    “What’s going on?” Emma whispered. “What is it?”
    Shushing her, Liz urged, “Let’s wait for them to call us out.”
    “It was big with glowing eyes,” Megan exclaimed, and Liz’s eyes widened. “It moved so quickly. Did you hear it? I haven’t a clue what it was, but it could have gotten me! It’s still out there,”