What is a young man to do when he accidentally stumbles upon the secret hideaway of three refugees from the law, who will do anything to keep their whereabouts unknown?<br><br>Young, rich, spoiled, and naive George Lattimer sets out to hitchhike Route 66 across the country in the summer of 1964. After a bad experience getting a ride, he finds himself lost in the Ozark wilderness and stumbles upon the lair of three large, hairy outdoorsmen, hiding from the U.S. Marshals. They are determined to keep their hideaway a secret at all costs.

The Three Bears

“I don’t know,” Cullen answered. “He was gone when I got up this morning.”


“He can’t have wandered too far because the truck is still here.”


“That’s a relief, because I need to drive into Quapaw today. I’ve got a couple of odd jobs there. And I have to replace the food George ate yesterday.” He winked at George.


“If Johnny’s gone that means you’ll have to hang out with me.” He looked at George with piercing dark eyes.


George’s heart skipped a beat. Oh, no. I have to be alone with him? I’m…I’m looking forward to it? The epiphany stunned him. Why am I not terrified?


“Is that okay with you, kid?” The corners of Daddy’s mouth twitched.


“Why don’t the two of you go up to the lake and catch us some fish for dinner,” Cullen suggested.


“But it’s raining,” George protested.


“Not for long.” Daddy opened the door a crack, staring at the sky. “It’ll stop for a while but we’ll have rain on and off all day. You don’t mind getting a little wet?”


Chapter 9