Chapter 15

Sure enough, Jamie curled in a hollow, a pit left when a dead tree had pulled free of the earth, leaving a gaping hole where the roots had been. The winter rains and melting snow had washed the broken ground away to leave a ragged pit. It looked like Jamie had fallen over a rock, and from the angle of his right foot, his leg was broken. Grady’s heart lodged somewhere behind his Adam’s apple, even as relief staggered him.

The child’s face was streaked with dirt, soot, and tears, but to Grady, his son had never looked better. He slid down the embankment, while Sully held a light steady to illuminate the scene. Lots scampered around in dizzy circles, yapping and whining.

“Okay, boy. You did your job. Good dog.” Grady patted the pup and then knelt at Jamie’s side. He lifted the child clear of the rock. Jamie whimpered.

Sully slid down to join them. “Let me take care of it, Grady. I’ve got the training, too. It’ll be easier for us all.”