Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Holy shit,” Sadie says from up ahead. “They fucked up your truck.”
Wild pretends to cry as we approach his truck that’s smashed between some trees. It’s all scratched up and looks terrible, something I failed to notice when we abandoned it. Knowing how much he loves that big metal beast, I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for him.
Sadie cracks up, laughing and making fun of Wild. This has me and the boys also joining in. So much for feeling bad for him.
“I still can’t believe those assholes did this,” Wild grumbles, kicking one of the flat tires. “I love this truck and it’s ruined.” He sighs heavily and shakes his head. “At least we’re getting closer. The road is just up ahead. Another few hours maybe and we’ll be there.”
Knowing home is within reach, I blink back sudden tears of happiness. Mom, Dad, and Dawson are alive. Soon, I’ll see all three of them. God, I miss them so much.
We stop a bit later, after we’re on the road, for a quick snack of eating our fill of blackberries growing wild. Declan’s face is stained purple, but he’s smiling and not crying, which is a relief.
“Are we there yet?” Dakota asks for the millionth time since we got onto the road.
Wild tousles his hair and laughs. “Dude. Does it look like we’re there yet?”
As we continue to walk, the sun begins to dip in the sky. I’m not sure exactly how far from home we are, but I hope we can make it by nightfall. I do not want to spend another night in a tent with Declan glued to my chest. Everything aches, especially my feet, but I’ll walk until morning if that means avoiding another campout.
I just want to be home.
What home?
Every time I close my eyes, I see the memory of the flames. They set our house on fire. There’s no telling what things will look like when we get back. I don’t have the heart to ask Wild.
We continue our trek even after the sun completely sets and night closes around us like a fist. It’s chilly and every sound makes us jump, but we keep going.
“Come on, Kota,” Wild grunts. “Up you go.”
He lifts Dakota into his arms and we keep moving. One foot after the other. Hour after hour.
A low growling sound has all three of us stopping short. Sadie swings the shotgun in her hands toward the sound. I ready myself to run Declan to safety if need be and hope Wild will do the same for Dakota.
A dark figure darts toward us. Sadie fumbles with the shotgun, trying to aim it at the animal, but she’s not quick enough. It pounces on me, knocking me to my ass. A shriek of terror rips from my lips until the creature starts licking my face.
Wait.
“Mage?” I say in surprise. “It’s Mage!”
He’s doubled in size since I last saw him. I scratch my fingers through his scruff, laughing when he then starts licking Declan’s blackberry mouth.
“Well, I’ll be goddamned,” a male voice says. “You boys really did it.”
Uncle Atticus appears from the shadows, a wide grin on his face. He pulls Wild to him for a side hug and then does the same to Sadie. I’m still getting licked to death by Mage for any hugs.
“Please tell me we’re almost home,” I say, waiting for Uncle Atticus to make his way over to me. “I don’t think I can walk much farther.”
He chuckles, offering me his hand. “You’re home, kiddo. You did it.”
I let him pull me to my feet. Mage circles me, tail wagging.
“Where’s everyone else?” Uncle Atticus asks, looking past me. “Your brothers and sister?”
Wild grunts in response. “They’re still out there. We had to get the kids away and back home. Rowdy and Ryder went back for Ronan and Destiny.”
“I see,” Uncle Atticus says, voice tight. “Well, enough standing around. Let’s get you kids home. You all have people missing you a whole fuck of a lot.”
Another couple of minutes and we’re passing by our fenced-in property. Uncle Atticus’s RV sits parked nearby. The air still smells like charred wood and lingering smoke despite all the time that’s passed. I’m not thrilled to see what’s left of our home.
“Welcome home,” I mutter as I step through the gate.
It’s dark, but I can tell there’s not much left of our house. I think about all the memories we had in that house—playing with my siblings, laughing at family meals, sitting by the fireplace while Dad told stories.
It’s all gone.
The other buildings on our property are still standing, though. We’ll rebuild. Eventually.
“Wild,” Uncle Atticus says, “why don’t you and Sadie head over to the RV? Momma, Chet, and the twins are there. Let’s give Raegan and the boys time with their parents.” He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “They’re staying in Ronan’s cabin.”