Run to Ground by Katie Ruggle

Author:Katie Ruggle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2017-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

There was a boot print.

Although Jules knew in her head that there were a thousand perfectly logical, completely innocent reasons someone had left a print in the soft dirt right next to the first line of evergreens framing their backyard, her gut just knew this was bad. Really, really bad.

Had the boot-wearer been watching her last night? Had he climbed through the open window and been inside the house? No. Jules couldn’t allow herself to even consider the idea. If she did, she’d grab the kids, stuff them in the SUV, and leave. It wouldn’t matter where they’d go, though. She’d never feel safe again.

She moved around, searching for more prints, hoping to at least see what direction the person came from or went, but the rest of the ground was too rocky or hard-packed or covered with pine needles to hold a print. Jules returned to the footprint and studied it. Should she tell Theo? Even as she thought it, she dismissed the idea. Whoever had left it hadn’t committed a crime. The trees weren’t even part of her property, so she couldn’t even call it trespassing.

“Wh-what are y-you l-l-looking at?”

Jules shifted so she was standing on the print. “Caterpillar.”

Sam’s expression was skeptical, and he walked closer, scanning the ground around her feet. “Wh-where is it?”

“I stepped on it.”

Now she could tell he really didn’t believe her. “L-liar.”

She laughed and purposefully walked back toward the house, hoping her shoes had scuffed the print enough that Sam wouldn’t spot it. He worried too much as it was. “Where are the kids?”

Although he eyed the spot where she’d been standing, he didn’t seem to see anything out of the ordinary. Jules’s tight shoulders eased slightly in relief.

“Out fr-front.”

“Good. It’s a beautiful day.” It really was. The sun was warm, but the air had a crisp undertone that hinted of fall. Between the bugs and the humidity in Florida, Jules had avoided being outside most of the time, but Colorado was different. It made her want to hike and do all sorts of outdoorsy things. “We should get bikes. Let’s keep an eye on Craigslist.”

Sam just hummed, traces of his early suspicion still clinging to him.

“Jules!” Ty’s urgent shout made her heartbeat pick up immediately. He, Tio, and Dee came running around the side of the house. “We heard a car coming up the driveway!”

“Did they see you?”

“I don’t think so,” Ty said, shooting a worried glance over his shoulder, even though the driveway was hidden by the house. Although Jules hated that the kids were so suspicious and wary that they’d been spooked by the sight of an approaching stranger, it was important that they stay cautious. After all, being too trusting could get them caught.

“Good.” Jules glanced at Sam, who was already ushering the other three toward the barn. “I’ll go check it out. Remember, if you hear yelling or if fifteen minutes go by, and I don’t give you the all-clear, grab the emergency stash hidden in the loft and go.

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