Saving Grayson by Chris Fabry

Author:Chris Fabry [Fabry, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / Contemporary, FICTION / Small Town & Rural
ISBN: 9781684284023
Publisher: Focus on the Family
Published: 2023-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

GRAY PEERED THROUGH THE SPATTER on the pane and the torn screen of the front room window at the blurry figure of a man standing by the driver’s side of a rusty pickup. Dubose and another dog were barking their heads off at him, not normal for Dubose.

“Who is that?” Gray said.

“He’ll see you,” Pooch said, grabbing Gray by the shirt and pulling him away. “You asked me what you did wrong. Delbert’s part of the answer.”

“Who is he?”

“Annie’s brother. One of the Slades.”

“You ripped my collar. This is my favorite shirt.”

“Better that than a hole from Delbert’s gun.”

“What’s he want?”

“Pooch!” Del yelled. “I’m not going to tell you again! Get him out here!”

Annie marched out of her room, a hard look on her face. She stepped out of her shoes and moved barefoot toward the window.

“He wants you, Grayson,” Pooch said.

“Del!” Annie yelled. “Have you been drinking again?” Then to Pooch, “It’s not even ten o’clock.”

“I told you to call the sheriff,” Pooch said.

“Stay out of this, Annie!” Del hollered. He was near the porch now.

Annie swept aside the curtain and cursed. “Del, you’re drunk! Get back in your truck before you do something stupid!”

“Too late,” Pooch said.

“If a deputy comes out here and finds you with a gun, they’re going to lock you up again! Is that what you want?”

“Again?” Gray said.

“Long story,” Pooch said.

“Send him out here, Annie! If you don’t, you’re just as guilty as he is!”

“You told me to stay out of it!” Annie yelled. “Now you want me in the middle of it. He’s not here. Somebody slashed his tires at the hotel last night. Sheriff’s looking for somebody who can’t spell murder. So get out of here.”

“A little bird told me Pooch brought him here. You of all people, Annie, letting somebody like that in your own house. Bring him out.”

Annie turned to Pooch. “Take him out the back toward the river. I’ll stall Del and come get you when he leaves.”

“No, you take him to the river,” Pooch whispered. “I’ll talk your brother down. He won’t hurt me.”

“I’m not scared of him,” Gray said full-voiced. “Why should I be?”

“I hear him!” Del shouted. “Don’t you lie to me, Annie!”

She glared at Gray. “Del, get out of here before somebody gets hurt!”

Annie motioned for Gray to follow her to the back door, not turning around, as if her confidence might change his mind.

“We’re going fishing?”

“Yeah, that’s it,” Pooch said. “I’ll bring the gear after things settle down. Just be quiet about it, okay?”

“I need Dubose. He’ll be all over that riverbank.”

“We’ll get him later,” Annie said from the back door. “Just come on.”

She held the door open for him. He was nearly out when a yelp made him stop and turn.

“Grayson, I got your dog out here! His tag has an Arizona address. Better come say goodbye.”

Gray stepped back inside, something primal sparking. Annie hissed behind him, but he rushed toward the front door, Pooch yelling and trying to block his way.

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