Page 16 (1/2)

Ruth already knehat her granddaughter was about to say She agreed, but they didn’t have ti to act, they had to do it now "I’ll distract the men and then you do whatever one does to make motorcycles refuse to start"

"Do you knohat that is?" Annie asked

"No Don’t you?"

"Nope"

"Oh, dear" So much for that Ruth bit her lip as she searched for another idea "There’s got to be a way to protect ourselves" Her gaze fell to the ground as she began pacing "And your mother--"

"I think Mom’s safe"

"I certainly hope so," Ruth said, her"What would we tell the police? These bikers don’t even have real names! Who ever heard ofdid happen, God forbid, how could we tell the police we let your mother drive off with so’s going to happen, Grandet the police," Ruth continued "What a to tell your father?"

"Grandnored that "Grant will be so upset with me," she went on "He’ll say it’s all my fault and I can’t blame him I’m responsible for this o I’ve lived "

"You want to see your high school friends again, don’t you?"

"Of course" Ruth sighed She desperately wanted to see Royce, too Just once, so she could tell hi hurt hiive up her life in order to save her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Ruth wouldn’t think twice A s, but she decided she simply couldn’t take the risk

"Do you have any ideas?" she asked her granddaughter Annie was sirl would co

"In my opinion, we should just wait this out If Mom isn’t back in, say, another hour--"

"Another hour?" Ruth interrupted That see

"Grandet into Wells and then e for a tow truck We should wait a minimum of ninety uess"

"Okay" However, Ruth didn’t like it She checked her watch so she’d know exactly when those ninety minutes were up and prepared to wait

To distract theas and what they’d do when they got there

After ten interminable minutes, Ruth chanced a look at the bikers and to her shock saw the three of the the shoreline and…oh, one in the water nude She felt herself flush While she’d been talking to Annie, thoseto worry about," she told Annie Ruth had the perfect plan "I’ve got everything under control"

"What do you mean?"

"You’ll see" As casually as possible, Ruth strolled toward the lake

"Grand to do?"

She whirled around and pressed her finger to her lips, shushing Annie

"Grandain, this ti…silly"

Ruth waved off her concern As fast as she could, she gathered up thethe?" Rooster shouted

Facing theiving them back until Bethanne is returned safe and sound" She clutched the clothes even tighter, unwilling to surrender a single iteht her hilarious

Without another word, Rooster started walking to shore and the other two followed Soon vital body parts were fully exposed Ruth gasped and backed away Clearly the threat of not having their clothesto them

"That scares us, Grandma That really scares us"

Ruth dropped the clothes and, feeling more than a little ridiculous, hurried over to Annie

They heard the roar of a motorcycle in the distance

"Moht of worry and responsibility instantly lifted from Ruth’s shoulders--until Max rode into view

He was alone

Ruth grabbed Annie’s arm "Your mother isn’t with him," she hissed

"She’s probably with the tow truck driver," Annie said, not revealing the slightest alarm "And where is the tow truck?" she asked A chill went down her spine Hands on her hips, Ruth marched up to Max and waited until he’d turned off that blasted ear-splitting engine "What have you done with hter-in-law?" she deht this minute where Bethanne is," she yelled

"Grandma, Granded her finger under Max’s nose "You’re fortunate Bethanne is safe Otherwise…otherwise, you would’ve been sorry"

"Ooh, he’s shaking in his boots," Rooster said, then practically collapsed with laughter