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Jason opened his mouth, but one look at Danny and it closed When his head drooped, Megan said, "Let's go"

Danny gru wooded path "Where are we going?" he asked, perturbed

"River of Hope," Megan said, again without knohy she had said it

"What a joke!" Danny said "Everything about this place is a joke!"

"Shut up," Jason said

The harsh words stopped everyone Megan stayed a short distance behind, a s across her lips Away from the others they could open up without fear of embarrass in Jason's face

"No one criticizes Megan," Jason said, standing his own ground

"Jason loves Megan," Danny teased

"Shut up Megan's nice and fun and is great with us and horses," Jason said

"Whatever!" Danny said, stepping away "Your idea of this ca joke I can't believe your dadhiround Danny retaliated with punches and kicks Before Megan stepped in, Gray Cloud exited the woods and grabbed Danny's shirt, pulling hi Jason stand "Brother against brother," he said shaking his head

"He is nothis mouth with the back of his hand "He never will be"

"Yeah," Jason said, rubbing his knuckles and breathing hard

Not releasing his hold on the boys, Gray Cloud said to Megan, "I a the boys with me They will return to camp safely and in one piece when I'm done with thean nodded The lethal calrab the boys and race to the ranch Her feet reround Gray Cloud was the answer she had sought, but was she sentencing the boys to a fate worse than death? The fierce determination written on his face and in his stance showed the answer

They marched away, but Gray Cloud turned and winked The all too familiar twinkle in his eyes relaxed her She did not know his plans, but Megan knew the boys would return changed "Thank you," she shouted to the sky

Though she knew Brett would wonder about their whereabouts, Megan explored a different trail "Luckily Clay is gone again, but soh the thread between us broke, seeing hiain showed me we are still connected in a way Why did he seek me out? That's why I believe he'll return, because we have unfinished business" She shivered but then turned her attention to the tall pine trees standing straight with deep roots "Perhaps one day I'll feel that secure and rooted" Soan believed it revolved around the man or spirit who followed her