Page 65 (1/1)

"Many years ago," Jason said, "a youngnature He heard a low rew louder He searched above and below for an aniested it wasn't an aniround moved under his feet like a heartbeat Thump, thu in the doorway looking like a drowned rat Faith stood beside hian's cheeks When her heart resu, she ?" she asked

"A hot shower, dry clothes, hot coffee, and a sandwich," Brett said Faith nodded, while the door's fraan took Faith by the arm and led her upstairs "Will you be okay to take a hot bath?"

"More water?" Faith sank deeper into Megan's ar, Faith plopped onto the bed and curled into a ball

"Have good drea her with a blanket She picked up the wet clothes and took the them over the shower doors

"How else do I avoid Brett?" No answersa deep breath with each step Despite the kids' protests to hear his story, Brett was half-asleep "Okay troops," Megan said "Time for bed"

"We want to hear Mr Brett's story Please"

"After I eat," he said, devouring his sandwich in a few bites and gulping his coffee He relaxed against the couch "Faith and I took a picnic lunch to the lake The distant thunder didn't bother us Storms like that can take hours to reach here Loud cracks jolted the earth We kneas lightning and fires were bound to spark, but where? Years of experience taught us to stay close to the water

"We watched and looked around, never venturing far froood hands here, so I didn't worry Faith and I grew tired of waiting, but it's a good thing we did"

Brett stretched his arms overhead and repositioned his feet on the coffee table Wide-eyed kids stared at hian listened to Brett, but tuned out most of what he said