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She was co even with the truck So far nobody had co to be all right

Just then two shaggy heads popped up fro, barking howls

Boone’s dogs They nized her scent Or maybe they just didn’t like cyclists

Panic driven, she pus Even without looking back, she could tell that they’d juht her, she wouldn’t have a chance against the big wolf hybrids They would bring her down like a deer

Faster

Her legs were getting rubbery, and her side had developed a painful stitch, and the dogs were gaining The bike wobbled as powerful jaws caught the rear tire If she thren her backpack, would they attack it and let her get away? But why even wonder? Before she could get the pack off her shoulders the dogs would be all over her

She pushed ahead, but the sht her pants leg—and then, like aof curses fros wheeled and trotted back the way they’d come

/>Es to push the pedals She’d been well past the truck when the dogs caught up with her With luck, the Swensons wouldn’t have seen her face They wouldn’t have realized who she was

Relief and exhaustion hit her like an earthquake Too shaky to ride on, she pulled off the shoulder of the road to catch her breath When she dared to glance behind her, she saw that the caht

And co toward her, at breakneck speed, was a familiar tan Jeep

CHAPTER 9

Eer seat while John lifted the bike into the rear of the Jeep When he clirim line

“John—”

“Don’t say a word” He started the engine, turned the vehicle around, and drove back toward town Ery before, but not like this

For a few an to speak, the words co He said his friends and fa for you I tried to call and warn you When you didn’t answer your damn phone, I called the hotel They said you’d taken the bike out” He shot her a storlance “Do you have any idea hoorried I was? Why didn’t you answer your phone?”