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But Jake cluht to the bootjack near the front door, pried a foot out of first one muddy boot then the other, and launched hiainst its heavy bulk to open it Inside, he paused long enough to push it shut then struck out for the den In his stocking feet, he had difficulty getting traction on the hallway’s hardwood surface and reduced his headlong pace to a sca trot

When he reached the den’s open door

way, he slid to make the turn into the room “Hey, Greypa, did you find Aunt Cat a—husband?” He broke off the rest of his question and frowned in puzzlerandfather crouched behind the desk, only his head and shoulders visible Jake moved to the side of the desk for a closer look “Hey, Greypa, wha’cha doin?”

“Looking for solanced up from his search of the middle drawer’s contents

“Can I help? I’ood looker, Greypa”

“No, I’ll find it rowled the reply, shoved the middle drawer closed, pushed his chair back and lowered himself out of it onto one knee as he pulled open the bottootta be here somewhere”

A protest formed, but he checked it when he heard the sound of the front door opening, accompanied by his parents’ familiar voices He pushed away fro just as Cat joined him

“That’s good ti,” Cat declared “I was just on my way to let Dad know lunch is on the table Jake, would you run and tell him?”

“Okay, but—” he hesitated, “but I think Greypa needs some help first”

“Why? Where is he?’ Cat asked, the first gli in her expression

“On the floor behind the desk”

“On the floor? Oh, my God, he’s fallen” Before she ever finished the sentence, Cat was running for the den, Trey and Sloan were only steps behind her Not understanding what all the urgency was about, Jake brought up the rear

Cat hurried behind the desk “I’ll help you up, Dad” Bending, she caught hold of his arm

“Let go of lare when she reached for hi?”

“I’ to help you,” she snapped, then accused, “You had a dizzy spell, didn’t you?”