A Shepherd's Calling (What Comes After Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

help people or want to make a difference.”
    “ Or to punish the wicked,” Chris offered. “Judge, jury and executioner, if need be.”
    The Shepherd's voice hardened. “Sometimes, you need to remove what's rotten so the good can grow.” He decided to try another angle with Ben. “How long ago was it? The last time you were here, that is.”
    The boy made a face and began to fidget. “Not last spring, but the one before.”
    “ Two years,” Tom's voice was flat. He returned his gaze to the older man.
    The instructor regarded his former pupil with a neutral expression. “Two and a half, actually,” he said. “Are you passing sentence?”
    Is there challenge in his voice? While Tom said nothing and made no move, he could not prevent his jaw from clenching.
    To Ben, whose agitation was increasing with every breath, Chris spoke in a soothing whisper. “Easy there, big guy. No one's mad at you. Just a lot going on right now.”
    Janessa spoke before the silence could deepen. “You didn't find anything, so you left. Went back to where Angie and Ben were from, right? Respite, I think you called it?” When the Hunter and the boy nodded, she went on. “The people at that town were on to something. Even though you never found anything the first time, there are more soldiers back now. So...” The young woman trailed off, still working it out on her own.
    “ So...” Toby looked at his older sister, waiting for her to finish. “What does it mean?”
    “ Well, if they were looking for something, like stashed supplies, whatever... they woulda left some kinda mess.” Janessa mused aloud.
    “ But they didn't find no mess,” Toby said. Turning back to Chris, the younger sibling sought confirmation. “Right?”
    The Hunter nodded. “Right. So if they weren't looking for something...” The older man drew out the statement.
    Tom could tell Chris had slipped back into 'teacher-mode' and was baiting the prospective students into figuring out the solution on their own. His familiarity of this side of the older man did nothing to lessen the frustration he felt at being baited himself only a minute earlier.
    “ They mighta been leaving something,” her tone suggested she dismissed this theory as soon she gave it voice.
    “ Nah.” Toby sounded confident. Pointing at Chris, he said, “This guy is supposed to be-” he then pointed to Tom, “-that guy's teacher. Soldiers or not, anyone dug stuff up or moved things around, lookin' for somethin' or hidin' it, he woulda noticed.”
    The outdoors-man recognized the compliment from the younger man. He inclined his head toward Toby by way of acknowledgment. “Many thanks,” Chris murmured.
    After a pause, Janessa hazarded another guess. “Maybe they were waiting for something?”
    “ Ah,” Chris said with the ghost of a smile. “But what?”
    Before anyone could speculate further, Tom interjected. “Great question, but one that can likely wait until morning. Certainly until after the rest of your story.” Tom gestured to Chris. “Please, continue.”
    The Hunter nodded. “There's not much left to tell. Since our search here was a bust, we left. We gave the site of the pack's kill a wide berth, even with their diminished numbers. A day's walk brought us to Respite. Angie reported our findings, or distinct lack thereof. The town's scouts hadn't seen any further sign either, so they considered the matter closed.”
    Chris paused and watched Tom with what seemed to be a critical eye. “The people of Respite took me in and eventually counted me as one of their own. Everything was normal until a few weeks ago, when we began seeing activity again. This time, the sightings included vehicles and personnel, in multiple areas. The council sent a group to investigate each area. We volunteered to check this place.”
    The older man frowned as he went on. “A mile or so from here, it was pretty obvious we were being followed. I sent Ben and his mother up ahead while I doubled