Hungry Independents (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

smelly dead dogs
     lying around when the kiddos come out to play.”
    Scout followed Samuel to one of the beasts
     Molly had killed. Samuel put his gloves back on and they each
     grabbed legs. The big dog’s head fell back and its snout dragged
     the ground between them.
    Samuel one-armed the creature and covered his
     nose with the other. “This smells worse than Hunter’s underwear
     after he’s been out riding for a week.”
    Scout smiled because it was true.
    “See, I knew I’d get you to smile if I bagged
     on Hunter.”
    “I’m picturing you sniffing Hunter’s
     underwear.”
    Samuel grinned. “You shouldn’t knock it.”
    They heaved the carcass into the pit and left
     to find the next one. Around the front of the house, they
     discovered Molly was now awake, sitting up on the porch with a
     shirt on, thankfully. Of course the thankful part depended on
     whether or not her brother was still around—which he was.
    “Hey there, Molly,” Samuel stopped cold and
     Scout bumped into him, but he barely noticed. “Is that my Nirvana
     concert T-shirt?”
    Molly pulled down the front where a naked
     baby boy swam after a dollar bill. “Mark gave it to me.”
    “But it’s never been worn. That shirt is a
     classic.”
    “What’s a classic?” Molly asked.
    Samuel looked around for support but his
     friends were all blank faced. His head dropped in defeat. “First my
     parents, then Greg, and now this…”
    “Don’t be so dramatic. I can wash it.”
    “Don’t wash it!” Samuel’s voice cranked up an
     octave.
    Everyone looked at him like he was bonkers.
     Scout sort of understood. He was slightly bonkers about his own
     special stuff, but that was baseball gloves, not some stupid
     shirt.
    “Just bring it back the way it is after you
     take it off.” Samuel took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I
     guess I should be thanking you for saving my life.”
    “It wouldn’t have needed saving if I had gone
     inside the house when you told me too. I’m sorry. I have this thing
     about dogs.”
    “Well, those dogs had a thing about you that
     didn’t end well for them. But what I’m really upset about is
     missing all the good parts.”
    “What good parts?” Molly asked.
    Samuel waggled his eyebrows at her and
     Molly’s face turned as bright as a tomato.
    “Knock it off, Sam,” Mark said. “I shouldn’t
     have even told you.”
    “Yeah, right, because now I’m all
     disappointed and stuff.”
    “Not to mention deprived,” Scout said.
    “Good one,” Samuel said, offering Scout a
     fist bump.
    “Are you guys done digging the hole?” Mark
     asked.
    “Yeah, we’re rounding up the doggies now,”
     Samuel said.
    “They’re hellhounds.”
    Everyone looked at Catherine, who had propped
     herself up and was stretching her little hands above her head. Her
     mussed blonde hair required a good brushing. Bags under her eyes
     showed her need for more recovery time from her latest healing.
    “Hellhounds will turn to ash when the sun
     comes up.”
    “Wish somebody would have told us that before
     we dug the hole,” Samuel said. “I guess I could plant a tree or
     find some treasure to bury.”
    “Why don’t we fill it with water for a
     swimming pool?” Scout said.
    Samuel nudged him in the shoulder. “You’re
     two for two, bro.”
    Mark stared them down into silence.
     “Catherine, when you say hellhounds, you mean…”
    “Exactly the way it sounds. Those hounds were
     sent here from Hell to hunt. Judging by who they attacked, I’d
     suggest Molly keep her night wanderings to a minimum.”
    Catherine shifted her attention away from the
     group. “Well, hello there! When did you get here?”
    Scout searched the direction Catherine spoke
     toward and found no one else in the hazy dawn.
    “Yes, yes, I won’t say a word. I think you’re
     right. Secrecy would be best right now.”
    “Who are you talking to?” Scout asked.
    Catherine combed fingers through her hair,