Puddlejumpers Read Online Free PDF

his cows, pigs, and horses.
    When he was finished, Russ closed the barn door and started across the yard. A brisk wind stung his cheek and rain began to patter the ground. “Looks like we might see some big rain tonight,” he said, hustling toward the house as dark clouds gathered in the twilight.
    Russ prepared a bottle, then, humming a lullaby, laid Shawn in his crib. He flicked on the Snow White lamp, illuminating the elfin mobile dangling just above the baby’s head. He washed his son with a warm moist cloth, then blew his lips in a noisy sputter against the baby’s belly, which made Shawn giggle.
    Outside, a steady rain was falling.
    â€œIf this rain ever quits, we’ll get the rest of our wheat in—what do you say?” asked Russ, knowing that the long-grain wheat in the field south of the barn still needed another week in the ground. He shook a few drops of milk from the baby bottle onto his wrist to make sure it was the right temperature. Shawn babbled as if trying to talk with his dad.
    â€œNo, you cannot run the tractor,” Russ teased. “Maybe next year if you walk the straight and narrow.” He kissed his baby, then gave him the bottle. “Okay, my little farmer, go for it.”
    A sharp knocking rattled the kitchen door.
    â€œComing,” he called, then snugged the quilt around his baby boy. A persistent RAT-A-TAT-TAT echoed from the kitchen. Russ tapped the mobile, which sent the carved figures dancing chaotically around the Crystal Acorn. Shawn pumped his legs and squealed with delight. “You sure like those little guys, don’t you?”
    As soon as his father left the room, Shawn dropped his bottle and reached for the dancing elves.
    Annoyed by the persistent knocking, Russ hollered, “All right, already,” as he hurried through the kitchen. When he opened the door, no one was there, but his cows and pigs were wandering around the rain-swept yard. Pitch snapped at their heels, trying to herd them back into the barn. One of his horses was trotting up the muddy drive toward the highway.
    â€œGod-zilla!” cursed Russ as he dashed out into the storm.

    In the nursery, Shawn giggled as Root and Runnel pattered along the railing. Runnel jumped into the crib and stuffed a teething ring into the baby’s mouth to keep him quiet. Root drew a sharpened stone from his belt and slashed the Crystal Acorn from the mobile, then held it up to signal the others.
    Pandemonium ensued as Buck and Cully pried open the window and led a gaggle of Puddlejumpers into the room. Dashing every which way, they stuffed a burlap sack with toys, teething rings, bottles, clothes, and the Snow White lamp, setting the loot aglow.
    At the window, Chop pulled his chin up to the sill and peeked inside, his eyes wide with excitement. Convinced he could help, he vaulted into the room and joined the fray, but he was one too many Jumpers thrashing through the bureau. It tilted off its axis, wobbling dangerously back and forth.
    Outside, Russ was returning his horse to the barn when a crashing sound from the house snapped him to attention. Abandoning the animal, he sprinted for the porch and hurdled the steps in a single leap. He raced through the kitchen, down the hall, and banged open the door. His baby’s room was in complete disarray—the bureau toppled and clothes strewn across the floor. The window was open and the curtains, wet with rain, billowed inward. What he saw next was more terrible than any nightmare.
    The crib was empty.
    â€œOh God, please no!” he prayed. The Crystal Acorn was gone, too. Only the dancing elves remained.
    Backing away from the crib, Russ stepped on something under the rug. It was Chop, the only Jumper who hadn’t made it out. His shrill cry sent Russ’ heart to his throat and he stumbled into the wall, barely glimpsing a shadow leaping out the window. He rushed to the sill and peered into the dark. Just beneath him, Chop