Tyler was laughing Yes Grandpa I just scared the girls with a ghost story that’s all No you didn’t Something flew at us That’s what made us scream Cricket narrowed her eyes Did you throw something at us Tyler To scare us She knew her older brother liked to play pranks But Tyler laughed and shook his head Those were bats Cricket I’m sure of it Shilo said She still had her arms over her head as she crouched down low Could be We see lots of bats out here this time of year Cricket’s grandpa Mr McKay said They keep the bugs from destroying our crops so we’re happy to see them Cricket and Tyler’s grandparents lived on a large farm near Pincher Creek 5
The wide rolling hills were very different from the rocky forest where Cricket and Tyler lived in Waterton Lakes National Park Every summer the kids visited the farm for a few weeks and this year Shilo Cricket’s best friend had joined them They were all looking forward to participating in the Pincher Creek parade with Grandpa McKay Shilo groaned You didn’t warn me about the bats Cricket I didn’t know about Cricket started to say but it was too late Shilo was running full speed to the porch 6
Chapter Two What are you girls up to today Grandpa McKay poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table We thought we’d go for a walk Cricket said She finished her last bite of toast Maybe out toward the back pasture this time Grandpa nodded Do you need a pail for crickets He winked at Shilo 7
