proof that it had once been there The back fence was covered in branches that had been snagged as the floodwaters raced across their property The family dogs were already outside running and playing happy to be allowed in the backyard again Rylee only a year old was running around in circles as though he was herding imaginary sheep Morgan was sure that’s what Australian shepherds dreamed of Shire a Lab was much older and slower but this morning he was moving faster than usual They both looked like they were having fun exploring the new smells from objects left behind by the floodwaters For Morgan the river’s retreat meant work She and her parents would have to clean up the mess Branches were strewn everywhere around the yard She wouldn’t complain because she knew there had been years when the floods were worse The previous spring the melting snow and ice had swollen the river so much that it lapped at the back porch Her parents had been really worried They’d thought they might 3
even have to leave the house behind and move in with her grandparents until the river returned to normal Shire started baying Big loud barks kept coming from deep in his chest That wasn’t like him He was usually so quiet and well behaved He stood at the edge of the property right by the fence and continued to call out His barking attracted Rylee who stopped herding and went over to see for himself There had to be something out there Morgan peered through the glass trying to see what was bothering Shire Living out in the country she had often seen wild animals wander across their property Deer were common but she’d also seen foxes rabbits and even a black bear come through the yard She scanned the whole area but couldn’t see anything Morgan knew that didn’t mean there wasn’t something out there The dogs could smell what she couldn’t see Shire continued to bark Whatever it was Morgan needed to investigate 4
Chapter two Morgan got dressed and hurried down the stairs Her mother was by the sink washing dishes and her father was at the stove making breakfast That was their routine One did the cooking and the other did the cleanup Both were good cooks but Morgan’s father was much better at making a mess They always joked that he needed three pots and a kettle just to boil water Good morning Sunshine Morgan’s father said Morning Dad good morning Mom Her mother gave her a kiss on the forehead I didn’t expect to see you up this early on a Saturday Did Shire wake you up 5
