“She says we’ll all be back someday.”
Kyle shook hands with all the men, kissed the ladies, and walked out of their lives.
For a time.
* * *
The Bowerses, the Westerfelts, and the Hudsons all traded in their vehicles in Atlanta. No one wanted to take those vehicles back to New York.
The further they drove away from Edmund county, the more muddled the incident became in the minds of the Westerfelts and the Hudsons. By the time the small convoy reached Washington, D. C., the Hudsons and Westerfelts weren’t sure exactly what had happened in Georgia.
And that didn’t surprise Lucas or Tracy either.
Jackie and Johnny had known that was going to happen. But they hadn’t told their parents.
The Bowers family all agreed not to talk about their summer.
35
Lucas had finished unloading the car and was walking back to the house when something shiny caught his eyes. He knelt down in the driveway and picked up the shiny object.
It was a tiny gold rocking horse.
36
It was the night of the annual fall dance at the country club. Tracy and Lucas had gone with George and Mimi, Harry and Jan.
Jackie had passed her thirteenth birthday with a small party and lots of presents. She was now one month past her thirteenth year of life.
And she was alone in the house.
There was nothing really interesting to watch on TV, and Jackie was getting very bored.
The phone rang.
Jackie passed Baby on her way to answer the phone. The big mastiff was allowed in the house only when one of the kids was left alone at night. Jackie stopped by the hall entrance, noticing a strange pulsing light coming from her parents’ bedroom. It was an odd gold color.
The ringing of the phone was persistent.
Jackie picked up the receiver. “Hello.”
“Hi, pretty baby,” the familiar voice sprang into her ear. “It’s your Uncle Ira.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Though known largely for his epic tales of the American West including The Mountain Man series, New York Times bestselling author William W. Johnstone began his career by writing some of the most frightening and nightmare-inducing novels of his generation, including The Devil’s Heart and The Devil’s Kiss, which have developed a cult following in the years since their first publication.
You can learn more about Johnstone’s books including upcoming releases and special promotions by visiting williamjohnstone.net or kensingtonbooks.com.
Look for these other horrifying tales from William W. Johnstone.
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