More Than Great Riches Read Online Free Page A

when
     he spun out of control, plunged off the highway, and plowed into a tree. In an instant the
     car was engulfed in flames. A few brave souls risked their lives to pull Jeff out of the
     inferno, but not before he was badly burned.
    From her earliest years Tracy adored her big brother. Growing up with no close neighbors,
     they turned to each other—the two musketeers. When Jeff became the man of the family at
     age ten, he became her protector. No one dared to give his sister a hard time. He was her
     superhero.
    She whispered a prayer. Lord, thank you for those wonderful people who saved Jeff’s life.
     He’s been hiding from you, but he needs you now. Keep watching over him. And then she
     added a postscript. Please, I want him to know I’m here for him.
    She backed out of the driveway and headed for town. Unfortunately she had to pass through
     the center of Allerton to get to the interstate. By now, everyone had probably heard the
     news of her latest misadventures. She was sure she heard a car driving slowly past her
     house several times during the night. Maybe nosy neighbors, but she suspected the police
     chief had put her under surveillance.
    She felt a tug of nostalgia as she braked for the stoplight at Main Street. Keith Bradford
     had smeared her name all over town, but no matter what her reputation in Allerton, it was
     home. As far as she knew, the residents who pitied her outnumbered the ones who looked
     down their noses. Of course, she wasn’t sure which was worse—pity or disdain.
    The center of town looked the same, as though it were caught in a time warp. The tall
     white spire of the community church looked out like a benevolent monarch over the
     buildings that surrounded the village green—the massive town hall, the gracious eighteenth
     century homes, and the inevitable antique shops. Walden’s drugstore was still on the
     corner, looking just as it did when she and Maggie had made their regular stop for a soda
     after choir practice each week.
    As the light changed, she came out of her reverie and accelerated into the intersection.
     Crack! A deafening explosion of sound blasted her eardrums. She slammed on the brakes. Was
     someone shooting at her? She ducked down behind the steering wheel, waiting for the next
     shot. But everything was quiet.
    Cautiously she lifted her head and peered out the window. The noise had attracted a few
     spectators, but they didn’t seem frightened, just curious. Perhaps it was just a blowout.
     Her tire treads were getting thin.
    She couldn’t just sit here in the middle of Main Street. Deciding she wasn’t under attack,
     she climbed out of the car. But a close inspection showed her tires were intact.
    Mr. Walden, the elderly pharmacist, waved at her. Do you want me to call a tow truck,
     Tracy?
    I’m OK, Tracy assured him. I’ll just drive down to Henry’s garage and have him take a look
     at it.
    The old man made a wry face. Honey, you won’t be driving anywhere. You just threw a rod.
     From the sound of it, I’d say it went right through the engine block.
    Tracy gaped at him in disbelief. She needed her car. She couldn’t wait another day for
     repairs. She had to get to Boston now—today.
    What’s the problem here?
    Tracy spun around, almost relieved to see the police chief striding toward her. He was in
     uniform today, clean shaven, looking very official, very competent, and very much in
     charge. She wanted to throw up her hands and burst into tears, but she refused to cry in
     front of her hometown audience. Mr. Walden says I’ve thrown a rod, she managed.
    Without a word he slid into the driver’s seat of her car and turned the key in the
     ignition. The racket that followed sounded like a dozen machine guns all firing at once.
     Quickly he switched off the motor. Stepping out, he crouched down to peer under the car.
     Tracy stared at the puddle of oil seeping out into the street.
    Leif got to his