Shadows at Sunset: Sunset Trilogy ~ Book 1 Read Online Free

Lincoln Police Department for over twenty years and nothing like this has ever happened. We’ve had car accidents, bar scuffles, and the occasional break-in, but this is a child. We searched really far tonight, but we finally had to give up.”
    “Have you told Mom?”
    He nodded. “I talked to her a few hours ago, and I’m sure she didn’t want to interrupt your movie or, in your case, wake you up, to tell you. I think she was hoping we wouldn’t have to tell you at all. It brings up bad memories for us.”
    I raised my eyebrows. “I never ran off when I was three.”
    “No, try six. That’s when you started wandering off, but somehow you always made it home safely before dark.”
    I avoided his gaze as the memories came back to me. He was right. As soon as I had learned I could talk to animals, I ventured into the forest alone all the time, even when my parents scolded me time after time.
    What they hadn’t known was that I was never really alone. And if I lost my way, the animals led me home. “I remember.”
    “I still don’t like you out there alone, but at least now I know you’re with Dakota.”
    I glanced over at the black wolf sprawled out across the carpet. “He never leaves my side.”
    “Speaking of Dakota, I’m surprised he’s not out tonight,” my father commented.
    “He seemed to want to stay in. I think he sensed something was wrong.”
    “He’s a good boy. I remember being a little reluctant to keep him. But I’ll tell you what, I’ve never regretted it. He’s been really good for you. I don’t know how you do it, but you really get through to him.”
    “I don’t know what I’d do without him.” I briefly recalled my conversation with Ethan tonight about going away to college and realized how empty a college dorm would feel without Dakota lying at the foot of my bed.
    “Well, listen, I’m going to turn in. I don’t know if I’ll sleep, but I’d better at least try since the search teams are going to be at the station at six in the morning.” He stood up. “How ’bout you? Are you going to head up to bed soon?”
    “In a few minutes.”
    “Okay. Good night, Laken.”
    “Good night, Dad.”
    As soon as he disappeared around the corner, I sat still, staring at Dakota. My mind was spinning out of control with thoughts of the lost little boy. You have to do something. You can’t leave him out there alone tonight. Dakota will help. Together, you could find him. He could freeze or animals could get to him. You have to at least try, I told myself.
    Taking a deep breath, I began to piece together the situation. The Thompsons lived about a mile down the road from us. Their house was even on the same side of the street. That meant if Ryder had wandered off from his backyard, he was probably somewhere in the wilderness behind our houses. I knew these mountains better than anyone, and I could organize a search party of animals who had nocturnal abilities that a trained search-and-rescue dog couldn’t match. Suddenly, I knew what I had to do.
    I stood up abruptly, tossing my blanket aside. Dakota sprang to his feet like a soldier ready for battle. His solid stance told me he knew we needed to find Ryder, and fast.
    My eyes met Dakota’s knowing stare. “Come on, Dakota,” I said confidently, but softly enough that my parents wouldn’t hear me. “Let’s go find that little boy.”

 

    Chapter 2

    Adrenaline pumped through me as doubts crept into my mind. Would this really work? I knew I could make the animals understand that a little boy was lost, but how could they tell me where he was? I realized quickly that I couldn’t dwell on these doubts. I had to at least give it a shot. I would never forgive myself if I didn’t try.
    Still dressed in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, I grabbed my hiking boots and a fleece-lined flannel jacket from the coat closet. Then I headed for the door that led to the garage, slowly opening it and cringing as it squeaked. I stopped for a