The Ranch (Book 1): Troubled Times Read Online Free

of catching the rock mover!
    After dinner, the girls waited impatiently for the time to come when their father would go to bed. Wanting to leave no chance for their father to figure out that they were up to something, they all got into their warm pajamas, thankful that it was cold that night. They sat by the fireplace and read books while the men enjoyed some decaf coffee and the rest of the corn bread from breakfast. Connie was getting frustrated because it didn’t look like Thomas, Keith and Stewart would be going out to check the perimeter of the ranch.
    Finally, Debbie nodded to Connie and said, “Well, I’m tired. I think I’ll turn in now. Goodnight everyone.” She walked over to her father and kissed his cheek and then waved at the others.
    “Yeah,” Connie said, “I think I’ll go to bed, too. Come on Beth, you and Amy should probably go to bed, too.” They happily agreed because they didn’t like deceiving their dad and knew they would feel better if they didn’t have to keep looking over at him.
    They all pretended to go to sleep, and shortly afterward, they heard their father make his way up to his room. When they knew it was safe, Debbie and Connie quietly made their way outside, shotguns in hand. Watching from their bedroom windows, Amy and Beth thought their older sisters looked funny walking around in their nightgowns and winter coats holding shotguns. With Thomas, Keith and Stewart at the far ends of the ranch, Connie and Debbie walked confidently…at first. The first twig that snapped stopped them both in their tracks. Amy giggled at the sight, but quickly stopped herself, hoping she didn’t’ wake her dad.
    The first night was a little nerve-wracking for the girls, and they cut it close. Keith and Stewart were already at the barn, so Connie and Debbie hurried back to the house and tiptoed in, trying to be as quiet as possible. Debbie ran her foot into the chair next to the fireplace and it made a loud thud.
    “Shhhhh,” Connie hissed.
    Debbie mouthed “Sorry!” and then they made their way up the stairs and instead of going into their own rooms, they met Amy and Beth in Connie’s room. They all collapsed on the bed, silently giggling and wiggling around. They were so proud of themselves for pulling it off, but were a little bummed out that they didn’t catch the rock mover in action.
    This routine went on for another two nights, and while they didn’t catch anyone lingering around, it was still fun and exciting for them. The third night was the coldest, and it also marked a week since James had left to go fishing. They knew he should have been back already, so they were a little more nervous to be out there, not knowing what had happened to him. Amy and Beth didn’t want them to go out there because the wind was blowing hard, and they were cold in the window watching for intruders.
    It seemed to Beth as though time was dragging, so she moved to Amy’s room once Debbie and Connie moved to her side of the house. Together, they huddled in the window, watching for any sign of life other than their sisters. They got so cold they went to get blankets.
    Debbie and Connie made their way around to the back of the house, Connie staying a considerable distance behind Debbie. She only had gone a few steps when Debbie felt a strong hand grip her shoulder. She let out a scream that Connie never had heard before. Spinning on her heels, Debbie raised the shotgun. There in front of her was James.
    “You scared the devil out of me!” Debbie said, breathing hard. She didn’t like that while she was scared witless, James was grinning.
    “Who is it?” Connie asked as she rushed over.
    “It’s James,” Debbie said, not happy at all with the fright he gave her.
    Within a minute, not only had Connie reached the spot where Debbie and James stood, but so had Andrew, Amy, Beth, Keith, Stewart and Thomas. They all were shocked when they heard the scream and ran without even thinking. They all stood there