Worthy of Riches Read Online Free

spattered into the bucket with a soft ring.
    The animals munched, and the three Haspers settled into the rhythm of milking. Soon rich, frothy milk filled their pails. “Looks like they've been getting a good share of the early spring grasses,” Jean said.
    The Guernsey blew air from her nostrils, flicked her tail, and let out an anxious bawl. She stamped the floor with her hind foot. Brian leaned back. “Hey! Hold still!” The cow paid no heed and stomped again, this time plunking her foot inside the bucket and knocking it over. “Rats!” Brian shouted. “Now look what you've done!”
    The Jersey also seemed nervous. She swished her tail and moved her weight from foot to foot. “What is it, Molly?” Laurel asked, patting the cow's side and removing the bucket.
    Jean stopped milking and listened. Setting her bucket out of harm's way, she walked to the Guernsey and ran her hand over the cow's neck. “You out of sorts today, Penny?” The cow blew air from her nostrils, her skin shuddering as she looked at the barn wall, the whites showing around her brown eyes.
    Molly's gaze followed the Guernsey's. “Mama, what's wrong with them?” Laurel asked.
    Jean heard snuffling along the barn wall. “Shh.” She walked toward the sound. Scratching joined the snuffling. Jean stepped back. “Something's out there,” she whispered. Peering through a space between boards, her stomach dropped and the hair prickled on her arms.
    A cinnamon-colored grizzly dug at the ground along the barn wall. It was trying to dig underneath! He stopped and sniffed the air, thenreturned to digging. He wanted in! Fear spiked through Jean. They had heard a few reports of mauled livestock. She wondered if this was the offender.
    The animal stopped digging and lumbered toward the front of the barn. “Get up in the loft!” Jean whispered fiercely and ran for the door. “Now!” Brian and Laurel obeyed, their faces questions. She reached the double doors just as the bear rounded the corner of the barn. Thankful they hadn't opened both doors, she grabbed the open one and swung it closed, quickly dropping a wooden bar in place to secure it.
    “What is it, Mama? What's wrong?” Laurel asked.
    Jean didn't answer but walked quietly to the bottom of the ladder. Looking up at her children, she whispered. “It's a bear. Be still.” Brian started down the ladder. “Get back up there.”
    His face blanched. “Can it get in?”
    “No, but I don't want to take any chances.”
    The grizzly set to work, digging dirt out from under the door. After a few minutes he moved away, circling the barn and scratching at the ground and walls. With a snarl, his feet slammed against the south wall. He pushed, making the boards creak.
    “He's going to get in!” Brian cried.
    Every nerve on end, Jean watched the barn wall. The animal stopped battering at it and found his way back to the doors. Then he put his nose through the place where the two met and pushed. The doors moved and groaned. Jean stepped onto the first rung of the ladder.
    The doors held, and the bear stopped its assault.
    Jean looked up at her children and forced a smile. “Praise the Lord; Daddy does good work.”
    “Mama, what are we going to do?” Brian asked, his voice quaking.
    “We'll be real quiet and wait until he leaves.”
    The cows continued to stomp their feet, swish their tails, and let out an occasional worried bawl. The goats seemed to have more sense and stood quietly. Jean walked to the cows and stroked their necks, talking softly. “It's all right, ladies. He can't get in. Shush now.”
    For several seconds the bear made no sound. Maybe he's gone, she thought, holding her breath and listening. Then she heard somethingthat sent terror pulsing through her. Susie was crying! “Oh, dear Lord!” Jean pressed a hand to her mouth. “Susie!”
    She tried to remember if the door had been left open or if it was closed. She ran to the double doors and peered out. The bear lumbered toward