Worthy of Riches Read Online Free Page B

came after her, she might have a chance.
    Father, give me courage. Help me run faster than I've ever run. And… if I die, take care of my family. Jean edged toward the pump house.
    The bear followed her with his eyes but made no move.
    Jean took another step, and another. She recalled hearing somewhere that the natives sometimes talked kindly to bears, and it seemed to calm them. Figuring she had nothing to lose, she said, “All right, bear, that's a good boy. Now, stay put for just a while.” She tried to sound serene. “Everything's just fine.” Her voice trembled. “No one's going to hurt you. Just let us get our little girl.”
    Mouth open, eyes trained on Jean, the bear bounced on straight front legs in a show of intimidation. Froth dripped from his muzzle. Jean had managed to make it nearly halfway. She kept moving, slowly, steadily. There was no turning back. It was now a longer run to the barn than to the pump house. The bear continued to watch her.
    What if he doesn't follow me? Jean wondered. Susie and Laurel could be killed. She changed her tone and talked louder. “Come on, bear.” She kept moving. “Come and get me. I'm right here.”
    Then she remembered something Alex had told her, “Never run from a bear. If you do, he'll chase you.” I need to run, she decided. Once she started, she knew not to look back. Even one glance could slow her down enough to make the difference between safety and death.
    Father, give me the speed of a deer, she prayed. “Come on! Get me,” she yelled, then sprinted for the refuge. Her feet pounding the earth, she gulped air. At first all she heard was her own breathing and the blood surging through her head. Then she heard panting and heavy footfalls close behind. She fought the urge to look back.
    Pumping her arms, lifting her legs, and stretching out each stride, she ran as hard as she'd ever run. She could smell the animal and hear his huffing! It was close! Only a few more yards! she told herself. You can make it! She lunged for the pump house, slammed her hands against the door, and leaped inside. Shaking, she pushed the door closed, latched it, then pressed her weight against it. Terror consumed her. She glanced around the small dark room. It wouldn't hold up against an attack.
    The bear threw himself against the door, biting and clawing at the wood. The door bounced beneath Jean's hands. She closed her eyes and pressed against it, then stared at the splintering door. It wouldn't hold.
    The bear broke off his attack and prowled around the tiny sanctuary, occasionally digging along the base of the building or scratching at the walls. Low, throaty growls served as a warning of his intentions. With a roar he assaulted the door again, laying it open. Strips of wood were shorn away. Terror strangling her, Jean stared at the fractured door and at the teeth ripping at it.
    Gunshots reverberated, and Laurel yelled, “Get! Get out of here!” More shots were fired, and the assault stopped. “Go on! Leave us be!” Laurel called.
    It turned quiet.
    “Mama, it's all right. He's gone. Come on out.”
    Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Jean let the shredded door fall open. She stepped into the sunshine and glanced about, searching for the animal. Her legs shook, and she felt like she might faint. Jean sat with her back resting against the pump house.
    Laurel kneeled in front of her and pulled her into her arms. “Oh, Mama. I thought you were going to die.”
    Tears of relief spilled down Jean's face. “So did I,” she managed to say.
    “Why did you do that?”
    “It was the only way. If I'd stayed where I was, you couldn't have gotten past him.” She glanced at nearby fields. “Where did he go?”
    “He hightailed it into the woods over there.” Laurel pointed at a grove of birch and alder at the edge of the pasture.
    “Susie's all right?”
    “Yes. Just angry. She had her leg caught between the bars of the playpen.” Laurel smiled and said in a light tone,