CHAPTER 36
Daylight found a tired and bedraggled group surveying the extent of the damage. Even though the adults had bathed and put on clean clothes, the unyielding odor of charred wood and smoke, along with layers of ash, still lingered in every nook and cranny. Tab refused to take off his new clothes, proudly proclaiming they weren’t dirty.
But they’d saved the house. That was one bright spot. And no one was seriously injured, not even sweet Sadie, who had bravely alerted them to the intruder.
Mr. and Mrs. Grover had left as the sun rose, with Earl tossed in the back of their pickup truck, intent on delivering him to the sheriff in Greenfield. Grateful wasn’t a big enough word to describe how much Layken appreciated their help. Someday, he’d have the opportunity to repay their kindne
