Everlasting Love by Valerie Hansen

“The Bible says he pulled a whole building down on top of himself to kill his enemies.”
    â€œHe croaked, too? That was a pretty stupid move.”
    â€œMaybe. The point is, the bad choices he made in the past were why he was in such terrible trouble.”
    She gave that thought a chance to sink in before she added, “Life still works the same way today. If we don’t make a mess of things to start with, there’s a lot less to clean up later.”
    Zac glanced past her and chuckled. Beethoven had decided to relieve himself right in front of her porch. “Speaking of cleaning up,” the boy joked, “somebody’d better grab a shovel before that gets tracked into your cabin.”
    â€œAn excellent idea,” she said pleasantly. “You’ll find a manure fork in the bed of my truck.”
    â€œA fork? I ain’t fixin’ to eat the stuff!”
    Laughing, Megan handed him the burro’s lead rope. “Here. Hold this while I go get the fork. You’ll catch on once I show you how it works.”
    â€œI don’t know,” the teen drawled. “I may be smarter than that guy who knocked a house down on himself but I’m pretty slow when it comes to learning to use farm tools.”
    Â 
    James waited until the boys and Aaron were back in their dorm, washing for supper, before he headed up the hill to speak with Megan. She was running fresh water into a big plastic tub in the horse pen when he arrived.
    â€œI’m glad everything went well,” he said. “No broken bones…yet.”
    â€œI assure you I’m very careful.” She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, trying to keep perspiration from stinging her eyes. “Those kids are a handful.”
    â€œTell me about it.”
    Megan grinned. “I just did.”
    â€œVery funny.”
    â€œI thought so.” Studying his expression moreclosely she sobered. “Hey, what’s wrong? You look worried.”
    â€œI am. I want you to make sure your door is locked tonight when you go to sleep. And take the dog inside with you so he can warn you if there’s a prowler.”
    â€œI saw the police car today. Is there a burglar in the area?”
    â€œSomething like that.”
    â€œGive me all the details. I don’t want to become a victim through ignorance. Wiggles can help us patrol the camp, too, if you think it’s necessary.”
    â€œIt shouldn’t be. There may not even be a problem, at least not for anybody but Zac and Bobby Joe.”
    â€œWhy just them?” Her brow furrowed.
    â€œThe sheriff got word that their uncle, Ethan Ewing, is out on bail and may plan to come here to get them. All we’re supposed to do is keep an eye out and call the cops if we notice anybody strange hanging around.”
    â€œThat could be too late.”
    â€œI know. Unfortunately, we have no choice. I’m not too worried. The man’s a known thief, but according to our files he’s never been violent.”
    Megan’s eyes widened. “Oh, yeah? How many uncles do the boys have?”
    â€œI don’t know. Why?”
    â€œBecause Zac told me how much he admired an uncle who used to beat people up just for fun. If that’s his uncle Ethan, I think I’d rather skip meeting the guy.”
    â€œCan’t say I blame you. Just in case there is a connection, either Aaron or I will walk you and your sister to and from the dining hall. I don’t want you making the trip alone anymore, especially not after dark.”
    â€œAnd I thought all I had to worry about up here in the hills were ticks and chiggers and snakes.”
    â€œHey! That’s a great excuse,” James said. “We’ll tell your sister and the boys that you saw a snake and you’re scared to go walking alone.”
    â€œIt’s the snakes I don’t see that bother me,” she said wryly. “Especially the big, two-legged