Page 74 of North

“Now,” RJ said, and she pushed past them into the music room.

North lifted his head. “He took the SUV, but we can take Frank’s truck.”

RJ emerged with the kids, Josh on her hip.

“Or maybe not,” he said, clearly doing a head count.

He glanced at Jethro, who held up his hands. “You can use my truck.”

“Did the RV survive?” Selah asked.

“I don’t know,” North said, but he grabbed her hand. “Let’s find out.” He turned, her grip still in his.

“Where are we going?” This from Hana, behind her.

Jethro stood at the door. He met North’s hand. “Sorry about the ruckus in the yard.”

North shook it. “All good.”

The ruckus in the yard? But Selah forgot the question as she spotted the fire.

Black smoke clouded the sky, and by the time they reached the edge of the trail, the house was engulfed, full inferno.

“Oh!” Hana put her hands over her mouth, but her mother had her by the arm and dragged her across the yard.

North hadn’t released Selah’s hand, tight in his.

The RV sat in front of the truck. Wait—“Is that Frank Hendrickson’s truck?”

He glanced at her. “Yeah. Long story.”

Huh. But she let the thought drop as he opened the side door of the Winnebago. RJ and her family climbed in, but Selah hopped into the passenger seat.

RJ settled the kids onto the benches and found a couple seatbelts.

North took the driver’s side. The keys hung from the ignition.

He fired up the RV and put it into Drive, circled around the driveway, and drove away from the house.

The glow of orange flames filled the mirrors.

“Mom!” A shriek from Hana made Selah turn. “What about Vaughn?”

Vaughn?

She heard barking and spotted the golden retriever running down the drive after them.

“North, stop. The dog—the dog!”

He slowed to a stop, and RJ held open the side door.

The dog scrambled in, and Hana pounced on him, wrapping her arms around the animal, sobbing.

A glance at RJ showed her jaw tight, trying to hold herself together.

Selah, what have you done?

Selah turned back just as North glanced into his rearview mirror. “Where to, RJ?”