It's Spring vacation and Mike is taking Jim to visit his grandmother who lives on the other side of the state. It was supposed to be a few days of hanging out with Dave and Justin, Mike's friends from past visits. Instead, it turned out dangerous when they learned about a dog-fighting operation in the area from a goddess named Freya. With Dave and Justin's help, they set out to expose the people involved. Freya teaches the boys not only many truths about all animals, but she also reveals why Mike and Jim have mysteries and adventures in their lives.
Four to the Rescue
A D.C. Marek Youth Adventure: Book 3By D. C. MarekAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 D. C. Marek
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4490-9338-9Contents
Chapter 1 Heading Northwest.......................................1Chapter 2 Cowboy to the Rescue....................................7Chapter 3 Freya's Story...........................................15Chapter 4 Power Is Given..........................................20Chapter 5 A Team of Four..........................................25Chapter 6 Star Witness............................................34Chapter 7 Operation Dog Rescue....................................41Chapter 8 The Enemy Within........................................47Chapter 9 Plans Are Made..........................................54Chapter 10 "It Was A Dark and Windy Night ...".....................58Chapter 11 In The Meantime.........................................64Chapter 12 "You've Killed Cowboy!".................................68Chapter 13 Trapped.................................................73Chapter 14 "Can You Hear Me Now?"..................................79Chapter 15 Teamwork................................................86Chapter 16 Some Things Cannot Be Told..............................91Chapter 17 One More Rescue.........................................97Chapter 18 Freya's Important Task..................................108Chapter 19 Kidnapped...............................................113Chapter 20 Heading Back Southeast..................................121Chapter 21 Honored.................................................127
Chapter One
Heading Northwest The purity of a person's heart Can be quickly measured by How they regard animals ~ Anon.
Jimmy Pittenger was riding with his best friend, Mike Decker, to the northwest corner of Connecticut. He had been there once with his parents when they first moved from Indiana, but this time he was on his way to visit Mike's grandmother for a few days. School was out for spring vacation, and Jimmy was looking forward to the change from the flat coastal area of Stockton where he lived next door to the Deckers. Adele Decker-Dixon sat up front next to Mike's new step-dad, Tom Dixon. Caroline, Mike's fifteen-year-old sister was back in Stockton, staying with Jimmy's sister, Abigail, who was the same age as Caroline.
Mike was talking low to Jimmy in the back seat so as not to be overheard by his mother. "Let me fill you in on a few things about Granny Earlene. She's not your average grandmother."
"You're scaring me, Mike. You've gotten us into a pickle more than once. Tell me everything, or I'm going back to Stockton with your parents. I don't want to get stuck with a crazy lady or something."
"Aw, Earlene isn't that bad. Besides, my parents aren't going back home right away, remember? They're going on a short honeymoon." Mike stuck his finger in his throat and faked gagging.
"You call your grandmother by her first name?! That is so disrespectful, Mike."
"No, it's not. She insists that Caroline and I call her that. I think it has something to do with she doesn't want anyone to know she's a grandmother-makes her feel old I think. She tells strangers that Mom is her sister, not her daughter," he giggled.
"Ok, what else?" Jimmy's ears were popping from going up and down over the hills.
"Well, the man she is married to now is my third grandfather ..."
"You're kidding me."
"Nope. Vern is numero tres. That's Spanish for number three, in case you didn't know. She met him on-line. "My step-grandfather is from the South and Earlene's beginning to sound like a Southerner herself using words like 'howdy' and 'you all'. Wait till you meet her and you'll see she's pretty cool. We're almost there."
Jimmy couldn't help but think of his own two grandmothers back in Indiana. His father's parents lived on a farm and had been married forever; same way with his mother's parents. Both sets of grandparents were sweet, and spoiled him and Abigail whenever they got the chance. Jimmy's mother's parents lived in a small town and whenever he and his sister would go there to visit, his grandmother taught Abigail how to sew and cook, and his grandfather played basketball with him. Neither set of grandparents owned a computer. After listening to Mike, he was glad they didn't.
"Heeeere we are, Jimbo!" said Mike with too much enthusiasm.
"Now, listen up, Mike," his mother admonished. "You be on your best behavior while we're gone. Earlene's not used to having children around. And, please, try to stay out of trouble."
"Yes, Mom." He jabbed Jimmy in the side and whispered, "Earlene is the one who needs to be on good behavior," he laughed.
When they pulled into the drive-way, Jimmy was surprised to see a woman with blonde hair, wearing make-up, jeans and a tee shirt come out of the house. "Who's that?" he asked Mike.
"That's Earlene."
"Geeze, she really does look like she could be your mother's sister".
When the adults finished hugging one another, Earlene turned to the two boys. "Howdy, Mike. Come and give your Gram a big hug." After Mike gave the requested hug, Earlene said, "And this must be Jim."
"Yup, that's him. Guilty as charged," he laughed.
Jimmy shook Earlene's hand and thanked her for letting him visit along with Mike.
"Well, you're mighty welcome and it's you who should be thanked. Mike would be pretty bored with just us old folks. Although, I don't like to think of myself as old, just 'age challenged'. She laughed at her own joke. "So that's where Mike gets his corny humor from," thought Jimmy. He just smiled.
Tom Dixon unloaded the boys' bags and then said he and Adele didn't have time to really visit as they had reservations at a resort in New York. "I'd like to say hello to Vern before we leave. Is he around?"
"Vern's in town buying extra vitals. He'll sure feel bad that he missed you and 'Dele."
Mike whispered to Jimmy, "See what I meant when I said she uses words that you hear down South, but not up here in the North."
Earlene and the two boys stood in the drive-way and waved at the Dixons until they were out of sight. "Well, come on in, boys and unload your gear. Are you hungry?"
Mike, who was always hungry said, "We stopped at McDonald's on the way, but if you have any snacks I can find room."
Earlene laughed and said "Help yourselves. You know where I keep all the goodies, Mike." Just then, a huge all-white German shepherd trotted into the kitchen when he heard the cupboard door open. Jimmy jumped back, afraid of such a big animal.
"He won't hurt you, Jim. He looks ferocious but he's just a puppy at heart. He likes snacks as much as Mike does. In fact, I almost named him Mike, but thought maybe Adele would be offended. So, we named him Cowboy instead."
"Hey, Cowboy, old buddy. Come here" said Mike as he slapped his chest.
The dog jumped up and put his two front paws on Mike's shoulders and licked his face. He was as tall as Mike. Mike giggled and said, "Whoa, Cowboy, that's enough. You must smell the burgers and fries I had."
Jimmy started to put out his hand to pet Cowboy, but Earlene stopped him by saying, "Never put your hand out to a new dog. Sometimes they find it aggressive and you end up with your fingers chomped on. Let him get to know you...
