Chapter 59 [Kent Farm—Early the Next Morning]

Dawn painted its reds, oranges and yellows across the eastern sky. The first birds chirped their songs. The cows mooed to each other in their stalls. Despite the hour (and school vacation), the farm's activities were already underway.

Clark finished raking out the last stall. He wanted to get everything done early. Then he could help Martha inside. He also knew that the others would need rides and other help that day as well. Hope Mom's got extra on. I really could use some of those blueberry pancakes! He grinned.

A milk pail clanged against the concrete.

Mom and Dad are in the house. So who? "Hello?" He stuck his head out of the stall. "Who turned on the lights?"

Lana cleared her throat from the door. "You might turn on some lights, Clark."

"I've got a flashlight." He shrugged. "I kind of know where everything is by feel anyway. Don't you have to open the Talon?"

"Miri's got the opening. She wanted me to check in here." She rolled her eyes. "Think she's trying to tell us something?"

"She wants you to be happy. She also wants me to get a clue." He set the pitchfork next to the wall. "I'm well aware you're there."

"Well good. I don't just get up at 3:30 for just anyone you know, Clark." Teasing spiced up her tone. "Your Mom invited me for breakfast. I figured I'd surprise you and help out."

"Always welcome the help." He grinned at her. "Chloe and her Dad up for the trip?" He zipped up to the hay loft. "Look out below!" He tossed four bales down to the middle of the floor. Then he zipped back down. He scooped up the dirty hay inside that last stall and put it in the wheelbarrow. "Be back." He rushed it around the back and dumped it there.

Her scar began to glow. "CLARK!"

He rushed right back over to her side. "What's going on?" He stared at the emerald tint to the entire scene and her hand. The hairs started to rise on the back of his neck. Fear stabbed icy knives up his spine. "This can wait." He picked her up in his arms. "I'm not taking chances." He sped toward the house. "Let's get inside."

A massive silhouette loomed by the barn. Menace glowed in canary hue from a pair of eyes under the tall hat. Challenge grated on dark chortles against their ears.

"INSIDE NOW!" He pulled Lana into the house and slammed the door shut behind them. "MOM! DAD!"

Lana buried her face in his chest. Her heart hammered in her chest. Sweat beaded across her forehead and neck. She trembled.

"Clark? Clark, what's going on?" Jonathan rushed toward them. He held his shotgun at the ready.

"Dad, there's something by the barn! There's…."

"There's what?" Jonathan stared through the window toward the barn.

"Jonathan, there was something there. I saw a large shape in the shadows!" Martha called from the stairs.

"Lana, that does it. Miranda and you are staying with us until her uncle and the others get back." Jonathan set the gun down. "Clark, how much you have left to do in the barn?"

"Fresh hay in the stalls and the cows need to be milked." Clark grimaced. He hugged Lana tightly against himself.

"That can wait until we have full daylight. Your Dad's right. We can't take any chances," Martha asserted. "Meantime you two can wash up. I'll start on breakfast. Lana, maybe you might call Miranda?"

"I'll let her know." Lana frowned. "Maybe it's a good thing Jasmine went with the others to New York." She hit speed dial and stepped away to take the call.

Clark washed his hands. "It's going to be okay. We'll deal with this." He glanced toward the airport.

It was going to be a long weekend….