The Vanishing by Wendy Webb Read Free Book Online Page A

we take a stroll around the grounds, so we bundled up and headed out into the chilly air. In the pasture, I saw the dogs Adrian had told me about—three giant Alaskan malamutes, chasing one another and yowling. He had told me they were large, but I was unprepared for exactly how large. They saw Mrs. Sinclair and raced toward us, and I braced for impact.
    Before I knew it, I was on my back in the snow, a giant red-and-white dog on top of me, licking my face. I held my breath, not quite sure what to do. One bite from this dog’s mighty jaws would break a bone, I had no doubt.
    “Molly!” Mrs. Sinclair barked. “That’s enough now!” She snapped her fingers at the dog. “Get off, Molly, for goodness’ sake.”
    The dog hopped into the snow next to me and wagged her tail furiously as I scrambled to my feet, brushing the snow off my backside. My knees were knocking.
    “It’s not every day you get a greeting like that,” I said, trying to sound steadier than I felt.
    “The old girl has taken to you, Julia!” Mrs. Sinclair informed me. “I knew she would. Reach out your hand and let her sniff it.”
    I did as I was told, and Molly moved her great head toward me, nuzzling her snout against my palm. I scratched behind her ears; her fur was as soft as cashmere.
    The other two dogs, both gray and white with bright yellow eyes, circled us, looking like two gigantic wolves on the hunt.
    “You mustn’t be afraid, my dear.” Mrs. Sinclair smiled at me. “You live at Havenwood now. You are a member of their pack.” She turned an adoring gaze back to the dogs. “Tundra is the alpha,” she said, gesturing at the largest of the three. “And Molly is just positively an angel.”
    She reached down and gave Tundra’s back a good scratch.
    “Think of them as your bodyguards, Julia. They take that responsibility very seriously.”
    We took a few steps and the dogs fell into line, the largest of the three walking ahead of us and one on either side of Mrs. Sinclair and me. They did seem like bodyguards, I thought, as we walked along, me relaxing more and more with each step. Lions and tigers and bears had nothing on those three.
    Soon we came to the creek that I saw from the breakfast room, which meandered its way to Lake Superior, and Mrs. Sinclair pointed out a path that led to the village, some three miles away.
    “It’s a lovely ride on horseback,” she said. “Nelly is quite gentle and slow, just right for someone new to riding. Would you like to do that one of these days?”
    I could almost see myself there, in the distance, trotting through the landscape on a horse. “It sounds wonderful,” I said.
    “It’s decided, then,” she said. “We shall have a riding party. But it will have to be another day.” She sighed deeply. “Now, my dear, let’s make our way back to the house, shall we?”
    I took her arm and she leaned on me as we walked through the snow, the dogs leading the way.
    Back inside, the dogs loped off to parts unknown as we peeled off our jackets and hats.
    “I believe I’ll have a nap now, Julia,” Mrs. Sinclair said, her usually bright eyes suddenly filled with what seemed to be sadness.
    “Are you all right, Mrs. Sinclair?” I asked, moving toward her. “May I help you upstairs?”
    “Thank you, my dear, but no,” she said. “I’m just a bit tired, but I can make it on my own.”
    She then took her leave of me, and I watched as she walked slowly up the grand staircase, seeming to age with every step.
    I hurried after her. “Are you sure I can’t help?”
    She touched my cheek with one papery hand. “This old gal still has a bit of kick in her.” She smiled at me. “Please, darling, feel free to make yourself comfortable. Explore the house. Snoop! You never know where secrets might be lurking!”
    I got the distinct impression she didn’t want me to help her to her rooms—why, I had no idea—so I respected her wishes but stood where I was on the stairs to make sure she reached