part two

But in the blink of an eye, everything changed!

Just as the white flashlight beam swept over the tips of Barnaby’s hairy knuckles, Buster the beagle unleashed a sharp, hysterical howl from the opposite side of the park. 🐕

Marcus spun around instantly, swinging his flashlight away from the bushes and aiming it toward the front entrance gate.

“Buster! Quiet down, old boy! What in the world are you barking at?” Marcus yelled across the yard.

Barnaby did not waste a single millisecond of his unexpected good fortune.

He exhaled a soft gust of air and pushed forward with sudden, liquid speed.

His gigantic thighs moved in a swift, completely noiseless rhythm across the mud.

He cradled the tiny pastel basket against his broad chest like a fragile glass heirloom.

Every single step was deliberate, perfectly balanced, and totally silent.

He reached the base of the ancient oak tree near the eastern fence line within five seconds.

Down in the dark, hollow cavity between two massive mossy roots, six pairs of tiny black eyes blinked up at him in terror.

Mother Mouse was shivering violently, pressing her warm body against her tiny pink newborn pups.

Barnaby dropped down onto one knee with gentle, deliberate care.

He set the woven basket down onto a patch of soft green moss.

He reached inside the basket with his enormous, calloused fingertips.

With incredible precision, he removed the three wooden eggs and the tiny yellow chick, placing them quietly on the ground.

All that remained inside the basket was the thick layer of soft, clean grass lining.