Chapter 182
Chapter 182
“Mommy, you sit in the middle! I’ll take the back seat-I won’t let any of those alpaca thieves get near you!”
The three of them climbed onto a three-seater bike, settling into their assigned spots.
Across the way, Felicity was organizing her team. “Harrison, you take the front and just pedal as fast as you can. Dames, your job is to guard the carrots. I’ll handle keeping the alpacas away.”
Felicity knew what would happen as soon as they ran into the alpacas. The greedy animals would definitely go after the carrots, and whoever was shielding the bucket would be in the line of fire-spit, maybe even a
torn sleeve or two.
She absolutely did not want to get spit on by an alpaca. Nor did she want
Harrison to take the hit.
Which meant, unfortunately, the “honor” of facing the onslaught would fall squarely on Dames.
But, if Dames managed to save even a few carrots, he’d probably be grateful to Felicity for fending off the worst of the alpaca assault.
Harrison, on the other hand, wasn’t thrilled about sticking his son with a plastic tub full of carrots and lettuce. He could already predict that Dames didn’t stand a chance against a determined herd.
But the moment Felicity finished assigning roles, Dames dashed off enthusiastically, lugging the bucket back with both hands.
“I’ll protect these carrots with my life!” he declared, looking every bit the little knight ready for battle.
Felicity, being the only adult, really was the best choice for handling the alpacas, so Harrison gave in and agreed.
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He took the front seat on their three-seater, Dames sat in the middle, clutching his bucket, and Felicity brought up the rear.
Just as they were about to set off, Luke Holloway rolled up with Selene and Daph, ready for their own adventure.
The moment Dames spotted them, he shouted to Harrison, “Dad, let’s go!
Let’s beat them!”
Harrison glanced at Selene and Daph up ahead. Luke Holloway was in front of them, towering over the girls like a mountain-solid, steady, the picture of safety.
So Selene had asked Luke to join the family event. Was she trying to prove a point in front of him?
Did she think Luke could outdo him?
Harrison scoffed inwardly. Sure, Luke Holloway was practically superhuman, but family games took more than brute strength.
They hadn’t ridden five hundred yards into the park before they encountered the Alpaca Squad.
A whole herd barreled toward them, eyes locked on their buckets like it
was mealtime.
Selene immediately ducked down, shielding the bucket with her torso, sealing it off from the hungry eyes.
The alpacas, lured by the bright colors, knew exactly where the treats were. They lunged for Selene, trying to get at the bucket.
“Back off!” Daph shouted, shoving an alpaca’s head away.
“Don’t worry, Mom! I’ll protect you!”
“Uncle Luke, hurry! Pedal, pedal-they’re gaining on us!”
Daph’s cries spurred Luke into action; his legs were a blur as he pumped the pedals.
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From behind, Dames’ terrified shrieks echoed across the grass.
A pair of alpacas reached Dames, each taking turns snatching carrots and lettuce from his bucket.
“Give them back! Those are mine!” Dames yelled, panicked and furious, but it made no difference at all.
He watched helplessly as his precious veggies dwindled, his eyes brimming with tears. He twisted around and yelled for backup: “Flick! Help me!”
Then he urged the front, “Dad, go faster! Please!”
Several alpacas flanked Dames, racing alongside the bike. Felicity, having forgotten her promise to protect Dames, was now desperately waving her arms to shoo away the ones crowding her own seat, all while
pedaling like mad to escape.
Dames kept screaming, and more and more spit landed on them with every passing second.
Felicity got spat on, too. Infuriated, she tried to shout at the alpacas, but the moment she opened her mouth, a fresh spray hit her square in the
face.
With her eyes squeezed shut, she could only pedal blindly, hoping to get
clear.
Somewhere up ahead, she heard Daph’s frantic voice: “Uncle Luke, faster! They’re right behind us!”
So Daph was under attack, too. That realization gave Felicity and Dames a strange sense of satisfaction.
With any luck, the carrots Daph was guarding had already been pilfered by the alpacas.
Harrison caught sight of two alpacas closing in on Daph, one on either side, hemming her in.
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Daph was in trouble.
