Chapter 183
Chapter 183
Harrison threw all his strength into pedaling, only to realize that he and Felicity were completely out of sync.
Their tandem bike zigzagged wildly down the path, wobbling from side to side.
“Felicity! Stop pedaling!” Harrison shouted over his shoulder. “Just take your feet off the pedals!”
Felicity’s efforts were only making things worse. At this point, he’d be better off pedaling alone.
She barely heard him-one llama was tugging at her sleeve, another nibbling on her hair. She swatted one furry head away, only for two more to crowd in.
“My shirt! Oh my god, my shirt!” she yelped, fighting off their insistent snouts.
Behind Harrison, Dames wailed, “Dad! Go faster, please!”
Harrison tried to pick up speed, but with Felicity’s frantic pedaling throwing him off-balance, it was hopeless.
All he could do was watch helplessly as Selene and Daph sped ahead, their figures vanishing from view.
In the campground, several families had already made it past the first challenge. Parents and kids lounged on the grass, catching their breath and waiting for the rest to arrive.
Luke Holloway reached the finish line, still breathing evenly despite the commotion.
“We made it!” he called, turning to check on Selene and Daph behind him. But the sight that met his eyes stopped him cold. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his temple.
7/2
Chapter 183
Selene, hearing Luke’s voice, finally relaxed. She let go of the plastic tub she’d been hugging to her chest and turned to check on her daughter.
Glancing back, she froze as well.
Daph, seeing Luke had stopped, glanced down at her sides. Her eyes widened in alarm. “The llamas caught up! Mom, protect the carrots! Uncle Luke, get moving!”
Selene managed a shaky laugh. “Daph, let go of those two llamas.”
Only then did Daph notice the two llama heads pressed under her arms. At some point, she’d trapped them in a vice-like grip.
No wonder-the poor animals looked utterly spent, their tongues lolling out and eyes rolling back.
Daph quickly released them, and the llamas collapsed limply to the ground.
She patted her chest, still shaken, and let out a nervous laugh. “Ha! I scared myself more than the llamas.”
Luke just stared, speechless. No wonder he’d kept seeing two llama heads bobbing in his peripheral vision the entire ride…
Selene climbed off the bike and handed her plastic tub to the teacher at the scoring table.
Every last carrot and lettuce leaf was safe.
The teacher peeled off a magnetic name tag with Daph’s name and stuck
it to the leaderboard.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Holloway,” she announced. “You protected all your carrots and lettuce. Your family earns thirty points and takes first place-at least for now.”
Clarissa, seeing Daph and Penelope tied for first, scowled. “There shouldn’t be two families in first place. We got here first-we should be
213
23.25
Chapter 183
the only ones at the top!”
The teacher forced a polite smile. “Ms. Vaughn, your family started the challenge half an hour earlier. You and Mrs. Holloway both protected all your vegetables, but the Holloways completed the course in less time.”
Clarissa’s voice rose in protest. “But we arrived at the campsite first! My husband worked so hard for a perfect score. Selene’s family only showed up after us! Why should we have to share first place?”
The teacher hesitated, caught in the middle.
Daph, hearing Clarissa’s outburst, glanced at Selene. Their eyes met, and a spark of mischief lit up Daph’s face. She darted off before Selene could say a word.
Selene’s lips curved in a knowing smile-Daph had an idea.
Moments later, Daph came waddling back, dragging two exhausted llamas behind her, their legs splaying awkwardly as she hauled them
forward.
“Miss! I caught two llama thieves trying to steal our veggies. Does that earn us any bonus points?”
The teacher stared at the two limp llamas, tongues hanging out, and couldn’t help but laugh. Whatever Clarissa had to say next, it was clear the Holloways had truly earned their spot at the top.
23:36
