Spoiled Rotten Read Online Free Page B

behaving myself, trying my best not to be rude or obnoxious. What a drag!
    Hot sun beat down on the boat. There wasn’t a breath of wind. I went inside, hid the sketchbook under my bunk and changed into my swimsuit. I dove off the stern into clear warm water. As I swam I thought about the hiking trip.
    Later, when I climbed out onto the swim grid, I had made up my mind. One day was better than nothing.
    That afternoon we all piled into the dinghy for a tour of the inlet. By the time we got back a wind had come up. It turned the water choppy and grew stronger by the hour. In the late afternoon Dad and Patti listened to the marine broadcast on the VHF radio. It predicted gale force winds on the water overnight and all the next day.
    Already the boat was rocking back and forth. Dad and Patti rechecked the ropes to be sure they would hold. Then Dad sat down beside me. “Jess,” he began. “I don’t think tomorrow would be a good day to go hiking.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    He scratched his head and looked across the water where the waves were building. “I don’t like to leave the boat in this wind. I’m not sure the anchor will hold.”
    â€œYou mean you don’t like to leave Patti and Amy,” I snapped.
    He put his hand on my shoulder. He wasn’t angry; he simply looked sad. “I wouldn’t feel right about it,” he said. “Sorry, Jess, but we’ll go another time. I promise.”
    I pulled away from him. I needed to be alone, but that was impossible on this stupid boat. So I got my sketchbook and rowed the dinghy to shore. I walked across the beach to the river. Using small rocks as stepping-stones, I made my way to a big, smooth boulder in the middle of the river. I sat there with water rushing all around me and roaring in my ears.
    Alone at last.
    I stayed on that rock for hours, sketching and thinking. I tried to draw Sara’s face but couldn’t get it right, so I added to my letter instead. Not that Sara will ever get to read it because where could I mail it? There was no way to reach Sara. The cell phone didn’t work with all those mountains around and there was no way to send an e-mail.
    So anyway, Amy wins again. No hike. Big surprise.
    If only you were here, we could go hiking together and forget about our problems for a while. It’s so beautiful up here, I could almost be happy. If only we had two less people along.
    By the time I rowed back to the boat I had made a decision.
    At dinner I told them about it.
    â€œYou’re not going!” Dad said, shovelling in a mouthful of stew.
    â€œWhy not?” I pushed my plate away and glared at him. “I can take care of myself.”
    â€œOh yeah?” Amy piped up.
    â€œAmy,” Patti told her. “You stay out of this.”
    â€œIt’s too dangerous to go hiking alone,” Dad said. “And overnight is out of the question. You don’t have enough experience. You might fall and get hurt. How would anyone find you?”
    Wow! He had a ready-made list. What could I say? Nothing, so I gave him
the look
. It wasn’t a huge success since he was staring out the window.
    â€œThis isn’t an island, you know,” he went on. “It’s the mainland. Grizzly country. I saw signs of bear near the river today.”
    â€œSo? It was grizzly country where we hiked last year. They never bothered us. Besides, I’m not afraid of bears.”
    â€œThen you’re a fool!” He leaned back in his seat and glared at me.
    â€œThat’s not fair,” Patti said. “Jessica isn’t a fool.”
    â€œYes she is,” Amy said.
    â€œAmy! Either keep your mouth shut or get out of here,” Dad snapped.
    I grinned. They were both getting mad at Amy instead of me. But Amy knew how to handle it.
    She looked up with a lost, frightened expression. “There’s nowhere to go!” she cried.
    I groaned.
    â€œJust be quiet,” Dad