Читать книгу Water Steps - A. LaFaye - Страница 13

TREES

Once we carried the groceries inside, I turned to head out for another mountain trek, but Mem said, “Don’t you go rock climbing again. I’ve seen your knees there, lass. Or what’s left to the knees in your new jeans. No more climbing alone.”

So I had a few scrapes. Big deal.

Like he read my mind, Pep said, “Yesterday it was just a couple of nicks, but today or tomorrow it could be broken bones. You might fall up there and we wouldn’t find you till the vultures started circling.”

“Ronan!” Mem dropped her shopping bag onto the counter and covered her heart. “How could you say such a thing?”

“Scare tactic, sweet.” He kissed her cheek.

“Well, it scared me more than Kyna. So stop it.” She gave his arm a twisting pinch.

“Ow.” He rubbed the spot. “Right-oh. Vultures aside, you get my meaning, Kyna?”

“Yes.” I rolled my eyes. My parents overreacted to everything. I’ve scraped my knees worse by climbing a tree. If I didn’t show up for lunch at exactly noon, Pep would have Search and Rescue out there faster than Mem could say, “What’s their number?”

“Why not check out the woods?” Mem suggested as she started to put the food up.

Giving her a hand, Pep said, “Maybe you can ask that boy you met for a good guide about?”

I headed out, saying, “I can find my own way, thank you very much.”

“Go, Girl Guide, go,” Pep cheered. They called Girl Scouts “Girl Guides” in Ireland. Who knows why? It’s not like we go about guiding people through the woods or something. Not that I couldn’t do a great job of that myself. I know what side of the tree moss grows on and how to get my bearings from the stars in a clearing.