Lost on Brier Island by Jo Ann Yhard Page A

little boats in her stomach, floating on the ocean of seafood chowder she had eaten. After the disaster she’d caused with Gus and Eva, it felt like the cream had all curdled inside her—a big ball of sourness.
    â€œI don’t think I’ll eat again for a year,” Aunt Sophie moaned. “I lost count of how many biscuits I ate—couldn’t resist. They were calling to me.”
    â€œThen they were callin’ to all of us,” Gus said from behind them.
    Alex could feel her mom stiffen beside her. Gus put a light hand on Alex’s shoulder, gently swinging her around.
    He smiled down at her. “Owe you a debt, Alex, yes indeed,” he murmured. “And I don’t forget ’em, either. Not ever.”
    Gus thinks I was trying to do something good? she thought. Shame burned Alex’s cheeks. She was glad for the darkness. “But she doesn’t seem happy…”
    â€œBit of a shock is all. Should have said somethin’ years ago. She’ll come around.” He gave them all a brief salute before climbing into his truck. Alex could still hear him whistling as he drove away down the street.
    He was happy! Alex thought of all her own tears lately. Looking up at the ones still glistening in the moonlight on her mom’s cheeks, she pictured her dad’s face—an unsmiling stone mask hiding behind dark glasses.
    Well, whatever the reason, at least someone was happy.

Chapter Twenty
    â€œI thought you hated skateboarding,” Adam said. His head was bent low over his board as he adjusted the wheels.
    â€œI do. I mean, I did.”
    â€œSo, why do you want to go?”
    â€œThat’s all you do now. We never go exploring anymore.”
    â€œThis is more fun,” he said. “All you did was draw flowers and stuff while I climbed trees by myself.”
    â€œI did that too!”
    â€œHa! Only if I pulled you up the tree,” he laughed.
    â€œStop teasing me!” Alex frowned.
    â€œSorry. You can go, okay?”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œBut you’re not gonna like it,” he muttered, expertly flipping his board upright. “Skateboarding is higher on the scare-o-meter than climbing trees. Higher than roller coasters, too.”
    Alex gulped.
    At the Halifax Commons skatepark, she watched in awe as Adam did amazing tricks, each higher and faster than the last. He really was fearless, she thought.
    â€œAll right, sis, you’re up.”
    â€œGive me your helmet!”
    He laughed and handed it over. She pulled the strap on the helmet as tight as it would go. Everyone was watching her.
    â€œGet on and I’ll push you around a bit so you can get used to the feel of it.”
    â€œOkay.”
    Alex stared at the skateboard. She willed her feet to move. They didn’t. Seconds, then minutes, ticked by. The others got tired and returned to their boards, flying around her.
    â€œC’mon, sis, you can do it. Don’t be scared. I’m right here.”
    â€œAll right, all right, don’t rush me!” Alex put her right foot on the back end of the skateboard and shifted her weight to that same foot, like she was stepping onto a stair.
    â€œNot on the tail—”
    â€œAhh!”
    The skateboard flipped up and Alex lost her balance. She would have been sprawled on the pavement if Adam hadn’t grabbed her.
    â€œGotcha!”
    Laughter erupted around her. She felt her face flush.
    â€œIt’s all right,” he whispered in her ear. “Ignore them. I’ll teach you when no one’s around to tease you, okay? Watch, I’ll show them a new trick. Then they’ll forget all about laughing at you.”
    He grabbed the board and zipped off.
    â€œWait, your helmet…” Alex tugged at the strap, but he was gone.
    â€œStupid law anyway,” he shouted back to her. “It’s more fun without it!”
    Alex watched as Adam set up for a jump. He had on a grey hoodie with