Lost on Brier Island Read Online Free

waved at her. “You missed the boat tour.”
    â€œI know. We were too late for the early ferry this morning. It was all Mom’s fault.”
    Gus let out a belly laugh that rumbled through the air like thunder. A startled seagull took flight from the pole next to the boat. “Does your mum know that? I’m sure it had nothing to do with you!”
    Rachel stuck her tongue out at him and then jumped onto the boat into his outstretched arms. Gus engulfed her in a tight bear hug. “It’s good to see you again, squirt! You’ve grown since I was out there in February.”
    â€œYup, I’m definitely taller!” Rachel said. “I’m going to be thirteen soon, too.” She hopped down and prowled around the deck. “Ooh, I love the new boat, Uncle Gus. What did you name her?”
    â€œYup, she’s a beauty,” he agreed. “Welcome aboard the Evania Rose . Still have to paint the name on her, though.”
    â€œCan I go out with you tomorrow?”
    â€œI think we can squeeze you in,” Uncle Gus chuckled, ruffling Rachel’s blonde curls. “If you behave, that is.”
    â€œBogs!” Rachel growled.
    What kind of a word was “bogs,” anyway? Rachel sounded just like Gus. Great, Alex thought. Big lion and now little lion.
    â€œWho are you?” Rachel asked.
    â€œWhat?” Startled, Alex realized Rachel’s attention was now focused on her.
    â€œI don’t know you.” Rachel scrambled down to the dock and walked over to Alex.
    Alex stepped back, but the girl kept coming closer. What was she going to do, walk right into her? Alex kept backing up until she was at the edge of the dock. Another step and she’d be in the harbour.
    Obviously, this girl didn’t know what personal space meant. There was nowhere left for Alex to go.
    â€œRachel, meet Sophie’s niece, Alex,” Gus said.
    â€œOh!” Rachel stared at her with big eyes. “You’re that girl whose brother died.”

Chapter Six
    What did she say? Alex’s b ody went rigid.
    â€œRACHEL!” Gus exclaimed.
    â€œWhat? That’s right, isn’t it? Mom told me about her.” Rachel tilted her head towards Alex. “You are her, aren’t you?”
    Alex pushed past her. She didn’t wait for Aunt Sophie as she tripped down the wharf, her sneakers slipping as she went.
    â€œHey, what’s the matter?” Rachel’s voice followed her.
    This wa s a mistake, Alex thought. She had told her parents she didn’t want to come here, but they said it would be good for her. Yeah, right! They just wanted to get rid of her. Alex stomped along the road in the direction of the ferry, which had just docked. Four cars and a motorcycle drove off slowly and turned right, up the hill towards the lodge.
    One red pickup was waiting to board. A bald man with a grey moustache was leaning out the window, talking to one of the ferry workers. He was lucky to be getting off this rock. Alex dug around in her pockets and pulled out three quarters, a nickel, and a gum wrapper. Not enough. What would she do when she got to the other side, anyway? Hitchhike? Maybe pickup-truck guy would give her a ride.
    Hitching? Brave move, wuss. Bet you chicken out. Adam’s voice echoed in her head. She gulped and stepped closer to the two men talking. “Um, excuse me?”
    They both looked at her. “Afternoon,” the ferry worker said. He squinted at her. “Don’t I know you? Yeah, you’re Sophie’s niece, aren’t ya?”
    â€œSophie’s niece, eh? Welcome.” The tru ck guy smiled.
    â€œShe came over the other day.”
    â€œHow do you like our little island?”
    Realizing that she’d been recognized and her chance of hitching a ride was now zero, Alex grudgingly answered the truck guy. “All right, I guess.”
    â€œHmmm, that’s not very enthusiastic,” he chuckled. “I guess we