by Betsy Haynes
"Thanks," said Beth. "At least I did one smart thing."
"It looks as if you did several things intelligently," remarked Marcel, looking at the burrow and windbreak.
"Beth dug a nest for us," Todd told him. "I'm lying on a pile of leaves. It's a lot warmer than snow."
"You were clever," said Marcel. "And this shelter you made is very professional."
"Don't flatter her too much," said Todd, grinning. "If I know my sister, it's already going to her head."
Marcel laughed. "From what I know of your sister, I doubt that very seriously."
Beth smiled and felt her cheeks warm. Such a compliment was nice to hear, especially coming from Marcel.
"Hey, Beth," Todd said, looking at her and grinning.
"What?"
"I can't wait for that chicken dinner," he said.
"Me, too." She laughed.
It was completely dark when Beth heard the sounds of more skis coming down the slope. She looked up and saw the silhouettes of three orange-jacketed ski patrol men coming over the ridge above them. Two of them were dragging a rescue sled.
"We got here as quickly as we could," said one of the men as he untied a bag from the sled.
"Ze boy's in there," said Marcel, pointing to the clearing.
"I'll get the lantern, Ron," volunteered one of the men.
Working in the light of the lantern, two of the men took Todd's boot off and put a plastic splint around his ankle. While they were busy with Todd, the third man and Marcel tore down Beth's windbreak so they could pull the stretcher into the clearing and place it next to Todd. The stretcher had a rounded bottom so it would slide easily on the snow and looked as if it were made of fiberglass. Long handles stuck out in front.
"Easy now," said one of the men. "Let's slide him gently onto the stretcher."
When they had moved Todd onto the stretcher, they strapped him in tightly. Then they moved him out onto the slope.
A shiver ran through Beth as she watched the ski patrol ready themselves for the descent. What if the sled slipped out of their grasp on the mountain? Beth soon saw she didn't have anything to worry about. One man positioned himself between the handles at the front of the sled. Another took hold of ropes at the rear. Obviously it was his job to keep the stretcher from going too fast. The third ski patrol man positioned himself in front with a large battery-powered lantern to light the way for the group. They slid Todd over the ledge and began slowly working their way down the mountain.
"Ready, Beth?" asked Marcel.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she answered, gritting her teeth.
Marcel gave Beth directions and encouragement as she side-slipped and snowplowed her way down.
"Beautiful. You're doing great!" he called when she parallel-skied down a particularly difficult slope.
The ski patrol had already reached the bottom of the slope with Todd when Beth and Marcel got there. Her parents were kneeling beside Todd.
Looking at Beth, her mother cried, "Oh, kids, we've been so worried about you. We heard you had been found, but—" She broke off, choking back tears.
Beth ran to her mother and hugged her. "We're fine, Mom. Todd hurt his ankle, but he's going to be fine."
Mr. Barry squeezed Beth's shoulder while Alicia grabbed her around the waist.
"Bethy, Bethy, I was worried, too!"
The ski patrol took Todd away to the first-aid station to call a doctor. Mr. and Mrs. Barry hurried along behind.
Brian came to Beth and hugged her hard. "Glad you're back, squirt," he said, and kissed her on the forehead.
Brittany had been hanging back, watching from several steps away. Now she walked up to Beth. There were tears brimming in her eyes.
"Beth," she said, her voice choking, "I can't tell you how very, very sorry I am."
Beth grabbed her sister and hugged her. "It's okay, Brittany. It's okay."
"I didn't know The Jaws of Death was in that direction," Brittany continued, her words muffled in Beth's shoulder.
"I know you didn't," Beth answered. "I never really believed you did."
Brittany pulled away, but clung to Beth's hand. "I was so selfish," she whispered. "I mean, just because you're younger . . ."
"Yeah." Beth sighed deeply. Brittany was finally getting to the truth. "And not as mature as you and your friends, right?"
Brittany looked embarrassed for an instant. "Well . . . I mean . . ." she fumbled. "Gosh, Beth, you know how you feel about Todd."
Beth was baffled. "What are you talking about?"
"You hate hanging around Todd and the kids his age," Brittany said.
"That's different," Beth remarked. "Todd's so . . ." She stopped herself from saying aloud the word she had been thinking: immature. I don't believe it. Wow, she thought. I've been treating Todd just as poorly as Brittany was treating me. And I thought I was the only one being picked on.
Beth looked up at her sister. "I don't really like it when Todd tags along with me, or I get stuck with him. But you know what," she added around a baseball-size lump in her throat. "I'm glad the whole thing happened."
Brittany looked at her with surprise.
"If it hadn't, I never would have found Todd," Beth explained. "Maybe no one would have found him until tomorrow . . . or later."
"You have a very brave sister, Brittany," said Marcel, skiing over to them. "You should have seen how she had taken care of her brother. If I am ever lost in the woods, I would not mind having her with me."
Beth smiled up at Marcel. It was wonderful to hear him say so, but right now all she was thinking about was a hot bath. She was going to soak for an hour in steamy, hot water until she was all wrinkled and warm down to her bones. It sounded fantastic!
CHAPTER 11
"I'd like to propose a toast," Beth's father said, lifting his water glass. The rest of the family held theirs up, too, and looked expectantly at Mr. Barry. "To Beth, for her bravery, her outdoors skills, and her caring. Without those qualities, we might not have her and Todd with us tonight."
"To Beth," murmured the members of the Barry family.
Beth smiled with pleasure. She and Todd were sitting in places of honor at the ends of the dining room table. Todd had his ankle in a cast that was propped up on a chair next to him.
"Tonight's the big night," said Brittany, putting down her glass. "The fireworks start at nine, and then there's going to be a night-ski down the hill. Julie told me that everyone who skis will be carrying a flashlight, and the skiers play follow the leader down the hill. It's going to be beautiful!"
"Can I stay up and watch?" asked Alicia. "Please! Please!"
"Yes, you can watch," her mother answered, laughing. "Let's go upstairs and get your ski pants and jacket on."
Todd thumped his foot down from the chair and grabbed the crutches that were leaning against the wall. "I'll go, too. I'm supposed to meet Jason and Mike, and it's going to take me a while to get ready."
Beth watched him hobble across the room, thinking about her conversation with Brittany. "Wait a minute, Todd," she called. She jumped out of her chair and raced to him. "I'm sorry I've been so crabby about loaning you money. If you want to borrow some to play the video games with your friends later tonight, it's okay."
Todd looked surprised. "Wow! Thanks." Then he sighed and added, "Actually I'm pretty tired, so I think I'll just hit the sack after I watch the night-ski with my friends."
"Are you sure?" asked Beth. "I really would lend you a couple of dollars."
Todd thought a moment and then shook his head. "Thanks, anyway. But there is something I'd like to know. Why did you change your mind?"
Beth grinned at her brother. "Oh, I guess I just discovered that you're more mature than I realized. See you later. Okay?"
Beth remembered that she had left her ski gloves at the table and went back to get them before going up to get ready for the night's activities. Her parents and Alicia had already left, and Brittany had gone to talk to Julie and Sarah. Brian was s
itting there alone, finishing a piece of chocolate cake.
Molly appeared at the table just as Beth got there, too. "Brian," she said. "Let's go sit by the fire."
Brian looked up and smiled at her. "In a little while," he said.
Molly looked disappointed. "Well, don't be too long."
When Molly left, Beth turned to her brother. "Brian, why didn't you go with her? This is your last night with Molly, and . . ."
"That's okay." Brian waved his hand to dismiss it. "I'll see her later. Besides, I want to hear more about your big adventure today."
"Believe me," Beth said with a grin, "you'll get plenty of chances to hear about that. But don't give up your last chance to be with Molly because of me. If I had met someone special, I'd want to be with him."
"Molly is really a nice girl," Brian told her, "but she's not special to me the way you mean."
Beth's mouth dropped open. "The way you guys have been together so much, I thought you really liked her a lot."
"She's okay," Brian said. "But I want to do other things besides be with Molly. She's always there, always hanging around."
"You don't like that?"
Brian shook his head. "Sometimes guys don't like girls who are too pushy. If I like a girl, all she has to do is be nice. You know what I mean?"
Beth thought for a minute. "Yeah, I guess so," she said. "Molly was kind of all over you."
"I liked it at first, I guess," admitted Brian, playing with a spoon. "I mean I was flattered, but after a while it got boring. Mostly I've just been trying to be nice to her until we leave."
"You aren't going to write to her, then?" asked Beth.
Brian shrugged. "I don't know. You know what a lousy writer I am." He laughed. "I hate writing themes for English."
"Don't we all?" Beth laughed, too.
"Well, I'd better go check in with her," said Brian. "I don't want to hurt her feelings. See you outside."
"You bet," Beth said. "I'm on my way up to get changed now."
After Brian left, Beth headed slowly out of the dining room, thinking about her vacation. In a way it had turned out to be exciting: the skiing lessons with Marcel, even sliding under the storage building, she thought, giggling to herself, and rescuing Todd.
I think I'll call my friends right now and tell them all about it, she thought. We have so much to talk about that I can't wait until we get home tomorrow. She pulled the small change purse out of her ski jacket pocket and headed for the pay telephone in the lobby of the lodge, thinking that she would finally get to hear about Winter Carnival, too.
"Beth, may I talk to you a minute?" Marcel called from behind her.
She stopped to let him catch up with her. "Sure."
"I wanted to tell you, again, how much I admired what you did today," Marcel said.
Beth shrugged. "Thanks, Marcel. I just did what had to be done."
"You certainly did. You are very mature." Then he smiled and added, "Just between us, you are much more mature than your sister and her friends, who are a bit silly."
"Me?" exclaimed Beth, incredulous. After the way Brittany and her friends had treated her all week, it was hard to believe that anyone would take her seriously. But then she thought about how Brittany and the other girls had behaved, and she knew deep down he was right.
"Another thing, you are obviously comfortable with being with all kinds of people," Marcel continued. "You take care of your little sister, and I saw you with Charles several times. I think you act much older than your age."
"Thank you, Marcel," Beth said softly. "That's the nicest thing you could have said to me."
"I must go now and get ready for ze night-ski," he said. "You will be there, won't you?"
"I wouldn't miss it," answered Beth.
Beth was humming to herself when she reached the pay phone in the lobby. She put a handful of change down beside it and slipped a quarter in the slot, punching in Jana's number. Beth hoped she wasn't calling too late. Jana and Randy might have left for the Ice Skaters' Ball already.
"Hello. Pinkerton residence."
Beth bounced on tiptoes excitedly when she heard Jana's voice and dropped more coins into the slot. "Jana, it's Beth."
"Beth?" cried Jana. "Are you home already?"
"No," Beth said. "I was dying to hear all about Winter Carnival and wanted to talk with you. Are you and Randy going to the ball tonight?"
There was a big sigh at the other end of the line. "You mean you haven't heard?" Jana asked sadly. "Winter Carnival's a disaster. The weather turned warm and melted all the snow and ice. They had to cancel everything, including the Ice Skaters' Ball. Randy and I are just going to stay here tonight and watch a video."
Beth's mouth dropped open, and she started to giggle. "You're kidding. Then I guess I really didn't miss much, did I?"
"No way! This is the worst winter vacation there has ever been," Jana said miserably. "But, gosh! You're the lucky one. You must be having a ball!"
"I guess you could say that," replied Beth. Then she took a deep breath and began telling Jana about her adventures.
The base of the mountain was crowded with people when Beth and her family got there at nine. They found a place where they could put the folding chair the Martins had loaned them for Todd. Once he had settled in the chair, Mike and Jason joined them. They packed some snow into the shape of a footstool for Todd to rest his cast on and crouched beside him to watch the light show.
"I want up!" cried Alicia, holding her arms in the air. Mr. Barry lifted her onto his shoulders.
"There," he said. "You've got the best seat in the house."
KABOOOM!
Beth jumped as the sky was suddenly lit by brilliant fingers of light.
"Wow! Out of sight!" yelled a boy standing nearby.
"Out of sight!" echoed Alicia, pounding on her father's head.
KABOOOM! KABOOM!
"Oooooh!" cried the crowd in appreciation as red and blue lights flashed overhead.
"Cowabunga!" yelled Todd.
Fireworks exploded, first to the left and then to the right, and a pinwheel began spinning its fiery spokes not far away.
"Ooooh!" cried Beth with the crowd. It was fantastic.
Beth felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she was surprised to see Marcel.
"I'd like you to come with me," he said.
Beth looked at her mother, who smiled and nodded.
Wondering what it was all about, Beth followed Marcel to the ski lift, where a group of skiers were standing and holding flashlights.
"We would like for you to lead ze night-ski," Marcel told her. "Your skis are right here, and you will need this." He handed her a flashlight.
"But I can't," cried Beth. "I'm not good enough."
"Yes, you are, mademoiselle. You are good enough, and I will be right behind you. Trust me. Leading ze night-ski is an honor you deserve."
Beth looked up at Marcel. The expression on his face told her he meant it.
"Okay," she said.
Beth put her skis on, and she and Marcel took the first chair and began the slow ascent up the mountain. To her relief, they got off at the first ramp instead of going all the way to the top. Maybe I can handle this, she thought.
After the other skiers had arrived, Marcel gathered them together.
"Ze object is to use only one pole and to hold your light high, following each other one by one," he explained. "Beth will be our leader. Is everyone ready?" There was a chorus of yeses.
"Then we shall begin," he said, taking his walkie-talkie from his belt. "Goujon, to base. Over."
"This is base, Goujon," came a voice from the radio. "Go ahead."
"We are ready," said Marcel.
"Roger. Let the ceremony begin," responded the voice.
Beth could hear music start up below. She wondered what size speakers they must have for her to hear it from so far away.
"After you, Beth," said Marcel. "Take your time, there is no hurry. Actually ze slower you go,
ze more like a beautiful ballet it becomes."
Beth looked down the mountain at the people standing in the lights far below. This is just like being onstage, she thought. I love being on the stage. I can do it! I can do it!
She pushed off, heading over the edge. Holding her flashlight high, Beth turned her knees toward the hill, and began a long, arcing curve to the right.
She shifted and started a swooping curve in the other direction. As she did, she could see the other skiers in a long line behind her. Their lights made them look like dancing fireflies.
Beth crossed the hill again. It's just like flying, she thought, as the wind brushed her hair back from her face. The music, the beautiful motion, the night air, what a wonderful ending to a vacation that was almost a disaster. She would remember this moment for the rest of her life.
Table of Contents
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11