A Forest Charm (3 page)

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Authors: Sue Bentley

BOOK: A Forest Charm
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“What—” Erin looked up in surprise at her empty hand.
Storm drifted to the ground in another flurry of sparks. Laying back his ears, he bounded away into the bushes.
Cassie bit back another grin. Because Erin couldn't see Storm, she must have thought the chocolate had tried to escape by leaping into the air all by itself !
“I don't get it. Where did that chocolate go?” Erin said, frowning.
“Beats me,” Cassie said casually. She didn't even mind losing the chocolate bar. It was worth it to see the look on Erin's bratty face! Cassie slung her backpack over her shoulder. “What are you waiting for? I thought we were in a hurry.”
Still looking puzzled, Erin began following Cassie.
Storm exploded out of the bushes in a flurry of leaves and came tearing over to Cassie with a wide, mischievous grin on his little, square, white face.
“Thanks, Storm. You were fantastic. I don't think Erin will bother telling on me now that the evidence has disappeared!” she whispered.
“I am glad I was able to help,” Storm woofed. He stretched and then kicked at the ground with his short, back legs, sending a tiny spray of muddy grass in Erin's direction.
Erin skirted sideways to avoid getting spattered. “There are some megafreaky breezes in this forest,” she commented.
Cassie thought she was going to burst with laughter. Clapping both hands over her mouth, she broke into a jog. Having Storm as her own special teammate this weekend was going to be the most fun ever.
Chapter
* FOUR *
Cassie's spirits were high as the group trekked along a forest track. Storm was trotting along beside her. Her earlier annoyance at Erin's unfriendliness faded into the background as she thought about her amazing new puppy friend. The morning flew by and it seemed like about five minutes before they all reached a clearing.
Storm's ears twitched as he looked up at the tall, sweet chestnut trees that surrounded the area. There were lots of fallen branches, and a thick layer of gold and orange leaves covered everything.
“This is a safe place,” he woofed.
Cassie quickly checked that no one was listening before answering. “I'm glad you like it. Because it looks like we're about to set up camp here,” she whispered.
The instructors explained that the Reds, Blues, and Greens would need to make everything they needed from materials they could find around them. There would also be a special task for the kids from each team.
“I wonder what that's going to be,” Cassie whispered to Storm.
He sat at Cassie's feet, all attention. His fluffy, white bottom was parked on her walking boots. She had to stop herself from bending down to stroke him.
“This suddenly seems like an awful lot of hard work,” her dad said. “I hope we don't actually have to hunt for our food as well.” His face was red and sweating from the walk. Cassie could see there were damp patches on his T-shirt through his open shirt.
She gave him a little nudge. “Think of it as a challenge, Dad! The Red team rules, okay!”
He scrunched up his face, but then reached across to ruffle her mop of fair curls. “Well, I'm glad to see that you've perked up. I thought our most difficult task was going to be cheer-up-the-grumpy-daughter!” he teased.
“Da-ad! I wasn't that bad. Was I, Mom?” Cassie said, grinning.
Mrs. Yorke smiled and held up her open hands. “I'm saying nothing!”
Everyone had a drink of bottled water before they started work. Cassie took a swig of hers and then bent down and pretended to be fiddling with her boots. Making sure that no one was watching, she poured some water into her hand for Storm.
His soft, whiskery little muzzle tickled her as he lapped it up. “Thank you, Cassie,” he woofed, licking his chops.
“There'll be a prize for the team who constructs the best shelter and another for the one that gets a fire started. You might find it helpful to elect a leader,” an instructor was explaining.
Cassie's attention was still on Storm when Mr. Ronson's loud voice suddenly made her jump.
“I'll be the Red team's leader,” he boomed. “I'm the most experienced at outdoor skills. Any objections?” he asked.
“Er . . . well . . .” Mr. Yorke murmured, looking a bit stunned.
“No? That's settled then,” Mr. Ronson said.
After the Blue and Green teams had decided on their leaders, an instructor explained about the kids' task. “While the adults build a shelter to sleep in, you're going to look for a hidden package, containing fire-making tools. There's one for each team. And there'll be a prize for the team who gets their fire going first.”
“That sounds like fun,” Cassie whispered to Storm. “And you'll be able to have a good run around the forest.”
Storm nodded and eagerly wagged his stumpy tail.
As the teams moved apart and then set to work, Mr. Ronson took charge. “Okay. You two can start by collecting some branches. We need to trim them before we use them to build the shelter,” he said, jabbing a finger at Cassie's mom and dad, before turning to his wife. “And you can collect some twigs for firewood. Okay, guys, get to it!” he ordered.
Cassie's dad made a wry face at her before he set off toward some fallen branches.
“I see what dad means about Mr. Ronson. He's really enjoying bossing everyone around, isn't he? No wonder Erin's so unbearable,” Cassie said to Storm.
Storm growled very softly in agreement.
Cassie suddenly noticed that Erin was looking at her with narrowed eyes and angry, flushed cheeks. She realized that she must have spoken more loudly than she'd intended to and Erin had heard her.
She chewed at her lip, feeling guilty. No one liked to hear someone else criticizing their dad. “Erin, I'm really—” Cassie was about to apologize, but just then Mr. Ronson came over.
“Okay, you two. You need to find that hidden package and get back here with it pronto. That prize for lighting a fire first is ours, okay?”
“No problem. I won't let you down, Dad,” Erin said.
“Don't you mean
we
won't let the
team
down?” Cassie asked.
Erin ignored her. “Does Cassie have to come with me? She'll only lag behind and slow me down!”
Cassie saw Storm's fuzzy, white fringe dip in a frown. “That is not a very nice thing to say!” he yapped.
Cassie agreed with him. “But I wasn't very nice about her dad, though, was I? Erin's probably just getting back at me,” she whispered to him.
But Storm snorted and didn't seem so sure.
“The task is for both of you. Those are the rules, Erin,” Mr. Ronson said. He handed Erin a small map and a piece of chalk. “Why don't you show Cassie how it's done by setting a good example?”
“If I have to,” Erin said reluctantly, slanting a sideways look at Cassie. “But it won't be my fault if she messes up.”
Mr. Ronson patted his daughter's arm. He smiled down at Cassie. “I'm sure you'll do your best, dear. A team's only as strong as its weakest member, you know.”
Charming
, Cassie fumed quietly, but wisely chose not to say anything.
Erin began studying the map as her dad walked back to the rest of the Reds.
“Can I have a look?” Cassie asked, going toward her and peering over her shoulder.
After they had both worked out the way to go, Erin crumpled up the map and threw it on the floor.
“Erin!” Cassie cried, angry at the older girl's littering. But before she could go and pick the map up, she saw Erin already stomping off through the trees.
“Well, come on!” Erin called back impatiently.
Cassie sighed and she and Storm set off after her. She decided she would pick the map up on their way back.
At first Erin walked at a normal speed, swinging her arms, but the moment they had left the campsite she broke into a run, tearing away from Cassie and Storm.
“Hey! Hang on!” Cassie called to her, speeding up.
Erin looked over her shoulder and wagged her fingers in a wave. “Come on, slowpoke!”
Cassie gritted her teeth in determination and broke into a run. She pumped her arms and legs like crazy as she tried to catch up with long-legged Erin. But it was no use. Erin easily outpaced her and was soon out of sight.
Cassie slowed down and then stopped in frustration. “Oh fudge! Forget it!
I've always been terrible at running,” she puffed. “Erin's just going to get the package by herself and then brag about it to everyone. Maybe she was right about me being useless. I should have stayed behind at the camp.”
“That is not true, Cassie. I will help you catch up to her,” Storm woofed.
Suddenly, Cassie felt a strange tingling sensation flowing down her back as bright gold sparks began igniting in Storm's fluffy, white fur, and his pointed, white ears crackled with electricity.

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