Nightmare Mountain (12 page)

“So there’s no money lost,” Uncle Phil said.

“Mom isn’t going to believe all of this when I write to her,” Molly said.

“You won’t need to write,” Uncle Phil said. “She’s catching the first plane home. While the doctor was examining you, your mom called, because she was worried about Karen. When she heard what’s happened, she said someone else can introduce the frozen yogurt; she’s going to take care of her almost-frozen daughter.”

Molly grinned and snuggled deeper under the warm
blankets. Mom was coming home. Everything was going to be all right.

“I guess that means you’ll be going home to Los Angeles sooner than you thought,” Sheriff Donley said.

“Maybe not,” Uncle Phil said. “Molly’s mother wants to stay here awhile, to help out until Karen’s on her feet again.”

Good, Molly thought. Maybe Glendon and I can have some fun together yet. Just two days ago, she would have said the chances of being friends with Glendon were zip. But now that she knew why Glendon had acted the way he did, she was able to forgive him. Besides, they had something in common now; they’d survived an avalanche together.

“My deputy took Buckie to the veterinarian while I booked Craine,” Sheriff Donley said. “The vet says the bullet only made a surface wound. He stitched Buckie up and he’ll be ready to go home in the morning. You’d better have a good supply of dog food on hand; he’s earned it.”

“Forget the dog food,” Uncle Phil said. “Buckie deserves his favorite treat: macaroni and cheese.”

“And a medal for bravery,” Molly said.

“I know a certain girl who was brave, too,” Uncle Phil said. “If it hadn’t been for you, we would have lost Glendon.” He leaned over the bed and kissed Molly’s cheek.

“Hey!” said a voice from the doorway. “That’s my husband you’re kissing, young woman.”

“Aunt Karen!”

A nurse’s aide was pushing Aunt Karen in a wheelchair.

“The doctor said I could be up in the chair for ten minutes. Just long enough to see for myself that my favorite niece is going to be all right.”

The aide wheeled Aunt Karen up next to Molly’s bed. Aunt Karen took Molly’s hand and held it. “Thank goodness you’re OK,” she said. “When I think how close we came to losing you and Glendon . . .” Her voice trailed off, as if the possibility was too horrible to put into words.

Molly looked at Aunt Karen and Uncle Phil, and saw their love for her shining in their eyes. Maybe tomorrow she’d start a “family collage.” She could use denim and red flannel for Uncle Phil’s clothes and a pretty pink gingham for Aunt Karen. She’d give Glendon something bright and cheerful, to indicate his new attitude. Yellow, perhaps, or a vivid orange. Maybe she could even find some fake fur and put Buckie in the collage.

“I just came from Glendon’s room,” Aunt Karen said, “and he said to tell you that when he gets home, he wants to learn the game with Buckie and Fifi. He hopes you’ll visit him in the hospital as soon as you can, too. He
wondered if you’d like to help him build a model ship.”

“Sure,” Molly said. “Maybe we can start it tomorrow.”

Tomorrow. She smiled sleepily and closed her eyes. Tomorrow Mom would be here. Tomorrow she could leave the hospital and see Merrylegs’ new baby. Tomorrow she and Glendon would start being friends.

Tomorrow she might even get pizza for breakfast.

Peg Kehret
is the author of many popular novels for young readers, including
Cages, Earthquake Terror, Night of Fear
, and
Searching for Candlestick Park.
She lives in Washington State with her husband.