Page 71 of Carved in Ice (Made of Steel 3)

My bottom lip trembled. “But it hurts.”

“I know.” He kept his hand on my elbow as we wove through the trees.

I sniffed again. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could possibly resist collapsing on the ground and accepting my fate.

He lightly squeezed my elbow. “You know, those aren’t the lyrics of The Colors of the Wind.”

I frowned at him. “How would you know? You said Pocahontas was only for girls.”

“Well, either way, rocks don’t have brains.”

“What?”

“You said, ‘But I know every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a brain.’ Those aren’t the lyrics.”

“Yes they are, Miles. I’ve listened to it a hundred times. I think I’d know the words.”

“Brains? Really?”

I thought about the rock I had fallen on. It seemed pretty smart to me. It had tricked me after all. “How do you know that rocks don’t have brains? They might. Pocahontas would know. She loved being outside just like me.”

He laughed. “Every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name. A name, not brains.”

“You watched the movie?”

He shrugged. “You promised it was good. Just like I promised we’d make it back to your house before you died.”

We had just stepped onto my driveway.

My dad opened the door, like he could sense that I was in pain. He always knew when I needed him.

“Summer, what happened?” He was running over to me before I could even answer.

“She fell in the creek, Mr. Brooks,” Miles said.

My dad scooped me up in his arms and carried me the rest of the way to our house. I buried my face in his shirt so Miles wouldn’t see me cry anymore.

“Can I come in Mr. Brooks?” Miles called from behind us.

My dad left the door open for him. He carried me to the bathroom and grabbed a towel to wipe away the blood from my knee. “Were you playing in the creek by yourself again?”

Again? How did he know everything? “No, Miles was there.”

“A good thing he was.” He stood up to grab the Band-Aids out of the medicine cabinet. He crouched back down next to me. “You need to turn that frown upside,” he said with a smile. “Besides, isn’t Miles getting along with you what you’ve been nagging your mother and I about ever since we moved here?”

“I never nag you.”

He pitty-patted my shoulder. “Why won’t Miles swing with me?” He pitty-patted my shoulder again. “Why won’t Miles play catch with me?” He pitty-patted my side sending me into a fit of giggles. “Why won’t Miles let me in his tree house?”

“Stop!” I somehow managed to say through my laughter.

He finally ceased from tickling me and pulled out a Band-Aid.

I caught my breath just as I heard the front door close. Miles had never ever not once asked to come into my house. Maybe I had died and gone to heaven. I hope I remembered to organize all my stuffed animals on my bed.

My dad placed the Band-Aid on my knee. “So turn that frown upside down and enjoy your victory.” He winked at me and stood up just as Miles appeared in the doorway. My dad patted Miles’ head as he left us alone in the bathroom.

“Are you okay?” Miles asked.

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