Free Fortune by Erica Spindler Page A

was the one thing they understood and respected.
    Chance brought the drenched fabric to the back of his neck and squeezed, sighing as the water sluiced over his shoulders and down his back. He could handle it, and anything else that was dished him. For, despite it all—the heat and mud, the exhausting work and the other boys’ animosity—Marvel’s was his way out.
    And nobody was going to screw it up for him. Nobody.
    â€œI saw what you did.”
    Chance swung around. A scruffy-looking girl stood a couple of feet behind him, arms folded across her chest, head cocked to one side as she studied him. Her dark hair was pulled back into a high, untidy ponytail; her eyes were an almost uncanny blue.
    He arched his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
    â€œI saw what you did,” she said again, obviously pleased with herself. “The other night, at the hot-dog stand. I heard what you said.”
    â€œYeah?” Pretending disinterest, he sent her a dismissive glance. “So what?”
    â€œYou were scamming Marta, weren’t you? To get this job.”
    Damn kid was too smart for her own good. Too smart for him to even think about trying to deny it. He shrugged. “So? What if I was?”
    â€œAren’t you worried I’ll go to Mr. Marvel?”
    â€œWhy should I be? You’re just a snot-nosed kid. Besides, what’s the big deal about a bad dog?”
    She huffed with annoyance, sounding very adult. “I am not a… snot-nosed kid. I’m twelve.”
    â€œTwelve? Gee, that old?” Amused, he turned his back to her. He bent, splashed water over his face, then straightened and retied his bandanna.
    â€œOkay, you’re right. Mr. Marvel wouldn’t care about that. It was a pretty cool scam. But the other one would really piss him off.”
    The other one? Chance swung to face her, narrowing his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œYou know. Benny and Rick. The shooting gallery, your trick, their fight.” She lifted her chin as if daring him to tell her she was wrong. “Mr. Marvel would fire you if he knew about that. ”
    Chance swore under his breath, then met her eyes. “Interesting fairy tale, kid. But I don’t have time for kiddie stories right now.” He moved past her. “See you around.”
    She followed him, skipping ahead, then swinging to face him once more. “It’s not a fairy tale, and you know it.”
    â€œIs that right? And what makes you such a big authority on everything?”
    â€œI make it my business to know everything that goes on at Marvel’s.”
    â€œAnd I’m sure your mother’s real proud. Now, could you please get lost? I’ve got work to do.”
    He started off again; again she stopped him. “When I saw you at the concession stand, I thought you were up to something, so I followed you. I saw the whole thing.”
    â€œYeah? Well, it’s my word against yours, kid. And I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    She tilted her head back and laughed. “Don’t look so worried. I hated those two guys. They were total pigs. I’m glad they’re gone.” She leaned conspiratorially toward him. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
    Just what he wanted, to be in cahoots with a snot-nosed, busybody twelve-year-old girl. Just great.
    â€œLook, kid,” he said, “you want to buzz off? Like I said, I’ve got work to do.” He headed in the opposite direction; she followed him.
    â€œMy name’s Skye.”
    â€œWhatever.”
    â€œMy mother’s Madame Claire.” At his blank look, she frowned. “You know, the fortune-teller.”
    â€œIs that supposed to mean something to me?”
    â€œNot if you don’t care about a curse being put on you.”
    â€œI’m really worried.”
    â€œShe can do it. She made one kid’s hair fall out.”
    He laughed. “And I bet she