Free Summer of the Wolves by Polly Carlson-Voiles Page A

go out in the boat after—”
    â€œYeah, okay!” Randall shouted back, hurrying to gather what was left from the floor.
    â€œRandall,” Nika said slowly, “did anyone tell you about the wolf pup?”
    â€œYeah, Claire did. Can we see it?”
    â€œNot quite yet. When he settles in a bit and he’s more used to people. So you’re okay then?”
    â€œWell, yeah,” he said, as if she should know. “Want to go fishing?”
    â€œNo. I gotta get back to the pup.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” he answered brightly, almost seeming relieved.
    After how much he’d once needed her, it pinched a little to see him so happy without her.
    â€œLet’s go eat.” Nika jumped up from the chair and wrestled with Randall, enjoying for a minute the once-familiar closeness of her brother. His wiry strength surprised her as he broke free, shouted for his friends, and ran from the cabin.

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    One morning the man staggered toward the pen barking out harsh words. He had a metal stick in his hands and waved it around. The wolf hid in her corner, then clawed her way deeper into the hole she’d dug, frantic and afraid. Her strong paws flew. Suddenly, air rushed into the tunnel. She slipped her body through, out into the sweet sharp smells of freedom.
    As the silvery-tan wolf left the road and felt the forest ground beneath her feet, something tore through the leaves, followed by a boom. She ran faster.

Chapter Seven
    Claire Cameron was like one of those moms from Nika’s old school, neatly dressed in clean jeans and a trim plaid shirt, blond hair cut in a short bob, confident in the way she moved and smiled.
    â€œWelcome, Nika. How was the walk over?” she asked, putting a plate of turkey and cheese sandwiches on the table with a large glass pitcher of juice. Everyone plopped into chairs and began speed-eating. Claire Cameron could probably feed four boys in her sleep.
    â€œOkay,” Nika answered.
    â€œAre you going out in the boat with Jake and the boys?”
    â€œNo, I’ll just head back. Say, is there a path along the shore?”
    â€œYes, there is,” Claire answered. “It’s practically a highway of smooth rock. There’s even a small beach along the way, probably the best swimming spot on the island.” Bringing over a bowl of grapes and apples, Claire studied Nika for a minute.
    â€œI heard about the pup. That will keep you busy!” She laughed. “What will happen with the pup in the fall, do you know? Does Ian have some sort of plan?”
    Nika looked at Claire and shrugged. But inside she felt a crash. Of course Ian would have ideas about the pup’s future. Right now she didn’t want to ask. First, she needed a plan of her own. Maybe she could take the pup back to Pasadena with her. He would still be small then, wouldn’t he? Olivia’s mom was always rescuing animals. Nika was glad when Claire dropped the subject.
    After they finished eating, Thomas said, “Dad said meet him at the dock,” and the boys rushed out as if it were a rule that boys in a group must run. Clearing her own things to the sink Nika said, “Well, thanks for lunch,” not wanting to stick around for any conversations about the pup’s future.
    Standing on the cabin steps, Nika watched as Randall and Thomas put their things together on the dock. It was good that he was so happy. Just like Meg used to say: We need to learn to depend on other people, not just on each other.
    Nika shouted at Randall, “Have fun!” and called back through the door to Claire, “Thanks again!” The boys were already in the boat. The father had loaded poles and gear.
    â€œâ€™Bye, Neeks!” yelled Randall at the tops of his lungs.
    After finding the path by the water, Nika began to walk along the smooth shoulders of the rock formations. Looking ahead, she saw giant boulders perched there as though they had been