12
PARADISE ISLAND
EARLY MORNING
True to Mac’s predictions, the fierce storm blew itself out just before sunrise. The green-hued island glistened like a precious faceted jewel as bright sunlight poured across the eastern ridge, drying sand and stone and wood in record time.
Penny was the first to venture outside, and she danced back in pink-cheeked and glowing with excitement. “Lots of fish got caught in our tidepool, Mama!” she beamed. “Come see! We’ll have plenty to eat tonight!”
Max cast one longing glance up the rustling mountainside. But Reuben’s warning frown made him fall in line with the others, and drag his feet all the way down the beach.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help, it was just that there were so many neat places to explore! Cool dusky caverns and mysterious rock
