Read Online Out of Season by Kari Jones - Free Book Online Page A

last look, then turn the kayak toward home. As the kayak glides forward, I glance up to the hillside, and my stroke falters. Someone is standing at the top of the hill. I can’t tell who it is, but they’re watching me play with the sea otters.

Chapter Two
    What have I done? With two strokes I move behind the shelter of a rock. My heart races. Who was that? What did they see? I pray that it’s not the same fisherman who shot the sea otters last year.
    I can’t leave now. I sneak between two rocks in the middle of Riley Bay so I can get a better view of the person on the hill. I’ve never seen anyone up there before. Why would someone be at the top of the hill early in the morning? We’re far from town, and no one lives around here. There are no roads. The only access is by boat. There is nothing out here except trees and rocks—and sea otters.
    My stomach clenches. Have I given the sea otters away? Are they in danger now?
    What should I do?
    I’m going to be late. If I’m late, I might be grounded, and I won’t be able to watch out for the sea otters. I look up again. The person walks along the ridge to the crest of the hill, then disappears into the trees.
    â€œArghh…” I shout into the bay. I turn my kayak and race home.
    When I get close to the house, I see Dad’s boat at the dock. Mom must have called Dad and Saul home. That means she noticed I was missing. There isn’t any point in pretending. I pull my kayak up onto the dock, take off my life jacket and walk in the back door.
    I’m not happy when I see everyone sitting around the table. There’s no doubt about it, I’m in trouble. Dad and Saul only come in for breakfast if there are no fish, or if something bad has happened. I guess I’m the something bad today.
    Saul smirks when he sees me. He’s four years older than me, and now that he’s out of school, he’s Dad’s fishing partner. He thinks that makes him better than me. Dad lifts his eyebrows. Mom says, “Where have you been? I thought you were still in bed.”
    Before I can answer, Saul says, “Kayaking.”
    Thanks, Saul. Sometimes having an older brother is frustrating. I was going to say, “Out walking.” Too late now.
    â€œKayaking? Alone? Maya, how could you? You know how I feel about you being out there alone. Anything could happen. Gerry, did you know about this?” Mom turns to Dad. So do I.
    Dad will understand. He taught me how to kayak so I could explore. He gets why I kayak in the mornings. I want to say, “Tell her it’s okay, Dad.”
    Before I can open my mouth, Dad lifts his fork and waves it at me. “You stay away from that kayak, Maya.”
    â€œBut…”
    â€œNo buts. Your mother doesn’t want you out there. You stay off the water or there will be consequences.” He lowers his fork and spears some egg.
    Tears hit the back of my eyes. “Dad?” I say.
    He doesn’t look at me as he eats his eggs. I glance at Saul, but he’s nodding like he agrees with Dad.
    â€œStay away from the kayak, Maya,” Dad says, glancing up from his food. There’s something funny about his face. This is so unlike him. It’s so unfair. My face burns, and I have a lump in my throat from trying not to cry.
    â€œWhat were you doing out there anyway?” asks Saul.
    I don’t want to answer, but Mom and Dad are watching me. I would have told them about the sea otters. I would have. But now I’m not going to. “Looking around. There are seals on Princess Rock,” I say.
    It’s not a lie, but it’s not the truth.
    My voice cracks as I say, “I need to get ready for school.”
    For the rest of the morning I have to think of other things, or I want to cry. Why did Dad turn on me? I know Mom worries. I’m okay with that. But I thought Dad was on my side. Why did he betray me?

Chapter Three
    I lie awake. Why did Dad