Paint the Wind by Pam Muñoz Ryan Read Free Book Online Page B

right here. I won’t put a toe outside. I’m absolutely used to that and I can be extremely helpful. I actually did all the housework at Grandmother’s: cleaning, laundry, floors, even cooking. I could scrub those cupboards and I could even clean the hearth in the other room. It’s positively filthy and I can reach it easily with a stepstool. Then we can all go out to … the frontier … together.”
    â€œWhoa! Sit down and eat your breakfast,” said Uncle Fig, putting a plate in front of Maya and tapping her on the head with a pot holder. “I’m the chief cook and bottle washer around here.”
    â€œWe can’t just leave you alone all day,” said Moose.“Not in good conscience. And your aunt Vi has her heart set on spending this time with you.”
    Maya looked from Moose to Fig, trying to think of a more persuasive story. She put her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands, secretly pinching her cheeks and trying to make them look red. Maybe they would let her stay inside until her color improved. With wide and sincere eyes, Maya said, “I don’t think it would be prudent to take me there just yet … with my condition.”
    Moose and Fig exchanged a curious glance.
    â€œYour condition?” asked Moose.
    â€œYes. I have … that sickness people get from being high up in the mountains. You told me last night that we’re at seven thousand feet.”
    â€œAltitude sickness?” said Fig. “Do you have aheadache? Are you feeling dizzy? Better drink lots of water.”
    â€œYes! Altitude sickness. And I did feel dizzy when I first got up. I’m from Pasadena, which is practically near the ocean and that’s sea level. Now that I’m here, I actually already feel like I’m going to get an excruciating headache. And maybe a fever.” She put the back of her hand across her forehead for effect. “I get the sickness every time I go to the mountains. Grandmother took me skiing every February in California at Snow Summit and I always caught it. I couldn’t leave the area until it cleared up completely, which usually took about … at least two weeks.”
    Fig put a pot holder over his mouth and turned back to the stove.
    Moose massaged his chin with a thumb and forefinger,mulling over what Maya had said. “Well now, that does present a problem. But Aunt Vi would be very disappointed if we don’t show up with you this afternoon, and we try not to cross her if it can be helped. And you know, Maya, your mother spent every one of her growing-up summers at the camp with Vi. We’re fairly certain that’s why your mother wanted you to spend your summers here, too … so you could have the same experience. We’re not about to go against your parents’ wishes, especially since your grandmother did that for too many years.” Moose’s eyes watered and he mopped them with a napkin. “I hope you understand.”
    Maya had never seen a man who wept as easily and it made her feel uncomfortable and a bit jealous. Her shoulders drooped and she nodded with resignation. “I don’t even know how to ride a horse.”
    â€œAunt Vi will teach you to ride in no time,” said Fig. “Just like she taught your mother and Payton. The Limners were born to ride. There’s not one of us who didn’t take to the saddle. Aunt Vi’s a bit stubborn and has to have everything her way, but she’s the finest horsewoman in the county. We’ve already trailered the horses to the camp for the summer. You’ll be riding Seltzer.”
    â€œSeltzer?”
    â€œA beautiful blue roan,” said Moose. “Aunt Vi has taken him out on any number of journeys and he’s sweet and dependable.”
    Maya studied the blueberries in her pancakes. Her mind became a mash of thoughts: a stubborn great-aunt Violet who two grown men didn’t want to cross, a cousin