Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,53
on the access road and merge onto the expressway. That’s the fastest route there.”
Keelie slammed on the brakes. “The expressway! I can’t drive on the expressway.” She was as panicked as the tree in the trunk.
I’m going to die. I’m going to die. I’m going to die, the tree wailed in Keelie’s mind.
“Don’t slam on the brakes. Go. Go. Go.” Laurie motioned with her hands. Cars were honking behind them.
“We’ll just have to go a mile on the expressway, then you’ll take the exit. No big deal. That’ll take us to Baywood Academy. We can stop there and I can drive.”
I’m going to die. I’m going to die. I’m going to die.
“Shut up,” Keelie shouted loudly.
“What?” Laurie looked at Keelie in shock.
Keelie pushed on the accelerator. “I’m talking to the tree.”
Somebody in a Jeep drove around them, giving them the finger as they passed.
“People in L.A. are so rude.” Keelie drove on. “Maybe we can find some planters at the school,
“What are we going to do? Repot the bush?” Risa didn’t seem concerned.
Sean didn’t say anything. He had his hand across his face now. He was pale and had dark circles under his eyes. He needed to get out of the city.
Laurie turned around and glared at Risa. “I can’t believe we stole a tree out of the mall. I’ll never be able to show my face there again. And they’re having a really great sale at American Eagle.”
I’m not a bush, I’m a tree. And I’m going to die if I have to live outside.
You will not. You’ll survive and thrive in the earth. Lots of sunshine.
You’d think the brat mall tree would be grateful at being saved from a lifetime of being inside the mall.
The tree started making weeping noises in her head, and Keelie felt a surge of sympathy for the little guy. It’ll be okay.
As she merged onto the expressway, she hoped she was right.
Keelie stroked the pear tree’s smooth trunk. She’d propped him against a friendly willow so that he could soak his roots in the creek that flowed through the rear of the school property. The tree was finally calming down.
Sean sat on the bank next to it and watched the kids playing on the school’s fields. “Soccer seems to be a fun game.”
“Only if you’re not forced to play it.”
Laurie and Risa had gone to the local Orchard Supply Hardware store to buy a shovel, leaving Keelie and Sean to babysit the tree.
Knot chased a butterfly over some rocks in the creek. “Don’t get wet, kitty,” Keelie warned him. “Laurie doesn’t want to drive around with a soggy cat.” There was a splash and an angry yowl. Knot never listened.
Philia, the willow, was crooning to the little tree in a sweet motherly tone. He’s barely older than an acorn.
Keelie patted the pear tree’s trunk. I think he’ll be happy here.
The little tree showed Keelie his face, snub-nose and little eyes pushing through its bark. Thank you, tree shepherdess.
You’re welcome. A dark blur whizzed by, followed by two others. Knot froze, intent on their movement. Feithid daoine. Keelie grinned at the bug fairies.
“Well, well, isn’t this a lovely little scene,” a voice said nearby.
Startled, Keelie looked up. It was the coyote, facing her from the opposite bank. His gold and brown fur almost blended with the woods.
Sean jumped up. “Is that a wolf?”
“No, just a coyote. They’re like rats, shaped like dogs.” Keelie glared at the coyote.
“I’ve never seen a talking rat. Or a talking wolf.” Sean stared at the coyote. “But that’s not a natural being. I smell fae.”
“You catch on quickly.” A breeze blew and the coyote turned to face it, laughing as the wind ruffled his fur.
“I saw you at the park,” Keelie said. “You didn’t talk then.”
“Nice park. Nice old tree. He’s been filling me in on you.” The coyote yawned, showing sharp canine teeth.
Knot bolted up beside Keelie and shook his fur off. Water droplets sprinkled her. He glared at the coyote.
“Yeah, well, that’s one reason why I’m here. I’ve been sent to keep an eye on you, too,” the coyote told Keelie.
Knot hissed.
The coyote’s ears moved forward. “He’s not happy. Competition for your affections, plus he thinks he should be your only guardian.”
Sean laughed.
Keelie looked from Knot to the coyote. “I don’t think you’re my type.”
“You’ll grow to like me. Chicks dig boys on the wild side.” The coyote wiggled his ears like he thought he was being sexy or something.