Sophie turned and stomped toward Butterfly Brook. Sometimes Winston was so frustrating!
How is he supposed to help us? He’s already hurt. What if he got even more hurt? I’m just looking out for him.
Still, Sophie felt bad. She knew there was another reason she didn’t want Winston to come.
We’d spend more time looking after Winston than we would building. That wouldn’t make any sense at all!
She walked and walked, but Sophie couldn’t shake it. She kept thinking of the sad look on Winston’s face.
I do let him come with me places, Sophie thought. Just not everywhere. Besides, he’s six. I’m eight!
At Butterfly Brook, Sophie met up with Hattie and Owen.
“You were right,” said Owen, looking around. “This is amazing!”
Sophie’s frustration with Winston faded as she looked around too. She had been here so many times. But it still felt magical to her. The water in the narrow brook skipped down the rocks. On either side of the brook, evergreen trees grew in the dappled sunshine. The trees’ long lower branches arched down toward the ground. They created little hideaways underneath.
Sophie and Hattie led Owen to one of the hideaways. They peeked in. Dozens of butterflies fluttered in the small space. There were bright yellow ones, orange ones, and blue ones, too.
“Blue morphos!” Owen whispered, pointing them out.
“Right!” whispered Hattie. “There are tons of different kinds of butterflies here. They seem to like hiding out here under the branches.”
The three friends watched the butterflies for a little while. Then they stepped out from under the branches.
Sophie rubbed her hands together. “So, I have an idea!” she said. “What do you say we build a fort—right here at Butterfly Brook?” Sophie told Hattie and Owen about the house her dad was designing for the turtle family. “It really got me . . . inspired!” Sophie said dreamily.
“I’m in!” said Owen.
Hattie nodded. “Let’s do it!”
“All right!” said Sophie, clapping with excitement. “I’ve been thinking about how we can build it.”
Hattie laughed and gave Sophie a friendly squeeze. “Why am I not surprised?” she said.