by Janice Hanna
“Ooo, the plot thickens!” Kate looked at Sydney in anticipation and whispered, “There’s more to this than meets the eye!”
Sydney looked surprised, but didn’t say anything. Instead, she stared at Michael out of the corner of her eye, as if she didn’t trust him.
“Did the Web site mention anything about rats?” Kate asked Bailey.
As she said the word rats, everyone at the table looked her way. Kate’s mother shook her head, as if to say, “This is not appropriate dinner table conversation, Kate!” Kate mouthed the words “I’m sorry,” then put her hand over her mouth, waiting for Bailey’s response.
After a moment, Bailey said, “No, but there was plenty of stuff on there about getting even!”
“Very suspicious. Makes me wonder…” Kate started to say more, but noticed the look on her mom’s face. “Bailey, can I call you back later? We’re in a restaurant right now, and I need to order my meal.”
“Sure. I’ll text you if I find out anything else.”
“Please do.”
Kate ended the call and turned back to everyone at the table with a cheery voice. “So, what’s everyone going to order? I’m starved!” She opened the menu and pointed to a large baked potato with all of the trimmings. “Mmm! This looks good. I’m going to get this.” After a moment, her gaze shifted to a picture of roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy. “Or this! Yummy! I haven’t had roast and potatoes in ages. And can we order dessert after, Mom? I’m starved!”
She pointed to a picture of coconut cream pie. “They have my favorite!”
“I like the cherry pie,” Dexter said, pointing at another picture.
“Their apple pie is great,” Uncle Ollie added, “but not as great as your Aunt Molly’s!”
“Pie has a lot of empty calories, Kate,” Sydney whispered. “It’s not really good for you.”
“Empty?” Kate looked at her friend, curious.
“That just means it’s not really good for you, but it’s fattening,” Sydney explained. “Most sweets are nothing but empty calories.”
“Oh.” Kate closed the menu and thought about that for a minute. Finally, she cheered up. “But I feel full after I eat pie, not empty. So it can’t be all bad, right?” She flashed a smile at Sydney, who laughed.
“I love you, Kate,” Sydney said. “You always see the good in everything.”
“Especially in food!” Kate giggled. “And I’m starving right now!”
“Solving mysteries makes you hungry, eh?” her father asked. “That’s my girl. But you’ll never really starve, that’s for sure!”
“Nope! I have the best appetite in town.”
“And the best nose for snooping,” her mother added. “And I’m assuming Bailey was calling with news about the creamery?”
“Well, yes, but…” She shrugged. “I don’t want to bother you guys with this while we’re eating.”
“Tell us,” Aunt Molly said. “We want to know.”
“Well, Bailey thinks maybe she’s stumbled across a clue. Something that will help us figure out who’s sabotaging the creamery.”
“If someone’s sabotaging the creamery,” Aunt Molly reminded her. “We still don’t know for sure.”
“Yes.” Kate nodded. “That’s true.” Even as she spoke the words, however, she knew that it was true. Someone was trying to sabotage the creamery. And she would figure out who…and why!
“What’s the deal with you girls?” Michael rolled his eyes. “Why is it so important to figure this out? What are you trying to prove, anyway?”
“Trying to prove?” Kate asked, confused. “Nothing, really.”
“We just like to help people.” Sydney shrugged. “It’s what we do.”
“And they’re good at it!” Dexter added.
Michael rolled his eyes. “Why do you want to help those Hamptons?” He muttered something under his breath.
“Don’t you like the Hamptons?” she asked.
Instead of answering, he got up and left the restaurant without even saying good-bye.
“Well, that was strange,” Aunt Molly said with a stunned expression.
“Very!” Kate’s mother added.
“Not like him at all,” Ollie added. “In fact, I’ve never seen this side of him. Very odd.”
“I’m telling you, something about that boy bothers me,” Sydney added. “I can’t put my finger on it, but he’s just… weird.” After a second, she looked ashamed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m trying not to judge people, and look what I just did.” She sighed.
“We all make mistakes,” Kate added, “but you’re right about the fact that something about him seems suspicious.”
Thankfully, the waitress showed up at the table.
“Hi, Maggie!” Aunt Molly said with a smile. “Good to see you.”
“Well, it’s great to see you, too,” she said. “You’re my favorite customers, you know.”
“She says that to all of her customers,” Uncle Ollie whispered in Kate’s ear.
“I heard that, Ollie Oliver, and you know it’s not true!” Maggie grinned. “You folks are my very favorite.” She looked around and asked, “Hey, what happened to that son of mine? I thought I saw him sitting here with you.”
“He was.” Uncle Ollie shook his head. “Not sure what happened, but he left in a hurry.”
“Hmm.” She shook her head. “He’s been acting mighty strange since my pop…” Maggie’s eyes filled with tears, and Kate suddenly felt very sorry for her.
“I’m sorry,” Kate said, feeling a lump grow in her throat. How terrible it must be to lose your father! She looked over at her dad and tried—just for a moment—to imagine it. The idea was so painful she pushed it away immediately.
“Sorry to get all emotional on you.” Maggie wiped the tears out of her eyes with the back of her hand and smiled. “What would you like to order, folks?”
Kate ordered the soup and sandwich combo, then listened as everyone else ordered. Everything sounded so good! At the end, she changed her order to a burger and fries to match her dad’s.
While they waited for the food, Sydney changed the topic to the upcoming competition.
“Do you think you’re ready, honey?” Aunt Molly asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve only had one practice,” Sydney said. “But Kate and I are going back to the Rat tomorrow so I can try again.”
“I’m glad you’re learning to ski, Kate,” Aunt Molly said. “And you never know…we may turn you into a sports fan after all!”
“That would be the day!” Kate’s father said. “My girl is far too busy helping me with all of my gadgets and gizmos to think about sports when we’re home. That’s one reason I’m glad we’re in Mad River Valley. She can stop thinking about electronics and start thinking about just being a kid!”
Kate shrugged. “Skiing is okay, but you know me, Dad. I’d rather be working on one of the robots with you.”
After a moment’s pause, she added, “Oh, and by the way…speaking of robots…” She went on to tell him Sydney’s idea about the snow-bot.
“Snow-bot?” He looked at her with a sparkle in his eyes. “What a marvelous idea. Maybe when we get home, we could actually build a little snow-bot and use it for ski demonstrations! Can’t you see it now?” He went off on a tangent, talking about how they could sell the robot to people who wanted to learn how to ski.
“Wonderful idea!” Uncle Ollie threw in.
“Hey, it was my idea,” Sydney said with a pretend pout. “If you make millions off of this robot, do I get some of the profits?”
“Of course, of course!” Kate’s dad laughed. “You’ll get a percentage and so will Kate. Who knows…” He grinned from ear to ear. “Snow-bot might just be a big hit!”
“Oh, I hope so!”
Everyone went on to talk about skiing, but Kate’s thoughts were on something else. She kept thinking about what happened at the creamery. The man and woman in the car…what were they do
ing there? Something about them just didn’t seem right. And what was up with those footprints? Did they belong to the man…or someone else? How would she ever find out?
Glancing out of the window, she happened to notice Michael passing by. The minute she saw him, a chill came over her. Something about him made her very nervous. Very nervous, indeed.
With a sigh, she turned back to her family and friends, determined to stay focused on the important things. Lord, don’t ever let me forget the people who are right in front of me! They’re more important than any case!
Right now, the investigation could wait!
Lost in the Maze
On Friday, just one day before the big competition, Kate went with Sydney to ski one more time. This time she wasn’t as nervous as before. In fact, she almost looked forward to it.
“I’m getting faster every time!” Sydney said, looking more confident than she had in days. “But there are still a couple of areas that slow me down. I need to figure out how to pick up speed in those places!”
“Yes, there are some crazy twists and turns on the course,” Kate agreed. After all, she’d already fallen several times and had the bruises to prove it!
“I think I can make it to the bottom without falling this time,” Sydney said. “But I want to increase my speed in the tricky places. So let’s do our best to get to the bottom in record time today, okay?”
“Sure. And I’ll time us.” Kate pointed to her super-duper wristwatch. “I’ll bet you’re the fastest one out there!”
“Hardly!” Sydney laughed. “But maybe I’ll do better today than last time.”
The girls dressed in their warmest clothes and prepared to head off to the slopes.
“Do you think you’ll be okay without me?” Kate’s mom asked. “Molly and I have plans to visit Michael’s mother today. She seems a little lonely, so we want to cheer her up by taking her to the tearoom for some girl time.”
“That’s sweet, Mom,” Kate said. “But don’t worry about us. Mad River Valley is a safe place. Nothing’ll happen.”
“They’ll be fine,” Aunt Molly assured her. “It’s a safe course, and lots of people are around. Don’t fret!”
“Well, just stay as warm as you can.” Kate’s mom handed her some money. “And if you get cold, go inside and buy some hot chocolate. Promise? And don’t forget to call if you need anything. We’re just a few minutes away.”
“I promise, Mom.” Kate grinned. “But don’t worry! I’m twelve now, remember? And it’s not like I haven’t been to the slopes before. We just went the other day. This time I’m sure it will be even easier than before.”
“I know, but it’s hard to watch your children grow up and do things on their own!” Kate’s mom shrugged and her eyes misted.
Kate gave her a hug and whispered, “I promise not to grow up too fast.” She wondered what it would feel like to be a mom, watching your child do something alone for the first time.
A few minutes later, Uncle Ollie drove Kate and Sydney to the ski area. As he stopped the car, he gave them a warning. “We’re expecting more snow this afternoon, girls, so finish skiing early. I’ll be here to pick you up at two o’clock. I think that will give you plenty of time. Try to be here waiting so I don’t have to come looking for you.”
“We’ll be here!” Kate said. She waved good-bye as she and Sydney headed across the parking lot with their skis.
When they arrived at the ski lift, this time Kate wasn’t as scared to get on it. In fact, she looked forward to it. As they rode up, up, up the hill, she breathed in the fresh morning air and hollered, “I love it here!” to Sydney, who was in the seat below hers. Her voice echoed against the snow-packed mountain. This place doesn’t just look awesome; it sounds awesome! she thought.
Finally, they reached the top of the slope. Even though Kate wanted to ski, she still felt a little nervous. She and Sydney made their way to the Rat, and Sydney looked at her with a grin. “I’m overcoming my fear of rats by skiing here!”
“Me, too!” Kate giggled. “Funny, huh? Think of all the stories we’ll have to tell the other girls!”
Kate rubbed her gloved hands together for warmth before reaching for her poles. Then she and Sydney took off soaring down the hill. The crisp, cold wind whipped at her face, making it tingle. In fact, it was so cold that her arms and legs began to ache.
The first big turn caught Kate off guard, and she almost fell. Thankfully, she got control of herself and made it without tumbling. A short time later, she came to a small drop-off.
“Woo!” she hollered as she soared into the air, then landed gracefully below. I can’t believe I did that!
Now for the hard part. The next part of the course was filled with twists and turns, and there were some trees ahead. Better steer clear of those, for sure!
She bent her knees and leaned into the course, picking up speed as she rounded the first sharp turn. Then the second. As she came to the section of trees, she leaned to the left to avoid them.
Just as Kate sailed into a clearing, she heard a terrible cry. To her left, Sydney tumbled head over heels into the snow.
“Oh no!” Kate got so distracted watching her friend that she lost her footing and tipped over sideways. She landed on her bottom in the snow. It didn’t hurt too badly, but then she rolled a couple of times and banged her elbow into a rock. “Ouch!”
Finally coming to a stop, she pulled off her skis and ran to Sydney’s side. “Are you okay? What’s happened?”
Sydney sat in the snow, gripping her ankle with tears streaming down her face. “Oh, Kate. It’s my ankle! It’s worse! Much worse. I think I’ve really hurt it this time!”
“What did you do?”
“I don’t know. It was already hurting this morning when I walked on the treadmill. I guess I should have told someone, but I didn’t. I thought I could make it stronger by walking on it, but I guess I was wrong.”
“Oh, Sydney!”
“I feel like I’ve twisted it again. But it hurts so bad! Much worse than before.”
“What should we do?” Kate asked, looking around. Oh, if only someone else would come by and offer to help! What made her think they could come to the slopes alone?
“I…I think we need to go back,” Sydney stammered. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not!” Kate looked around again, hoping for some help. The mountainside remained empty. The only thing she heard was the sound of her voice echoing against the snow. “Will we have to walk down to the bottom?”
“I guess.” Sydney looked around. “But I don’t think I’ll make it, to be honest. Maybe there’s a trail closer to the trees. It’s too dangerous to be out in the open like this. Any moment a skier could come flying down the hill and run us over!”
“Oh, I never thought of that!” Kate held tight to her limping friend’s arm and led her to some trees.
When they got there, Sydney gripped her ankle and began to cry harder. “I can’t believe I did this! I’m never going to get to go on my mission trip now.”
“Don’t worry about that right now,” Kate said. “One thing at a time.”
She looked around, a little confused about where they were. Just then a bit of falling snow caught her attention. “Oh no! It’s snowing again. Uncle Ollie said it wasn’t supposed to snow till this afternoon.”
“That’s not good, Kate. We can’t get stuck out here in the snow, especially if my ankle is too weak to go to the bottom of the hill!”
“I know, but what can we do?” Kate started to tremble.
“We’ve got to get back to the parking lot somehow.” Sydney dabbed at her eyes with gloved hands. “Do you think you can help me?”
“I’ll try.” Kate looked around. “But which way is the parking lot? I’m confused.”
“I think it’s east?” Sydney looked up with pain in her eyes. “Do you have a compass?”
“Yes.” Kate pulled out her digital measuring tape with the built-in compass. “Okay, east is this way
.” She pointed to their left. “You’re sure it’s east, right?”
“I think so.” Sydney shrugged. “But right now I’m in so much pain, I’m not sure about anything.”
A cold wind blew over them, making an eerie sound against the backdrop of the mountain. Kate shivered.
“Wow. That was creepy. Sounded like the mountain was crying.”
“No, I’m the only one crying,” Sydney said, forcing a smile.
“Would it be better if I went after someone to help carry you back?” Kate offered. She hated to leave Sydney here, but she didn’t know what else to do.
“No, I think I can hop on my good foot, as long as we go slow. Just help me, Kate. Please.” Sydney rose to her feet, almost falling over. She leaned against Kate.
“Take slow, steady steps,” Kate said. “And let me do most of the work.”
She had never seen Sydney like this before. Usually Sydney was the one running races or playing sports. But now—with an injured ankle—would she even be able to ski in the competition? It was only a couple of days away. What would happen if she didn’t win the three hundred dollars? Would she get to go on the mission trip?
After the girls had been walking a few minutes, the snow began to fall even harder.
“It–it’s blinding me,” Kate said, shivering. “I can’t see more than a few feet.”
“And I’m getting colder by the minute,” Sydney added. “It’s making my ankle hurt worse.”
They followed what looked like a trail. It wound in and out, in and out, and seemed to lead absolutely nowhere. They faced dead ends at every turn!
“Now I know what a mouse feels like, hunting for cheese in a maze,” Kate said, then groaned. “No wonder they call this slope the Rat. It just like being trapped inside a gigantic trap!”
Minutes later, Sydney shook her head. “I have to stop for a minute, Kate. It hurts too much to keep going. Stop. Please.”
“Of course.” Kate stopped, grateful to find a spot under some trees where the snow was packed tight. After watching Sydney rub her ankle, Kate had an idea. “Oh, I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner!”
“What?”
“I have a GPS tracker on my cell phone. I can type in the name of the lodge next to the parking lot, and the tracker will lead us back…no problem.”