Read Online Too Many Secrets by Patricia H. Rushford - Free Book Online Page A

sweet dreams. Unfortunately, the way things were going Jennie had a feeling they’d be about as sweet as lemon juice.
    The next morning Jennie told Mom she’d go to the counseling camp the first week of June, but only if Lisa could go along. Both Mom and Gloria agreed.
    â€œThis will be good for you,” Mom said. “I’m glad you’ve decided to go.”
    Jennie felt like a scuz ball for what she was about to do. “Yeah, I’m sure everything will work out okay, Mom,” Jennie stated. That, at least, was the truth.
    â€œNo way,” Lisa muttered, digging into her bowl of chocolate-covered nuts and rich ice cream. “I don’t care if it’ll get me to the beach for a week. I won’t do it.”
    â€œLisa, you owe me. Think about all the times I’ve helped you with your homework.” Jennie had planned her escape to Gram’s house perfectly but had to convince Lisa to play her part.
    â€œThis has got to be the dumbest scheme you’ve ever come up with.” Lisa stretched across Jennie’s bed on her stomach and shook her head.
    Jennie wove her braid through her fingers and walked back and forth across the area rug in front of Lisa. “It will work. By the time Mom figures out what happened, I’ll have found Gram.”
I hope
. “Anyway, I’ve got to go. She could be in real trouble.” Jennie told Lisa about the answering machine and the mysterious stranger Ryan had seen leaving Gram’s house.
    Lisa frowned and waved her spoon in the air. “Maybe you should talk to the police.”
    â€œRyan has been talking to Sheriff Taylor, but they haven’t come up with anything.”
    â€œI think you’re making a big thing out of this. Gram called the Johnsons. She was fine.”
    â€œWhat if someone made her call?” Jennie knelt in front of Lisa and looked her in the eye. “What if she’s being held prisoner and whoever is holding her wants us to believe she’s safe? Doesn’t it seem strange to you that Gram would call the Johnsons and the sheriff, but not us?”
    â€œMaybe she tried to and we weren’t home.”
    â€œWe both have answering machines.” Jennie retrieved the note Gram had sent from her jeans pocket and handed it to Lisa. “Here, read this.”
    Lisa read it and handed it back. “Where did this come from?”
    â€œGram mailed it the day she was due back from Canada. It’s postmarked
Lincoln City
. Something really strange is going on, and I need to get down there. Gram is trying to tell me something in this note, but I haven’t been able to figure out what.”
    â€œI don’t know. I think you should show this to our parents.”
    â€œYeah, right. They’d just say Gram is getting old and forgetful. I even thought that at first. You’ve got to help me, Lisa. What if something really has happened to Gram? I need to get to her house. There might be some clues the sheriff has overlooked.”
    Lisa sat up and folded her legs Indian-style. The frown on her forehead told Jennie her cousin was relenting. “Lisa,” she pleaded. “We’ve got to try. My plan will work—I know it will.”
    â€œThis is insane. How can I take your place at camp when we’re both registered?”
    â€œEasy. We’ll call and cancel yours. When we get there, I’ll leave and you’ll be me.”
    â€œWhat if I get caught? What about your counselor—she’ll know I’m a phony.”
    â€œGloria won’t be there. No one there will have seen me. All you have to do is pretend you’re Jennie McGrady, the troubled teenager who’s still grieving over her missing father. One week. Please Lisa. I’d do it for you.”
    Lisa drew in a deep breath and blew it out her mouth.
    â€œThere’s another reason I have to go.” Tears stung Jennie’s eyes. “I’m supposed to spend the summer