Trail of Secrets Read Online Free

through my open window. “He said this will be an adventure, and I should enjoy seeing new places and meeting new people. He said I could come for a visit at Christmas. Mom’s already agreed.”
    That was good news. “Time will go fast,” I said.
    Leslie’s breathing slowed, and I started to drift off too. I opened my eyes one last time and looked across at her. I would have thought she was fast asleep if I hadn’t seen the tears sliding down her cheeks and onto the pillow.
    â€œSleep tight, Les,” I said. “Everything will work out. You’ll see.
    Leslie nodded then turned over to face the wall. I closed my eyes, but it was a long time before I could shut off all the thoughts buzzing around in my brain and fall asleep.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Dad and I drove Leslie to the airport soon after breakfast. We’d all managed to keep it together, even when the flight attendants took Leslie through security to the waiting area where she was to board. The last I saw of her was when she turned to smile and wave goodbye, her other hand wrapped around a stuffed bear Dad and I had given her on her birthday. Dad and I weren’t allowed into the restricted area, but we raced outside and watched the plane taxi down the runway. Bright sunlight reflected off the silver wings as it made a steep turn towards the south.
    â€œWell, that’s that,” Dad sighed, lowering the hand that he’d been using to shield his eyes from the sun. We walked slowly back towards the car park. “I’ve got to go into the shop for the rest of the afternoon. What do you plan to do with your last few days of summer holiday?”
    â€œThanks for reminding me,” I groaned. “Two days and I’m back at the mercy of Morton T. High’s diabolical teaching staff.”
    â€œI have a feeling this is going to be the year it all clicks for you,” Dad said. He looked hopeful.
    â€œThe only clicking going on will be when they turn the key to lock me into that prison,” I grumbled, but I was secretly excited to be starting another year. There wassomething fresh and new about the first week of school, before the assignments piled up. Kind of like the feeling you get before diving off the dock at the beginning of the summer on your first visit to the cottage. “I could help you in the shop today if you want,” I offered.
    Dad’s mouth turned up in a grin. “You really want to come work with me? I have some bills that need sorting through and then entered into the computer. That would be a big help, but I don’t want to tie up your last days of freedom.”
    â€œI’ll be happy to help,” I said. Anything beat sitting around missing Pete and Leslie, not to mention Mom.
    â€œI have a car needs an oil change, and I’ll teach you to do that when I finish working on Frank Bowick’s carburetor.”
    I could see by the sudden rise in Dad’s shoulders and the quickness in his step as he walked ahead of me that he was pleased I’d offered to work in his shop. He’d been trying to get me there for two summers, but I’d always been busy with something or other and hadn’t showed any interest. Today though, I felt like I wanted to stay close by him. Working in his shop would keep my mind off all the things I really didn’t want to think about yet.

    I spent most of Sunday and Labour Day Monday helping Dad in the shop. I learned to do oil changes, which didn’t turn out to be that difficult. I also straightened out the pile of bills he hadn’t gotten around to issuing, and by the end of Monday had a pile of stamped envelopes on his desk ready to be sent out to clients. We drove homearound four o’clock, figuring we’d order pizza. Uncle Phil had promised to drop by.
    â€œDad!” I exclaimed, pointing towards our front steps as we turned onto Sunnydale. “Isn’t that . . .?”
    â€œRoxie