Read Online Driving Team by Bonnie Bryant - Free Book Online Page B

to shop today,” said Mrs. Atwood. Carole and Lisa looked at each other and winked.
    They parked as close as they could get to the store where Mrs. Atwood wanted to shop, then began to trudge toward the store between the parked cars. Carole and Lisa looked for a woman with a red pocketbook over her shoulder, but all they saw was a couple pushing a baby stroller and two teenagers on skateboards.
    “No luck so far,” whispered Carole.
    “We’ll do better when we get inside,” replied Lisa with a grin.
    They walked into the main department store. It seemed that everyone in Willow Creek was there, trying on shoes or holding up scarves or squirting themselves with samples of perfume.
    “Let’s go up to the junior department,” said Mrs.Atwood. “Lisa, you need practically a whole new winter wardrobe this year.”
    Lisa rolled her eyes at Carole, but they both followed Mrs. Atwood up the escalator. All the while they looked for a woman with a big red pocketbook, but the store was so crowded and Mrs. Atwood was moving so fast that they had little time to study the crowd.
    “Okay,” said Mrs. Atwood as they walked into the junior department. “First we’ll start with sweaters, then we’ll try on some jeans; then, Lisa, I want you to look at a dress or two.”
    “Oh, Mom, no dresses today,” Lisa groaned. “Please?”
    “Well, let’s start with sweaters first and then see how you feel.”
    Mrs. Atwood led them over to a display of cardigans. “How about this?” She held up a pretty green sweater. “It would go well with your eyes.”
    “Yeah, that’s fine, Mom,” Lisa said distractedly, looking over toward the children’s department.
    “Or how about this pretty pink one? That would complement your complexion.”
    “Uh-huh.” Lisa was scanning the toy department.
    “Or even this peach-colored one. Peach is such a flattering color.” When Lisa didn’t answer, Mrs. Atwood looked around. Both girls were staring over into the pots and pans.
    Mrs. Atwood frowned. “Lisa? What’s going on with you two today? Your attention seems to be everywhere but where it’s supposed to be.”
    “Sorry, Mom,” Lisa said quickly, glancing at the sweaters. “That one’s fine.”
    “Which one?” asked Mrs. Atwood. “The green, the pink, or the peach?”
    “Oh, the green. It’s great. I love it.” Lisa looked at her mother and smiled. “Mom, I think Carole and I are going over to the adult department.”
    “The adult department?” Mrs. Atwood looked mystified. “Whatever for?”
    “I don’t know. I think they had some nice … nice … uh, pocketbooks over there,” Lisa said. “Why don’t we meet you back here a little later?”
    Mrs. Atwood blinked. “But what about picking out your clothes? We came here especially to shop for you today.”
    “Oh, Mom, anything you like will be fine,” said Lisa. “You usually make all my choices, anyway.”
    “Well, okay.” Mrs. Atwood watched in amazement as the two girls hurried off to the handbag department.
    “You don’t think we made her mad, do you?” Carole asked as they headed around a display of fuzzy stuffed animals with music boxes in their stomachs.
    “No,” said Lisa. “I think we surprised her. But she’llhave a good time. There’s nothing she likes better than picking out clothes for me.”
    “Have you seen any likely suspects for Cynthia’s mother?” Carole asked as they hurried down the aisle.
    “I thought I saw a lady browsing over this way,” said Lisa. “Let’s go over here and see if we can find her again. Remember, we need to look for a lady who could have a five-year-old child and who carries a red pocketbook on her right shoulder.”
    They scurried over to the women’s shoe department. There, looking over a table of slippers, stood a woman wearing a hooded car coat, with a big red pocketbook on her right shoulder.
    “Look,” Carole whispered. “That might be her.”
    Lisa frowned. “Let’s go over and see.”
    The