Read Online McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr - Free Book Online

climbed on the backs of their horses.
    Why would Nat be upset about the Civil War? It doesn’t make any sense
, McKenzie thought.
    She had no more time to think about their conversation. The show soon started, and moments later McKenzie was flying around the arena on Azur’s back. Each time she performed, it seemed easier. She concentrated on her act, trying to forget the hundreds of people watching her. Azur was so well trained he could have run the routine without her.
    I still can’t believe I’m performing in the Dixie Showcase
, McKenzie thought as the performance ended. The applause sent shivers of excitement down her spine.
    McKenzie spent the rest of the day with Miss Val and Sydney, eating supper, shopping, and riding go-carts. On their way home later that night, Miss Val announced, “Tomorrow I have tickets for all of us to ride the Ducks.”
    â€œWe’re going to ride ducks?” Sydney asked with a confused look.
    McKenzie giggled. “They’re not quack-quack ducks. They’re vehicles that go on land and in water, like amphibians. Kind of like a boat on wheels.”
    â€œYou girls will love it,” Miss Val said. “The Duck will take us on a tour of the town and then drive right into the lake.”
    McKenzie had heard about the Ducks but hadn’t ridden them yet. She had seen them filled with tourists driving all around town.
I can’t wait to ride around Table Rock Lake and see Branson from the water
, she thought.

    The next morning the girls grabbed their cameras and drove into town with Miss Val. After arriving at Duck Central, they climbed aboard a waiting Duck. When the seats were filled, the captain gave everyone a noisemaker called a quacker.
    McKenzie put it to her mouth and blew.
Quaackk! Quaackk!
Every kid on the Duck blew their quackers, sounding like a chorus of out-of-tune ducks.
    The captain began the tour by driving through Branson’s historical streets. While driving, he told jokes and talked about Branson and the surrounding Ozark hills. Finally, he drove the Duck to the lake’s edge and drove in.
    â€œWoo-hoo!” McKenzie cried as the vehicle splashed into the water like a duck. “I know where this thing gets its name.”
    The Duck puttered around the lake. While the captain gave a history of the region, the girls took pictures of the scenery.
    â€œLook at the homes in the hills,” McKenzie said with awe. “Some of them look like mansions.”
    â€œI see a statue up there.” Sydney aimed her camera at a wooden monument visible in a clearing on the hills. “Though I can’t tell what it is from here.”
    â€œThe hills around here are filled with crafters selling their products. I imagine a woodcrafter is displaying his work,” Miss Val explained as she pulled a pair of sunglasses from her purse.
    â€œI don’t see a road. How do people get to his place?” Sydney asked.
    â€œThere’s probably a gravel road leading to it off the highway somewhere,” Miss Val answered. “These hills are filled with narrow, winding roads.”
    â€œIt sure would be fun to explore those hills,” McKenzie said wistfully.
    â€œYou would get lost for sure,” Miss Val said with a laugh. “I vacationed down here for years before moving here, and I still get turned around once in a while.”
    The captain announced that the cruise was almost over. In a few minutes, he drove the Duck up the boat ramp and onto the highway. The Duck left a trail of water as it sped down the road.
    Suddenly, McKenzie turned to Sydney. “I just thought of something. I forgot to tell Shara that I wrote to her Uncle Reggie. If he got our letter, hopefully he’ll look her up today.”
    How could I have forgotten to tell her about that?
McKenzie thought with dismay. She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and punched in Shara’s number. Seconds later, her older friend answered. After