Read Online The Secret of Sentinel Rock by Judith Silverthorne - Free Book Online

make one for the rest of the family while I’m at it,” said Kate, chuckling. She patted Emily’s shoulder. “I’ll see if I can get Gerald Ferguson to take us tomorrow.”
    “Great,” said Emily. She stood up and started across the attic. She could hardly wait to ask Emma if she’d known her ­family.
    “Wait a minute, young lady. You’re not going to leave a mess like this, are you?” Kate swept her arm over the photos spread on the ­floor.
    “Uh, no, I guess not. Maybe I should put these negatives in a safe place.”
    “Good idea.”
    Emily found a small box and tucked the negatives in, separating them with tissue paper she found. “I’ll just put these in my room.”
    “Okay, but come right back.”
    Emily hurried to her bedroom and slid the box under the ledge of the window seat as thunder rumbled farther in the distance. The rain was gushing down in torrents, the wind whipping the trees outside. The dark leaden sky did not show any signs of clearing. She knew there was no chance of going out again today. But first thing tomorrow she’d look for Emma once ­more.

Chapter Six
    The next morning Emily awoke to the squawk of sparrows when Aunt Liz opened her bedroom window. The air smelled fresh and clean in the aftermath of yesterday’s ­rain.
    “Wake up, sleepyhead.” Aunt Liz laughed and jostled Emily’s arm as she sat down on the edge of the bed. “I have to leave, Em. Gotta get back to Winnipeg.”
    “Bye, Aunt Liz. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” Emily sat up sleepily and gave her aunt a hug. “Have a safe trip back.”
    “Thanks, kiddo. Take care of yourself.” Her aunt got up and went across the room towards the door, then paused at the head of the stairs. “By the way, Emily. I had a talk with your mother last night about taking it easier, not working so hard. She said she’d try, but you know how she is.”
    “Yeah, I know. She’s a workaholic.” Emily fiddled with her hair, and lay back on the pillow. “I just wish she’d take time to go out for a walk or a bike ride or something. She never relaxes.”
    “She’s under a lot of pressure, you know. Trying to meet demands and pay the bills. It’s not easy running your own business. But it’s important that she take time for herself too.” Liz walked over to the mirror and straightened her blazer. Emily liked the way her aunt dressed – a professional, yet casual look, not too ­old-­ladyish. Her ­grey-­blonde hair was neatly in place, yet it looked natural. Aunt Liz smoothed her skirt and headed for the stairs again. “I’ll work on her when I get back. In the meantime, just keep inviting her for walks and maybe she’ll take you up on it sometime.”
    “Okay, Aunt Liz. Thanks.”
    “Bye, sweetie.”
    “Bye.”
    Aunt Liz’s head disappeared down the staircase and Emily slid out of bed. As she dressed she could see her aunt get into her car and drive off, showering gravel down the driveway as the car sprinted away. Someday I’m going to have a car just like that, thought Emily. Then she dashed down the stairs, meeting her mother in the second floor ­hallway.
    “Morning, Mom. Could I go see if I can find Emma…?” She stopped short. She’d almost blurted out “and ask her about her family?” Good thing she’d caught herself before her mother asked more awkward ­questions.
    “Morning, Em. Well, I guess so.” Kate’s face creased with a frown, as she considered Emily’s request. “I have to spend some time with Gerald Ferguson going over the business arrangements for the farm this morning. But this afternoon you’ll have to come with me to town – if I can get Gerald to give us a ride.” Kate looked at her daughter and suddenly gave her a hug. “You go on, but grab something to eat first, okay?”
    “Okay. Thanks, Mom.” Emily was relieved. She and her mom had a truce again. She raced ­downstairs.
    In the kitchen Emily scrounged around for a plastic bag, then grabbed a sandwich left over from