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

with Gram. I can’t take the chance on Mom changing her mind. I have to get out of here, Lisa. This thing with Mom and Michael is tearing me apart. I may not be able to stop them, but if I’m with Gram …” Jennie stopped to blow her nose. She didn’t dare tell Lisa the other reason—not yet. Maybe later, after she had a chance to talk to Gram.
    â€œOkay. I’ll do it. But I still think it’s nuts. If our parents find out they’ll kill us both.”
    â€œ
If
they find out we’ll be worse than dead. But they can’t find out. Not if we don’t tell anyone—so don’t—not even Brad.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do about Ryan? If you show up down there alone, he’s going to wonder what’s going on.”
    â€œHe won’t. Trust me. This is the most foolproof plan I’ve ever come up with.”
    â€œThat’s what you said about our little trip to Disneyland. Remember? ‘They won’t find out,’ you said.”
    Jennie cringed. “Well, they wouldn’t have if that highway patrolman hadn’t been cruising by when we walked out of the woods. Besides, we were only ten. And how was I to know the camp director checked all the kids in? We should have gone to camp first, then escaped.”
    â€œWe shouldn’t have tried to go at all.” Lisa licked the last of her ice cream off the spoon. “Do you realize how dangerous that was? It’s a good thing that patrolman picked us up.”
    â€œYou’re right. It was a dumb move, but this is different. Gram may be in danger.”
    â€œI shouldn’t do this.”
    â€œBut you will,” Jennie said as she sat beside Lisa on the bed. They were taking a big chance, but the more Jennie thought about it, the more convinced she became. She had to find Gram even if it meant risking everything to do it.
    Camp was scheduled to start on Monday at a retreat center on the southern Washington coast. Jennie planned to drive the two of them up on Sunday, drop Lisa off, and head south, across the Columbia River to Astoria, then down the Oregon coast to Gram’s. She’d find out what was going on with Gram, and at the end of the week, pick Lisa up and head home.
    Lisa stayed over on Saturday night so they could get an early start. Mom had fussed over them all morning, and they were just getting ready to pull out of the driveway when Michael drove in behind them, blocking their way. “Now what?” Jennie groaned under her breath.
    â€œI’m glad I caught you. Hang on. I’ve got a great idea, but I need to talk to your mom.”
    He bounded up the steps and walked into the house without ringing the bell. “I can’t believe it.” Jennie stared after him. “Did you see that? He acts like he lives here.”
    â€œHe practically does,” Lisa said. When Jennie glared at her, she insisted, “Well, he does. And he will be when they get married.”
    â€œWhose side are you on, anyway?”
    Before Lisa could answer, Mom opened the car door on Lisa’s side. “Michael has offered to drive us all down to the beach. Isn’t that great! We can do some exploring at Fort Canby before we take you girls to camp.”
    Panic rose in Jennie’s stomach like a tidal wave. “B-b-but, Mom … how are we going to get back home?”
    â€œWe’ll come get you. The coast is wonderful this time of year, and I’ve been wanting to visit the Peninsula for ages.”
    â€œBut there’s no room …”
    â€œDon’t be silly. We’ll take the Buick,” Mom countered.
    â€œWe’re late … there’s no time.”
    â€œNick and I are dressed. By the time you girls get yourselves situated in the backseat of the Buick, we’ll be ready to go. I’ll get our jackets.”
    â€œWhat was it you said about having all the angles covered?” Lisa asked in her I-told-you-so