ship his artwork in from another state.â
McKenzie frowned.
I didnât think of that
, she thought.
Shara did say that her family couldnât find his phone number in the Branson directory. Maybe he doesnât live here after all
.
âI donât mean to discourage you,â Miss Val continued as they reached the outskirts of town. âBut Branson is known for its crafters. If someone was going to sell their artwork, this is the town to sell it in.â
McKenzie groaned inwardly. The girls said little the rest of the way home. McKenzie wanted to have faith that they would find Reggie Ford. But she also knew how disappointed Shara would be if they couldnât find him. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and prayed.
Dear God, please help us find Reggie Ford. It would mean so much to Shara. If heâs in Branson, please let us find him
.
Later when the girls were alone in their room, McKenzie threw herself on her bed. âI know Miss Val thinks Mr. Ford may not be in Branson, but Iâm not giving up until I know for sure. Iâm going to do all I can to find him, no matter where he is.â
After breakfast the next morning, the girls anxiously watched the clock. According to the sign on the Treasure Trove door, the shop opened for business at 9:00.
McKenzie swallowed the last of her orange juice and carried her glass to the sink. After grabbing the phone book, she said. âItâs time. Iâm calling.â
After a few moments of silence, she spoke into the receiver. She told the clerk on the line that she was looking for the name of the artist who carved the fairy statues. Moments later she hung up the phone dejectedly and turned to Sydney. âThe woman who answered doesnât know any of the crafters. She said to call back when the manager is there. And she doesnât know when that will be.â
âBummer,â Sydney said with a frown. She bent over and stroked Mr. Pibbâs head as he rubbed against her leg. âNow what?â
With the phone book still in her hand, McKenzie walked to the front door. âMaybe we can visit all the woodworking shops in town and look for Mr. Fordâs work.â
The girls stepped outside and settled on the top step of the large porch. With the phone book between them, they flipped it open.
âLook at them all,â Sydney groaned as she looked at the list of woodworkers. âThere are dozens of them. Thereâs no way we can visit them all.â
McKenzie frowned as she shut the phone book. She pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. âI guess we can visit as many as we can. If we find more of those carvings, surely someone will know who the crafter is. And we can always call the Treasure Trove back or stop in.â
A figure coming up the lane caught McKenzieâs eye. Miss Val waved to the girls as she returned from her morning walk.
âItâs going to be a scorcher today,â Miss Val said as she climbed the porch to sit in the shade. âI have errands to run later this morning, so why donât I drop you girls off at Pebble Beach while I take care of business? I can pack you a picnic lunch, and you can shower at the beach house before I pick you up. McKenzie, since you have the day off, you can check out Silver Dollar City if you want. Or, since it wonât be much fun on the rides by yourself, you could help Sydney and me in the shop. How does that sound?â
McKenzie and Sydney eagerly agreed. Before Miss Val went inside the house, she suggested the girls explore the land behind her house. âThereâs a trail leading to an old lookout tower thatâs a great spot to take pictures,â she said. âDonât stay too long, though. I want to leave in about an hour.â
The girls jumped to their feet. They grabbed their cameras from their room and bounded down the back steps to the timber that stretched behind Miss Valâs house. McKenzie