Sydney and the Wisconsin Whispering Woods Read Online Free Page B

‘tis,” he said. “Do you know what you’re fishing for?”
    Sydney signed her name and Miller’s Resort, Cabin One. “I’m fishing for the biggest fish dockside.”
    The man at the counter chuckled again. “What
kinds
of fish?” he asked.
    Sydney had no idea what kinds of fish were in North Twin Lake, and she didn’t like that the man tried to make her look stupid. “All kinds!” she replied firmly.
    She handed the clipboard to Alexis. Alex hadn’t planned to compete, but when she heard the man laugh at Sydney’s answer, she signed her name, too.
    “May we use the computer?” she asked.
    “Over there,” the owner said, pointing to the corner of the room.
    Sydney gave him back the clipboard. “Internet access is free, right?”
    “Correct,” the man said. He took a coffeepot from a heated plate behind the counter and filled the men’s cups.
    “Did you see that Duncan kid’s name on the list?” Alexis asked as they walked to the computer.
    “Yes, right at the top. He’s Duncan Lumley. Age twelve.”
    They sat down at the computer, and Sydney typed in her name and password. Then she logged on to the Camp Club Girls Web site. Bailey was online.
    Sydney:
Hi, Bailey. Greetings from Tompkins’ Ice
    Cream Shop in the Northwoods!Alex says hi
,
too. We’re on the shop’s computer
. Bailey:
Hi, guys! Alex, sorry I didn’t get to see you
    when you arrived in Chicago
. Alexis:
No problem. Maybe we can meet this
    weekend before I catch my plane
. Sydney:
You’ll never guess what we just did
. Bailey:
What?
    Sydney:
Alex and I signed up for a fishing contest
. Bailey:
Get out of town! How come?
    Sydney:
An obnoxious kid named Duncan is staying at our resort. He told me this morning that girls can’t fish. So we’re going to show him that girls not only fish, but girls WIN fishing contests
.
    Bailey:
You show him, Sydneykins. A resort? That sounds fancy
.
    Alexis:
Think again. It has an office, which is an old two-story cottage, and a row of small cabins not much bigger than our cabins at camp
.
    Bailey:
Cool
.
    Sydney:
So, do you know much about catching fish? That kid, Duncan, is using feather flies
.
    I don’t know what he uses for bait, though
.
    What do you think? Worms?
Bailey:
Hang on a minute
.
    “Do you want an ice-cream cone?” Alexis asked Sydney.
    “Alex! You just had a big breakfast and two donuts,” Sydney exclaimed. “What’s up with you? You usually eat healthy.”
    “I know,” her friend answered, “but all this fresh air makes me hungry. I’ll wait. Maybe I can get an ice cream when we leave.”
    Bailey:
Sorry guys. I went and asked my dad what he uses for bait. He fishes all the time
.
    He said big fish like dough balls. Take a little glob of fresh dough, mix in some tuna, and roll it in corn meal. That’s the secret, he said. Put them in the fridge overnight to firm up. Make sure to stick them onto the hooks good. Otherwise, they’ll fall off
.
    Sydney:
Tuna? That sounds like cannibalism!
    Bailey:
Fish are cannibals, Sydzie
.
    Sydney:
Gross. But tell your dad thanks. Will you set up a chat with the girls for tonight at 6:30 CDT? We saw a strange guy near the cabin last night, and we want to know whether you think he’s suspicious
.
    Bailey:
Will do. Why do you think he’s strange?
    Sydney:
He looked like a mountain man, and he ran off into the woods. We couldn’t see much in the darkness
.
    Bailey:
There aren’t any mountains in Wisconsin, are there?
    Sydney:
I know. But that’s the best way I can describe him. He looked like someone who lives alone in the mountains. Think of Heidi’s grandfather, or better yet John the Baptist, the guy in the Bible who was a loner and wore clothes made of camel’s hair. He stayed alive by eating locusts and wild honey
.
    Bailey:
John lived in the desert, Sydz, and he was Jesus’ cousin
.
    Sydney:
Whatever. Just think of a big, bearded, lonesome guy, with a backpack and tattered clothes
.
    Bailey:
OK. I’ll tell the girls. We’ll