Trading Secrets Read Online Free

and before long I’ve found a bus route that looks like it will get me to the town closest to Zach’s farm. But before I purchase a ticket, I know I need to talk to Dad. Glancing at the clock, I know that he should be available now. He is co-owner of an air freight service and sometimes pilots the shorter flights, but he’s almost always back in his office by 4:00.
    â€œHey, Dad,” I say cheerfully after he answers the phone.
    â€œWhat’s up?” There’s a trace of suspicion in his voice. He knows I only call him at work if I need something or if something is wrong.
    I quickly explain about Zach’s invitation, and Dad’s laughter sounds relieved. “You really want to spend your spring vacation working on an Amish farm?”
    â€œI . . . uh, yeah . . . maybe so.”
    â€œSounds like a great experience, Micah.” This is followed by more amused chuckles. “And it sounds a whole lot better than what I hear other kids are doing with their vacation time. Evelyn here at work was just telling us about how her daughter got into some mischief down in Miami last year. She actually made the Girls Gone Wild show. Not her parents’ proudest moment.”
    â€œYeah, well, you wouldn’t have to worry about that in an Amish community.”
    â€œSure, you can go, Micah. I think it’s a great idea. Should be a real cultural experience for you.”
    â€œThanks, Dad!”
    After I hang up, I book my bus ticket to Hamrick’s Bridge, then hurry to write Zach a letter confirming what time I’ll arrive on Saturday afternoon. I’m not sure how I’ll get from Hamrick’s Bridge to his farm, but I figure if it’s not that far, I can always walk. That might be preferable to being picked up in town anyway. I don’t like the idea of our first meeting taking place in the public eye. I know it won’t be easy. And I hate to think of him becoming so angry that he just abandons me in town.
    Knowing that the mail gets picked up around 5:00, I hurry to get the letter to the drop box to make sure he gets it beforeSaturday. As the door clangs closed, I feel a little wave of anxiety. Am I really going through with this plan? But as I walk back home, I know it’s something I must do. Even if it all goes sideways and Zach despises me and sends me packing, at least I’ll know that I tried.

3
    I n preparation for spring break, I spend several afternoons at Lizzie’s place. We hole up in her bedroom and watch Amish reality TV shows that she’s recorded.
    â€œWhat are you going to wear for your trip to Amishland?” Lizzie asks as she fast-forwards through the ads.
    â€œStop calling it Amishland,” I say to her. “You make it sound like an amusement park.”
    She reaches for a handful of popcorn. “Fine. What are you going to wear when you go visit Zach’s farm? You don’t want to insult his family, you know.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” I ask. “You don’t expect me to wear Amish clothes, do you?”
    â€œNo. Of course not. That would be plain weird.” She pauses the TV. “But you do want to look respectful, don’t you?”
    â€œWell, I don’t know. I guess I do. It’s not like I was going to wear anything skanky.”
    She laughs. “I know that, silly. You don’t even own anything skanky. But what are you going to wear?”
    â€œI have no idea. What do you think I should wear?”
    â€œWell, it’s your first time meeting Zach. I’m sure you want to look good.”
    I shrug, reaching for more popcorn.
    â€œYou should probably wear a dress.”
    â€œA dress?” I frown at her. “You know I hardly ever wear a dress.”
    â€œWhich is a mistake, in my opinion.” She points at my jeans. “You’ve got great legs.”
    I laugh. “Thanks. But I hardly think showing my legs will do me much good in an Amish