"All right." Sheriff Clark frowned and lowered himself onto the bunk next to me.
I told him about the helicopter and the bundle the pilot had dropped on the island.
"This guy came and got it not more than an hour ago," Max said. "You'll never guess who picked it up."
"Are you going to tell me?" he asked.
"Danny Edwards, who happens to work at a gift shop where I told Detective Johnson to go a few weeks ago. I knew he was into drugs."
"I see. And you think this package contains drugs?"
"Yes," I said. "I looked. Anyway, I don't know what else it could be—I mean who else would drop a package on a deserted island at night?"
"Makes sense to me,Jessie,"he finally said. "I'll get on the horn right now. With any luck we can catch Mr. Edwards before he gets rid of this mystery package."
"Um, Sheriff," I said. "Maybe you should just keep an eye on him—see who he distributes to and . . ." I told him about Bob and Serena and what I had witnessed the night before last.
The sheriff shook his head. "As much as I appreciate the information, this is a matter for the authorities, not for a couple kids."
"Is this true, Max?" Dad asked. "Are your aunt and uncle dealing and using drugs?"
Max stared at her hands, which she'd folded on her lap. "I thought if their supply dried up, they'd stop using. I didn't know they were dealing too."
She looked up at the sheriff. "Are you going to arrest me?"
Sheriff Clark placed a hand on her shoulder. "Were you in any way involved?"
Head down again, she nodded. "I took money sometimes. I guess I knew they were dealing. I just didn't want to admit it. I don't want anything bad to happen to them."
"Max." Sheriff Clark knelt down in front of her. "This isn't your fault, and you shouldn't have to suffer because of their bad judgment. Your aunt and uncle will be better off in a facility where they can get help to end their drug use and hopefully rehabilitate. You'll have to come down to the station and tell us what you know."
"Max, I had no idea things were this bad for you," Dad said. "If it's all right with CPS, we'll have you stay with us for a while. That is, if you want to."
"Thanks, Dad. Do it, Max," I said. Turning to the sheriff, I added, "There's one more thing. " I told him about seeing Cooper on the island. "He said he was coming back to bring me food and stuff, but he never did. I'm worried he might be hurt or something."
"You say his grandfather dropped him off on the island alone?"
I nodded. My eyes were so heavy, I had to close them. Max and the sheriff sounded far away, like they were in some kind of tunnel.
"Jessie?" I heard my name, but couldn't speak. I wondered for a minute if I might be dying. Then I couldn't hear anymore.
CHAPTER TWENTY
When I woke up I was in the hospital with a needle in my arm and two different fluids dripping into the tube. Guess I hadn't died after all. Mom was sitting next to me, resting her head and arms on my bed. "Mom?"
She lifted her head and smiled at me. "Hey, sleepyhead, I wondered when you'd wake up."
"What happened?" I yawned.
"You fainted on the boat."
"Where's Max?"
"In school." Mom straightened the covers over me. "She'll be here soon."
"Am I in trouble?"
"Yes, but we'll talk about that later. We'll probably have to ground you."
"Do I get to count the time I'm here?"
Mom smiled. "Oh, Jessie, what am I going to do with you?"
I remembered what Dad had said about Max staying with us.
"Is Max okay? Did the sheriff find the package? Did they arrest Bob and Serena and Cody and . . ."
"Slow down, sweetie. There's plenty of time for all that. I need to let the nurse know you're awake."
"Why?"
She stroked my forehead and kissed me. "You've been asleep for two days. We've been very worried."
I felt pretty good, which meant I'd probably gotten blood. I couldn't believe I'd been asleep so long. "Is Max okay?"
"She's fine. And yes, she's staying with us until CPS can find her a suitable home."
"Why can't she stay with us forever? You should keep her, Mom, and then when I die, you'll still have a daughter and Sam will have a sister."
"Jessie . . ." Sudden tears moistened her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."
She took a tissue out of the box on my bedside table and dabbed at the wetness on her cheeks. After a while she said, "You'll be okay. In fact, you're going to be fine. We have a donor for you."
"Right. So when do I get the bone marrow?"
"As soon as you're strong enough. Maybe as early as next week."
Mom left and came back. The nurse checked me over and took my vital signs—pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels. I wondered how I'd managed to sleep two days. Most of the time when I'm in the hospital I'm awake every two hours at least.
After the nurse left, Mom and I talked for a while longer about family stuff and how they'd moved Max into my room. "Your bedroom is a bit crowded," Mom said, "but I'm sure you'll manage."
I smiled. "I'll love having Max for a roommate."
Mom laughed. "I'm sure you will."
You'd think after sleeping for so long, I'd be awake for days, but my eyelids kept closing and Mom told me to rest. She picked up the novel she'd been reading and settled back into the chair.
"Hey," he said.
"Cooper!" I felt like hugging him. "What happened to you? Why didn't you come back?"
He pressed his lips together and lifted his arm. "Guess. " He had a cast on his left arm.
"I was right, you did get hurt. What happened?"
"My flashlight went out and I got scared. I couldn't see anything. I heard this growl and thought it was a bear. I tried to climb up a tree—only I couldn't hold on. I fell and landed on my arm."
"I'm sorry." I tipped my head to the side. "Was it a bear?"
"I have no idea. Guess the noise scared it away. " He sighed. "Anyway, I'm the one who should be sorry. It was morning before I made it back to my camp. I hurt so bad, I couldn't do anything but lie there."
"It's okay, Cooper. You tried."
"Thanks for telling the sheriff about me. They told me they rescued you and Max. The sheriff told me about the drug drop. I heard the helicopter too."
I checked out his cast. "Does it hurt much?"
"Not anymore." He glanced down at the floor. "I wanted to tell you something else too. I haven't been very nice to you, and I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
He moved his head from side to side. "No, it isn't. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately."
"Consider yourself forgiven." I smiled. "How come you're not in school?"
"It's out." The answer came from Max, not Cooper. Max came in and stood on the opposite side of the bed. "Nice of you to apologize, Cooper." She gave him a knowing grin, and I had no doubt that she'd talked to him.
"Did you two come here together?"
"Maybe," Max said. "We might have ridden our bikes in the same direction."
She didn't need to tell me. Somewhere along the way, she and Cooper had become friends, and as impossible as that sounded, it felt right.
"So what happened with the drug bust?" I asked. "Did they catch Danny Edwards? Did they arrest Bob and Serena?"
"For such a little kid, you sure ask a lot of questions." Max grinned. "Yeah, they caught Edwards. And it turns out I was right about the gift shop. Edwards had an operation at his house. He'd put packages of cocaine into vases and bring them to the store to sell them to Bob and some other suppliers. Detective Johnson said to thank you. This was their biggest bust yet, and for now, at least, Chenoa Lake is drug free."
"That's great. What about Bob and Serena?" I asked. "Are they in jail?"
Max tipped her head. "They were arrested. I think they'll be in jail for a long time. I feel kind of bummed about it, but like your dad
says, maybe now they'll get the help they need. You were right, Jess. It was stupid of me to think I could help them by cutting off their supply."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Max brightened. "I'll survive."
I knew she would. I looked from Max to Cooper, thankful to have them as friends. Things were definitely looking up.
"Hey, we brought you something." Max held up a white bag from the tea shop.
"Thanks." I took it from her and opened it. Inside the bag was a box containing six perfect chocolate-dipped strawberries. I inhaled the sweet fragrance and set them on the bedside table. "You have to help me eat them." Max and Cooper practically swallowed theirs whole. I took my time savoring the luscious sweet fruit and the delicious chocolate. I hope God has chocolate-dipped strawberries in heaven.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to Marilyn, Elsie, Maria, Birdie, and Marion for their encouragement and support.
For Lauraine, who never stopped believing in Max & Me.
For my agents, Chip McGregor and Andy McGuire, for getting Max & Me into print and out to my favorite fans.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Internationally known author and speaker Patricia H. Rushford has book sales totaling over a million copies. She has written numerous articles and authored over forty books, including What Kids Need Most in a Mom, Have You Hugged Your Teenager Today?, and It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Kid. She also writes a number of mystery series: The Jennie McGrady Mysteries for kids and the Helen Bradley Mysteries for adults. Her latest releases include: The McAllister Files, She Who Watches, The Angel Delaney Mysteries with As Good as Dead and a romantic suspense, Sins of the Mother. Her newest series for children is The Max & Me Mysteries.
One of her mysteries, Silent Witness, was nominated for an Edgar by Mystery Writers of America and won the Silver Angel for excellence in media. Betrayed was selected as best mystery for young adults The Oregonian (1997) and won the Phantom Friends Award. Morningsong, a romantic suspense, won the Golden Quill for Inspirational Romance award.
Patricia is a registered nurse and holds a Master's Degree in Counseling. In addition, she conducts writers workshops for adults and children and is codirector of Writer's Weekend at the Beach. She is the current director of the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference. Pat has appeared on numerous radio and television talk shows across the U.S. and Canada. She lives in the Portland, Oregon, area with her husband.
www.patriciarushford.com
Author/Speaker
What Kids Need Most in a Mom
The Jennie Mcgrady Mysteries
The McAllister Files
The Angel Delaney Mysteries
The Helen Bradley Mysteries
The Max & Me Mysteries (New!)
THE MAX & ME MYSTERIES SERIES
From award-winning mystery writer Patricia Rushford comes a new youth mystery series set in Washington state.
The Trouble with Max
Max Hunter and Jessie Miller, two sixth-grade girls living near the Cascade mountains, make an unlikely pair: Jessie has leukemia and is bald. Max dresses like a punk and acts tough in school. But their friendship holds life together when everything else falls apart. Then one day Jessie discovers Max's best-kept secret. Jessie wants to help her, but doing so means risking their friendship.
Danger at Lakeside Farm
Jessie is thin and frail, Max is brave and adventurous, but together they're a great team. Following their first adventure in book one, Max has moved in with an elderly neighbor, Amelia, at Lakeside Farm. Soon strange things start happening at the farm, and Max and Jess wonder if someone wants Amelia out.
Secrets of Ghost Island
Max and Jess discover a family of orphans living on nearby Ghost Island, trying to avoid deportation. The girls decide to help them, when suddenly the town is hit by a rash of burglaries.
by Patricia Rushford
Find them now at your favorite local or online bookstore.
www.MoodyPublishers.com
THE VIKING QUEST SERIES
Bree and her brother Devin are kidnapped from 10th century Ireland by Viking raiders. What follows is their dangerous quest to return home as their faith and courage are continually challenged.
by Lois Walfrid Johnson
Find these books now at your favorite local or online bookstore.
www.MoodyPublishers.com
Courage to Run
0-8024-4098-3
978-0-8024-4098-3
Almost Home
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978-0-8024-3637-5
The Hallelujah Lass
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978-0-8024-4073-0
The Tinker’s Daughter
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978-0-8024-4099-0
Ransom’s Mark
0-8024-3638-2
978-0-8024-3638-2
Shadow of His Hand
0-8024-4074-6
978-0-8024-4074-7
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE FAITH SERIES
Do you love real-life adventure stories? Then you'll love Daughters of the Faith, true stories of young girls and the actual events they experienced. Read about Olive Oatman, who was kidnapped by a band of outlaw Yavapais. Anita Dittman, who survived the Holocaust. Mary Chilton, who came to America on the Mayflower. Harriet Tubman, a former slave, who grew up to lead other slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
by Wendy Lawton
Find these books now at your favorite local or online bookstore.
www.MoodyPublishers.com
Flight of the Eagles #1
0-8024-3681-1
978-08024-3681-8
The Gates of Neptune #2
0-8024-3682-X
978-08024-3682-5
The Sword of Camelot #3
0-8024-3683-8
978-08024-3683-2
The Caves That Time Forgot #4
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978-08024-3684-9
Winged Raiders of the Desert #5
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Empress of the Underworld #6
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Voyage of the Dolphin #7
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Attack of the Amazons #8
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Escape with the Dream Maker #9
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978-08024-3692-4
The Final Kingdom #10
0-8024-3693-5
978-08024-3693-1
THE SEVEN SLEEPERS SERIES
Join the adventure with Josh and friends as they are sent by their spiritual leader, Goel, on dangerous and challenging voyages to conquer the forces of darkness in the new world.
by Gilbert Morris
Find these books now at your favorite local or online bookstore.
www.MoodyPublishers.com
The Spell of the Crystal Chair #1
0-8024-3667-6
978-08024-3667-2
The Savage Game of Lord Zarak #2
0-8024-3668-4
978-08024-3668-9
The Strange Creatures of Dr. Korbo #3
0-8024-3669-2
978-08024-3669-6
The City of the Cyborgs #4
0-8024-3670-6
978-08024-3670-2
The Temptations of Pleasure Island #5
0-8024-3671-4
978-08024-3671-9
The Victims of Nimbo #6
0-8024-3672-2
978-08024-3672-6
The Terrible Beast of Zor #7
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978-08024-3673-3
THE LOST CHRONICLES SERIES
Here are more exciting adventures from the Seven Sleepers. As they attempt to faithfully follow Goel, these young people encounter danger, intrigue, and mystery.
by Gilbert Morris
Find these books now at your favorite local or online bookstore.
www.MoodyPublish
ers.com
> > MAX & ME MYSTERIES > > BOOK 2
DANGER AT
LAKESIDE FARM
PATRICIA H. RUSHFORD
MOODY PUBLISHERS
CHICAGO
© 2007 by
PATRICIA H. RUSHFORD
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Cover Design: Studio Gearbox.com
Cover Photography: Steve Gardner / PixelWorks Studio
Interior Design: DesignWorks Group (thedesignworksgroup.com)
Editor: Cheryl Dunlop
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rushford, Patricia H.
Danger at Lakeside Farm / by Patricia H. Rushford.
p. cm.—(Max & me mysteries : bk. 2)
Summary: When Max becomes the foster child of an elderly woman who grows and makes foods and crafts from lavender, Jessie, still recovering from her bone marrow transplant, not only helps with the business, she also investigates who is trying to shut it down.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8024-6254-1
ISBN-10: 0-8024-6254-5
[1. Friendship—Fiction. 2. Foster home care—Fiction. 3. Business enterprises—Fiction. 4. Leukemia—Fiction. 5. Family life—Washington (State)—Fiction. 6. Washington (State)—Fiction. 7. Mystery and detective stories.] I. Title.
PZ7.R8962Dan 2007
[Fic]—dc22
2006035512
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To Andrea Rushford—
my favorite youngest grandchild
Max & Me Mysteries Set Page 9
