by Shari Barr
Everyone turned to the girl standing in the doorway, and for a minute there was silence.
“Shara?” he said, moving closer to her. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
Shara moved awkwardly toward him, staring at him as though trying to make sure he was the man she thought he was. “I would have met you that day in downtown Branson, but I changed schedules with another girl before I knew McKenzie had mailed a postcard.”
“I’m sorry, Shara. I thought it was a joke when I saw the girl downtown. I really didn’t know you were looking for me.”
“Well, you’re a hard man to find,” she said. “Do you know how badly my mom and the rest of the family want to see you again? And to ask your forgiveness?”
“No, I guess I don’t,” Mr. Ford said, scratching his beard. “But I guess I need to do some forgiving, too.”
“Well, you’re going to have a chance to do just that,” McKenzie declared. “Your family is coming to see you.”
Mr. Ford turned to Shara. “Is that right? Is everyone coming to Branson?”
“That’s right. Mom can’t wait to see you again.” Shara wrapped her arm around her uncle and smiled at McKenzie and Sydney. “Thanks to our two private investigators here for solving our missing persons case.”
“It’s not just us. It’s also four other girls who’ve been helping from their homes across the United States,”
Sydney said. She quickly explained about the Camp Club Girls.
“You’ll have to give me names and addresses, and I’ll show my thanks by sending you each a special necklace like my dear niece, Shara, is wearing,” Mr. Ford said as he gently lifted her necklace.
McKenzie felt warmth wash over her as she watched Shara with her uncle. I’m glad I didn’t give up on solving the mystery, she thought. God sure has a way of working things out.
Turning to Sydney, she said with a smile, “We do make a pretty good team, don’t we? The Camp Club Girls have done it again!”
