Kate’s Vermonth Adventure Read Free Page A

moment, just taking in the sights. “Look at all of Uncle Ollie’s electronics! This place is even better than my dad’s workshop in our basement.”
    â€œI can sure tell your dad and his brother are related!” Sydney said.
    â€œNo kidding. Except, of course, Uncle Ollie is a lot older. And he is so smart!” Why, next to Dad, he was the smartest man Kate had ever met.
    Off in the distance they heard voices. Kate followed them until they reached a small, crowded work space filled with all sorts of electronics and robotic goodies. “There you are!” she said as she caught a glimpse of her father and uncle.
    A boy, about fourteen, stood in the distance.
That must be Michael
. He was tall and thin with messy hair that needed to be combed.
    Michael turned to look at them with a nervous look on his face. At once, Biscuit began to growl.
    How odd
, Kate thought.
Biscuit gets along with everyone!
    â€œStop it, Biscuit!” She tugged his leash and he stopped, but she could tell Biscuit was still uneasy. Very, very unusual. Something about this boy made Kate suspicious right away. She immediately scolded herself.
Stop it, Kate. He’s never done anything to you. Be careful not to pass judgment on someone you don’t even know!
    Sydney didn’t seem to notice the tension in the air. She went right up to Michael and introduced herself with a welcoming smile. After taking a seat on a nearby chair, she asked, “Have you lived in the area long?”
    He shrugged, but never looked her way. “I grew up in Mad River Valley. Why?”
    â€œOh, I just wondered.” She looked around the workshop then glanced back his way. “Do you ski?”
    â€œOf course. Who doesn’t?” He looked at her as if she were crazy.
    â€œI don’t,” Kate said. “Never have.”
    He shrugged and went back to working on some electronic contraption. “That’s weird.”
    â€œSo, if you ski, are you going to enter the Winter Competition?” Sydney asked.
    â€œMaybe.” He kept his eyes on his work. “I usually do, but I don’t know if I feel like it this year.”
    â€œOh, you should! It would do you good.” Uncle Ollie patted Michael on the back then turned to the girls. “You should see him ski! He’s the best in his age group. Wins every year.”
    â€œHumph.” Sydney crossed her arms at her chest and looked him in the eye. “We’ll just see about that.”
    â€œOh yeah?” Michael turned her way. “What do you mean by that?”
    â€œI mean, this year
I’m
entering, too.” Sydney nodded, as if that settled the whole thing.
    â€œYou are?” Kate turned to her friend, stunned. “Really?”
    â€œDid you see the grand prize?” Sydney said, her voice growing more animated by the moment. “Three hundred dollars! That’s exactly the amount I need to go on my mission trip to Mexico this summer.”
    â€œOh, I see.” Kate pondered that for a moment. Sydney would have a wonderful time on a mission trip. And Mexico…of all places! Sounded exciting.
    Sydney sighed. “My mom doesn’t make a lot of money.” She shook her head. “And things are really tight right now. But she told me I could go if I could raise the money on my own. So, that’s why I have to win that competition! I’ve read the article in the paper a dozen times at least. And I’ve stared at the poster in the front room of the inn a hundred times!”
    â€œYou have?” Kate looked at her, stunned. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Sydney looked down at the ground. “I still have to come up with the entrance fee. Twenty-five dollars. But I think my mom will send it if I ask.”
    â€œWow.” Kate stared at her friend. “So you really want to do this.”
    â€œI do.”
    Michael crossed his arms at his