McKenzie’s Oregon Operation Read Free Page A

Alex brushed her damp hair out of her eyes.
    McKenzie relaxed her grip on the sailboat and breathed deeply. She saw the vague outline of one the resort’s beach homes. “God must have heard us. He sent good ol’ Susie to show us the way back.”
    Minutes later Susie had disappeared, but the girls had sailed out of the cloud of fog. Alex steered the boat toward Becca’s boat dock, clearly visible in the emerging sunlight. After Alex hopped onto the dock, she tied up the boat.
    McKenzie’s knees wobbled as she tried to stand. She flailed her arms back and forth like a windmill as the skimmer teetered from side to side.
    â€œHere, grab my hand!” Alex cried.
    McKenzie grabbed Alex’s fingertips and leaped onto the dock. “I’ve never been so glad to touch dry land before.”
    â€œI told you we’d get back okay,” Alex said as she started up the dock. “I’ve never lost anyone yet.”
    McKenzie shook her head teasingly. “Okay, I’ll never not trust you again.”
    As the girls approached their beach house, a voice called. Turning to the neighboring house, McKenzie saw Mr. Carney sitting in the shade in his lawn chair. A glass of iced tea sat in a wire cup holder beside him. The white stubble on his balding head contrasted with his black skin.
    â€œHi, Mr. C.,” McKenzie called out, jogging over to him. “This is my friend Alexis Howell, but everybody calls her Alex. She came from Sacramento to spend the week with me.”
    Mr. Carney stood and shook Alex’s hand, his teeth flashing a wide smile. “Nice to meet you, Miss Alex. You’re quite the sailor.”
    â€œThank you, I’ve had quite a bit of practice. Except I don’t like sailing in the fog.”
    â€œYou girls had me worried. I was about ready to call the Coast Guard. But then I saw your little skimmer. That fog can be tricky.” Mr. Carney scratched his head with his pinkie finger. “And girls, this ocean is too rough to take a sailboat out of the protected bay and into the ocean.”
    â€œLucky for us, we saw Susie and she led us back home.” McKenzie unzipped her life jacket and slid it off.
    â€œThat wasn’t luck, young lady.” Mr. Carney’s eyes grew serious. “The good Lord was looking after you two, He was. If I hadn’t seen you leave, no one would have known where you went. You could have been in a heap of trouble out there if the fog hadn’t lifted when it did.”
    McKenzie glanced sheepishly toward Alex and met her gaze. She knew Mr. Carney was speaking the truth. They could have been in serious trouble.
    â€œI’m not scolding you girls, but I know your Aunt Becca had already left for work when you set out. She asked me to keep an eye out for you while she’s gone. You just had me a bit worried, that’s all.”
    â€œWe’re sorry we worried you. We were hoping to find Susie’s pups. I want to show them to Alex,” McKenzie explained. “Has anybody seen them yet this morning?”
    Mr. Carney shook his head as he settled back in his lawn chair. “Not that I know of. It’s strange, if you ask me. Those little pups are always with their momma. Don’t know what could have happened to them.”
    â€œDo you think a whale or a shark could have gotten them?” Alexis shuddered.
    Mr. Carney shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose that’s possible, but I really don’t think it’s likely. Susie keeps a close watch over her pups.”
    The elderly man glanced at his watch and rose to his feet. “I’d better go check my lunch in the oven, then I’m heading to the gift shop. The book I ordered about caves came in this morning.”
    â€œWe were going over there to shop for souvenirs,” McKenzie said. “We could pick it up for you if you want.”
    Mr. Carney accepted the offer and pulled his wallet from his back pocket. After he handed