The Mystery at the Fair Read Free

Henry said.
    The two boys spread the blanket. Before they could unpack their lunch, the children heard a strange sound.
    â€œWhat was that?” Jessie asked.
    Watch leapt to his feet and began to bark. Then he ran into the woods. Henry chased after him.
    â€œWait, Henry,” Jessie called out. “We’ll all go with you.”
    â€œThis reminds me of the time we heard that strange noise in the woods near our boxcar,” Violet said as they hurried after Henry.
    â€œViolet! Jessie! Over here,” Henry called.
    They found Henry talking with a girl about Jessie’s age. She was wearing a purple top and matching shorts. She looked very worried and there were tears in her eyes.
    â€œThis is Courtney Jenkins,” Henry said. “Courtney, I want you to meet my sisters, Jessie and Violet, and my little brother, Benny.”
    â€œHello,” Courtney said softly. She wiped the tears away from her smooth brown cheeks and tried to smile.
    â€œHi,” Benny said.
    â€œNice meeting you,” Violet said.
    â€œHello, there,” Jessie said. “What’s wrong, Courtney?”
    â€œMy brother Michael is lost somewhere in these woods,” Courtney said. “We moved into a house on Murray Street a few days ago. Today, we decided to do a little exploring. Michael wandered off while I was picking some flowers.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Violet said. “We’ll help you find him.”
    The children began searching for Michael. They’d only been looking for a short time when they heard Benny calling them.
    â€œHere he is!” Benny said excitedly. “I found him!”
    A small boy sat in the center of a large patch of blueberries. His hands and mouth were full of the ripe fruit.
    â€œMichael,” Courtney said. “Why didn’t you answer me? I’ve been calling you for more than an hour!”
    The little boy slowly chewed and swallowed the mouthful of berries.
    â€œI heard you, Courtney,” Michael said. “But every time you called me my mouth was full. You told me don’t ever talk with food in your mouth!”
    The children all laughed. Courtney pulled her brother to his feet. She wiped a blue smudge off his small brown chin.
    â€œI guess I can’t be too mad at you,” Courtney said. “These blueberries do look delicious.”
    â€œThey sure do,” Benny said, “but I’m just not hungry anymore.”
    â€œYou’re not?” cried Violet.
    â€œNo,” Benny said. “Now I’m starving!”

CHAPTER 3
    New Friends
    H enry brought the picnic basket over to where Benny had found Michael. The girls spread the blanket near a tree. The Aldens shared their delicious lunch with Courtney and Michael.
    â€œIt’s a good thing we packed some extra goodies for lunch,” Jessie said as she watched Benny and Michael divide the last few chocolate chip cookies.
    â€œThis is the first time I’ve ever met anyone who loves to eat as much as Michael does,” Courtney said, smiling.
    â€œIt looks like Benny’s found a friend in more ways than one,” Violet said.
    After they finished eating, the children began to pick the blueberries.
    â€œThese blueberries are going to make a prize-winning pie for the county fair,” Henry said.
    â€œWhat fair?” Courtney asked.
    â€œEvery year, Greenfield has a county fair,” Jessie explained. “This year they have a $25 cash prize for the best baked goods, the best art project, and the best craft project.”
    â€œHenry and I are going to bake a blueberry pie,” Benny told Michael.
    â€œI want to help,” Michael said. “Blueberry pie with ice cream on top tastes good.”
    â€œThis pie is for the fair contest, Michael,” Henry said.
    â€œThat’s okay,” Michael said. “We can make two pies. One for the fair and one for us.”
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” said