Taken Read Online Free PDF Page B

lunch. Right, Phillip?”
    “Okay. Sledding.” Phillip ran to the kitchen to kiss his mother goodbye.
    “Aren’t you going to be here for the sale?” asked Jessie.
    “Your mom and I decided this would be better. He might not like seeing someone with his toys.”
    “I suppose you’re right,” said Jessie. She went to the kitchen, took Phillip’s hand and led him to the door. “Let’s get your mittens on. It’s still cold outside.”
    With Phillip following, her dad stepped onto the front porch, picked up the big sled leaning against the rail and carried it down the stairs. Mr. Hanson sat Phillip on the sled and began pulling him through the snow in the yard. They were heading for the sledding hill a few blocks away. Phillip waved good-bye to Jessie on the porch.
    Jessie put on a warm parka, sat on the top porch step and waited for Tina. The sun was out and it felt good on her face.
    “Hi!” called Tina. She was hurrying up the sidewalk toward the Hanson house. She plopped down bedside Jessie. “Did you see the sign your dad put up by that bush in front?”
    “No. He didn’t even tell me.” Jessie ran to the sidewalk in front. The sign was big and said, “Baby Goods Garage Sale-11:00 to 5:00 today. All proceeds will be donated to the homeless shelter.”
    She returned to Tina. “It looks great!”
    Bryce and his sister were running across the snow-covered brick street. “We saw the sale sign. Do we get to help? I’m a pretty good salesman.” He was carrying a large plastic bag. His sister, Sunny, held a doll in the crook of each arm. She was eight years old and very pretty with shinny blonde curls that bounced as she hopped over the snowy tire tracks.
    “We brought some stuff for your sale,” Sunny said. “If that’s okay.”
    “Sure it’s okay!” said Jessie. “Let’s see.”
    The bag was full of children’s books and some outgrown clothes of Sunny’s. “These are perfect,” said Jessie. “And the baby dolls are beautiful. Are you sure you want to sell them?”
    “I’m sure,” said Sunny. “I’m too old for the books and clothes and I left my favorite doll at home.”
    They all went together to the open garage and set the books among the shelves of baby clothes. Jessie hung Sunny’s beautiful wool coats—one red, one navy blue—on hangers for display. They put the baby dolls in the infant car seats that were for sale. “What size are the coats?”
    Sunny was quiet a moment. “I wore them when we lived back east. I think I was about three years old.”
    Jessie pulled out the price stickers. “What do you think they should sell for?”
    “We don’t need them, Jessie. And it’s for a good cause,” said Bryce. “Price them low. Someone can use them this winter.”
    They were all back on the front porch steps, waiting for customers, when Mrs. Adams, Tina’s mom, trudged up the street pulling a child sled with the twins strapped in the little seats. Tori and Pam wore matching red snowsuits with red-and-white striped stocking hats tied under their chins.
    Sunny ran to the sled to admire the twins. Mrs. Adams put her hand to her lips and said to the babies, “Do you want a drink?” Then Sunny did the same thing. The twins touched their own lips. Mrs. Adams and Sunny laughed.
    “What the heck are they doing?” asked Bryce.
    “We’re teaching them some simple signs,” said Tina. “So they can tell us what they want.”
    Bryce studied the action between Mrs. Adams and the babies.
    “You know what?” said Jessie.
    “Uh-oh,” said Tina. “I cannot wait to hear this.”
    They all laughed. “You guys know me a little too well.” Jessie lowered her voice. “We’re having this event today, Bryce, so we can check out people who might want or need baby things for little stolen Andel. How about if we make our own secret signs? Then we can communicate with each other without speaking?”
    Bryce stared at her. “The garage sale is a way to check out the possible kidnappers?”