Trail of Lies by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online

the northern lights?” Nancy asked, taking his cue and changing the subject.
    â€œWell, it’s not the best time of year, but there’s still a pretty good chance,” Craig answered, reaching for more roast beef.
    â€œIf you do, be sure to whistle,” Steve said.
    â€œWhistle? Why?” George looked puzzled.
    â€œIt’s an old Eskimo legend,” Craig explained.“If you whistle, the lights will dance faster.”
    â€œDancing lights—now I’ve really got to see them,” George said.
    Nancy was intrigued. “Where did you hear this legend?”
    â€œMy grandpa used to spend time in the Inuit villages when he was trapping and trading,” Craig explained. “He learned a lot from the people, and not just stories about the northern lights.”
    When dinner was over, Nancy suggested they all go outside to look for the northern lights.
    â€œSorry,” Steve said, “but I’ve had enough exercise for one day. I’m beat!”
    â€œBetter count me out, too,” Craig said.
    â€œWimps,” Nancy teased. She and George grabbed their heavy coats out of the foyer closet, then went outside.
    Nancy looked up at the sky. It was a clear, moonless night. “Let’s get away from the house lights,” she suggested. “We’ll be able to see better.”
    They walked for a few minutes until they were in the forest. It was completely dark and bitterly cold. Nancy could feel the breath freezing in her nostrils.
    â€œWill we know the northern lights if we see them?” George asked.
    â€œI don’t think we’ll be able to miss them.”
    They continued walking, clutching each other’s mittened hands so they wouldn’t get separated in the darkness, but they saw nothing. They were almost ready to call it quits when it happened.
    They came to a clearing, and Nancy gasped in wonder. Bands of blue and green shot across the sky, followed by brilliant reds and yellows that seemed so close Nancy almost reached out to try to touch them.
    â€œWhistle!” she said to George.
    Both of them pursed their lips and began to whistle. The colored bands pulsed and shifted. George let out a laugh of pure delight. The lights really did seem to dance in time with the whistling!
    Gradually the display began to fade. When the last light had dimmed, George said softly, “That was great.”
    A grin spread across Nancy’s face. “I’ll never, ever forget it.”
    She and George were quiet as they walked back to the house, awed by the incredible natural spectacle they’d just seen. It was only when they were out of the forest that George spoke again.
    â€œI’m so glad you asked me to come to Alaska with you,” she said. “Not just because of the northern lights, either.” She was silent for a moment. Nancy sensed her hesitation.
    â€œI really like Steve,” George said finally. “He’s a lot of fun.”
    Nancy’s reply was sincere. “I’m glad for you, George. Steve seems to like you, too.”
    â€œBut not you,” George said, voicing Nancy’s unspoken thoughts.
    â€œYou could say that,” Nancy said mildly.
    George stopped and faced Nancy. “It bothers me, Nan. I don’t think Steve’s normally so rude—I don’t think I could like him as much if he was really like that. This afternoon I asked him why he’s so cold to you, but he wouldn’t give me a reason. He said I was imagining it.”
    Nancy heard the hurt in George’s voice and tried to soothe her. “Maybe it’s just chemistry,” she suggested. “We didn’t hit it off from the beginning. But I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. I can take it.”
    â€œI don’t know.” George sounded miserable. “I just wish I knew what the problem was.”
    Me, too, Nancy thought to herself.
    They climbed the porch stairs and let themselves