Free The Secret of the Stone House by Judith Silverthorne Page A

special, well-thought-out place. That’s the kind of man he was.”
    “I didn’t know him,” said Kate.
    “Really?” Emily looked at her mother, hoping she’d continue.
    “No, he died just after I was born.”
    “Yes, I was quite young when he died, and I’m ten years older than your mom,” Aunt Liz confirmed.
    “Do you have any of these dates written down anywhere?” asked Emily.
    Her mom shook her head, looking over at Aunt Liz.
    “Not that I know of,” Aunt Liz said, thinking hard. “But you know, if anyone knew if there was any hidden place, it would be your Aunt Maggie.”
    “Let’s call her,” Emily said.
    Aunt Liz smiled. “No can do. She’s in New Zealand for another two weeks.”
    “Darn,” said Emily. “Isn’t there anyone else?”
    “No,” said her mom. “No one else took any interest in the family history.”
    “Maybe Uncle Ian would know about a hiding place?”
    “We can ask him,” her mom agreed. “But we’ll have to do it later. We have to slip into town now and pick up those supplies for serving coffee at the auction tomorrow.”
    “Agreed,” said Aunt Liz. “So much for an early morning start. If we don’t get a move on right now, the stores will be closing for the night.”
    “Do you have the list?” asked Kate, searching for her car keys.
    Aunt Liz nodded, grabbing it off the kitchen counter.
    Before Emily had a chance to ask if she could give Uncle Ian a call, they were already out the door.
    “Make sure you stay put, Emily,” her mom called as she got into the car.
    Emily didn’t respond. She watched them drive out of the yard, followed shortly afterwards by the Fergusons and the other men. Now was her chance to make a quick trip back to the past and deal with Geordie. She had to make him understand their connection. Even if he wouldn’t believe it, he had to realize that she was his friend.
    At the outcropping of rocks, Emily braced herself for her talk with Geordie. She thought about showing him their family photograph, but he’d just say she’d found it in the house somewhere. All she could do was try to explain the situation to him. If he didn’t believe her, there was nothing else she could do.
    She used the stone and the sentinel rock to transport herself back to the past, then slid the stone into her pocket. Stumbling over the uneven ground, she headed to the sod homestead site first. Even before she arrived, she knew the family wasn’t there. Quickly, she followed the path behind the barn and aimed for the stone house, wondering what she might say to Geordie. Would he even acknowledge her?
    When she reached the crest of the hill, she was astonished to see the exterior walls and roof of the house finished. Although there was no glass in the windows, the shutters were attached. Forms made of rough planks for building the stone steps were in place. She couldn’t make out who they were, but two of the men worked on levelling them. She could hear hammering inside.
    She slid behind a stand of trees situated halfway to the house and peered about. In the distance, on the south side of the house, she noticed a garden with figures bending over the plants. Just beyond it was a field of corn and a huge potato patch. She moved closer for a better look.
    The two youngest girls, Katie and Beth, were picking peas into wooden pails, while Bella and Geordie’s mom sat in the shade of a poplar tree and shelled them into a huge tin bowl. Then Emily noticed another little person bobbing through the cornfield, and she knew it was Molly. Emily drew back behind the corner of the house, so Molly wouldn’t see her and cause a fuss while the others were around. Obviously there was no way she was going to see her alone this time. Ducking around to the other side of the house, she watched Geordie’s dad and oldest brother Sandy working on the steps for a while.
    Then she skulked around to the back door, carefully climbing up an inclined plank to peer inside. Jack and Duncan