Free Make No Mistake by Carolyn Keene

are you guys doing here?”
    â€œI guess we could ask you the same question,” said George.
    Bess spoke in an excited rush as she explained. “I ran into Matt downtown at the bakery. He was buying a cake for Mrs. Adams. It’s some kind oftradition they have or something. Anyway, he suggested I come back and share it. I thought it would be rude to say no.”
    â€œSo you were just being polite, eh?” said George, rolling her eyes. “I don’t suppose that the opportunity to spend time with the super-gorgeous Matt Glover had anything to do with your decision?”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” said Bess indignantly. Then she blushed. “Well, maybe a little. I mean, I know he’s not going to fall in love with me or anything, but I just think he’s so romantic!
    â€œNow it looks like we’re getting snowed in,” Bess went on. From the flushed look on her face, Nancy could tell that being snowed in with Matt Glover would be Bess’s idea of paradise.
    Nancy couldn’t help smiling at Bess. It was great that she was so happy. Nancy just hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed.
    â€œI hope we’re not ruining your romantic afternoon,” Nancy said apologetically. “We really came to see Mrs. Adams.”
    â€œI’m glad you’re here.” Bess looked around. “Matt must still be on the phone. I guess we can just go to the kitchen,”
    As they walked down the hall, Bess turned to George and Nancy and said, “Oh, by the way, it so happens that Matt passed the lie-detector test with flying colors. I think you owe him an apology, both of you.”
    Nancy was surprised. “Did Matt tell you himself that he passed?” she asked. If so, there was a chance he was lying.
    â€œNope. Your father did. I saw him just as he was leaving his office, before I ran into Matt.”
    â€œLie-detector tests aren’t infallible,” Nancy said, “but passing is definitely a good sign for Matt.” If Matt was an impostor, she would have expected the lie-detector results to be inconclusive at best.
    Bess frowned. “ ‘A good sign’? That’s all? You’re such a skeptic, Nan. When are you going to admit that Matt Glover really is back?”
    â€œWhen all the evidence is in,” Nancy said, pushing through the door to the kitchen.
    Mrs. Adams was sitting at the long oak table. Nancy was surprised to see that her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. She was staring out the kitchen window and didn’t even seem to notice that the three girls had come in.
    â€œAnything wrong, Mrs. Adams?” George asked gently.
    The housekeeper jumped half out of her seat, then relaxed when she saw Nancy, George, and Bess. “Oh, I am jumpy lately, aren’t I?” she said, smiling wanly. “I—I suppose it’s all this excitement, what with Matt coming home so suddenly.”
    Nancy wondered if Mrs. Adams had heard that Matt had passed the lie-detector test. If so, she didn’t seem very happy about it. In fact, sheseemed more depressed than Nancy had seen her since Mr. Glover’s funeral.
    â€œIsn’t it great news about the lie-detector test?” Nancy said, taking a seat beside the housekeeper at the table. Bess and George sat down opposite.
    â€œYes, yes,” Mrs. Adams said halfheartedly. “Wonderful news.” She heaved a deep sigh, then rose with effort and went to cut slices from a chocolate cake that sat on the silver server where the pie had been the night before.
    â€œWould you girls like a slice of this lovely cake?” she asked. Her voice sounded even more distraught to Nancy, and there were tears in her eyes now. “Matt was good enough to bring it home from the bakery.”
    â€œNo, thanks,” Nancy said. “Maybe later.”
    â€œSpeak for yourself, Nan,” George put in. “I’d love a piece.”
    â€œMe, too,” Bess chimed in.