Book 1-Annie Adams and the Mystery Club Detectives

Continue Annie Adams and the Mystery Club Detectives

     "I would Think that Miss Leighton would call sheriff Cooper after the girl tells her what she saw."  Charlie said.  "I think we should tell the sheriff about this conversation as soon as he arrives today,"  Annie said firmly.  "While we're waiting for Sheriff Cooper, what say we play a game of Croquet?"  Jamie suggested.  "We can see the entranceway and the front parking lot from the field, in case the sheriff shows up."

     "That sounds good to me."  Katie said.  The others nodded in agreement,  all except for Annie who glanced at the entrance doors still wide open to the parking lot, measuring the distance.  Then she faced her friends again.  "I think I'll just watch y'all play for a while."  Collin grinned at her.  "What?" she asked him.

"Nothing," he said still grinning.  He told himself he couldn't help it.  He found Annie's accent so charming, as well as the southern bell herself.

     The group made their way around the school to the Croquet court.  Annie took a seat in the soft grass under a cover of white fluffy clouds that almost obscured the bright blue Autumn sky.  "I'll sit this one out too," Charlie said a bit sheepishly.  Collin raised an eyebrow at him, but then shrugged and went to join the others to get their mallets.

     Charlie slumped down beside Annie and gave her a shy grin.  She smiled back at him and then turned back to watching their friends start their game.  But out of the corner of her eye she saw Charlie nervously twiddling his thumbs and bouncing his crossed legs up and down.  She smiled to herself, thinking that he probably was uncomfortable sitting next to a girl.

     And then Charlie spoke,  "Um, Annie...."  She looked over at him.  "Can I ask you a question?"  "Uh, sure.  What is it?"  she said kindly.  "Well, I don't want to make you sad....but it's about what you said about your mom being in heaven."  "Why would that make me sad?"  Annie asked him, her eyebrows pulling together in confusion.

     Charlie took a deep breath and went on, "Well, I was wondering how you can know that's where she is."  Annie gave him a smile and said, "I know that because the Bible tells me so."  Charlie just stared skeptically at her, so she continued.  "John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who-so-ever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

     Annie didn't wait for a response this time.  She felt like she was on a roll.  "I believe that.  And so did my Mom.  So She's in heaven."  She ended with confidence.  Charlie blinked at her, then cleared his throat.  "I....I don't know if I believe that," he said, bowing his head and feeling awkward.  "Do you have a Bible?"  Annie ask boldly.

     Charlie raised his head.  "I've never had one.  The first time I ever went to church was when I came here."  He seemed to Annie to be embarrassed by that fact.  Annie was curious about this kid's life story, but didn't want to pry.  She thought he would tell her sometime if he wanted too.  Annie suddenly felt very sorry for him.  He didn't seem happy.  He had been moody and sulky ever since she'd met him.

     She gently pulled his fingers apart, for he was still twiddling his thumbs and said, "I have an extra Bible you can keep."  "I....I don't know if it would help."  Charlie said sadly.  Annie giggled and said, "It couldn't hurt."  Charlie chuckled along with her.  "I promise I'll give it a try," he said with a small smile.

     "If you'll watch the door, I'll go get it."  Charlie looked nervous again.  Annie thought she understood the sudden anxious look on his face.  "It's a very small Bible.  It will fit into almost any pocket.  No one will know you have it, unless you tell them."  She assured him.  Charlie took a deep breath and smiled at her.  "I'll watch the door," he promised.