Secret at Mystic Lake (13 page)

“Omigosh, pancakes,” Bess moaned an hour later, as we gobbled up our breakfast. “Food of the gods. Seriously,
George, why would you ever want to go camping or anywhere they don't have pancakes?”

George shot her cousin an annoyed look, but she soon dissolved into a smile. “Well . . . let's just say I'm done with camping for a little while. Maybe not forever. But I'm going to take a break.”

I grinned at her over my orange juice. “No camping trip for your birthday next year, George?”

She shook her head. “Definitely not.”

Bess raised a hand like she was in school. “Can I make a suggestion for your birthday celebration next year?” she asked.

George shot her a sideways look. “I guess . . .”

Bess grinned. “Slumber party?”

I giggled. After a moment, George chimed in too.

“Only if you'll both be there,” she said with a chuckle.

We both grinned. I nodded. “Deal!”

Dear Diary,

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT: A PERFECTIONIST
pushed too far! Who knows what Caitlin would have done in order to get her little “vacation” in the woods? I'm just glad we figured out her plan before she did some real damage, not only to us, but to her brother's reputation.

And thank goodness Bess and George were there. Because in the end, there aren't many people I'd want to get stuck in the woods with besides my two best friends.

Read all the mysteries in the

NANCY DREW DIARIES

#1 Curse of the
Arctic Star

#2 Strangers on a Train

#3 Mystery of the Midnight Rider

#4 Once Upon a Thriller

#5 Sabotage at Willow Woods

#6 Secret at Mystic Lake

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ALADDIN

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First Aladdin paperback edition May 2014

Text copyright © 2014 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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The text of this book was set in Adobe Caslon Pro.

Library of Congress Control Number 2001012345

ISBN 978-1-4814-0012-1 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-4814-0013-8 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-4814-0014-5 (eBook)