McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr

he said, glancing at his watch. “We’ve had a change of plans. Sarah, the girl who rides the ostrich during the ostrich race, called in sick, so I need you to take her place. I have another girl taking your part as a southern belle. Can I count on you?”
    McKenzie stared at Mr. Stewart.
He wants me to ride an ostrich in front of hundreds of people?
    The ostrich race was a favorite among the spectators. During every performance the crowd had roared with laughter.
    He continued, “I saw you riding the other day, and you’ll do fine. This routine is supposed to be comical. If you don’t do it perfectly, the show will be that much better. How about it?”
    After one of the performances the week before, several of the Showcase performers tried riding the ostriches just for fun. McKenzie was one of the few who could stay on the huge bird for more than a few seconds. She’d even managed to guide the ostrich around the arena.
    â€œSure, Mr. Stewart. It sounds like fun,” McKenzie said with a smile.
    â€œGreat,” he said, clutching her shoulder. “Head to wardrobe, and Cecilia will help you find a uniform. She’s waiting for you.”
    As McKenzie stepped into the wardrobe room, Cecilia Ambruster, a woman with spiked black hair, called to her. “I have several uniforms that may fit you.”
    Miss Ambruster held a pair of gray Confederate pants against McKenzie. “Way too long,” she muttered and grabbed another pair. “Ah, these look like they’ll fit. Why don’t you look for a jacket that fits, while I press these pants?”
    â€œDo I really have to wear pants?” McKenzie asked.
    Miss Ambruster flashed a grin. “Of course. No southern lady would ride an ostrich.”
    The wardrobe woman left McKenzie to look through the rack of gray jackets. She tried on several and found one that fit. She glanced up as the door to the wardrobe room opened, and her Showcase partner, Nick, stepped in.
    â€œHi, McKenzie. I hear I have a new partner today. Too bad,” he said with a grin. “But you’ll have fun with the ostrich.”
    â€œIf I don’t get thrown off on my head,” she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
    â€œYou’ll do fine,” he said. “Hey, have you seen Miss Ambruster?”
    McKenzie pointed to the back of the room. “She’s pressing some pants for me.”
    Nick headed over to the dark-haired woman. “Miss Ambruster,” he said, “I just noticed I’m missing one of the buttons on my jacket. Can you help me out?”
    McKenzie bolted to attention at his words. She noticed the two rows of brass buttons down the front of his jacket. They were identical to the one she had found in the parking lot the night she saw the mystery rider!
    Could Nick be the person who rides at night and changes the flags?
McKenzie wondered.
    Miss Ambruster’s gaze went from Nick’s head to his toes. “What in the world happened to your pants, Nick? I cleaned and pressed those for you this morning.”
    Nick shrugged. “I don’t know. They looked like this when I took them off the hanger.”
    Miss Ambruster took the jacket and examined it. “This isn’t even your jacket. Someone switched outfits on you.”
    McKenzie listened as Miss Ambruster presented Nick with a different costume. “There’s no way you’re wearing that costume in the performance,” the woman said with frustration.
    Miss Ambruster then asked McKenzie to slip into the dressing room to change into the Confederate pants. Her thoughts kept going back to Nick.
Was he the mystery rider, or was the person who borrowed his uniform the guilty person? I can’t just go and ask him if he’s the mystery rider
.
    â€œHow do the pants fit?” Miss Ambruster called through the door.
    Stepping out of the room, McKenzie noticed that Nick had left. “Perfect,” she answered and