The Aldens made up the beds with the brightly flowered bedspreads. Then they unpacked the matching drapes and in the afternoon, using the master key that Kay had given Jessie, hung them in Millicent’s and Catherine’s units. Neither was home so it was easy to work in their rooms.
While stripping off the pillows in Catherine’s room, Jessie brushed her arm against a book on the end table. The book clattered to the floor and a map fell out. She glanced at the map, noticing it was of the area. She was about to slip it back in the pages, when she glimpsed a red marking. “Look, Henry,” she said in a puzzled tone. “This map has Kay’s motel circled in red.” She stopped. “And Adventure Hotel is circled, too!”
“That is strange,” he said. “But put it back. It probably doesn’t mean anything.”
Jessie wasn’t as sure as Henry that it didn’t mean anything.
“Won’t Catherine and Millicent be surprised when they return?” Violet asked.
Jessie nodded, replacing the map and saying nothing.
After lunch, they decorated their own rooms. Henry stood on a ladder, pulling the lovely lavender drape across the rod, while Jessie and Violet made the beds.
Violet stood back and gazed at her bed. “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked, admiringly.
“Won’t Kay be pleased when she returns?” Jessie said.
“Can we go for a swim now?” Benny asked. “I’m hot.”
“Even in this air conditioning?” Violet asked.
“Yes.” A smile lit Benny’s round face. “I could go swimming in the winter.”
“I’m ready for a swim, too,” Jessie said.
So once again they pulled on their swimsuits and raced to the pool.
Henry made a clean dive into the clear water. Jessie stood on the diving board and dived into the water. Violet waded in with Benny at the shallow end.
Henry swam under the water and came up underneath Benny, who screamed with delight when he was lifted on Henry’s shoulders. Jessie and Violet swam easily around their brothers.
The Aldens were swimming and laughing so hard that they didn’t hear Aunt Jane and Kay arrive until the two women were at the edge of the pool.
Kay smiled. “You darlings! Jane and I went to your room and peeked in, and what a wonderful surprise! We saw the whole motel changed with new spreads and drapes.”
Aunt Jane smiled warmly at each child. “We couldn’t resist checking out the other units, too, and it was hard to believe our eyes! What a difference to see each room with a style and color of its own.” She held out her hand, pulling Violet out of the water. “You must have been working ever since we left.”
Kay looked around. The painters had finished, except for the trim and the bike shed, and the white motel gleamed in the sun. Kay gave a contented sigh. “I almost received my bank loan. I’ll know tomorrow morning after the bank inspector comes to look over the motel. If he likes what he sees, I’ll get the money.”
“He’ll like the motel!” Benny said in a loud voice. “How couldn’t he not like it?”
Kay laughed and leaned over, giving him a hug.
“Have any reservations come in yet?” Henry questioned.
A brief frown flickered across Kay’s face. “Not yet. I should be receiving the reservations from my regular Snowbirds and also a few from my newspaper ads.”
Aunt Jane removed her straw hat and brushed back a loose strand of hair. “I’d like an iced tea, wouldn’t you, Kay?”
“Yes,” Kay responded. “That sounds like an excellent idea. Won’t you join us, children?”
They looked at one another and shook their heads. “No, Kay,” Jessie said, “but thank you. We want to go for a bike ride and then—”
“And then,” Benny piped up, “we’ll eat!”
Henry’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, we have a special supper planned.”
Benny rubbed his stomach. “Chicken and mashed potatoes.”
“And broccoli,” Violet said.
“And strawberry Jell-O,” Jessie added. “Topped off with ice cream and cookies.”
“Ummm,” Kay said, “that does sound good.”
“Boy, I can’t wait to eat. I’m going to have two helpings of everything!” Benny said.
And that night for supper that’s exactly what he did.
They all went to bed with full stomachs and a happy feeling that they had had such a successful day.
As she was drifting off to sleep, Violet turned in bed and was astonished to see a shadow outlined in her window. Then it disappeared. Her heart pounded and she jumped out of bed. “Jessie! Henry! Someone just went by my window!”
Without a second’s delay, Henry found his flashlight and flung open the door.
Sleepily, Benny joined them. “What’s wrong?” he said with a wide yawn.
“Shhh,” Violet cautioned. “Someone’s out there.”
Benny tiptoed outside behind Henry.
Henry shone the flashlight into the trees, but nothing stirred.
Suddenly Jessie’s hand flew to her mouth, stifling a scream. “H-he’s on top of the motel,” she stammered.
Henry shot the beam up on the roof. He stiffened with fear.
The white beam of light caught two yellow eyes.
Frightened, they stared at the glittering yellow eyes that moved closer and closer. |