The next morning the Alden children hiked to Clear Lake, which was a small lake in Pine Grove Park.
Arriving at the park with the lake shimmering before them, they eagerly jumped off their bikes. They hurriedly stripped down to the swimsuits they wore underneath their clothes.
As they ran toward the blue-green water, they heard voices. A man and woman were sitting on the sandy bank. The young man said, “But each horse is worth a fortune!”
The girl replied, “Yes, but you know how my father feels about the merry-go-round.”
The young man said, “I like the dapple gray, don’t you?”
The girl emphatically said, “No! Not the dapple gray, the brown, or any other color.” She sighed. “If it were up to me I’d get rid of the carousel. We could sell those horses and make a lot of money. But my father … ” Her words quickly trailed off as she glanced backward and spied the Aldens.
Jessie stopped in her tracks. “Why, Karen, it’s you!” She wondered if Karen would do anything against her father’s wishes.
“Hello,” Karen said smoothly, rising to her feet and tossing back her red hair. “Please, come and meet my friend Peter McKenzie.”
“Hi, kids,” the young man said, a lopsided smile spreading across his handsome face. He had long black hair and wore khaki pants, sneakers, and a white short-sleeved shirt.
“Meet Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny,” Karen said, introducing each of them. “What are you doing here?”
“We’re going swimming at the lake,” Violet answered with a smile.
“Want to go in the lake with us?” Benny questioned, his sturdy legs planted far apart. His red trunks looked even redder against the yellow towel slung over his shoulders.
Peter turned and stared at Benny. A grin broke across his tanned face. “Not today, partner. I’ve got to go back to work.”
“Do you work near here?” Jessie asked.
“Sure do,” he responded. “I’m a golf pro at the Old Oaks Country Club.”
“Do you teach golf?” Henry asked, tossing the beach ball he’d brought up in the air and catching it. “I’d like to learn to play golf someday myself.”
Peter raised heavy brows over his dark eyes. “If you want a lesson, look me up.”
“We will,” Henry said. “That would be great.”
“I’d like to learn, too,” Jessie added.
“I’ve got the time,” he said cheerfully. “Today I only teach one lesson. I’m not earning much money, as you can see.”
“Let’s go, Peter,” Karen said, taking his arm. “I want to check the House of Mirrors.”
“Karen, you have the most fun job of all,” Benny said.
Karen looked at Benny. “I like my job, but,” she added with annoyance, “I’d like it better if the amusement park showed a bigger profit.” With these words she and Peter hurried away.
Jessie watched as Karen and Peter disappeared among the trees. She didn’t like the sound of Karen’s words. Was money the only thing Karen was interested in?
“Come on in the water, Jessie!” Benny yelled.
“Be right there,” Jessie answered. And forgetting Peter and Karen, she laughingly raced into the water and splashed Benny.
The children played together for quite a while, then Jessie and Violet swam out to a raft that was anchored down by ropes. They jumped up on the raft and lay on their backs with their faces to the sun.
Henry and Benny played catch with the beach ball. The morning flew by. When it was time to get out of the water, Benny held back. “Can’t we stay in longer?” he begged.
Henry shook his head. “Violet and Jessie are coming in. It’s almost time for lunch. Later we’re going to the amusement park. Don’t you want to go?”
“Oh, yes,” Benny said, wrinkling his sunburned nose. “I forgot.” He waded as fast as he could to the bank.
It was such a warm and sunny day that they took their time pedaling home.
Once in the house they all helped with lunch. Jessie broiled hot dogs, Violet toasted the buns, Henry poured the milk, and Benny set out the mustard, relish, and ketchup. Dessert was cherry pie.
After lunch, Benny leaned back. “Ummmm,” he said, rubbing his stomach. “That tasted good.”
“Are you sleepy, Benny?” Violet asked.
“A little,” Benny murmured.
“We’d better forget about the amusement park,” Jessie teased.
“No! No!” Benny shouted, his eyes opening wide. “I want to ride the merry-go-round on that pretty dotted gray horse.” He glanced at Jessie. “I mean the dapple gray one.”
Jessie laughed. “You remembered, Benny. Yes, you can ride the dapple gray. Twice if you want to.”
So about two o’clock the children again mounted their bikes and headed for the park. From the distance they could hear the calliope music, and they began to pedal faster.
When they arrived, Benny ran to the cotton candy stand.
“Well,” Sheila Arnold said, “if it isn’t the Aldens again.”
“A cotton candy, please,” Benny ordered.
Sheila filled a cone with pink frothy sugar.
Frank chuckled. “Glad you like our stand, my boy. Come back as often as you like.”
“I like the merry-go-round best of all … better even than cotton candy,” Benny said.
Sheila glanced at Frank and said quickly, “I need some help here, Frank. Stop gabbing!”
Frank nodded, and didn’t say another word. Violet wondered why Sheila was grouchy all of a sudden. Maybe she just didn’t like little kids. Some people didn’t.
After Benny had his candy, he and Jessie went over to the tilt-a-whirl with Violet and Henry trailing behind. It wasn’t long before the four of them were seated in a round tilt-a-whirl car with Benny in the middle. Soon the ride started. At first, the car made a slow half turn, then it picked up speed and whirled one way, twirled another, and spun all the way around. Benny screamed with delight. Henry and Violet laughed so hard their sides hurt. When the car came to a halt, Jessie wiped her eyes. “Oh, that was fun,” she gasped, trying to catch her breath.
As soon as they walked down the ramp, Benny dashed toward the merry-go-round to watch the beautiful horses go up and down and round and round.
When the merry-go-round stopped, Jessie and Violet walked toward it. All at once Jessie noticed Peter McKenzie studying the painted horses. She pointed at the young man who was holding a sketch pad.
Violet said, “Oh, let’s say hello.”
“Yes, let’s,” Jessie agreed, quickening her step.
Peter was so intent in sketching the horses that he didn’t see them at first.
Violet, always interested in art, was eager to see what Peter had drawn.
As the two girls moved closer to Peter, he glanced up. Hastily he slammed shut his sketch book and jumped to his feet. “Hello, Jessie and Violet,” he said, taking a step backward. “I-I’m late,” he added quickly, and turned on his heel.
Strange, Jessie thought. Why didn’t Peter want us to see his drawing of the horses? And why was he sketching them anyway? Something mysterious was in the air. The music started again. Now the drumbeat kept time not only to the rise and fall of the horses, but also to the rapid beating of her heart. |