“Has Kate ever tried solving the mystery, Grandfather?” Jessie wondered as they left the little town of Chillwire behind.
“Oh, she’s tried to figure it out, Jessie, but I think she gave up on it a long time ago. Kate puts all her energy—and her money—into restoring the old house. You see, she wants it to look the way it did in the olden days, when her grandmother grew up there. Actually, that’s the reason Kate started the bed and breakfast,” Grandfather told them as he turned onto a quiet country road. “She needed the extra money to fund her project.”
“It must be a lot of work,” Violet said thoughtfully, “taking care of a big house filled with guests.”
“Well, Kate hires someone to help out during the summer months,” explained Grandfather. “I don’t think she could do it alone.”
As they came to a white house with honey-colored trim around the windows and a peaked roof, Grandfather pulled into the driveway. A large sign on the front lawn read, “Wiggin Place—Bed and Breakfast.”
“We’re here!” cried Benny. “And look, there’s even a pond in the front yard!”
“What a great place to cool off.” Henry sounded just as excited as his little brother.
As they piled out of the car, Jessie looked around and said, “That must be Kate.”
A woman with gray streaks in her dark hair was waving a hand high in the air as she hurried down the porch steps. Grandfather gave his good friend a hug.
“Kate, how do you manage to look younger every time I see you?” he asked.
“Never mind your flattery, James,” said Kate, with a twinkle in her eye. Then she turned her attention to the children. “I can’t believe I finally get to meet your wonderful family.”
Grandfather smiled proudly as he introduced Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny to Kate Crawford.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Jessie said politely, speaking for them all.
“I feel as if I know you already,” Kate told them, as she slipped her hands into the pockets of a dress splashed with sunflowers. “Your grandfather has told me all about your wonderful adventures. And just between us,” she added, “this place could use a little excitement.”
At that, Grandfather had to laugh. “Kate, there’s never a dull moment with my grandchildren around.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that!” Kate’s laughter was warm and bubbly.
Grandfather lifted the suitcases from the trunk of the car. Then he looked at his watch. “I don’t like rushing away, but I do have a business dinner to attend.”
Kate smiled. “Plenty of time to visit when you get back, James.”
Grandfather gave each of his grandchildren a hug. “I shouldn’t be more than a few days,” he told them. Then with a cheery honk of the horn, he drove away.
The children waved good-bye, then followed Kate up the porch steps.
“You can unpack before dinner,” Kate said.
“Oh, we can eat first if you want,” offered Benny. “If dinner’s ready, I mean.”
“Benny loves to eat,” Henry explained.
Kate laughed. “Then we’ll make a good team, Benny. It just so happens, I love to cook!”
“Oh, look!” Something had suddenly caught Violet’s eye. The others followed her gaze to a bronze plaque hanging beside the front door. The inscription on the plaque read: ETHAN CAPE ONCE STAYED HERE.
“We’re very proud of our famous visitor,” said Kate, a smile in her voice. “Of course, I was just a young girl when Ethan Cape photographed my grandmother.”
Violet’s eyes widened. “Oh! You mean—”
Kate nodded as they went inside. “Yes, I met the great Ethan Cape just a few months before he died. Of course, at the time I was pretty young,” she added. “I didn’t know he was famous until I’d grown up.”
Jessie knew Violet was too shy to say anything, so she spoke up for her. “Violet’s a photographer, too,” she informed Kate as they headed for the staircase.
“Topnotch,” Henry added. And Benny nodded.
“Oh?” Kate’s eyebrows rose. Violet’s face got pink. “I still have a lot to learn,” she said. “But … I would love to see the photograph.”
Kate looked puzzled, but only for a moment. “Oh, you mean my grandmother’s photograph,” she said with a slow smile. “I’ll be happy to show it to you after dinner, Violet.”
Upstairs, Kate opened the door to a pretty room with rose-covered wallpaper and a four-poster bed that was just right for Jessie and Violet. Across the hall, a room with twin beds and blue-striped wallpaper was waiting for Henry and Benny.
“If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to speak up,” Kate was saying. Then she turned her attention to a middle-aged man coming along the hallway. “Oh, Professor Brewer! Come and meet our new arrivals.”
The professor, who had a newspaper tucked under one arm, was very tall, with a little gray hair around a bald spot. As Kate introduced the Aldens, Henry reached out to shake hands. But the man looked away, turning to Kate.
“What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded. “There was nothing in your brochure about a pack of noisy kids running all over the place.”
Henry and Jessie exchanged a look. Why was the professor so unfriendly?
Kate’s smile disappeared for a second. “Now, Professor, you’re getting all worked up about nothing. The Aldens are wonderful children and I expect—”
“I expect peace and quiet!” the professor broke in sharply. Then he hurried away leaving the Aldens to stare after him.
Henry let out a low whistle. “What was that all about?”
“I don’t think the professor likes us very much,” Benny said in a small voice.
“I’m sure he likes you just fine, Benny,” Kate assured the youngest Alden. “The professor’s a bit of a loner, that’s all. I tried asking him a few questions when he first arrived. But he got very uncomfortable. He doesn’t seem to like talking about himself.” With a little shrug, she headed for the stairs. “Come down as soon as you finish unpacking,” she called back to them.
The children couldn’t help wondering if the professor would be any friendlier at dinner.
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