Old Motel Mystery Read Free

for me. The only help I can afford is Rolf. Maybe I’ll take the hotel money and rent an apartment.”
    â€œKay!” Aunt Jane protested, “you can’t do that. You wouldn’t be happy in an apartment.”
    â€œWe could help in fixing your place up, Kay,” Violet said, eager as always to help someone in trouble.
    Kay stood up. “I don’t know,” she said doubtfully, setting a cherry pie on the table.
    â€œWe’re good fixer-uppers,” Benny said.
    â€œYes, we are,” Violet agreed. “A little paint would help and so would new bedspreads.”
    Kay sat down, cutting the pie into six pieces and placing a piece on each plate.
    Jane helped pass the pie. “You know, Kay, I think you should think about the children’s offer. I can help, too. I can sew and I can redecorate.”
    Kay looked at the children’s eager faces. “I don’t know what to say. There’s so much to be done.”
    â€œMake a list,” Aunt Jane said practically, “and we’ll take the work step by step. You’ll see, it won’t cost too much to do.”
    â€œThe motel needs a coat of paint,” Kay said thoughtfully. “And you kids could …” She stopped, hesitated, her eyes shining with hope.
    â€œWe could do whatever you want us to,” Henry added.
    Smiling, Kay leaned forward. “I’ll give it a try! It’s worth putting some more money into it.”
    Benny said, “We’ll make your motel shine!”
    But lying in bed that night, staring at the big Florida moon, Violet couldn’t sleep. How could they possibly tackle all the work that the old motel needed!

CHAPTER 3
    Millicent Fair
    T he second day the four Aldens scraped and scraped the green moss from the bottom of the pool. Fortunately, it wasn’t a very large area. Kay was pleased at how clean the empty pool looked. So pleased that she promised to have it filled with water the next day, and to call the painters.
    After cleaning the pool, the children biked to the small supermarket several blocks away. Grandfather had given them enough money to buy whatever they might need on their trip. Jessie took out the list which they’d all helped to write, and they went down the store aisles, filling the basket with green beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, fresh fruit, hamburger, chicken, ice cream, chocolate sauce, salad dressing, bread, butter, and milk. They also bought things for their breakfasts.
    That evening, Jessie and Henry baked chicken for supper while Violet and Benny shelled peas and set the table.
    After they had eaten fruit for dessert, they sat back and relaxed.
    Benny asked, “Do you remember when we lived in the boxcar?”
    â€œDo I!” Jessie exclaimed. “It was hard, but we had such good times, too.”
    Benny leaped up and ran to the cupboard. “Here’s my pink cup that I found in the dump. It’s all chipped and cracked, but I’ll never throw it away!”
    â€œViolet,” Henry chimed in, taking his sister’s hand, “if you hadn’t become sick, Grandfather never would have found us.”
    â€œWe ran away because we expected Grandfather to be a mean old man,” Jessie said.
    â€œAnd he was just the opposite,” Henry said with a chuckle.
    â€œWe didn’t have a mother or father,” Benny said. “I’m glad Grandfather found us.”
    â€œMe, too,” Henry replied. “I wonder how Grandfather is getting along without us.”
    â€œOh, fine, I’m sure,” Jessie said. “Mrs. McGregor will take good care of him!”
    â€œAnd Watch will take care of himself,” Violet said with a laugh. “Our dog is smart.”
    â€œI miss Watch,” Jessie said.
    Just then a loud “meow” was heard.
    â€œIt’s Willie,” Benny yelled, looking out the window. “He can take Watch’s place while we’re in Florida.” He