Pilgrim Village Mystery Read Free

people. Everyone seemed to be talking and laughing, enjoying themselves. Candles flickered on the long wooden tables, and at the far end of the room a fire crackled in a large stone fireplace.
    â€œMmmm!” Benny said. “It sure smells good in here.”
    â€œYes, it does,” Jessie agreed.
    â€œAnd just wait until you taste Red’s cooking,” Linda told them. “He’s been the cook here since Pilgrim Village opened.”
    A waitress in a long skirt led the Aldens to a table. “Hi, I’m Lisa. Welcome to Red’s Tavern.” She pointed to a chalkboard over the fireplace. “There’s the menu. What can I bring you?”
    â€œThe chicken pot pie is Red’s specialty,” Linda said.
    â€œSounds good to me.” Grandfather looked around the table at the children, who nodded their heads in agreement. “We’ll all have chicken pot pie.”
    When the food arrived, everyone ate eagerly. The Aldens had had a long day of traveling, and the hot chicken stew was delicious. It had big chunks of chicken, potatoes, and carrots, and a light, flaky crust. For dessert, there was warm apple pie.
    When the last bite of pie had been eaten, Grandfather sat back in his chair. “What a delicious meal. The chef is wonderful!”
    â€œI’m so glad you feel that way,” Linda said. “Excuse me a moment.” She got up and headed to the far side of the restaurant and through a swinging door. In no time she was back, and beside her was a large man with gray hair and a gray beard. A clean white apron stretched across his round belly.
    â€œSo these are the Aldens,” the man said. “Linda told me to cook up something special for you.”
    â€œAre you the cook?” Jessie asked.
    â€œSure am. Red Sullivan at your service,” he said.
    â€œThe food was great,” said Henry.
    â€œGlad to hear it, my boy,” replied Red.
    â€œIs Red really your name?” Benny wanted to know.
    â€œIt’s my nickname. I used to have bright red hair, back when I was your age,” Red explained.
    â€œWhen you first came here your hair was red,” Linda pointed out.
    â€œThat was a long time ago,” Red said thoughtfully, stroking his beard. “Pilgrim Village was just a quiet little place then.”
    â€œIt certainly isn’t quiet anymore,” Henry said, looking around the tavern.
    â€œYou should see it at Thanksgiving,” Red said. “But that is a few weeks away, so I guess you won’t be here.”
    â€œIsn’t it wonderful how popular the village has become?” Linda said proudly. “In fact, if we keep doing this well, we may be able to expand.”
    â€œI don’t think it’s so wonderful,” said Red. “We don’t need more tour buses filling up the parking lot, dumping even more people on us.”
    â€œOh, Red,” Linda said. “You don’t mean that.”
    â€œYes, I do,” Red insisted, his face flushing.
    â€œMaybe we could help you in the kitchen,” Violet said, trying to change the subject. “You could show us how you make that delicious apple pie.” The children had cooked while they were living in the boxcar, and they still enjoyed making meals for themselves.
    â€œI don’t need more tourists,” Red said angrily, “and I certainly don’t need any children in my own kitchen!” He turned and headed back to the kitchen in a huff.

CHAPTER 3
    Smoke!
    â€œW hy’d he get so upset?” Jessie asked as the Aldens got up from their table and left the tavern.
    Linda sighed. “It’s not your fault. Lately Red has just been a little bit … touchy. I don’t know what’s bothering him.”
    â€œWe’ll cheer him up!” Benny said.
    â€œI hope you can. But in the meantime I’d better get you children settled,” Linda said. “I’ll take you back to your cabin and give you your