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deal,” Wendy said. “We’ll see you in the morning!”
    When Benny awoke, it was early morning. He rushed downstairs and out onto the deck. He wanted to see how big the waves were. He could not wait to swim in the ocean and try out the boogie board that Hunter promised to bring. But when Benny looked toward the beach, he saw something that made his heart beat fast. He stumbled back into the house.
    “Henry! Jessie! Violet!” Benny called. “Come quick!”

CHAPTER 6
Zombie on the Beach
    H enry, Jessie, and Violet heard Benny’s shouting and rushed out onto the deck to find him. Even Grandfather and Mr. Hanson had jumped from their beds. They all stood looking out at the beach. At first, no one knew what to say. The tall zombie, the one that had hit Benny in the face, was standing on the beach, its arms outstretched as though it was marching toward the Hanson’s beach house. The sun was rising behind it on the ocean, and the zombie cast a huge shadow across the sand.

    “How do you think it got there?” Benny finally whispered. “Do you think it followed me here?”
    “No, Benny,” Jessie said, putting her hand on her little brother’s shoulder. “It is not real. Someone stole the zombie when you were in the haunted house. Then the thief brought the zombie to the beach and left it here.”
    Violet shook her head. “It is just another mean trick that someone has played on Mr. Hanson.”
    Mr. Hanson leaned on the deck rail. “I don’t know what to do. You children were right. Someone is trying to ruin my business. But who would do such a thing?”
    Wendy slid open the screen door and walked out onto the deck. Will was close behind. “Don’t worry, Dad. Will and I will put the zombie back.”
    “What?” Will said. “But I thought . . .” Wendy shook her head at Will and he stopped talking.
    “Thanks, Wendy,” Mr. Hanson said. “But you kids should go to the beach and have some fun. This is my problem. I have been asking you and Will to do too much.”
    “No, Dad,” Wendy said. “Will and I can put the zombie in the haunted house. We will go right now. We’ll be back in plenty of time for the beach.”
    “Thanks,” Mr. Hanson said. “The key to the haunted house is on my key ring. It is hanging on the hook by the door.”
    “Will and I have a spare key,” Wendy said. “We don’t need it.”
    Will looked down at the zombie. “You have to admit,” he said. “It does look kind of funny down there, doesn’t it?”
    Grandfather smiled. “It certainly gets your attention.”
    There were a few early morning joggers and walkers on the beach. Some of them were stopping to look at the zombie. They were admiring it.
    Violet looked thoughtful. “Mr. Hanson, maybe you could leave the zombie on the beach for a while. We could put a sign on it advertising the amusement pier.”
    “That’s a cool idea!” Benny said. “Violet is a great artist. She could make a really good sign!”
    “And we could dress the zombie up!” Wendy said. “What if we put a colorful inflatable swim float over one of his arms? And maybe we could find a big pair of sunglasses to put on his face? I think I saw some of those for sale in the dollar store.”
    Mr. Hanson nodded his head. “I think it’s a great idea!”
    Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny hurried upstairs to their rooms to find their bathing suits. Mr. Hanson left early to check on the amusement pier and Grandfather went to his business meeting. When the Aldens came back downstairs, Wendy and Will had set the table on the deck with a large platter of blueberry and strawberry waffles. There was even a bowl of whipped cream and a tall container of syrup.
    “Wow!” Benny said. “This looks great!”
    “Thank you so much,” Jessie said. “It is very kind of you.”
    Wendy smiled. “I hope you like it. It is the least we can do after . . .”
    Will poked Wendy in the arm. “You are our guests,” Will said. “What Wendy means is that it is the least we can