Read Janet McNulty - Mellow Summers 06 - Where Trouble Roams for Free Online

wall.  Of course, all Calhoun saw was thin air.
    “I really don’t like that guy,” said Jackie once we were in our room.  “Hot shot lawyer from Las Vegas thinks he can run everything.”
    “What time are we leaving tomorrow?” I asked.
    “Dawn, dear,” said Aunt Ethel as she entered the room.  “I just need to find us a guide.”
    “You got one right here,” said Jedidiah as he materialized.  “I know this place quite well.  Used to do a lot of trading and trapping in this area.  That was after I failed at striking it rich during the gold rush in California.”
    “Then it’s settled,” said Aunt Ethel.  “Now we need tools.  The lady at the desk helped me make a list.”
    “Got that too,” said Jedidiah as he took the list from my aunt.  “Don’t worry.  I’ll get everything you need.”
    “Very well.  I guess it’s time we eat and go to bed.”  Aunt Ethel left the room.
    “You know,” whispered Jackie to me, “Your aunt is taking this ghost thing quite well.”
    “Yeah, an encounter with Rachel will do that to you,” I replied.

Chapter 6
     
     
     
    Morning arrived rather quickly.  I felt like I had just fallen asleep when Jackie shook me awake.
    “Rise and shine,” she chirruped.  “It’s time to get up and find us some treasure.  Let’s have an adventure.”
    I gaped at her and her unusual peppiness.  “You know, Jackie, I don’t think it’s going to be as glorious as it sounds.  Remember, Michael Evans was probably killed for that map and the killer probably wants the treasure as well.”
    “Well, you certainly know how to put a damper on things.”
    “Giddy up, ya’ll!”  Rachel appeared in our room dressed like she was part of some sort of rodeo.  “You really need to learn how to be a morning person,” she said to me.
    “Says the girl who doesn’t need to sleep.”  I crawled out of bed and got dressed.
    “So how’s our not so nice friend?” asked Jackie.
    “He ended up sleeping in the lobby,” replied Rachel, “For some strange reason, no matter how hard they tried th ey couldn’t get his door open.
    “Oh, and Joe is complaining about someone stealing tools from the shed.  And the two bumbling idiots (Gil and Stark) left sometime last night.  Joe isn’t happy about that either.  They took a couple of horses and he’s complaining about having to send a search party for them if they don’t return.
    “Anyway, best hurry.  Everyone is waiting by the barn.”
     
    Aunt Ethel waved us over when Jackie and I appeared outside.  “Jedidiah said to take these horses.”
    I looked through the saddle bags noting that the food we had bought were there along with some tools: shove l, pick, and some other stuff.
    “I think I know where the missing tools went,” I muttered to Jackie.
    “Alright, ladies and gentlemen,” said Joe, “On your horses.  It will take about two hours to get to the town.  Once there you can wander as you like and we will return here by sundown.”
    “Uh, I need some air freshener or something because this animal reeks,” said Liz, in her designer workout clothes.
    “Oh, Jesus and Mary above help me,” muttered Joe as he rubbed his hands over his face.
    I watched as Mary tried to get on her horse without touching it.  Even Calhoun joined our group, much to my displeasure.
    The cloudy morning brought a chill that practically froze my hands.  Good thing I had brought an extra pair of gloves.
    The group was mostly quiet as we rode, except…  “This saddle. is chafing. my new workout pants.  They’ll be.  ruined by the end of the day.  I spent three hundred dollars on workout pants and they won’ even last a week at this rate!” Liz kept whining with every jostle from her horse.  Mary put hand sanitizer on her hands every few minutes.  No one noticed the two horses with empty saddles trailing behind.
    Calhoun kept giving me dirty looks.  Rachel flung a rock at him.  He looked all around for the culprit,