The Chuck Wagon looked especially festive that night. Country music played from the jukebox. Orange and yellow streamers looped the counter. A pink and green pi?ata in the shape of a bull hung from the ceiling. Wow! said Benny. Who did all this? Jake...
The others gathered around Violet. Its a letter from Tom, she said. Its to somebody named Frank. See? Its signed Tom Parker. Violet squinted at the messy handwriting. My great-uncle Jake, she began, then gasped. My great-uncle Jake, the prospector, h...
One more day, Grandfather announced at breakfast the next morning. Gerald and I have only one more day of work, then his cabin will be finished. Well spend tomorrow relaxing, and then well head back home Saturday. Henry and Jessie looked at each othe...
Tacos, declared Benny, are the very best part of Arizona. He crunched his fourth beef taco happily. They are good, agreed Jessie, adding shredded lettuce to her chicken taco. Mr. McCrae, it was really nice of you to take us out to dinner. Across the...
Benny sat up in bed. He listened carefully for the familiar sounds of the humming refrigerator and air conditioner. He heard only Grandfathers faint snoring. A darting shape outside the window caught his attention. A tall, dark figure flitted between...
Jessie was riding right behind Benny. She, too, saw him lean over his ponys neck, then tumble off. Benny! she exclaimed. But Luis had already dismounted. Are you okay? he asked. Violet and Henry rushed up. Benny brushed dirt off his shorts. Im okay....
The next morning, after Grandfather left early to help Mr. McCrae, the Aldens walked over to the Chuck Wagon. They shared a table in the corner with Luis. Over a hearty ranchers breakfast of flapjacks and sausage, they discussed the prowler Jessie ha...
Do you think well find the mine by lunchtime? Benny asked Violet. She clambered over a rock in the trail, then held out her hand for her brother. I doubt it, Benny, Violet said. Luis said some people spend their whole lives looking for the mine. Ahea...
Boy, it sure gets dark out here, Benny commented as he reached for a handful of popcorn. Quiet, too, said Jessie. Then she added with a laugh, Except for Bennys chewing! The Aldens had just finished taking turns showering in the RVs tiny bathroom. No...
Turn left, said Henry Alden. Leaning forward from the passenger seat, he pointed at a graveled road. RV Haven should be about two miles down this road. Roger, said Grandfather as he steered the big mobile home off the main highway. Benny looked up fr...