“Ah, I see.” Doug leaned over Carl’s shoulder to confirm the information on his clipboard. “And how’s the gallbladder?”
Carl looked confused. “My gallbladder? It’s been gone for years. Why do you ask?”
Doug smiled. “No reason. So you came here today to witness the launch?”
Mr. Stratton nodded. “Yes, and there’s mention of a buffet afterward as well. I love the Castleton buffets.” He licked his lips and beamed at the children.
Trevor laughed. Terry had forgotten to postpone the actual inspection from the approval board. Chalk that up as another mistake made by the disgruntled Castleton brother.
“Well, that’s unfortunate. I’m afraid you’re too late. We already…” Doug paused, his head tilting to one side in thought. After checking the time on the clock, Doug raced to the desk and pressed his intercom call button.
“Camberlyn,” he said into the phone.
“Yes, Mr. Castleton,” a woman’s voice on the opposite end responded.
“How close are we to finalizing the payment for our guests?”
“We’re just finishing up now,” she said.
Doug pursed his lips. “Do you think you could stall for, I don’t know, let’s say two to three minutes more?”
“Of course, Mr. Castleton,” she replied. “I can have them go over a few more legalities before we release them.”
Trevor was already standing. Nika peered between him and Doug as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“Is he being serious right now?” Devin asked, slowly rising from his seat. “Or is he joking?”
“Oh, I hope he’s joking,” Cameron groaned. “He definitely seems like the comedic type.”
Doug rubbed his hands together and pointed at Mr. Stratton. “We’re going to have to really hoof it downstairs if we’re going to pull this off before anyone’s the wiser. Are you up for it?”
Mr. Stratton made a crooked smile and fixed his bow tie. “These legs may be old, but I was a sprinter in college some fifty years ago.” He marched in place, his ancient knees firing off a series of pops like a string of firecrackers. “But why the hurry?”
“What do you say, kids?” Doug asked, turning to the group and looking each of them in the eye. “Are you up for one final adventure?”
I always have to thank my wife, Heidi, and my children, Jackson, Gavin, and Camberlyn. They give me a reason to tell stories in the first place. A special thanks to my agent, Shannon Hassan, for pressing me to write a better story and helping me achieve my dream. To Tyler Jolley for reading and critiquing the first pages. To my wonderful editor, Rebecca Weston, for diving in and rescuing this novel after wading through the mire of my initial drafts. You truly are the hero of this book! Of course, to the entire Delacorte Press team for creating a beautiful package to share with the world. And to my amazing illustrator, Elizabet Vukovic, and Katrina Damkoehler, my cover designer. You captured my vision of The World’s Greatest Adventure Machine and perfected it! Lastly, to my readers. Thank you. May you continue to find joy between the covers of books.
FRANK L. COLE lives with his wife and three children out west. When not writing books, Frank enjoys going to the movies and traveling. The World’s Greatest Adventure Machine is Frank’s ninth published book and his second with Delacorte Press. His first was The Afterlife Academy.
Learn more about his writing at frankcolewrites.com, find Frank L. Cole on Facebook, or follow @franklcole on Twitter.
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The World's Greatest Adventure Machine Page 21