Elizabeth followed them into the house and walked into the kitchen. She felt as comfortable here as she did in her own kitchen. Pulling three glasses out of the cabinet, she filled them with ice. She figured she’d let Megan and her mom have some privacy.
She poured sweet tea from a pitcher in the refrigerator and transferred three slices of chocolate pie from the box to small plates. She found forks and napkins. Then she listened to see if Megan had told her mother the news yet.
“Megan, what are you talking about?” Mrs. Smith asked her.
“Mom, I’m telling you, we’re rich! We just don’t know where our treasure is.”
“‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,’” Mrs. Smith quoted Matthew 6:21.
Megan paused. “Mom, this is serious. Some man gave Grandma some priceless gemstone marbles. We have to find out what happened to them!”
Though Megan had never met her grandmother, she still referred to her as “Grandma.” She told Elizabeth once that she liked imagining what the woman was like.
Mrs. Smith yawned. “Elizabeth, what’s taking you so long, child? I thought you were fixin’ us some tea!”
Elizabeth appeared with the tea tray.
“Look at you!” the woman smiled. “Before ya’ know it, you’ll be working at the restaurant with Megan. How did you girls grow up so fast?”
Megan looked frustrated. Her mother clearly didn’t understand how important the gemstones were. “Mom, aren’t you going to try to find out more about the marbles?”
Mrs. Smith took a bite of her pie and then leaned back. “Megan, honey, that sounds like a wonderful story. But if any lost jewels existed, we would have heard about them long before now. If this little story makes you happy, and you want to go hunting these marbles, go right ahead. I’m tired, and I don’t have room in my life right now for fairy tales.” Then, seeing Megan’s disappointed look, she sighed. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll call your Uncle Jack and see if he knows anything. I was only nine, but he was fifteen. Maybe he remembers something I don’t. But then I don’t want to hear any more about it. I—I don’t like to think about that time.”
Megan leaned over her mother’s chair, hugged her, and then sat back down. The three finished their pie and tea, and Elizabeth excused herself. “Thank you for the refreshments. I’d better get home now. I’ll see you tomorrow, Megan.”
Megan waved goodbye, and Elizabeth let herself out. She could tell her friend was disappointed. But Mrs. Smith’s disinterest might not be a bad thing. The woman had experienced a lot of discouragement in her life. It might be better not to get her hopes up.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Elizabeth thought of the verse she had known for years. Lord, she prayed, Mrs. Smith could use some hope and some strength. Please help us find those jewels.
The next couple of days passed quickly as Elizabeth continued to research the gemstones. She found several more dealers, but nothing about stolen or missing marbles. She was glad when Tuesday rolled around, and sat waiting by the phone. McKenzie was supposed to call when she arrived at the Big Texan Motel.
Elizabeth jumped when the phone finally rang. “Hello?”
“Beth, it’s Mac. We’re here!”
Elizabeth squealed. “I’ll be there in ten minutes!” she told her friend, and nearly hung up before she asked for the room number.
“I’m in room thirty-four, right in front of this big, funny shaped pool,” McKenzie told her.
Elizabeth stopped in her tracks. “Mac, surely you know that pool is in the shape of Texas.”
McKenzie giggled. “I know. I just wanted to hear what you’d say to me. I’ve heard you Texans are very proud of your state.”
“It’s only the best place on God’s green earth!” Elizabeth said.
“Well, that may be true, but I haven’t seen much green yet. You didn’t tell me you live in the desert!” McKenzie teased.
Elizabeth laughed. “I’ll see you in ten—no, in five minutes!”
She kissed her mother on the cheek. Mom had invited Mac and her family for dinner, and was planning to stop by the motel later to introduce herself.
Elizabeth was almost out the door when James called, “I want to come!”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Mrs. Anderson said. “Elizabeth, James has been cooped up in this house all day. Would you take him with you? I’ll be there in less than thirty minutes to get him.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Come on, little brother.”
James lunged at her, squeezing her. “Thank you, Bettyboo! You are the best sister in the world.”
Elizabeth hugged him back, and said, “You won’t think that if you keep calling me Bettyboo!”
James giggled and ran out the door ahead of her. “Bettyboo, Bettyboo, Bettyboo!”
Elizabeth took off after him. Some days she didn’t know whether to hug her little brother, or clobber him.
An hour later, she and McKenzie sat by the large, Texas-shaped pool sipping sodas, while Mrs. Anderson visited with Mr. and Mrs. Phillips. James and McKenzie’s eight-year-old brother, Evan, sat on the edge of the pool splashing their feet in the water and using a paper cup as a boat.
“So, when do I get to meet Megan?” Mac asked. “Is there any more news on the marbles?”
“We’ll walk down to the restaurant in a few minutes. Her break isn’t for another half hour. We’ve hit a dead end with the marbles. Her mother just isn’t interested in finding out about them. She thinks it’s a fairy tale.”
McKenzie thought about that. “I guess she doesn’t remember anything about the man or the marbles. I wonder if there is anybody else we can ask.”
“I guess we can talk to Jean Louise some more, but I think she’s told us all she knows,” said Elizabeth.
The two girls leaned back in their lounge chairs, sipped their drinks, and thought about the mystery.
A little while later, the girls pushed open the doors of the restaurant and adjusted their vision.
“Well, look who’s here!” Jean Louise greeted them in her nasal twang. “You must be here to see Megs. I think her usual table is open, and she’ll be out in a few.”
“Megs?” McKenzie whispered as they walked through the restaurant.
“That’s Jean Louise. Megs is a pet name for Megan. Watch out. She has a pet name for everyone, and I’m sure she’ll come up with something for you too.”
McKenzie smiled. “What does she call you?”
After a pause, Elizabeth giggled. “Liza Jane. She sings a song about ‘Li’l Liza Jane’ to me.”
Just then, Megan slid into the booth next to Elizabeth. “Hi! You must be McKenzie.” She reached out her hand.
McKenzie returned the handshake. “And you must be Megan.”
They were interrupted by Jean Louise, smacking her gum. “I see you’ve added a new person to your club,” she said. “How ya’ doin’, Red?”
McKenzie smiled at the reference to her hair.
“McKenzie and Elizabeth are experienced mystery-solvers. They’re going to help me find out about the—” Megan started to say.
“Shhhh!” Jean Louise snapped. She leaned forward. “I thought I told you to keep this quiet.”
McKenzie looked confused.
Megan told her, “It’s okay, Jean Louise. McKenzie is Elizabeth’s friend, and I trust her. Besides, she’s not from around here. She’ll be gone in a few days.”
Jean Louise eyed Mac with suspicion, but then her gaze softened. “Well, what’s done is done. But you need to hush up. The man who has been nosing around is sitting right over there.”
The three girls turned, trying to get a look at the man in the cowboy boots. His long legs stuck awkwardly from under the table, and he looked a bit like a giant at a tea party.
“Turn around!” Jean Louise whispered. “I thought you girls were supposed to be detectives. You don’t want him to know you’re staring at him!”
The girls whipped back around in the
ir seats. “Oh yeah, she’s right,” said Mac. “Elizabeth, you have the best angle. Tell us what you see.”
“Well, uh, he looks about my dad’s age, and he’s having a cheeseburger and french fries,” she said.
“Who cares what he’s eating?” Megan whispered.
Jean Louise rolled her eyes. “Look, girls, why don’t you wait until he gets up to leave. Then you can get a better look. For now, just hold your horses. I’ll bring you some leftover pecan pie.” She turned to leave.
“Jean Louise,” called Elizabeth.
The woman turned back around, and Elizabeth continued. “Is there any more you can tell us, or anyone else we can talk to?”
Jean Louise cocked one hip and rested her notepad there. “I’ve told you girls all I know, and nobody else was around back then, except my—hey! Why don’t I take you girls to meet my mama? She would love the company, and Megan, she would just love to meet you. She loved your grandma so much. It nearly broke her heart when she died.”
The girls perked up at the idea. “That sounds great,” Megan answered. “When can we go?”
“You’re off tomorrow, aren’t you? Why don’t we go about ten o’clock in the morning. Meet me here, and I’ll drive you over.” She looked at the other two girls. “Since y’all are in on this too, you’re welcome to come if your parents agree.” With that, the woman moved to another table to refill some iced tea glasses.
Elizabeth continued to discreetly eye the cowboy. “That is one tall man,” she said. “Did y’all see how long his legs are?”
Just then, the man looked directly at Elizabeth and smiled. Had he heard her? She quickly looked away, then back. He winked at her!
She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. Then she giggled.
“What? What are you laughing at?” the other two asked her.
“He winked at me!” she whispered. They all leaned to look at the man, who was now walking toward the cash register. His head nearly brushed against the ceiling fans, and he had to duck around the longhorn chandeliers.
“Let’s follow him,” Mac whispered. She and Elizabeth stood to leave.
“Wait! I’m not through with my shift!” Megan called.
Just then, Jean Louise showed up with their pie. “You’re not leaving before you have this, are you?”
Elizabeth and McKenzie looked at each other, then at the man. “Can you put it in a box for us? We’ll be back for it later!” Elizabeth told her, and they followed the man. “Thanks, Jean Louise!” she called over her shoulder.
Megan and Jean Louise stared open-mouthed after the two girls. “Apparently, they’re serious about this detective business,” said Megan.
Out in the sunlight, the girls looked to the right and the left. They barely caught sight of the tall man in the cowboy hat as he turned the corner. They followed quickly, trying to act casual.
As they turned the corner, they crashed into James. Mrs. Anderson was a few steps behind him.
“Beth! McKenzie’s daddy is going to let me ride a horse! Mama’s taking me home now to get my boots and cowboy hat!”
Elizabeth and McKenzie peered over Mrs. Anderson’s shoulder at the tall man. He was going, going…gone.
“I thought you two were going to sit with Megan during her break. That was a short break,” the woman said.
“Well, we…uh,” Elizabeth stammered.
James jumped up and down. “Do ya’ want to ride horses with me, Beth?”
McKenzie jumped in. “That will be fun, James. We’ll meet you at the stables in a little while.”
Mrs. Anderson and James waved and continued toward the parking lot. The girls went in the opposite direction, trying to determine where the man had turned.
“He could have turned here, at the ice machines, or up there, or…it’s no use. We lost him,” Elizabeth said.
“Well, since he walked toward the rooms, he’s probably a guest here. Maybe we should hang out here today and see if he turns up again,” McKenzie replied.
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
Later that afternoon, the two Camp Club Girls leaned on the railing of the Big Texan Horse Hotel. Evan waited patiently as Mr. Phillips led James, dressed in red hat and boots, on a black-and-white spotted pony. “Giddy-up! Look, Beth! I’m a cowboy!”
McKenzie laughed. “Your brother sure is cute!”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yeah, I guess he’s okay, as far as brothers go.” She waved at James as he rode by.
Sue Anderson and Jen Phillips sat on a long bench in the shade, talking.
Elizabeth continued, “I can’t wait for you to meet my dad.”
“Aren’t we all going to your house for dinner tonight?” McKenzie questioned.
“That’s the plan. Dad’s going to cook out. We’ll have hamburgers and hot dogs. Mom even got a watermelon.”
“Yummm! I love watermelon,” McKenzie continued. They both waved at James again. Neither noticed the tall shadow that appeared beside them until Mr. Phillips looked up and smiled.
“You’ve got a couple of mighty fine lookin’ cowboys there,” said the man, gesturing to Evan and James.
“Yep. Cowboys in training, anyway,” said Mr. Phillips, helping James down from the pony. When both boys were safely out of the paddock, McKenzie’s dad held out his hand. “Dan Phillips,” he said.
“I’m Mark Jacobs,” said the man, and the two shook hands.
“Is one of these horses yours?” asked Mr. Phillips.
The man pointed to a gorgeous brown-and-white quarter horse. “That’s Lucy. She’s one of the best horses I’ve ever owned. I’m going to miss her.”
“You’re getting rid of her?” Phillips asked.
“Yep. I’m here for the rodeo this weekend. I’m riding in it. But this rodeo life is getting tiresome, and I’m looking to retire. I want to buy a little spread of land about ten miles from here, but I need to sell all my stock to do it. I’m also waiting for a few other things to fall into place.”
Elizabeth and McKenzie looked at one another, wide-eyed.
Phillips looked at Lucy. “Would she be any good on a ranch?” he asked.
“Oh, definitely. She was bred for ranching. Like I said, she’s one of the best horses I’ve worked with,” the man said.
“I’ve been looking to buy another horse for my ranch. We live in Montana. I may be interested in buying her when you finally get ready to sell. Of course, I’d like to see her in action,” Mr. Phillips told him.
“Why don’t you come watch the rodeo tomorrow night? Bring your whole family. I have a box reserved, but nobody to fill it,” the man said.
Elizabeth and McKenzie made frantic eye contact but remained quiet.
Mr. Phillips and Mr. Jacobs began walking toward where the two women sat in the shade. Mr. Phillips introduced the ladies, then told them, “Mark, here, has invited us to be his guests at the rodeo.”
“All of you,” Mr. Jacobs said, looking at Elizabeth’s mom. “Bring your families. I’ve got about a dozen seats just waiting to be filled.”
“That is very kind of you,” Mrs. Anderson replied. “Why don’t you join us at our house this evening? We’re having a cookout. When Robert, my husband, starts grilling, he goes a little overboard, and we usually have enough food to feed an army!”
Jacobs laughed. “He sounds like my kind of man. I’d love to join you. I’m on the road most of the time, and I don’t get many home-cooked meals.”
Elizabeth didn’t know if this was a good development or a bad one.
Mr. Phillips noticed the girls and motioned to them. “Girls, this is Mr. Jacobs. Mark, this is my daughter, McKenzie, and her friend Elizabeth.”
“I…uh…it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Elizabeth held out her hand. McKenzie followed suit.
“I believe I saw these young ladies at the restaurant.” The man smiled.
The men turned toward the bench where the two women were seated and continued their conversation.
“What are we go
ing to do?” McKenzie whispered.
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth whispered back.
“Well, this man clearly is a crook. I can’t let my dad do business with him! And we certainly don’t want him coming to your house!”
“What makes you think he’s a crook?” Elizabeth asked, though she had the same idea about the man.
“Just look at him! He’s way too handsome to be honest,” McKenzie whispered frantically. “Look at that smile. He’s just oozing with charm. That can’t be real.”
The girls stared at the tall, good-looking cowboy who looked like he had just ridden into town straight from a movie set. At that moment, the man turned and saw them looking at him. He winked!
A Peek into the Past
Elizabeth and McKenzie looked at one another in shock, but remained quiet. They weren’t sure what to make of this development.
Mrs. Anderson smiled. “It’s settled then. You can come over with the Phillips family. We’ll see you all around seven?”
The adults agreed to the time, and Elizabeth’s mother stood to leave. “I’d better get going, so I can prepare our feast! Elizabeth, are you coming home with me, or would you like to stay awhile longer?”
“Oh, I’ll stay here if that’s okay. McKenzie and I really need to talk to Megan.”
Mrs. Anderson looked at her. “You’re not distracting Megan from her work, are you? I wouldn’t want her to get in trouble.”
“No, ma’am. That’s why we’re waiting here until she gets off.”
“Well, be sure to invite Megan and her mother for dinner,” Mrs. Anderson said. She took James by the hand and bid the group goodbye.
The two girls walked casually around the stables, pretending to look at horses.
“What should we do?” asked McKenzie.
“I think we should stay close, and see what happens,” said Elizabeth.
“But now he’s coming to your house! He’ll know where you live!” McKenzie continued.
“So?” Elizabeth said.
“So, I just don’t like the idea of the man we’re trying to investigate getting so close to you and your family,” McKenzie told her.
Camp Club Girls: Elizabeth Page 13