Bailey’s Estes Park Excitement Read Online Free PDF Page A

were so grouchy yesterday when Biscuit barked at them.”
    â€œMaybe they’re afraid of dogs,” Trina said.
    â€œWho could be afraid of sweet little Biscuit?” Kate asked.
    â€œAs I recall, Biscuit wasn’t exactly his usual, sweet little self when he barked at the boys.” Mrs. Chang turned into the Waffle House driveway. “Let’s just give them a chance. We don’t know what’s going on in their lives. Maybe they’re having some kind of problems at home or something.”
    Bailey nodded. She never thought of that.
    â€œRight this way.” The hostess grabbed menus and motioned for them to follow her to two tables pushed together.
    Bailey sat next to Kate, with Justin and Joe directly across from them. While the adults chatted pleasantly, the children were silent. Bailey cleared her throat. “So how old are you?”
    The dark-haired boys shifted in their seats. They seemed uncomfortable making conversation with the girls.
    â€œI’m twelve,” Justin said, eyes narrowed.
    â€œAnd I’m ten,” Joe added less than enthusiastically.
    â€œYou’re about our ages, then,” Kate volunteered. “I’m eleven and Bailey’s nine.”
    â€œWhat about her?” Justin nodded in Trina’s direction.
    â€œThat’s Trina. She’s fourteen.”
    â€œUmph,” Joe said.
    Whatever that means
, thought Bailey. She eyed the boys more closely. They weren’t bad looking. They could even be considered cute if they smiled more. Freckles sprinkled Joe’s nose and round cheeks. Justin’s face was more chiseled and his build was more muscular than his younger brother’s. His eyes burned with anger or hurt or something Bailey couldn’t quite identify. His eyebrows pointed downward in what looked like a permanent frown.
    â€œDid you hear about the elk problem they’re having?” Kate asked, trying to be polite.
    â€œOf course we did,” Joe snapped. “Our grandparents live here.”
    â€œOh, right,” Bailey said. She added, “Did we say something wrong?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Justin placed his hands on the table, palms down as if he were about to jump up.
    Bailey shrugged. “Well, you just seem mad at us.”
    â€œWhy should we like you?” Joe scowled.
    â€œWhy shouldn’t you?” Kate smiled in spite of herself.
    â€œWe don’t have anything against you. We just don’t like your dog.” Justin leaned back and folded his arms.
    â€œHave you had a bad experience with dogs before?” Bailey asked.
    Joe watched his older brother, waiting for his answer. “Maybe, maybe not.”
    â€œWell, I’m sorry if you did,” Kate said. “Biscuit is a really nice dog, and he’d never hurt a flea.”
    â€œWhatever.” Justin picked up his menu and hid behind it.
    â€œHave you eaten here before?” Bailey asked, changing the subject.
    â€œOur grandparents bring us here all the time,” Joe said, suddenly sounding almost friendly.
    â€œWhat do you recommend?” Kate asked.
    â€œI usually get the Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.” Joe licked his lips.
    â€œWhat about you, Justin?” Bailey asked.
    â€œI don’t have a favorite,” he said from behind his menu.
    â€œI’m thinking of the ham and cheese omelet,” Kate said. “Ever had it?”
    Justin lowered his menu slowly. Bailey saw his jaw clench. “I’ve had it and it’s fine,” he said through gritted teeth.
    Were those tears in his eyes?
Bailey blinked to see more clearly. Too late. The menu was back up again.
    The waitress took their orders and they ate their breakfast without much conversation.
    Afterward, Mrs. Chang and Trina went to do some shopping while Bailey and Kate took Biscuit for a walk and talked about their strange encounter with the Perkins boys.
    â€œSomething was definitely