Peril at Granite Peak Read Online Free PDF Page A

glanced around and spotted Cody right away. He was perched on an overstuffed leather armchair near the fireplace, watching those rowdy little kids we’d seen earlier. There were three boys and a girl, ranging in age from five-ish on down to barely walking. All four of them were clustered around Blizzard, patting her on the head or tugging on her shaggy fur. Her brown eyes had a soft, patient look as she nosed at one of the boys.
    Cody spotted us coming and stood up. “You guys taking off?” he asked.
    â€œYeah. Sorry,” Chet said.
    Cody shrugged. “No, it’s okay. Seriously.” He smiled. “Trust me, I wouldn’t expect you to stay through the Blizzard of the Century or whatever they’re calling it.” He glanced around the lobby. “I’m surprised a few people areactually planning to ride it out here. Even most of the staff has already cut out.”
    He sounded resigned to the situation. “Yeah. Well, thanks for inviting us,” Frank said. “It was good meeting you.”
    â€œRight,” I put in. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back.”
    â€œCool.” Cody smiled and lifted a hand to high-five all three of us. “Safe driving, okay?”
    I laughed. “Easier said than done with Chet behind the wheel.”
    Cody chuckled. “Some things never change.” He elbowed Chet. “Remember that time at camp when you crashed your bike into the—”
    â€œKids? There you are!” He was interrupted by a harried-looking woman in her midthirties. She hurried over and grabbed a couple of the kids. “Leave the poor dog alone and find your shoes. Daddy’s almost packed up.”
    â€œDo you need any help, Mrs. Richmond?” Cody asked politely.
    We drifted away toward the entrance. “So what’d you crash into at camp?” I asked Chet.
    â€œThe head counselor.” Chet’s cheeks went pink as Frank and I laughed. “But that was a long time ago. I’d better go fetch the Queen.”
    He disappeared through the big glass double doors leading outside. Frank and I wandered over to our little pile of luggage.
    â€œShould we start dragging this stuff outside?” Frank suggested.
    â€œSure, why not.”
    Before long we’d transferred the entire pile to the sheltered pickup area right outside the main doors. I leaned against a column and watched a couple of cute college-aged girls with perky ponytails trying to shove a too-big duffel bag into the trunk of a subcompact.
    Did I mention that Frank is kind of a nerd? He didn’t even seem to notice the cute girls. Instead he was scanning the parking lot on the other side of the drive. There were only a few cars still parked over there. The snow was already starting to accumulate on top of them.
    â€œWhat’s taking Chet so long?” he wondered. “I can see his car from here.”
    I followed Frank’s gaze. The yellow jalopy was sitting where we’d left it yesterday. I could see Chet inside, but so far the car wasn’t moving.
    â€œHe’s probably chatting with the Queen,” I said. Then I stepped toward the college girls, who were still struggling with their bag. They really were awfully cute. And I wasn’t one to ignore women in need. “Need some help with that, ladies?”
    Just then Rick Ferguson appeared out of nowhere. “I’ve got it,” he said in his gravelly voice. “Thanks.”
    â€œSure.” I watched as the employee managed to wedge the girls’ bag into their trunk. As the girls climbed in and tookoff, I shifted my gaze to the fluffy flakes falling beyond the portico. “Snow’s picking up,” I commented.
    â€œYeah.” Frank squinted at the parking lot. “Let’s go hurry Chet along.”
    We headed out into the snow. I blinked as flakes blew into my face and stuck to my eyelashes. The temperature had dropped since we’d left the slopes, and