The Inn Between Read Online Free PDF Page B

Quinn wondered how they had had time to prepare the pizza. It was like it had been ready before they even ordered.
    Josh didn’t waste any time wondering. He ate like a half-starved hyena. Mr. and Mrs. Cawston each had a slice, claiming it was the best pizza they’d ever had. Quinn’s pie was delicious. The graham crust was sweet, with a hint of coconut, and the lime was tart—exactly the way she liked it.
    â€œToo bad we don’t have bathing suits,” said Kara. “The sign said there’s a pool.”
    â€œAnd a sauna,” said Josh.
    â€œIt’s late,” said Mr. Cawston. “If we want to get an early start we should hit the hay.” Instinctively Quinn searched the room for a clock, but there wasn’t one.
    â€œYou know, Spence,” said Mrs. Cawston, resting her hand on his arm and glancing around the room, “this place is so lovely. It reminds me of the vacations we used to do, before the kids.”
    Kara looked at Quinn and winced.
    â€œLike that time after college when we drove along the coast in that beat-up Gremlin,” she continued. “We stayed in all those little places, like the Happy Landing Inn in Carmel, and that musty old Mariners Inn in Cambria.”
    Mr. Cawston had the same faraway look in his eyes. “Remember how we heard that huge thunk and then realized we’d lost the transmission? We couldn’t stop driving or we’d never get the car started again.” He laughed.
    â€œYes. Well, I was thinking…”
    â€œYou want to stay awhile?” he said. “Hang out for a day or two and then drive on?”
    â€œWhy not?” said Mrs. Cawston. “We’re in no rush. You don’t start work for another week. Once we get settled and you start in at the new office we won’t be able to get away. Life’s about the journey, remember?”
    â€œCan we, Dad?” asked Kara. “Please?”
    â€œYeah,” said Josh. “This place is awesome.”
    Everyone looked at Quinn.
    â€œWell,” said Mrs. Cawston. “What do you think?”
    Quinn smiled. “Sure. So long as we let Mom and Dad know.” Kara swung her arm around Quinn and they bounced backward onto the bed.
    â€œOf course,” said Mrs. Cawston. “We’ll call them in the morning. I’ll charge my phone and we’ll make sure we get a signal.” Then she turned toward Mr. Cawston. “We’ll stay a night. Maybe two. We can go for hikes in the desert, get a close look at those Joshua trees—they’re blooming, you know.”
    â€œI’d love to see a blooming Josh!” Kara laughed.
    â€œVery funny. Hey, maybe we’ll see some snakes and lizards!” said Josh.
    â€œOr aliens,” said Kara.
    Quinn smiled. Snakes and aliens. Perfect.
    â€œI’ll check with the front desk,” said Mr. Cawston. “Make sure the rooms are available.” He slipped into the hallway.
    â€œOkay, guys. It’s been a long day,” said Mrs. Cawston, clapping her hands. “Time for bed. Let’s go, girls.”
    Surprisingly, Josh didn’t put up much of a fight. He was already heading toward the bathroom when the three left the room.
    Kara and Quinn weren’t tired. They protested, but since Kara’s mother would be sleeping in the bed beside them, they didn’t have much choice but to do as she said and get washed up and ready for bed.
    Quinn got into her flannel shorts and favorite baseball jersey. She slipped beneath the quilt just as Kara’s mom said, “Lights out.”
    For a while she and Kara talked in the secret language Kara had developed for use during dark sleepovers. If Quinn traced a heart on Kara’s shoulder it meant Who do you like? Kara would spell the boy’s name with her finger on the palm of Quinn’s hand. If Kara touched Quinn’s hand to her foot and pretended to squash it, it meant What’s bugging you? Quinn