The Pizza Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page B

Piccolo sat down next to the young woman. “We would have lost our business without people like you who came even when things were not so good.”
    â€œI see you’re busy now,” Laurie Baker said. “Today I even had to wait for a seat.”
    â€œAh, yes, yes,” Mr. Piccolo said when he came back with a cup of tea for the woman. “Almost too busy.” He nodded at the Aldens. “Of course, we have the best workers in Silver Falls. But even their busy hands and feet won’t be enough if we have more hectic days like this one.”
    Miss Baker seemed to be thinking hard about something. She clinked her teaspoon nervously. “Would you be looking for someone extra to help out?” she asked the Piccolos. “My parents used to have a restaurant before it went out of business. I worked there after school and during the summers. I can cook and wait on tables.” Just then she dropped her teaspoon on the floor and bent quickly to pick it up.
    The Aldens looked at each other but didn’t say anything. They didn’t have to; they were all thinking the same thing. None of them could picture this nervous, unsteady person talking to customers or balancing heavy trays.
    The Aldens could see that the Piccolos didn’t feel any of this. The faces of the couple were full of trust. “Ah, how we could use an experienced person like you in the coming days. After all, the Aldens won’t be able to stay forever!” Mrs. Piccolo said.
    The Aldens tried to be happy for the Piccolos. They weren’t sure about Laurie Baker. But if the Piccolos liked her, then the Aldens would learn to like her too!

CHAPTER 6
    The Mystery Orders
    I t turned out that Laurie Baker was very good in the kitchen. Thanks to her, the Aldens soon had more free time. But it didn’t last long. Henry’s delivery business took up a lot of time. Then there were ads to write for the newspaper and more coupons and flyers to persuade new customers to try out Piccolos’ Pizza.
    Laurie Baker encouraged all the children’s plans for going out and getting more business. The Aldens soon found themselves spending more time away from the restaurant than in it.
    It was Benny who first noticed how much he missed being around Piccolos’. After handing out discount-pizza coupons downtown one cold morning, he finally complained. “I liked making pizza better than I like selling it.”
    â€œI do too,” Violet confessed. She was cold and tired from standing on the corner of Main Street. “Right now, I wish I were rolling out circles of nice, warm dough and standing next to the Piccolos’ big, toasty oven.”
    â€œMe, too,” Jessie said.
    â€œMe, three,” Henry added as he pushed along his delivery bike on the way back to the restaurant.
    Jessie handed Violet her knit scarf. “Here, Violet. You look colder than I am. It does seem funny that we spend more time away from the restaurant now that the Piccolos hired Laurie.” Jessie couldn’t keep a sad note out of her voice. “I do miss making pizzas,” she sighed. “But I guess the Piccolos are lucky Laurie Baker came along. After all, we can only help out for a while. She’ll be around a lot longer.”
    â€œMaybe it’s time to ask Grandfather to come back for us,” Violet said in a quiet voice.
    No one disagreed.
    â€œWell, let’s stick around to see Nick,” Henry said. “Mrs. Piccolo said he called and is starting tomorrow.”
    â€œI don’t think Laurie’s going to like that one bit,” Benny said. He kicked a piece of ice down the sidewalk. “I bet she wishes she could run Piccolos’ all by herself.”
    The children weren’t as eager as usual to get to the restaurant. Since Laurie Baker’s arrival, their only jobs were to take orders and clean up.
    The Aldens went into the restaurant kitchen the back way. When Jessie stepped inside,