“Daddy says after everyone has finished dinner,” Saylor told them, wrinkling her nose in disappointment.
“We could eat really fast?” Aspen suggested.
“I do not want to do the Heimlich on everyone at the barbecue,” Giana said, shaking her head to avert that bad idea. The emergency responder in her adult side couldn’t risk that.
“Or Saylor could sweet-talk her daddy?” Pippa asked with a smirk of amusement.
“Sweet-talk me into what, baby?” Max asked.
Immediately, the Littles turned to where Rexy stood guard for them. Unfortunately the huge dog had fallen asleep, and his legs thrashed as he chased rabbits and squirrels in his doggie dreams. They all spun back to look at each other and couldn’t be upset with Aspen’s pet. He was so cute!
“Um, Saylor?” Max asked, reminding them of his question.
Thinking quickly, she blurted, “We want to have another party next weekend.”
Max looked at her curiously before nodding. “Okay. You can just ask. No sweet-talking needed. Oh, by the way, I have a mystery for you to solve. There’s treasure waiting for you to find it.”
“What?” the Littles asked almost in synchrony.
“A treasure? Like a real treasure, or something like Brussels sprouts?” Pippa asked. When everyone turned to look at her,she raised her shoulders in a silent question. “A daddy might consider thattreasure.”
“No Brussels sprouts,” Max promised.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Brooklyn whispered.
“How do we find the treasure, Daddy?” Saylor asked.
“Go grab your glasses, Saylor,” Max reminded her.
“Oh, yeah! Wait for me.” Saylor was back in a few seconds with the funky, artistic frames her daddy had helped her pick out.
“Oh, those are so cute!” Brooklyn complimented her. “Now I want glasses.”
“Now that you’re ready, here’s the first clue, Saylor. When you all figure that out, you’ll find the next spot to check,” Max told the group.
Saylor practically ripped the card out of his hand. Opening it, she easily read aloud, “Go look where Saylor always stores her portfolio.That’s easy. My trunk!”
“No running,” Max shouted after them as they raced into the house.
They slowed down until they were all inside. Then they took off for the car. Saylor had locked her car, or had her daddy? She ran back inside and grabbed her keys from the hook on the wall by the door. Racing back, she pressed the button repeatedly.
The trunk lid rose as they watched. A single white card lay on her portfolio. Brooklyn stepped forward and snatched it up. “The next clue is best friends with the drink mix that Pippa raided.”
“Follow me!” Pippa crowed and led the way back into the house. She dashed into the pantry with everyone hot on her heels. “Max stashes it back here. Got it!”
Pippa handed it to Saylor. “You read it.”
“Where Saylor first shook hands with her new best friend—eight times,” Saylor announced.
“That’s your stuffie, Tapper! Where did you meet him?” Giana asked.
“Daddy left him on the kitchen island.” Saylor pointed over everyone’s heads as they stood in the small pantry. Giggles abounded as they all struggled to navigate turning and exiting at the same time.
“It’s there!” Brooklyn said eagerly as she escaped. “What are those funny hats for?”
“Hats?” Saylor asked, as she walked last out of the enclosed area. “Oh, those are fun!” She stroked a feather sticking up from one and smiled.
“I don’t think those were here when we walked through before,” Aspen said. “Read it, Saylor.”
