Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Willing my face not to reveal my thoughts about this being “the nicest place in town” I assure her, “She’s potty-trained and well-behaved.”
“As long as you aren’t threatening my welfare,” Tessa adds. “She’s very protective.”
The woman nods, grinning. “Oh, they are. My little Diana was the same way. Never met a bad guy she wouldn’t take on in my defense. One time a car full of addicts looking for drug money pulled in here with an eye to empty my cash register. Diana bit every last one of them right on the butt.” She cackles. “They ran out of here so fast one of them fell over the porch railing and into the horse trough. I had a trough out there back then for the horse people. We don’t get them around here anymore, though—too many cryptid encounters—so I took it out.” She hoots again, slapping the counter. “But man, did they look funny dripping wet and clutching at their backsides as they piled into that old car.”
“Cryptid encounters?” Tessa asks, her brows sliding up her forehead as she glances my way. She mouths, “Like Bigfoot?”
“Sure enough,” Mrs. Meyer says. “Got a few different kinds, but the Tommyknockers are the ones who really put the horse people off. Your average Sasquatch is a shy creature. It sees someone coming and runs off into the woods to hide, unless it’s a mama with a baby to protect, and she feels you’re getting too close to her little one. But Tommyknockers?” She shakes her head as she taps a button, sending the printer behind her jolting to life. “Those little monsters love to dig holes on the trails, cover them up with leaves, and wait for a horse to come by and break an ankle. It’s just cruel. My friend Zeke doesn’t think they realize how much damage they’re doing, but I’ve looked a Tommyknocker in the face more than once. Not a shred of empathy in their miserable little bodies.”
She fetches the paper from the printer and slaps it down on the counter with a big grin. “Now, who’s going to sign? Whoever it is, I’ll need your driver’s license and a credit card for the damage deposit. I saw you already paid for the room online, but gotta take a card just in case. Hope that’s okay.”
“That’s…fine?” I glance Tessa’s way.
“Yes, that’s fine,” she says, confirming she’s up for a night in the forest with the cryptids. But I’m not really surprised. We both seem to have been bitten by the adventure bug.
Which reminds me as I pull out my ID and credit card…
“Do you have Wi-Fi, Mrs. Meyer?” I ask. “We wanted to do some research tonight on our next stop.”
“Call me Merry,” she says warmly, “everyone else does. And yes, I do. Network and password will be in your welcome brochure. It can get a little slow when everyone’s on at once, streaming their TV shows before bed, though. So, if you have important things to do, I’d advise getting it done first thing, before everyone’s back from dinner.”
“So, there are other guests?” Tessa asks with a soft laugh. “We were a little confused by the empty parking lot.”
“Oh, my yes, booked solid now that you three are here,” Merry says, her tone growing a touch more ominous as she adds, “Except bungalow seven. Don’t go anywhere near bungalow seven.”
“Why not?” I ask, as she passes over a brochure and an old-fashioned motel key attached to a carved wooden bird. “What happens in bungalow seven?”
She frowns. “Nothing happens, honey. It just has a hole in the roof I didn’t catch until it was too late. Now there’s mold in the walls. Gonna have to gut the entire thing and rebuild from scratch.” Her frown morphs into another wide grin. “But I love renovating. Can’t wait to give the Cinderella suite a whole new look. You’re in the Beauty and the Beast bungalow. If I’d had my druthers, I’d put a sweet couple like you in the Sleeping Beauty suite with all the pretty flowers on the wall, but I already have an older guy in there. From Seattle.” She lowers her voice to hiss, “He’s not very friendly so stay away from bungalow five, too, if you don’t want to get yelled at. Any questions?”
I glance back at Tessa, who shakes her head, before turning to Merry. “No, I don’t think so. Thanks so much.”
“You’re welcome, but be sure to move that camper off to the side of the lot, will you, doll? That’s the best way to be sure there’s room for everyone else to park.”
I nod. “Of course.”
Tessa waves as we step toward the door. “Thank you. Have a good night and good luck with your pickles.”
Merry cackles. “And good luck with yours!”
Outside, Tessa turns to me with a bemused grin, whispering, “What do you think she meant by that? Surely not…” She glances down at my waist, her cheeks flushing as she laughs again.