Author Note: Here is the tenth chapter. More characters, more questions, and more clues are in this chapter and upcoming ones. I don't own the characters or plot of The Secret of Shadow Ranch. I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
"Whew, I'm hot!" Joe exclaimed as the four young people exited the stables after putting away their riding gear. "It will be nice to have a nice cool glass of water and something to snack on to get my energy back."
"Just don't eat too much now." Frank warned, swinging open the wooden gate. "Shorty said that we were going to have hamburgers and a bonfire tonight."
"Thank goodness he is taking Dave's advice instead of trying one of his culinary masterpieces." Relieved, Nancy laughed as she remembered the previous meals that the overly aspiring cook had created. Shutting and latching the gate, the smile dropped from the detective's face as she pondered the question of who the criminal was that had irked her for many days now. All four of her main suspects seemed unlikely. Dave might be shy but he had proven to have a true gentleman while Shorty was a gossipmonger but also a softie. Mary might have kept some secrets but she was polite and welcoming. And although Tex might seem like the obvious villain from his threatening and cranky attitude, the detective believed that deep down, he had a good heart. Still, one of those four was probably the person behind the ghost horse and accidents at Shadow Ranch. If only she could meet the Rawleys and Sheriff, Nancy felt that she might understand more about who her suspects were really. Sighing in confusion, Nancy turned around and followed the three guys toward the house. The sound of clunky engine and friendly horn honking from behind the front yard of the ranch stopped the discouraged sleuth. Turning around, she saw a small rusty red car pull in. A tall gray-haired man with a cheerful face and huge smile was driving while a plump motherly looking woman with her hair up in a bun was waving genially out the front passenger window.
"Is that the Rawleys?" Frank jogged over to Nancy and gazed at the noisy vehicle that was rolling to a jolted abrupt stop.
"I am guessing so." Walking toward the beaming couple emerging from their car, Nancy felt excitement and relief bubble up in her. Finally she was going to meet the people who had invited her to their home and who might be able to shed some new light on the case.
"Nancy dear, it is so nice to meet you!" Scurrying over to the young detective and engulfing her in hug, Bet Rawley proved to be even more welcoming than she had seemed over the phone. With a smile, Nancy returned the hug before pulling back.
"Thank you so very much for inviting me here." The sleuth began but was interrupted by Ed who was walking over with a slight limp.
"Nonsense! We should thank you for being here at just the right time. Who would have thought that we would have a world famous sleuth with us just when odd things start happening?" With a twinkle in his eye, the friendly man grasped Nancy's hand and pumped it up and down in an enthusiastic manner.
"Whatever Bess and George told you about me was probably a bit of an exaggeration." Nancy laughed. "Speaking of famous sleuths, Frank and Joe Hardy along with my boyfriend Ned just arrived yesterday." Gesturing to the three guys, Nancy stepped back as the Rawleys welcomed her friends.
"It is wonderful to meet all of you." After warmly greeting all of the boys, Bet stood back with her hands on her hips and a large smile on her face. "You have no idea how much I love having visitors especially youngsters like yourselves. This should be fun!"
"Speaking of fun visitors," Her husband began when the sound of another engine interrupted him. Everyone turned to see a blue truck pull in next to the car. As the large vehicle stopped, two figures jumped out of it with squeals and shouts of joy and dashed toward the group.
"Well, it looks like I won't get to tell you the good news." Shaking his head with a grin, Ed moved to the side to clear a path for the running newcomers.
"Bess, George, you're here finally!" Nancy shouted joyfully before nearly being knocked over by the two cousins. The three girls giggled as they hugged each other. Finally, George pulled back and gazed around the area.
"You have no idea how good it is to be here at last. This place is amazing, Aunt Bet and Uncle Ed!" Clearly impressed by ranch, George embraced her relatives before waving at the boys standing behind Nancy.
"This is going to be so great!" Bess squeal, jumping up and down as she tackled the Hardy boys and Ned. "When did you guys get here?"
"We arrive yesterday. Since then not too much has happened." Hugging both girls briefly, Ned looked more comfortable than he had the whole day. Although it hurt a bit that her boyfriend seemed at ease around her friends than herself, Nancy tried to be grateful that the tense football was finally enjoying himself.
"Yeah, nothing important happened if you don't count finding gemstone, riding horses across the dessert, exploring a creepy ghost town, and decoding a love note." Winking at Bess which caused her to blush prettily, Joe nudged his way into the group of people to greet the newcomers followed by his brother.
"You did all of that without us? How come we have to miss all of the excitement, George?" Pouting, the blonde whined.
"Wait one moment now." Kindly but firmly, Bet Rawley interrupted her niece and placed her hand on George's shoulder. "There will be plenty time for us to discuss the strange happenings and adventures tomorrow. Right now, Shorty is just finishing up the preparations for a bonfire. So how 'bout we all get washed up and ready for a fun evening? Go on then." Shooing everyone into the house, Bet took her husband's arm and helped him up the front stairs.
"I am going to take a quick shower and get out of these sweaty clothes." Jogging up the staircase, Nancy waved at her friends behind her. Entering her room and opening her suitcase, the perspiring detective pulled out a pair of jeans along with dark blue tank top and carried them into the bathroom. After a few minutes, Nancy finished her quick refreshing shower. After pulling on her clean clothing, Nancy scooped up her dirty outfit strewn on the tiled floor and went back into her room once again. Placing the old laundry in a plastic bag and grabbing a light green shawl for when the temperature changed, the titan-haired girl nodded her head as she went through the mental checklist of things that she wanted to do before the bonfire. A familiar woman's voice coming from outside halted her thoughts. Peeking out her window, the surprised girl saw Mary Yazzie speaking calmly with the Rawleys and Tex before waving, mounting her horse, and riding off toward her shop.
"Why on earth was Mary Yazzie here?" Scrunching her eyebrows together in confusing, Nancy pondered what she had just seen. When did the Rawleys star getting along so well? Had Mary known that the couple would be back home and if so, how? Numerous questions filled the detectives head as she turned to leave the room. However she stopped as her eyes rested on a yellow folded piece of paper lying on the floor underneath her door.