Arrival In Willow Creek

A few days later, the Wandering Star Circus caravan arrived in Willow Creek.

After setting up at the spot that used to belong to the Cowlin family, Lisa and Rafael rode to the Riding Ring to try to aid in the case.

Phil and Sara Jane were pulling double duty not just with dirty dishes, but also with serving customers, and busting tables while Stevie was on bedrest.

Lisa and Rafael waved to Jason, Ashley, and Juliana who was known as Lucky to her family and friends who invited them to sit down at their table for breakfast.

Lisa and Rafael sat at the table where Ashley, Jason, and Lucky were sitting.

Sara Jane came around to the table with the Whyte family's food.

"Okay, that is two bacon strips, Texas toast, and scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee with cream for Jason, biscuits and gravy and a black coffee for Ashley, and a short stack of buttermilk pancakes with honey drizzled over strawberries and a hot chocolate with whipped cream for Lucky," Sara Jane said, serving her second cousin and her second cousin's family, then, turning to Lisa and Rafael, she added. "what will your pleasure be?"

"Rafael and I will be splitting an order of biscuits and gravy, and I would like a decaffeinated coffee with cream." Lisa ordered.

"And for you, sir," Sara Jane asked Rafael. "what may I get you to drink?"

"Just a strong black coffee, if you would please, Miss Lake-Marsten." Rafael ordered.

"Coming right up." Sara Jane said, racing off to give the order to Phil.

A little while later, Lisa, Rafael, Jason and Ashley were all buzzing around the kitchen of the Riding Ring trying to keep up with the flood of orders that had come in when the supper rush hit, they had taken over for the regular staff because Michael said that Nikki might show up there for some of her favorite foods when she got hungry.

So, Lisa made sure that she had a batch of broccoli cheddar soup ready.

Rafael made sure that he had ingredients for a grilled cheese sandwich kept aside for Nikki.

Lisa and Rafael with the help of a few staff members were dealing with the actual cooking back in the kitchen, and Jason and Ashley were taking orders and pouring coffee and whatever other drinks were ordered.

"Any sign of Nikki?" Lisa asked when Jason stepped up to the console next to the kitchen window and punched another order.

Jason shook his head, "Not yet, though, I'm worried that in this mad house, Nikki could walk in and out before we ever saw her!" he said.

"That's not helping!" Lisa said.

"Sorry, you're right." Jason said.

"I'll let Michael and Stevie know." Lisa said.

"Good," Jason said to Lisa. "tell Michael to try to think of some other places for us to look."

Lisa nodded.

Just as she finished sending the text messages, the bell over the door jangled again signaling an arrival, Lisa looked up and smiled to see Risa and Evie walking in.

Earlier Lisa had texted them and told them to have Carmen come over to look after Angelo while they came by the Riding Ring to pick up some supper since she couldn't be at home to cook.

Just as the girls sat down on stools by the bar to wait for their order. the door opened again and in walked a skinny curly haired boy with a smug look about him.

"Oh no," Risa groaned quietly, "It's Reginald Van Forsythe IV!"

"Reggie's son," Rafael said, who had come to see his girls. "Oh no! He's as arrogant as his smug parents! What's he even doing here?"

"He's probably still trying to find an excuse to get the riding ring shut down," Lisa said. "that over-priced steakhouse his family owns hasn't been doing so well since this place opened."

"Just keep it cool," Evie said. "maybe he won't notice us!"

"We can't be that lucky." Risa muttered.

Reggie IV walked right on past the Atwood girls as if he didn't even notice them.

"What is he up to?" Evie asked.

"I don't know," Risa answered Evie. "but we had better put a tail on that donkey!"

Risa and Evie followed Reggie IV to where Lucky was sitting and continuing to finish her hot chocolate.

"Oh no!" Evie concluded.

"It's one thing to bully us! But to bully Lucky," Risa observed. "Van Forsythe has gone too far this time!"

"We have got to intervene." Evie agreed with Risa solemnly.