Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
The plane landed at Sky Harbor airport. A few minutes later, the Bob-Whites, disembarked at the gate.
"Sky Harbor," mused Honey. "That’s rather poetic."
"I don’t see Uncle Monty anywhere," Diana fretted.
"There he is," Jim said, pointing.
"Hi, Bob-Whites!" boomed Uncle Monty. "Welcome to the Valley of the Sun!"
After a lot of excited greeting and chattering, Uncle Monty herded the Bob-Whites to a waiting van.
"Why is it called the Valley of the Sun?" Dan wondered.
"This is the low desert," Uncle Monty replied. "And it’s surrounded by mountains on every side."
"I wish we had time to spend at the ranch," Trixie said as the van pulled into the traffic.
"It wouldn’t be much fun now anyhow, Trixie," said Uncle Monty. "Summer is not the best season to visit Arizona, I’m afraid, unless you go to the high country."
"But we couldn’t drive through without seeing you, Uncle Monty," Diana said with a smile.
Uncle Monty smiled back. "Thank you, my dear. I do hope that the accommodations that are waiting for you at Redstone will make this visit a tad more comfortable. Your car arrived from Los Angeles safely thanks to the service and it's waiting for you at the hotel."
"Tell us about your new hotel," Brian said. "Sounds like a major investment."
"Oh, it is that. I’m not in it alone, though. My sister and brother-in-law are partners along with Adam Cranston."
"Mummy helped choose the color scheme last year," Diana said. "She’s quite excited about the hotel."
"Our grand opening isn’t until October," Uncle Monty explained. "But we are fully staffed and accepting patrons for this summer."
"I can’t wait to see it," Trixie said.
Half an hour later Trixie’s wait was over. Redstone was stunningly built against a backdrop of mountains and natural desert.
The inside of the hotel was luxurious with a light airy feel. Uncle Monty told the Bob-Whites that there would eventually be five restaurants at the hotel, but only one, Marnette’s, was opened this summer. There were also three swimming pools, a golf course, a fitness trail, and much to the boys’ delight there was a small water recreation area with water slides.
The Bob-Whites were shown to their rooms by Nancy Grant, the hotel manager. The girls were just across the hall from the boys. Each room had two double beds and Honey exclaimed that the view from the girls’ window was no less than "perfectly perfect".
After settling into their rooms, the Bob-Whites got cleaned up and dressed for dinner. They were supposed to meet Uncle Monty and his business partner Adam Cranston at Marnette’s at six o’clock for dinner.
"I am ready to go to bed right now," confessed Honey as they went downstairs.
"I’m sure we all could use some shut-eye," Dan agreed. "It’s been a long couple of days."
Marnette’s was surprisingly busy considering the hotel wasn’t officially opened until October. But then, reasoned Trixie, there would be four other restaurants, so perhaps it wasn’t that surprising after all that there should be so many hungry patrons.
Uncle Monty introduced the Bob-Whites to Adam Cranston and they all took their places at the table.
"How do you like your dinner?" Mr. Cranston asked Mart, who sat across from him.
"Often," Trixie said with a giggle.
Mr. Cranston frowned at her, which made her flush. He was clearly very serious.
"Ha-ha," Mart said in response to Trixie. Then he answered Mr. Cranston, "It’s pretty good. I especially like the rolls."
"Did you hear that, Monty?" Mr. Cranston said, scowling. "’Pretty good’."
"I heard it, Adam," sighed Uncle Monty. He looked around at the Bob-Whites. "Adam is concerned that the quality of the food isn’t up to the hotel’s standards."
"I don’t think you need to worry," Honey said with a bright smile. "I’ve eaten in some of the finest restaurants with my parents and I think this food is as good as any I had in them."
"I think my chicken is delicious," Jim chimed in.
"Hm," was all Mr. Cranston said.
"You can’t humor Adam," Uncle Monty laughed. "Let’s discuss something else. Have you made plans for tomorrow?"
"Well, we were thinking of going to the water park," Brian said.
"Sounds like a good idea, especially with this heat."
"I’d like to work in a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden," Mart said.
"That would be interesting," Jim agreed. "It’s supposed to be one of the best places to see desert plants and wildlife."
"You might also like to go up to Pinnacle Peak and visit Rawhide," suggested Uncle Monty.
"Rawhide?" Dan echoed.
"It’s a recreation of an Old West town. They have gunfights and stagecoach rides. That type of thing. You could go out there for dinner and walk around."
"Sounds like fun!" Trixie said. "I hope we have time. We’re only here for a few days."
"And I wanted to do some shopping, too," Di said.
"Why don’t we do the water park in the morning and Rawhide tomorrow evening?" Brian said. "We can visit the Desert Botanical Garden the day after tomorrow."
"And go shopping!" Di grinned.
After breakfast the next day, the Bob-Whites changed into swimwear and headed for the water recreation area on the hotel grounds. It was only ten o’clock in the morning, but the sun was already gaining strength, beating down on the Bob-Whites. They could hardly wait to hit the water.
After they had tired of the water slides and pools hey went back to the hotel; to change and grab some lunch. Then it was time to rest and relax before their trip to Rawhide that evening.
While Di showered in preparation for their outing, Trixie and Honey flipped aimlessly through the channels of the TV.
"There’s never anything on TV anymore," Trixie muttered.
"Hmm," Honey said. "Here’s the local news."
"…the looters may have gotten away with over a million dollars worth of artifacts. If you have any information about the theft, contact the FBI or call 602-555-7867."
"Isn’t that awful?" Honey said, clicking off the TV. "People have no regard for history."
"Correction," said Trixie, "criminals have no regard for history except what others are willing to pay for it."
"I guess. Still, it’s sad that these criminals destroyed part of the Indian ruins out of their greed."
Di came out of the bathroom and the girls finished getting ready for their evening out.
The sun was still shining as the Bob-Whites pulled up to Rawhide. It turned out to be a fun time. The Bob-Whites took turns panning for gold. They popped into the steakhouse for dinner before splitting up; Di, Dan, Honey, and Mart went on a stagecoach ride, while Trixie, Jim, and Brian took a mule ride through the desert. The sky was changing colors from blue to orange, then pink and purple.
The whole evening was "perfectly perfect" according to Honey and everyone agreed.
The next morning, after an early breakfast, the Bob-Whites headed to the Desert Botanical Garden. Mart was excited and explained to the others about the Garden and its vast collection of cacti and Sonoran desert flora.
"I only wish we could have been here in the spring," Mart said. "That’s when the wildflowers are blooming."
The Botanical Garden was impressive. Trixie hadn’t realized how much life there was in the desert. The Bob-Whites spotted many birds, including hummingbirds, hawks, and some Gambel’s quail which the Bob-Whites greeted with a whistle, laughing.
"I never knew that a cactus blossom was so pretty," Di said as they strolled the Desert Living Trail.
Mart was most interested in the water conservation information in The Desert House.
After they’d explored the Garden in depth, they turned back towards the park exit. As they walked, Trixie noticed a disheveled young woman wearing a faded baseball cap, with a maroon backpack slung over one shoulder coming from the opposite direction.
"Pardon me," the girl muttered as she brushed past Mart.
"Well, shall we check out the gift shop?" Honey asked.
"More shopping!" groaned Dan.
"Ha, ha," said Di.
"Mart, what’s wrong?" asked Trixie, noticing her brother’s frown.
"I don’t know," he said, patting his back pocket. Suddenly his face turned red. "That girl! She took my wallet!"
"What?" Brian said. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, positive," grumbled Mart.
"Quick, Jim said,"let’s block the exits. Someone needs to call security."
"There she is!" Trixie shouted, pointing at a distant figure.
Mart took off down the trail with Trixie not far behind. The girl saw them coming and veered down another path.
She’s trying to get to the exit, thought Trixie, but the other Bob-Whites are waiting for her there.
Sure enough, as Mart and Trixie rounded the trail, they saw Jim and Dan stopping the girl.
"I didn’t do anything," the girl was protesting as Mart and Trixie caught up to the group.
"My wallet!" Mart panted. "Give it back!"
"I don’t have your wallet," she snapped. "Let me go." She struggled against Dan’s grip.
"We’re waiting for the security guards," Jim said to her.
The girl paled. "I haven’t done anything," she said in a panicky voice. "Please!"
"If you give me back my wallet," Mart offered, "I won’t turn you in."
"Okay, okay!" she agreed hastily. "It’s in my backpack."
"I’ll look," Trixie said. She unzipped the girl’s backpack, surprised at its hefty weight. The inside was crammed with clothing. There were several crushed packets of saltines and a bottle of water. After a moment of rummaging, Trixie pulled out Mart’s wallet.
Mart counted his money and then nodded at Dan. "Okay, you can let her go."
Di and Brian returned to the group. "The guards are blocking the exit and patrolling the trails," Brian said, then he noticed the girl. "Hey!"
"It’s okay," Jim said. "Mart’s got his wallet back. I’ll alert security."
"What’s your name?" Trixie asked the girl.
"Why do you want to know?" she replied with suspicion.
"Oh, for heaven’s sake," Trixie sighed. "We’re not turning you in. But you look like you’re our age, and from your backpack I can tell you’ve been traveling."
"So? It’s none of your business!"
"Hey, come on," Dan said gently. "I think you’re in trouble. Maybe we can help you. My name is Dan Mangan."
"And I’m Trixie Belden," Trixie said. "And this is Honey Wheeler, and my brothers Mart and Brian."
"And I’m Diana," said Di with a smile.
The girl glanced around at them. "Okay. Hi. I’m Liz."
Jim returned, telling them that everything was fine. Dan introduced him to Liz. "We’re going to lunch," Dan said. "Would you like to join us, Liz?"
Liz shook her head. "No, I can’t."
"Our treat," Jim said.
Liz hesitated. "Well, okay." She seemed willing to trust them since they were her peers.
They drove to Scottsdale and decided to have lunch at The Sugar Bowl. The Sugar Bowl had an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor look to it, decorated in pink and white. While they waited to be served, the Bob-Whites read some of the Family Circus comics that adorned the walls.
When their food arrived, Liz eagerly dug into her hamburger. Trixie recalled the crackers she’d seen in Liz’s backpack and wondered how long it had been since Liz had a real meal.
"We’ve just come from Australia," Honey told Liz. "We’re staying at Redstone, Di’s uncle’s hotel, right now. Then we’ll
travel cross country home to New York."
"We live in a town called Sleepyside," Diana added.
"Sounds small," Liz mumbled through her burger.
"It is, but lovely," Honey said.
"I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!" declared Trixie.
"Where are you from, Liz?" Brian asked casually.
Liz froze. "Me? Nowhere special."
"Oh, you aren’t from here in Arizona, are you?" Jim asked.
"No. I—actually, I’m headed for Texas as soon as I can find transportation."
"What’s in Texas?" Dan said.
"My aunt," Liz answered. "My aunt lives in El Paso."
"When do you think you’ll be able to go?" Mart said to her.
"Who knows? I’ll probably hitch."
"But that’s so dangerous!" Diana said, her eyes wide.
"I’ve done it before," Liz said.
"We’re leaving for Chicago, tomorrow," said Jim. "We’ll be driving through New Mexico."
"Yeah?" Liz raised an eyebrow.
"We could drive you there!" Honey said.
"No, I don’t think so," Liz said, slurping the last of her soda. "Hey, is dessert included in the meal?"
"Sure, why not?" Brian said.
They all ordered some of The Sugar Bowl’s famous sundaes. After they were done eating, Liz jumped up from the table. "Well, thanks a lot for the food. I’m leaving now."
"Are you sure?" Dan said, frowning. "Do you have a place to stay?"
"Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself." And with that, Liz hurried out the door of The Sugar Bowl.
"I don’t care what she says," Jim said. "I am worried about her."
"Me too," agreed Dan.
Back at the hotel, the Bob-Whites relaxed in their rooms. They planned on an early dinner and bedtime so they would be fresh for the long drive the next day.
"We hardly had anytime to spend in Arizona," Honey sighed.
"Yeah, but we can come back someday," Trixie said. "If Uncle Monty doesn’t mind."
"He never would!" Di said.
"I wonder if Bobby will like this cactus candy I bought for him?"
"I had some," said Diana. "It’s pretty good."
"I hope Liz will be okay," Honey said quietly. "I think she may be in some kind of trouble."
"I think she is trouble," Trixie remarked.
"Now, Trixie, she only took Mart’s wallet out of desperation, I’m sure," Di said. "It was obvious she was hungry."
"I know," Trixie said. "I still don’t approve."
"None of us does," Honey said.
The next morning was a rush. The Bob-Whites ate a quick breakfast and then loaded the rest of their van.
"Thanks so much, Mr. Wilson," Honey said. "Your hotel is lovely."
"We appreciate your hospitality," Brian said, shaking Uncle Monty’s hand.
"Anything for the Bob-Whites."
"Thanks, Uncle Monty." Di hugged her uncle.
"Liz!" Dan exclaimed. The others turned their heads and saw Liz timidly approaching.
"Hi," she said. "I thought about what you said. I could use a ride to New Mexico."
"Sure," Brian said. "But why not to El Paso?
"You really will?" Liz said, surprised.
"Yes," Brian said. "It’s on our way, more or less."
Actually, it was out of their way, but nobody said anything.
"Oh, thank you!" Liz exclaimed, clasping her hands. "You’re too kind."
Trixie agreed. She didn’t quite trust Liz, even though the other Bob-Whites seemed satisfied with her story. Oh, well, thoughtTrixie. We’ll just drop her off in El Paso and that will be that.