Bailey’s Estes Park Excitement Read Online Free

way around, don’t you?” asked Bailey.
    â€œYeah, the map in the brochure was helpful,” Kate replied. Then wrinkles lined her forehead. “I felt bad about that little boy getting hurt by the elk.”
    â€œI know. Me, too,” Bailey said.
    â€œI’m glad he seemed to be all right.”
    â€œThat camera-pen of yours is awesome!” Bailey grinned like she’d just won a prize at the fair. “I can’t wait to see the pictures you took today.”
    The hotel room door opened and Mr. Chang and Trina walked in with a full ice bucket. “Anyone want some ice for a bedtime drink of water?”
    â€œYeah!” Bailey ran into the bathroom to grab the plastic-wrapped glasses. They scooped ice into each one and added water from the tap. “Thanks!”
    â€œAre we ready for lights-out?” Mr. Chang asked.
    â€œJust a minute,” Kate replied. “Let me spread Biscuit’s blanket at the foot of the bed.” She and Bailey laid out the paw-printed fleece blanket, and Biscuit turned a tight, complete circle before plopping down on it. “All set!”
    Mr. Chang flipped off the light. “Good night.”
    â€œ ’Night, Dad.” Bailey lay in the dark with her eyes open. Moments later, she heard soft giggling.
    â€œGirls, get to sleep.” Mrs. Chang used her no-nonsense voice.
    â€œWe’re
trying
to,” Bailey answered, confused. The giggling came again, this time followed by childlike voices.
    â€œBailey, you heard your mother,” Mr. Chang warned sternly.
    â€œDad, it isn’t us!” Bailey complained. “Then who is it?” Trina smarted off. “How should I know?”
    The voices came again, the words unclear, but sure. “It’s the ghost children in the hallway!” Bailey yelled, sitting straight up.

Ghost Children of the Night
    Biscuit gave a low, throaty growl.
    â€œGhost children?” Mrs. Chang said, getting up. “Really, Bailey, I think you’ve been reading too many mysteries.”
    Bailey switched on the bedside lamp. “Hand me that hotel brochure, Kate.” She pointed to Kate’s suitcase, where she could see the brochure sticking out.
    Again they heard faint laughing and children’s voices.
    â€œDid it ever occur to you that those could be real children out there, rather than ‘ghost children,’ as you call them?” Trina leaned on one elbow in her bed.
    â€œListen to this,” Bailey said, folding the pamphlet back. “Guests often say they hear children playing in the hallway at night. One couple even checked out of the hotel very early in the morning complaining that the children in the hallway kept them up all night. However, there were no children booked in the hotel at the time. The children have since been called ‘ghost children of the night.’” Bailey lowered the hotel brochure and nodded emphatically. “See? Ghost children.”
    â€œI seem to recall seeing some boys in this hallway when we brought our luggage to our room,” Mr. Chang said. “Two boys. We could be hearing them, or any other children who are checked in.”
    â€œIf we hear the voices again, can I peek out the door to see if anyone’s out there?” Bailey asked.
    â€œIf you promise to get right to sleep afterward,” Mr. Chang answered with a yawn.
    â€œMe, too?” Kate asked. “You, too.”
    â€œYeah, that way there’ll be a witness when the body snatchers grab Bailey,” Trina teased.
    â€œTrina!” Mrs. Chang scolded. “That will be enough from you. Can we all just relax and get to sleep?” She flipped the light off.
    Hee-hee-heeeeee!
    â€œThat’s them!” Bailey said, jumping into her slippers and bathrobe. “I’m out of here!”
    Trina groaned. Biscuit barked fiercely then bounded off the bed and ran to the door.
    â€œMe, too!” Kate felt her way through the dark