“What about other hotels?” asked Scott, who’d rejoined them. “There must be plenty of hotels in the area.”
“All full,” said Mom. “It’s a miracle this motel still had a few rooms left.”
“Probably because it’s a dump,” said Scott. “So what room did you get me?”
“We’re all in the same room, Scott,” said Dad. He handed the baby to Mom. “Now help me get the bags out of the car, will you? Before this blizzard snows it under completely.”
Scott stared at his dad. “The same room? You mean me and duck-face have to share a room?”
“Be nice to your sister,” said Dad automatically.
“We all have to share a room, poo-brain,” said Maya with a slight grin. The look on her brother’s face almost made it worth it to suffer the intolerable cruelty of being cooped up with the rest of her family in the same room for three days.
“All of us? In one room? No way!” Scott cried.
“At least we’re in a room,” said Maya. “But if you prefer to spend the next three nights on a camping cot in some high school gym be my guest. At least I won’t have to live through the horror of sharing a bed with my idiot brother.”
“Sharing a bed! You gotta be joking!” Scott looked absolutely horrified now, and it was gratifying to know that Maya wasn’t the only one going through hell right now.
“Scott,” Dad said. “Come on, dude. Let’s get that luggage before it’s too late.”
And as Scott and Dad walked away, Maya could hear her brother loudly complain about this latest tragedy that had befallen him.
“Teenagers,” she said. “Can’t live with them. Can’t kill them.”
Mom grinned, then immediately wiped away her smile. Parenting 101: never give the impression of partiality, especially by appearing to approve when one kid lambasts another.
“Come on,” Mom said. “Let’s find our room, before someone else gets there first.”
Maya, holding the leash Scott had relinquished, tugged it and Ralph gave a cheerful bark.
At least one member of this family was happy with this unexpected adventure.
Start Reading Murder Motel Now
About Nic
Nic Saint is the pen name for writing couple Nick and Nicole Saint. They’ve penned 70+ novels in the romance, cat sleuth, middle grade, suspense, comedy and cozy mystery genres. Nicole has a background in accounting and Nick in political science and before being struck by the writing bug the Saints worked odd jobs around the world (including massage therapist in Mexico, gardener in Italy, restaurant manager in India, and Berlitz teacher in Belgium).
When they’re not writing they enjoy Christmas-themed Hallmark movies (whether it’s Christmas or not), all manner of pastry, comic books, a daily dose of yoga (to limber up those limbs), and spoiling their big red tomcat Tommy.
Also by Nic Saint
The Mysteries of Max
Nora Steel
The Kellys
Washington & Jefferson
Alice Whitehouse
Ghosts of London
Between a Ghost and a Spooky Place
Charleneland
Neighborhood Witch Committee
Saffron Diffley
The B-Team
Tate-à-Tate
Ghosts vs. Spies
The Ghost Who Came in from the Cold
Witchy Fingers
The Mysteries of Bell & Whitehouse
Standalone Novels
ThrillFix
Short Stories