Book 4: Road Trip Adventures: The Sugar Squad Chronicles, #4

By Dr. Bee

Grayson is in for the road trip of a lifetime when his family heads across the Southwest visiting auto-tech programs for big brother Hunter. Missing his friends back home, Grayson is happily surprised by a special encounter midway through the journey. And a few epic snowboarding adventures don't hurt either! But this once-in-a-lifetime road trip is threatened with an abrupt ending when brother Hunter falls ill. Confronted with evil stories of the past and an unsettling trend of missing girls on his friend Lilly's reservation, Grayson may have gotten more than he bargained for with this trip.

 

Armed with optimism and bravery, Grayson and his Squad swiftly hatch a plan to combat the evil threatening Lilly, but soon discover that some problems are too complicated for kids alone to fix. Follow along on another bumpy adventure with the Sugar Squad, where innocence and harsh reality sometimes collide. Using tight bonds and humor when hope seems lost, these everyday heroes discover how to balance childhood dreams with grownup challenges, one day at a time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bravery Books
• Release date: Dec 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798990118010

Book preview

The Sugar Squad Book 4

Road Trip Adventures

Dr. Bee

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Bravery Books

Copyright © 2023 by Dr. Bee

Cover art by Al Constant and Lee Rich; Cover design by Jana Hayden

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Dedication

Since my girls were so actively involved in helping me craft the mystery for Book 3, I dedicated that book exclusively to them. That was incredibly hard for me to do, but I'm happy to now dedicate this book solely to my boys. They are undoubtedly the inspiration behind the characters and adventures in this story. As Connor (who is also my Number 1 beta reader) would probably enjoy pointing out, there have been a couple of instances where I accidentally wrote one of their names into the story. Although we've never actually taken this exact road trip together, we have visited a lot of these places together and they are the two people in the world that I truly enjoy spending endless days in a car with.

I'll also point out that the Las Vegas scene wouldn't have happened without my husband Mark's input. He has a heart for Vegas and is always happy to share his insights. Since I haven't officially dedicated a book to him yet, this one serves as a dedication to all my boys.

Contents

1.Packing Up and Heading Out

2.Highway Vibes

3.Beachin' It in the Desert

4.Grand Canyon Pit Stop

5.A Change of Plans

6.Restless Spirits

7.The Clouds Lift in Santa Fe

8.Desert Shredding: Snowboarding the Southwest

9.Blazing a Trail to Denver

10.A Surprise Meetup

11.Powder Days in the Rockies

12.Peaks and Pits

13.A Taste of Utah's Amazing Landscapes

14.Homeward Bound

Ready for some more fun with the Squad?

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK

Chapter 1

Packing Up and Heading Out

Grayson pressed his forehead against the glass and gazed out his bedroom window. Palm trees swayed under the bright blue sky. He tried to imagine fat white flakes falling and covering the ground in a blanket of snow.

What would it be like to wake up to April snow right in his SoCal backyard? He smiled thinking about sledding down the neighborhood hills and building snowmen on the beach.

Earth to Grayson... Hunter's voice jolted him out of his daydream. His brother laughed and tossed a balled-up shirt at him.

You ready to pack for some real snow? Hunter asked, knowing exactly where his brother's head was at.

Grayson's eyes lit up. He leapt up from the window sill. You know it! He grabbed the balled-up shirt and threw it back at Hunter, who caught it easily and stuffed it in his suitcase.

Grayson surveyed the mess of gear scattered around his room. In just three days, they'd be skiing in New Mexico. And after that, Colorado! No more imagining. Time to get packing for the adventure of a lifetime!

Don't forget your snowboarding jacket and pants, Hunter reminded Grayson as they gathered stuff from random piles around the room.

Got 'em right here! Grayson said, holding up the brightly colored gear. He loved his new bright yellow jacket with the reflective stripes across the back. In the past, they had always gotten their gear secondhand from Play It Again Sports in town. Their old stuff was missing a lot of the cool features found in newer gear like pass-pockets in the sleeves for easy scanning at the lift lines.

But the stuff they got this past Christmas was all brand new and had the coolest features. Grayson knew it would make a big difference at the bigger resorts with long lift lines and harsh weather. The easy-access media pocket in his new jacket would also make it easier for him to check his blood sugar between runs.

I still can't believe Mom and Dad got us all this new stuff, Grayson admitted to Hunter. "We never get cool stuff like this!"

I know, Hunter said excitedly. But like Mom said, if I'm going to be living in a cold climate, where I can snowboard more often, it's worth it to get good gear.

Grayson turned his back to Hunter, pretending to rearrange items in his bag. He quickly wiped the tears off his cheeks, hoping his brother wouldn't notice. Being the younger brother was the worst sometimes.

Hey— Hunter said.

Grayson used his shoulder to try to dry his cheek before turning back to Hunter. Yeah? he said back, being careful to control his voice.

Dude, Hunter continued. Don't start getting sad again. This trip is going to be epic and you know we're gonna' get to see each other a lot.

Grayson shrugged and turned back to packing. He took his time to fold and smooth each piece of clothing before adding it, slowly, to his bag.

Hunter gave him a look that screamed DUDE—STOP BEING RIDICULOUS.

Grayson wasn't quite looking at his brother, but he knew him well enough that he could sense the look. He cracked a smile.

I saw that, Hunter said.

Grayson shoved his new jacket and pants into his duffel bag and placed his new gloves on top. These gloves are pretty cool too, he said quietly. I can even put money in this little pocket with the zipper.

First of all, Hunter said. What money?

Grayson laughed a little. I have five dollars from helping Dad clean up the yard.

Oooh— Hunter laughed. Maybe you can take us out to lunch.

Grayson rolled his eyes. Har Har.

Anyway, Hunter continued. You don't even have to carry money at the mountains. Mom said our snowboard passes are connected to her credit card.

Grayson's eyes grew wide and started to sparkle. A wide grin started to form on his face as he thought about all the hot chocolate and Gatorade he'd be able to buy.

Hunter gave him another one of his brotherly looks. I'm pretty sure Mom doesn't want you spending the whole time sitting in the lodge, drinking gallons of hot chocolate, he pointed out. "You only buy stuff with that card if you really need something."

Grayson nodded. The food at the mountain was always way more expensive than anywhere else, so their parents always made the boys bring plenty of food and drinks with them. Maybe just one hot chocolate with lunch, Grayson said.

Hunter smiled. Come on, he replied. Let's get this stuff in the car.

Grayson scanned his now overflowing duffle bag, crammed with new gear. He could barely zip it closed. He heaved it onto his shoulder, the weight nearly toppling him over. His bag was packed to the brim and he was ready to roll.

Hunter nodded over at the nightstand. You saving the goggles for your next epic road trip? Hunter asked.

Grayson turned and grabbed his goggles from the nightstand. He gave Hunter an embarrassed smile before slipping the strap behind his head and sliding the mirrored lenses down over his eyes.

Sharp, Hunter said. Helmet? he asked.

Grayson scrunched his nose and pouted his lips before holding up his old grey helmet with the smudges and faded stickers all over it. Yup, he said, unenthusiastically.

Hunter chuckled. "It can't all be new," he reminded Grayson.

Grayson shrugged.

And besides, Hunter added, The hood on that new jacket is designed to fit over a snowboard helmet, so you won't even see it.

Grayson shrugged again and tossed the helmet and goggles into his backpack. He threw one of the backpack straps over the duffle bag strap on his arm and waddled awkwardly to the door.

Hunter let out a little snort at his brother's awkwardness but didn't say anything.

***

Grayson walked into the living to find his mom sitting and reading a book. As she looked up at him, he noticed her cover her mouth to hide a laugh.

What? he demanded.

Nothing, his mom said. You just look a little…weighed down, she said, in as serious a tone as she could manage. All packed and ready to hit the road?

Yep, we got it all, Hunter answered as he rounded the doorway.

"Great! Let's get this show on the