Christmas Crisis: A Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Novel (Garden Girls - The Golden Years Mystery Series Book 2) by Hope Callaghan

Author:Hope Callaghan [Callaghan, Hope]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Liz’s luxury SUV sat in the driveway, the engine idling. As Lucy’s snowmobile drew near, Gloria could see her sister sitting behind the wheel, staring at something in her lap.

She waited for the snowmobile to come to a complete stop before sliding off the back. Lucy cut the engine and joined her friend, both removing their helmets and placing them on the seat.

Liz’s driver’s side door eased open, and she gingerly stepped out. “Where have you been? I was getting ready to leave.”

“Darn it.” Gloria gave Lucy a playful shove. “I knew we should’ve hung around downtown a little longer.”

“Very funny. Here I am, risking life and limb to get over here to help you, and this is the thanks I get.”

“Risking life and limb?” Lucy lifted a brow.

“The roads are treacherous. I almost ended up in the ditch twice on my way over here,” Liz said dramatically.

“I told you when you bought that expensive vehicle that you needed something more practical for the winters,” Gloria said. “Why didn’t you call instead of risking your life?”

“Because I wanted to give you this.” Liz reached into her designer handbag, pulled out a small booklet, and handed it to her sister. “You can practice for tonight.”

Gloria’s eyes narrowed. “Practice for what tonight?”

“Dreamwood’s assisted living facility’s Christmas party. We’re singing. Don’t you remember? I signed us up a few weeks ago.”

“You what?” Gloria roared. “No, I do not recall you telling me that. I don’t like singing in the shower, let alone in front of people.”

“That’s why I decided to drop off the songbook – to give you time to practice.” Liz’s bracelets jingled as she adjusted her purse.

“Oh, no.” Gloria attempted to hand the songbook to her.

“You can’t back out at the last minute.”

Lucy snickered. “This is awesome. Gloria is going to sing.”

“It won’t happen.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’m dead serious. This isn’t my thing.”

“But you love helping people,” Liz whined. “I figured with your shut-in visits every week, you would jump at the opportunity to brighten the elderly people’s day. This is not about you. It’s about them.”

“Liz has a point,” Lucy said. “I’m sure the residents look forward to the Christmas party every year.”

“You’re not helping,” Gloria snapped, which only made Lucy smile even more.

Liz pivoted so that she faced Lucy. “You can come too.”

“No.” Lucy began shaking her head. “I appreciate the invite, but...”

“Yeah, Lucy. If I can go, so can you,” Gloria said.

“We’ve had a few dropouts this morning, people who live on backroads and are concerned about driving to Green Springs tonight.”

“Wait a minute,” Gloria eyed her sister suspiciously. “What’s in it for you?”

Liz was all about Liz, and almost everything she did – directly or indirectly – benefitted her sister. She would not have signed up because she felt sorry for the folks residing in the assisted living facility.

Dreamwood wasn’t just an assisted living home; it offered several types of living arrangements. There were single-family homes where residents enjoyed the community clubhouse, a golf course, tennis courts and a swimming pool.

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