Fatal Fundraiser: A Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Novel (Garden Girls - The Golden Years Mystery Series Book 5) by Hope Callaghan

Author:Hope Callaghan [Callaghan, Hope]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-15T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Gloria blinked rapidly. “You and Johnnie are moving away?”

“We haven’t decided yet. As you know, we moved here from the South, so we’re familiar with the area. I suppose it would make sense to be closer to the production facilities.” Rose pressed her palms to her cheeks. “Just thinking about moving away, leaving Dot and Ray, and everyone we love is keeping me up at night.”

“It would be sad to see you go.” Gloria carefully chose her next words. “I believe if it’s God’s will, the move will happen. If it isn’t, you’re not going anywhere.”

“I told Johnnie the same. I haven’t had a moment’s peace about it so, at least for now, we’re staying put.”

“Whatever you do and wherever you go, we’ll always be here, whether it’s down the street or a phone call away.”

“Right.” Rose swallowed hard and clapped her hands. “I guess we best get down to business.”

Dot briefly filled them in on the route. Since Gloria’s last day of volunteering, Dot and Ray had added a third stop.

“How many people are you feeding?” Gloria asked.

“Roughly a hundred homeless a day. Remember when I mentioned adding something new?” Dot led Gloria to a sign hanging near the food counter:

We don’t have cash.

We don’t have drugs.

We don’t want trouble. If you cause trouble, you’ll no longer be served.

“It’s direct and to the point. Plus, you have a handgun.”

Dot tapped the front of a nearby cabinet. “Locked, loaded and ready to go if need be. Lucy’s been helping me practice loading, unloading and shooting my gun. I’m confident we can handle any trouble, but I don’t expect it.”

Rose tapped her watch. “I reckon it’s time to hit the road.”

“Hold on. I almost forgot.” Gloria ran back to the car and grabbed the care packages. “I’ve been picking up items I thought would be useful, but I don’t have nearly enough for everyone.”

“We’ll have enough for the first camp, which is the one that could use the extra care items the most. The other two are being supplemented by the church.” Dot placed the bag of goodies in the sink before climbing behind the wheel.

During the drive, she told them about some of the people she and Ray had met, about the difficult situations and stories they had shared—from finding themselves homeless due to job issues, health issues, mental issues and feeling as if they had fallen through the cracks.

It broke Gloria’s heart to hear the stories and how those in need had reached the point of not knowing where their next meal was coming from.

The first stop was only a few yards off the main road. At first glance, it looked as if Dot was pulling onto an unoccupied plot of land, but as soon as she swung the truck around, people began emerging from the woods and surrounding fields.

They waited until she finished parking and opened the pass-through window before lining up. One by one, they approached the window to get their food.

Some spoke. Others didn’t as she scooped chicken and rice into large bowls.

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