Two Bites Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery Book 2) by Debra H. Goldstein

Author:Debra H. Goldstein
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2019-09-23T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Thomas Howell, the owner of Birmingham’s Howellian Hotel and George Rogers’s nephew.” He placed one hand on his uncle’s shoulder.

Sarah couldn’t clearly see Mr. Rogers’s face, but she bet it wasn’t a happy one.

“Having spent a lot of quality time in Wheaton, its charities and people mean a lot to me. My work demands I live in Birmingham, but because of the time I spent here with my late mother, aunt, and, of course, my dear uncle, I’ve always thought of Wheaton as being my Alabama home. I’m very familiar with what a worthy cause and agency the Wheaton Animal Shelter is, but I’m preaching to the choir telling that to you. You volunteers are the glue that’s going to make this project work.”

Sarah wasn’t sure what he was going to say next, but she didn’t feel she could cut him off.

Palm up, he raised the hand not on his uncle’s shoulder and paused, giving the audience more time to focus on his next words. “I’m going to sign up to help with one of the Saturday committees, but I have an idea for something else I can do to benefit the shelter.”

Sarah didn’t know if she should be excited or apprehensive. “Oh?”

“I always believe in saying ‘thank you’ for the hard work people do.” He waved his raised hand to encompass the room. “In a very short period, you, your families, and your friends will give a lot of time and energy behind the scenes and at the YipYeow events. I’d like to say thank you by my throwing, with no slight to the hotel’s dog photo exhibit, but because of my mother’s love for cats, a nod to our cat exhibit, Catapalooza Night at the Howellian ballroom the Saturday night of the event. Catapalooza will be both a formal community fund-raiser geared at those who love animals in Birmingham and serve as a special thank-you to all of you.”

This time, Anne responded before Sarah could. “That’s awfully generous, but another one of our sponsors, Southwind, whose restaurant will be open by then, already is hosting a volunteer reception that night. Besides, I expect we’ll be getting volunteers signing up to help as late as YipYeow weekend.”

“I didn’t realize Southwind was hosting an event that night.” Thomas ran the hand he’d offered the audience through his hair. “But that’s okay. Marcus, where are you?”

As Thomas peered around the room, Sarah saw Marcus’s hand go up. She hoped this didn’t erupt into a nasty confrontation.

“Marcus,” Thomas said. “Your new restaurant is a pub concept, isn’t it?”

When Marcus acknowledged he was correct, Thomas continued. “That’s perfect. Southwind can host a more casual reception while we make Catapalooza Night at the Howellian a true black-tie-optional fund-raising event with a silent and live auction. We can use both receptions as carrots to entice people to sign up to help sooner than later. I don’t know what Marcus is going to charge, but the

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