Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 04 - Death by Dumplings (8 page)

He poured more lemonade and handed her a glass.  “Here’s to a spectacular view of God’s masterpiece and the beautiful woman beside me.” 

Gloria sipped the tart concoction, and studied him over the rim of her glass.  He must have really missed her while she was gone!

Gloria sliced her baked potato down the center, dumped a thick wedge of butter and glob of sour cream in the middle before she squeezed the potato back together.  She cut a generous piece of steak and set it on a napkin nearby. 

“Midnight snack?” Paul joked.

Gloria smiled.  “No. A treat for Mally and Puddles.”

He nodded before popping a piece of steak in his mouth.  The tender, juicy slice was grilled to perfection.  He savored the bite before he swallowed.  “This is the best steak I’ve ever tasted,” he declared.

“You’re biased,” Gloria argued.

Paul shrugged.  “Perhaps.” He pointed his knife at the meat.  “This steak almost melts in my mouth.”

Gloria took her first bite.  She had to agree, it was delicious.  It wasn’t overcooked, just a tad past medium, which was perfect.  “Mmmm.  You’re right.  It is pretty darned good.”

She squeezed her potato open and flattened it with her fork before spreading the butter and sour cream around.  After a couple quick shakes of salt and pepper, it was time to taste.  She scooped a pile on her fork and popped it in her mouth.  Even after being in the root cellar all winter, the potato tasted as if it had just been dug from the garden. 

Paul lifted a forkful of potato to his mouth. “Did you grow this yourself?” he asked.

Gloria nodded.  “From last year.”

He took another bite.  “Wow!  You’d never know.”

Gloria thought now would be the perfect opportunity to ask him about the poisoning at Dot’s.

“How’s the Mike Foley investigation going?”

Paul laid his fork on the plate.  He studied Gloria’s face for a moment.  “You’re still working on this one...”

Gloria stabbed at the pile of green beans.  She pulled the fork to her mouth and nibbled on the end. “Of course.  Dot’s beside herself.  I’m going to do whatever I can to help.”

Paul ran his finger along the rim of his glass.  “You know I can’t tell you too much.”

She nodded.  “I know.  But if I guess can you nod your head?”

“Hmm…Depends on the question.”

“Is it true the victim was poisoned by toilet bowl cleaner?” she asked.

He drummed his fingers on the plastic tablecloth.  “Yeah.  It was your everyday buy-it-in-any-grocery-store toilet bowl cleaner.”

It was his turn to ask.  “You have any suspects yet?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Let me guess,” he replied.  “It’s not Dot.”

“Nope,” Gloria agreed.  “Not even close.”

“Are you going to tell me or am I going to have to use my special interrogation tactics on you?” he threatened.

Her eyes twinkled.  “That sounds interesting.”

She shook her head.  “No, I don’t mind sharing.  I actually have a few.” She told him about Judith Arnett who tried to steal from Dot just before the poisoning. 

She brought up the owner of Pasta Amore.

“That doesn’t make him a suspect,” Paul pointed out.

“No. But it doesn’t NOT make him a suspect.  I just think it was too convenient that he opened his new restaurant at almost the exact same time Dot’s customer was poisoned.”

“Anyone else?” he asked.

“Not yet,” she admitted.  “But I’m still interviewing witnesses.”

They finished their meal just as the sun dropped below the horizon.  The clouds dotting the sky reminded Gloria of a painting.  She wondered if heaven was admiring the same view.  There were hues of pink and blue with tinges of orange filling the sky.  “So pretty,” she murmured. 

Paul piled the plates on top of each other.  He stopped for a moment to admire the view.  “Great idea, Gloria.  We need to do this more often,” he said.

They cleared the table.  Gloria wiped the plastic tablecloth dry and folded it up.  She hadn’t used the thing in years but tonight, it found a purpose again. 

Just like me,
she thought. 
Never too old to have a purpose. 

They finished dinner with a cup of freshly-brewed coffee and a piece of coconut cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side.  The layered treat was confectionary perfection. 

Paul finished his piece before Gloria was halfway done with hers.  She caught him eyeing the dessert.  She pushed the plate towards him.  “Here, have another piece,” she urged.

He reached for the plate and then paused.  “Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes.  I made it for you,” she answered.  He sliced another piece and eased it onto his plate. 

Gloria paused.  “I was thinking about having a cookout and inviting a few friends and family over,” she said.

“You haven’t met Liz yet and she’s been hinting,” she added.  “Well, it wasn’t really a hint.  She came right out and asked when she was going to meet you.”

Paul grinned.  He couldn’t wait to meet the infamous Liz.  “Who else?”

She ticked off her mental list.  “Lucy and her boyfriend, Bill.  Dot and Ray.  Margaret and Don.  Ruth.  I think you met her once.”

Paul nodded.

“Liz, of course. And Al Dickerson,” she finished. “A widower in town.”

Paul raised his eyebrows.  “Matchmaking?” he guessed.

Gloria scraped the last bit of creamy coconut off the plate and popped it into her mouth.  “I wouldn’t necessarily call it matchmaking.  Just inviting a lonely widower from town over for a get-together.”

Paul pushed his chair back and carried his plate to the sink.  Gloria followed behind and dropped hers on top.  “Although, if they ended up liking each other, what’s the harm in that?”

Paul spun around to face Gloria.  He reached out and stuck his arms around her waist, pulling her close.  “What are you going to do if both Ruth
and
Liz take a liking to this Al Dickerson?”

Gloria’s brows furrowed.  She hadn’t thought about that.  Maybe she should find another eligible bachelor in town and invite him.  Kind of even up the guests. 

Paul released his hold and took a step back.  He glanced up at the wall clock.  It was getting late.  “I better go.  I’m working the early shift tomorrow.”  He yawned and stretched his arms high above his head.  “Four-thirty creeps up on me fast.”

Gloria grabbed a paper plate from the cupboard and slid another piece of cake onto the plate.  She covered the rest with plastic wrap.  “For breakfast tomorrow,” she joked.

He patted his stomach.  “You sure know the way to a man’s heart.”

A lump formed in Gloria throat.  It was sad to see him go.  The evening went by much too fast.

Mally and Gloria followed him out to his car.  She waited for him to slide into the driver’s seat before handing the cake through the open window.  “If I plan a cookout on Saturday, you can make it?”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world!”  He started the car.  “I hope it doesn’t backfire on you.”

Gloria didn’t think it would.  After all, it was just a cookout!  She watched as his car pulled out of the driveway before she and Mally made their way back inside. 

Sunday morning rolled around and for the first time in her life that Gloria could remember, she overslept on a Sunday!  It was her favorite day of the week and she never missed church - unless she was sick.  Or out of town like she was last week when she and Margaret were trying to track down Liz!

She threw back the covers and scrambled from the bed.  There was no time to make it up.

She rushed to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee before heading to the shower.   After a quick scrub down, she wiggled into her favorite pink skirt and slipped on the matching jacket.  Spring was here and the outfit needed a touch more color.  She grabbed a bright yellow scarf – her favorite color – from the scarf rack and quickly tied it around her neck.

She slid into her pink heels and hurried to the kitchen.  Mally was waiting for her at the door.  She thumped her tail on the linoleum and whined.  “I know, you need to go out. Just a sec.”

She grabbed a coffee cup from the cupboard and poured half a cup.  She wouldn’t have time to drink a whole one.  She followed Mally out the door and stood there enjoying the cool morning air as she watched the dog romp around the garden. 

Another week and it would be time to start planting.  “You better enjoy tearing that up while you can.  Pretty soon, it’ll be off limits until fall,” she warned.

Mally stopped for a second.  She tilted her head to the side as she considered Gloria’s words.  She let out a small “woof” before following Gloria back into the house. 

Mally settled into her doggie bed while Gloria grabbed her car keys and purse.  The dog knew it was Sunday and she wasn’t allowed to go to church.  “I’ll be back before you know it,” she promised.

Mally thumped her tail as Gloria closed the door behind her and locked it.

Gloria pulled Anabelle into the church parking lot.  The lot was full and she was late.  Later than normal.  She found an open spot in the back.  Andrea pulled in right behind her and into the empty spot beside Gloria. 

Andrea slid out of her sleek Mercedes and met Gloria near the trunk.  “I thought I was late,” she said.

The girls headed to the front door.  Justin was standing just inside.  He handed a church bulletin to Gloria.  “Good morning, Mrs. Rutherford.”

He turned to Andrea, a bright smile lit his whole face. “Good morning, Andrea.” 

Andrea’s cheeks turned a tad pink.  “Hi Justin,” she said.

There was no time to chat. Others were coming in behind them so they moved along.

“Are you two dating?” Gloria didn’t want to pry but couldn’t help herself.

“He asked me out to dinner next week,” Andrea whispered back.

“And?” Gloria prompted.

“Well…” She stopped.  She liked Justin but she didn’t “like-like” him, if that made any sense.

“Do what makes you happy, dear,” Gloria said.  “But don’t be surprised if you become public enemy number one with all the other young ladies in this town.  They’ve been chasing poor Justin for years without any luck.”

Andrea bit her lower lip, her eyebrows drew together.  “You think so?  I don’t need to make any more enemies than I already have,” she fretted. 

Gloria patted her arm.  “Don’t worry.  We’ll nip that in the bud if it ever happens,” she promised.

The girls started down the center aisle just as Slick Steve (as Gloria secretly nicknamed him) was coming from the other direction.  He paused when he got close.  “Good morning, ladies.  You look lovely today.”

Steve Colby moved to their small town of Belhaven almost a year ago.  During that time, he dated several of the single and widowed women in town.  He had a reputation for taking them out a few times and then fading away.  To put it bluntly, he was leaving a trail of broken hearts. 

Gloria was ready to give him her standard, no-nonsense “thank you” when she had a sudden thought.  “Nice to see you, Steve.”

Steve’s eyebrows shot up at the unexpected warmth in her voice.  Gloria was not normally warm and fuzzy. At least not to him.

She went on.  “Say, I’m planning a cookout next weekend.  Next Saturday night.  I know you’re still kind of new in town and thought it might be nice to have you over - along with a few other people from Belhaven.”

“I-I uh.  Yeah.  Thanks, Gloria.  I would like that,” he replied. 

“Good.  Give me your number and I’ll give you a call later this week to confirm the time.”

After they walked away, Andrea whispered.  “I thought you didn’t like him.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance.” And they did.  Maybe she’d been too hard on him.  After all, she only got one side of the story.  The jilted women’s side. “Besides, I have a logical reason for inviting him.”

Gloria spied Dot sitting on an end pew.  She eased onto the bench next to her as Andrea settled in on the other side.  Gloria reached over and squeezed Dot’s hand.  “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Dot nodded.  “I almost didn’t come but changed my mind at the last minute.”

Gloria studied her friend out of the corner of her eye.  She looked much better today.  “Say.  Margaret and I are having dinner at Pasta Amore tonight to – you know.” She gave her a hard stare.  “You want to come?” 

Dot stared blankly, as if registering it in her brain.  “Yes.  Yes, I think I would,” she decided.

Gloria turned her head towards Andrea.  “How ‘bout you, Andrea?  You want to have dinner at Pasta Amore with us?” 

Andrea shrugged.  “Sure.  As long as I won’t be in the way of your investigation…”

“No. Not at all,” Gloria said.  The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea.  After all, four heads were better than one.  Maybe they would pick up on something Gloria might otherwise miss.

The service was starting.  “We’ll talk about it after church,” Gloria whispered.

Pastor Nate’s sermon was thought-provoking.  The message was about confusing your season in life with your destiny.  How trials in our lives are sometimes allowed by God to test our faith.  The key verse was so fitting:

For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver. 
Psalms 66:10-12 NIV.

Gloria glanced over at Dot.  Her heart lurched as she saw the bright glimmer of tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. 

After the service was over, the girls congregated in the grass off to the side.  Margaret was the first to speak.  “I’m glad you made it to church this morning.  We’ve been worried about you.”

Ruth chimed in.  “We’re here for you, Dot.  You and Ray,” she added.

Lucy slipped an arm around Dot’s shoulders.  “We’re in this together,” she vowed.

Dot’s eyes filled with tears again.  “I don’t deserve such good friends,” she whispered.

Andrea’s eyes wandered from one to the other.  “You all are so blessed to have each other.”

“Hey, you’re part of this group now.  We’re blessed to have you, too.” Lucy pointed out.

Gloria looked up.  Justin was headed towards them.  “I have a couple things to say before I forget.” She held up an index finger.  “First, Margaret, Dot, Andrea and I area heading over to Pasta Amore in Lakeville for dinner tonight.”

She turned to Ruth.  “You still want to go?”

Ruth nodded.  “Sure, what time?”

Lucy shook her head.  “I’m out.  Bill and his kids are coming over for barbecue.”

“Which reminds me of my second thing.” Gloria raised a second finger.  “I’m having a cookout at my house next Saturday at 6 and you are all invited.  Including spouses.” She turned to Lucy. “And boyfriends.”

“Sounds like fun,” Lucy chimed in.  “Someone else cooking other than me.”

Gloria lifted a third finger.  “Last but not least, who’s doing the shut-in visits today?”

Sometimes all the girls made the rounds together.  Other times, only one or two could make it.  Lucy and Ruth raised their hands. 

“Okay, meet me in front of Dot’s in an hour,” she ordered.  “For the rest going to Pasta Amore, we can meet at Ruth’s place since she has a van we can all ride in?”

They agreed to meet up at five before the group disbanded. 

Gloria decided the plan for dinner was perfect.  The girls could talk to Andrea to see what she remembered from the morning of the unfortunate incident at Dot’s.  Maybe Dot herself could remember something else.

Back at the farm, she made a tuna fish sandwich and carried that and a bag of chips onto the porch.  She worked on her Saturday night cookout menu as she watched Mally chase a pair of squirrels around the yard.  “Don’t go near the road!” she yelled.

Mally stopped short.  She knew she was getting too close to the street.  She dropped her head and slunk her way back to the porch. 

Gloria ripped a chunk of her tuna sandwich off and offered it to Mally.  She patted her head.  “I didn’t mean to yell.  You just got too close and I was worried,” she explained.

Gloria started on a second list.  This one was more pressing.  She needed to put together a list of questions to ask the girls about that fateful day.  She jotted down some thoughts and set the paper aside when she heard a loud “Meow.”

Puddles was not happy about being left inside while Gloria and Mally were out on the porch enjoying the nice weather.

Gloria opened the door as Puddles slunk by.  She sniffed around the edge of the railing.  For a moment, it looked like she was headed down the steps when she changed her mind.  She did an about face and jumped up on Gloria’s lap instead. 

She stroked Puddles fluffy head and then leaned her head back in the rocker.  She closed her eyes for just a minute. She awoke to Mally – who was nudging her leg.  Her eyes flew open.  She must’ve dozed off! 

She carried Puddles inside as Mally followed behind.  Her eyes darted to the clock.  She’d fallen asleep for over half an hour!

It was time to visit the shut-ins.  She raced around and in ten minutes flat was back out the door and in the car. 

By the time she got back home from the visits, she had to turn right around and head over to Ruth’s.   She was the last to pull in the drive.  Margaret, Dot and Andrea were already there. 

“We were beginning to think you changed your mind,” Ruth said.

“Just running a little late, that’s all.”  She made a mental note not to schedule so much stuff in one day.  It was wearing her out!

The girls spent the time in the van discussing Dot’s case.  Gloria went over her list of suspects and why. 

“Is it possible Judith was the one who snuck in the back door?” Ruth wondered.

Gloria turned to Andrea.  “Do you know who we’re talking about?”

Andrea shook her head.  “I know I’ve heard her name but can’t say if I’ve ever seen her before.”

The van pulled up in front of Pasta Amore.  Ruth grabbed the handle to get out.  Gloria reached over and stopped her.  “Wait.”

Margaret groaned.  “Oh no.  Not another stakeout!”

Gloria shook her head.  “No.  At least not an official one.  I’d like to sit here for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”

Dot clasped her hands in her lap.  “If Gloria says wait – we wait!”

The restaurant had just opened their doors for dinner. The girls studied the customers as they wandered inside. 

Gloria was ready to give up and head in herself when she noticed a lone woman strolling down the sidewalk.  She looked familiar.  “I’ve seen her before.”

Margaret nodded.  “Me too.”

“In the restaurant?” Dot wondered.

It was right on the edge of Gloria’s brain.  “No…”

Gloria snapped her fingers.  “I’ve got it!  She’s the food critic!” She whacked the side of Margaret’s arm.  “I saw her picture in the paper yesterday.  She just did a review of this restaurant.  A glowing review,” she added.

Margaret’s eyes widened.  “You’re right.  I saw the same article!” 

“If she just reviewed the restaurant the other day, what’s she doing back here so soon? Surely not another review…” Ruth said.

Gloria grabbed the door handle.  “Good question.  Let’s go find out!”

The girls climbed out of the van and made their way inside.

Gloria’s eyes darted around the room in search of the dark-haired woman.  “What was her name?” she whispered to Margaret.

“Amy something…”

Dot grabbed Andrea’s arm.  “She’s over there!”

They didn’t want to chance having the hostess seat them somewhere else so they hurried over to the open table next to the young woman’s.  Gloria picked the chair directly behind Amy. 

Dot plopped down in a chair across from her so she could watch her.  Or more like shoot daggers at the side of her head.  “Dot!”

Dot’s head snapped towards Margaret.  “What?”

“You’re glaring,” she pointed out.

“Okay, Okay.  I’ll stop.”

The waitress appeared at their table with a tray of ice waters and menus.  “Welcome to Pasta Amore,” she said. “Have you dined with us before?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Some of us have and some of us haven’t,” Gloria explained.