Gloria ran inside to thank the hotel clerk before heading back out to the car where Margaret, Liz and Mally were already waiting.
The girls chatted back and forth during the drive, each of them trying to guess what it was that might be buried on the old farm.
“Whatever it is, I hope we find it today,” Margaret commented. “I’m ready to head home.”
Gloria nodded. “Me, too!”
Liz was the only one that seemed content to stay on. “You both have someone to go home to. I’m going home to an empty house,” she said.
A wave of guilt washed over Gloria. It was true. She and Margaret did have someone waiting at home and Liz had no one. “I can see if Paul has any single friends down at the police station,” Gloria offered.
Before Liz could reply, they cleared the top of the hill and spotted the familiar farmhouse. Aunt Ethel was already waiting for them out on the porch.
She made her way over to the car before the girls even had a chance to get out. “I was beginnin’ to wonder if you was gonna show up!”
Gloria threw her purse on the floor of the car, locked the doors and shoved the keys in her pocket. “Someone decided to let the air out of our tires.”
“You’re kiddin’.”
Liz shook her head. “I wish we were.”
Aunt Ethel didn’t seem too interested in what happened, just that they were there and ready to begin the search. She was anxious to get started. “Let’s head down. Daylight’s burnin’!”
In the light of day, the barn was even bigger than Gloria remembered. The area just inside the door was large and open. Off to the left was an attached storage shed crammed to the rafters with neatly stacked bales of hay. In the main part of the barn was an empty loft.
Gloria decided the best plan of attack was to divide and conquer. “I’ll take the storage room over here, Liz can take the loft and Margaret can search this room with Aunt Ethel.”
“Why do I have to crawl up in the loft?” Liz whined.
Gloria crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “Fine. You take the storage room and I’ll search the loft.”
Liz glanced at the room with the towering bales of hay. Moving those would be a lot of work. “On second thought, I think I’ll stick with the loft,” she decided.
“That’s what I thought!” Gloria stomped off, vowing not to let Liz drive her crazy today.
The foursome worked quietly as they poked around inside equipment, cleared the floors and shuffled the bales of hay. Gloria finished moving the last bale of hay before plopping down on top of it. “I couldn’t find anything,” she announced.
Liz dusted off her hands and wandered over to have a seat next to her. “Me neither.”
Ethel and Margaret joined them. “There’s nothing here.”
“You don’t think maybe it’s buried beneath the rubble of the barn that burned down…” Aunt Ethel wondered out loud. Apparently, the thought had never occurred to her until just now.
Aunt Ethel rushed out of the barn, moving faster than Gloria had ever seen her move. Without saying a word to the girls, she scurried across the drive and into the field on the other side. The weeds were so tall, they swallowed her up and she completely disappeared from sight.
Gloria took a deep breath and followed the rustling brush. Determined not to get left behind, Liz was hot on her heels.
Margaret? Well, Margaret was on the fence. On the one hand, she didn’t care to get left behind. Just in case that mountain lion she was certain she heard yesterday was in the near vicinity. She swatted at the brush in front of her and slowly followed, praying she was headed in the right direction.
Just a few yards into the thicket, they reached somewhat of a clearing. The outline of a structure was clearly visible. Smooth, level stones formed a large square.
“This is it,” Aunt Ethel announced. “This is where the barn used to be. The one that burnt to the ground with Daddy in it.”
Gloria stood solemnly for a second as she silently said a prayer for the grandfather she never knew.
Liz stepped up onto one of the smooth stones and glanced around. “We need a machete or something to cut down some of these weeds.”
“I got one of those!” Ethel whirled around and quickly disappeared from sight.
Gloria watched her go. “I’m not certain what we’re really going to find over here.” She picked up a small rock and tossed it into the tall brush. “This is nothing but a pile of rubble.”
“Well, at least we can say we tried.” Margaret kicked at a mound of dirt near her foot. In a flash, the mound morphed into a moving mass, bent on attacking the dirt kicker.
“Fire ants!” Liz yelled. She darted over and shoved Margaret away from the swarm of red earth that was swirling angrily.
Gloria backed up. She had a run in with fire ants years ago on a trip to Florida. Fire ants were vicious creatures, bent on devouring human skin. The venomous bite could torture a person’s flesh for days afterwards with fierce itching and burning.
Margaret stared at Liz skeptically. “It’s just a bunch of ants.”
Gloria shuddered. “You have no idea.”
Aunt Ethel waded back through the weeds, a machete and electric weed wacker in hand. She thrust the machete in Gloria’s hand before yanking on the cord of the trimmer. It fired up on the first pull. Ethel lowered the trimmer and began mowing down the weeds.
“Stand back,” Gloria warned. She started on the opposite end of the square as she swung the machete back and forth, slicing the weeds with expert precision. The swinging motion was actually therapeutic. It helped her release some of the frustration she’d had to deal with the last few days. Plus, it gave her a few minutes to think without anyone talking in her ear.
The first thing that popped into her mind were the incidents – not coincidences – that had been happening to them. The near mugging on the sidewalk outside the casino. Was it really a mugger or someone else? What about getting locked in the bathroom on the train? And just today, someone letting the air out of their tires? Gloria was almost 100% certain they were being targeted but by who and why?
Surely it wasn’t Aunt Ethel. She practically begged them to help her find whatever their grandfather had hidden. If there even was anything hidden.
Although it certainly wouldn’t be too hard for the old woman to keep tabs on them, especially since she was the one who gave them the clues in the first place…
“I think you got them all.” Liz was standing just outside striking distance. Gloria looked around. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts, she hadn’t even noticed the area was completely cleared out.
Aunt Ethel killed the power to the weed wacker and carefully set it against the edge of the rocks. The four women thoroughly scrutinized the ground with a fine-tooth comb but it was useless. There was nothing to be found.
“The only other thing I can think of is that it’s buried under decades of dirt.” Gloria stuck her hand on her hip and glanced around. “Maybe you could get someone out here with a bucket and backhoe to move some of this dirt around.”
“Yeah, I’ve already thought about it.” Ethel shook her head. “Can’t really afford to do somethin’ like that.”
“Maybe you could offer to give them some sort of reward. You know, where they only get paid if they helped you find something,” Margaret suggested.
“And give some of my money away?” Ethel snapped, her bright blue eyes shooting daggers at Margaret.
She immediately realized she’d spoken her mind. Her tone quickly changed. “I mean, I’d much rather give it to you. To family, instead of just hand it over to complete strangers,” she argued.
Gloria shook her head thoughtfully. She just didn’t see any way around it. It could take months for four women to dig through this rubble with shovels. And they didn’t have months. On top of that, they didn’t even know if there was actually anything even here. She stared down at the hard-packed earth. “There’s not much more we can do.”
&n
bsp; Ethel didn’t care too much for that answer. “Well, if you bunch of ninnies aren’t goin’ to help me out then you’d best be leavin’.”
That sounded just dandy to Margaret. She didn’t care for the old biddy anyways. And on top of that, she had an inkling Ethel was going to try and screw them over even if they did find something, especially after that last comment.
She glanced at Gloria. “I’m ready when you are.” Without waiting for an answer, she turned on her heel and started walking towards the car, unwilling to give the old lady another second of her time.
Gloria handed the machete to Ethel. “Good luck.” She followed Margaret towards the car.
Liz wasn’t quite ready to throw in the towel yet. After all, they’d come all this way. They were giving up way too easily. “I’ll split the cost of hiring a backhoe,” she offered impulsively.
The old woman grabbed the weed wacker off the ground. “Nah. I don’t need none of your help.” She nodded at Gloria’s retreating back. “Better run along now. Don’t want your sister there leavin’ you behind.”
Aunt Ethel headed to the barn, leaving Liz standing all by herself on the pile of rocks. She shook her head and stomped off in the direction of the car. Gloria could be so bullheaded sometimes, Liz fumed.
Liz yanked the car door open and flopped down on the seat. She slammed the door shut before adding her two cents. “I think you gave up way too easy, Gloria. I didn’t know my own sister was a quitter,” she jabbed.
Gloria started the car and slowly made her way back down the rutted drive. Liz was just trying to get under her skin and it wasn’t going to work. Old Aunt Ethel was nuttier than a fruitcake. All of this seemed like a complete waste of time and energy.
They rolled into the small town for what looked to be their final night. They passed a small diner on the way back to the hotel. “Daisy’s Home Cookin’.”
Margaret’s stomach rumbled at the thought of food. Gloria could hear it clear over in the driver’s seat. “How ‘bout I treat you two to a home-cooked dinner?”
Didn’t have to ask Margaret twice. She quickly nodded. “I’m starving!”
Liz was still pouting in the back seat and refused to answer.
Gloria pulled into an empty spot and slid out of the car. Margaret was right behind her while Liz didn’t budge. She sat there like a bump on a log, her arms crossed and a sour expression etched on her face.
Gloria shrugged. “Suit yourself. C’mon, Mally.” The dog bounded out the door. Gloria slammed it shut behind her and headed for the entrance.
Margaret glanced back at Liz. “You just gonna leave her in the car?”
“I’ll order something for her before we leave. We might actually enjoy a little peace and quiet while we eat.” Margaret had to agree. Peaceful sounded good to her.
It was still a tad early for the dinner crowd and the two women had the place to themselves. Gloria dropped her purse on the seat and slid into the booth. Mally crawled under the table and settled onto the floor.
“Smells delicious in here.” Margaret sniffed the air appreciatively as she slid in across from Gloria. “Reminds me a little of Dot’s place.”
Gloria glanced around. It did kind of look like Dot’s with its red vinyl booths that lined the outer walls and the different sizes of wooden tables strategically arranged in the center. Really, the only difference was the memorabilia hanging on the walls. It was the kind of stuff you’d expect to find in the mountains. Snow shoes, a tomahawk, a dream catcher. There was even a large moose head guarding the entrance to the restrooms. It certainly was a unique collection of knick-knacks.
“Afternoon ladies. Just the two of you today?” A young waitress appeared at their table. She carefully set two glasses of water and a couple menus on the edge.
Margaret picked up the menu and peered at it through the bottom of her reading glasses. “There’s one more but she’s being a bit of a mule today so I’m not sure if she’ll be joining us.”
“Okay. I’ll drop an extra water off, just in case she changes her mind.” The words were no more out of the waitresses’ mouth when Liz wandered over to the booth. “You two were really going to eat without me?” she griped before plopping down on the bench next to Margaret.
Gloria snatched the other menu off the table and started studying it. “No one’s going to beg you to eat.”
The waitress returned with another menu, took their drink orders and walked off.
Gloria’s mouth began to water. Everything on the menu sounded good. She was starving. The little breakfast sandwich from this morning was long gone.
She was still having trouble deciding when the waitress returned a short time later to take their order. She glanced up at the young girl. “What do you recommend?”
Pen poised, the waitress paused for a moment. “Today’s special is meatloaf with mashed potatoes and a side of mixed vegetables.”
“I’ll have that,” Margaret announced.
The girl went on. “My personal favorite, though, is the pot roast.”
Intrigued with the idea of trying someone else’s pot roast other than her own, Gloria decided to order it.
“I’m going to be different,” Liz decided.
More like difficult, Gloria thought to herself.
“I’ll take the Turkey Ruben and an order of onion rings.” She handed the menu back to the waitress. “Oh, and a cup of coffee. Black please.”
After the waitress walked away, Liz turned to Gloria. “Are we really going to just give up on finding the hidden treasure?”
Gloria sipped her water. “If there even was any.” She twirled the straw around as she studied the spinning ice. “There’s something about Aunt Ethel. I just can’t put my finger on it quite yet. Something that isn’t adding up.”
“Yeah. She’s nuttier than squirrel crap,” Margaret muttered under her breath.
The conversation went back and forth with Liz pleading her case as hard as she could, to stay at least one more day.
“Remember, Aunt Ethel was the one that told us to leave,” Gloria reminded her.
The food came out a short time later. Gloria ordered an extra slab of meat for Mally. She sliced the piece into smaller sections before placing them on a thick stack of paper napkins and then laying them on the floor.
The food was delicious and each of them declared theirs to be the best. Afterwards, Gloria paid the bill and the foursome headed for the door.
Margaret was curious. “How did the pot roast compare to yours?” After all, Gloria was famous for her pot roast.
“It was pretty darned good.” Gloria patted Mally’s head. “We both liked it.”
“What’s this?” Liz wandered over to the car and plucked a piece of paper from under the windshield wiper. She slowly unfolded the paper and read the brief message out loud. “You’re wasting your time…there is no treasure,” the note said.
Margaret glanced over Liz’s shoulder at the white sheet of paper. “What the heck…” She snatched the note from her hand.
She quickly read the words and handed it over to Gloria, who studied the parking lot before folding the note up and tucking it into her purse. “That’s a sign if ever there was one. I’m ready to go home.”
So was Margaret. The wild good chase had lost all its appeal.
Liz was outnumbered. She knew when she was beat. Her shoulders slumped. Without uttering a single word, she slid into the backseat and quietly closed the door.
They made their way back in the direction of the hotel, travelling down a narrow two-lane road that ran along the edge of the mountain, past the beautiful valley below. Off in the distance, Gloria spied a small, white church. The doors were open and light flooded out onto the street. The sign out front read, “Smoky Mountain Bible Church.”
Gloria felt guilty they missed church that morning. On top of that, she was pretty sure God wasn’t happy about her visiting a casino. Maybe if she made a good size donation of her winnings to this little church it would
ease her guilt…. “Let’s go spend a little time with the Lord.”
Before Margaret or Liz could answer, Gloria whipped into the parking lot and pulled up alongside a dozen other cars. She snapped Mally’s leash on the collar and bent down to Mally-level. “You better be a good girl, okay?”
She could’ve sworn the dog nodded as Gloria patted her head. “C’mon, let’s go.”
They slowly made their way down the sidewalk to the front entrance. Warm light beckoned them in. Gloria felt more peaceful just being there. Soft music floated in the air. She recognized the song right away. It was, At the Foot of the Cross. The stress from the last few days melted away. Gloria closed her eyes and hummed along.
When she opened them, a thin fellow with short dark hair was standing nearby, smiling at them. “Welcome! Come on in. Have a seat.” He patted Mally’s head before waving them in the direction of the pews.
The girls settled into an empty bench near the back as the service began. The pastor’s message was touching. And timely. He talked about how we’re not supposed to judge others but to love one another just as the Lord loves us. He reminded the girls that we never know what burdens others are carrying that we know nothing about.
Gloria was filled with guilt. She oftentimes judged Liz. She glanced over at her sister. It was just so hard sometimes. Right then and there, she vowed to try harder, to be more patient and to zip her own lip.
Gloria set a crisp $100 bill inside the offering place when it came around. Margaret raised her eyebrows when she saw the bill but didn’t say a word.
Gloria, on the other hand, wondered if it was enough. It was ten percent. Still, maybe she should’ve given more….
The pastor stopped them on their way out the door. “Thank you for stopping by our service tonight.” He shook each of their hands, his grasp warm and caring. “I hope you enjoyed the message.”
“It was perfect. Just what I needed,” Gloria assured him.
“What brings you to our small little town?” he inquired.
“We’re visiting our Aunt Ethel. Henderson,” Liz piped up.
Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 03 - Smoky Mountain Mystery Page 8