Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 07 - Missing Milt

by Hope Callaghan

  “That’s why I wanted to check out her place.”

  Then she explained how she surveyed the perimeter of Stella’s house. How she looked in a bedroom window. Nothing. She walked past the frosted bathroom window to the other side and peeked inside the master bedroom, still nothing.

  Into the living room where the lights were on but no one was around. When she got to the kitchen, she saw Stella’s shadow standing there. How she moved back and forth. Just like Gloria noticed a shadow moving back and forth through the frosted glass in the bathroom. Which meant Stella could not be in two places at once: in the bathroom and in the kitchen.

  The final clue was when Stella carried her plate of pizza to the bedroom and closed the door. “Why would someone who had the living room TV, the lights, everything on, go into the bedroom and close the door?”

  Lucy was lost. “Why?”

  “Because Milt was in that bathroom and she was taking food to him!”

  “I ruled Vivian out last night,” Gloria added.

  “That’s what I don’t understand,” Frances said. “She had the men’s grooming stuff on her counter. You saw it yourself.”

  Gloria snapped her fingers. “Right, I saw men’s cologne and a box of JustForMen haircolor. Milt is bald. He has no facial hair!”

  “Ahhh,” Frances nodded.

  Gloria tapped the side of her head. “Gotta always be thinking.”

  “So when Paul got there and asked Stella if he could come in, she slammed the door in his face.”

  “And?” Lucy asked.

  “He went back to the office and got an expedited probable cause search warrant. When he showed up on her doorstep a second time, warrant in hand, she had to let him in. Paul found him handcuffed to the safety bar in the shower.”

  Liz shook her head. “Well, I’ll be.”

  Lucy shook her head. “But why?”

  Gloria took a deep breath. “Believe it or not, she thought she was helping him. That by keeping him prisoner in her home, the men he owed money to wouldn’t be able to track him down. The police just found his car in the Meijer grocery store parking lot.”

  Liz pushed back her chair. “I assume he’s going to press charges.”

  Gloria slowly shook her head. “Believe it or not, Milt told Paul he didn’t want to press charges – at least not yet.”

  Frances jumped to her feet. “I hate to rush you all out of here but I just saw Milt’s car pass by and I want to go check on him.”

  She rushed out the door and down the sidewalk. Milt was unlocking his front door when Frances got there. He opened the door and he and Frances disappeared inside.

  Gloria watched until Frances was out of sight. “That lady is gaga over him.”

  Liz groaned. “A little too much, I suspect.”

  Chapter 21

  The next couple of weeks were a whirlwind for Gloria, between working on the fall party and finishing her around-the-house projects. Eddie and his wife, Karen, would be there for a visit soon and Gloria was thrilled to spend time with them.

  The day of the party, Gloria was nervous as a tic. She wondered how Andrea would react when Brian proposed and if she’d be upset that he’d done it in front of all of their friends.

  Gloria had worked hard making sure everything was just right for the big day. She had consulted with Brian several times asking him what he thought and such. He seemed content to let Gloria plan it all but she figured that was just a guy thing. Leave all the party planning to the girls. Although she was anxious that she might mess something up for them.

  The fire pit was clean and the wagon loaded down with bales of hay that Lucy had so generously donated. Each of the girls had called during the day to make sure Gloria didn’t need anything else.

  Her grandsons, Ryan and Tyler, had gone on a hayride years ago when James was still alive. They were so young at the time, they didn’t remember. Jill had called earlier to say they were bouncing off the walls and couldn’t wait.

  Gloria’s son-in-law, Greg, offered to drive the tractor and Gloria gratefully accepted. Paul had offered, too, but when he found out Greg had asked first, he seemed relieved.

  Storm clouds had threatened early in the day but when evening rolled around, the sky was clear and the air was cool and crisp.

  After all of the guests had arrived, Ryan and Tyler insisted that everyone check out their new tree fort. Gloria and Paul found a ladder in the garage and carried it to the front yard. Paul propped the ladder against the side of the fancy new deck and he and Gloria watched as several of the guests made their way up the ladder to admire the fort.

  The last one to tour the fort was Paul. He and the boys were up there for several long moments. Finally, Tyler, then Ryan emerged and scrambled down the swinging ladder, not bothering to use the sturdier one. Last, but not least, Paul eased his way back down the ladder.

  Ryan darted over to Gloria and tugged on her hand. “Grams! Paul is gonna take us fishing next time we come over!”

  Gloria looked down at the eager young face and ruffled his hair. “He is?”

  “We’re gonna catch a fish this big!” Tyler added, holding his hands a good three feet apart.

  Gloria put her arm around his shoulder. “Then you can bring him home and we’ll fry him up in the pan and eat him for supper!”

  The boys darted off to tell their parents they were going fishing.

  Paul came up behind her. He wiped his hands on his pants. “Why didn’t you ask me to help build the tree fort?”

  Gloria turned to look at Paul. His expression was somber and Gloria’s heart plummeted.

  “Well. I-I just figured you were busy with work and all…” her voice trailed off.

  “Next time, I’d like a chance to help,” he said quietly. “At least ask.”

  Gloria wished the ground would open up and swallow her. She never asked because she didn’t want to bother him. Looking back, she should have. “I’m sorry. Next time the boys have a project, I’ll check with you first,” she promised.

  Paul nodded, a sly smile turning the corners of his mouth. “Just for that, you have to go fishing with us.”

  Gloria hadn’t been fishing in years. It looked like she was “on the hook” for this one. Maybe it wouldn’t be as boring as she remembered…

  “It’s a deal.” Gloria slipped her hand into Paul’s and they wandered over to the wagon. Paul lifted Mally first, then helped Gloria hop on.

  Andrea was the straggler and the last one on as she stood back and took several pictures of the wagon and the riders.

  “All clear,” Gloria hollered to Greg. The tractor and wagon lurched forward and Greg headed through the field to the dirt road on the other side.

  Paul and Gloria settled in against the backboard and watched as the boys shoved hay down each other’s shirts. Brian decided that looked like fun as he lifted Andrea’s hat and filled it with straw.

  “What a great idea,” Paul told Gloria.

  She snuggled closer. “We should do this more often.”

  The tractor chugged along. Dusk had set and the stars began to shine. Too soon, the wagon turned around and they headed back to the farm.

  Gloria kept glancing at Brian, wondering when he was going to pop the question. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She crawled over to him and whispered in his ear. “Did you chicken out?”

  Brian chuckled. “No, I didn’t get cold feet. I decided to wait until everyone gathers around the campfire.”

  Gloria raised a brow. Smart thinking. That way, everyone could watch. “Good idea.” She nodded and crawled back under the blanket with Paul.

  Greg unhooked the wagon and backed the tractor into the barn then closed the door. By the time the girls brought out the hotdogs and s’mores, the bonfire was burning nicely, and everyone circled the fire.

  Paul let go of Gloria’s hand and cupped his hands to his mouth. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” Everyone grew quiet. Everyone that is, except for the boys. Jill tapped Tyle
r’s arm. “Shush.”

  The boys quieted.

  Paul took a step forward. “Today is a special day and I want to thank each of you for being here.”

  He turned to Gloria, bent down on one knee and pulled a box from his pocket. A very familiar jewelry box. He opened the cover and the beautiful princess diamond that Gloria had admired so much was twinkling up at her. “Gloria Rutherford, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Tears streamed down Gloria’s cheeks as she stared at the ring, then at Paul’s face, then back at the ring. “I…”

  Paul lifted the ring from the box. “I’m taking that as a yes.” He slipped the ring on her finger and rose to his feet.

  Gloria blinked back the tears as Paul wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her slowly at first and then it deepened, promising her so much more.

  Breathless, they finally took a step back to catcalls and whistles.

  The rest of the evening was a blur as everyone hugged Gloria and shook Paul’s hand. She was in a daze. It was a wonderful moment of pure happiness.

  Lucy was the only one to ask the question that was nagging every one of the Garden Girls’ minds: Dot, Margaret, Ruth and Lucy.

  Lucy hugged Gloria and turned to Paul, a serious look on her face. “This doesn’t mean you’re going to take Gloria from us, are you?”

  Paul gazed lovingly at his bride-to-be and turned a solemn face to answer Lucy’s serious question. “Absolutely not and I doubt there is any way on this earth that Gloria would allow that to happen.”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “No, I’m afraid that all of you will now be stuck with me.”

  Ray overhead the exchange. He slapped Paul on the back and grabbed his hand. “Welcome to the family, my friend.”

  The group began cleaning up around the campfire when Gloria spied Brian setting out some of the lawn chairs. She pulled him aside. “You tricked me,” she said.

  Brian grinned. “Paul wanted everything to be perfect so we hatched a plan to let you plan your own engagement party. He was so nervous, that he had me show you the ring to make sure you were going to like it.”

  Andrea spoke up. “I swear, I knew nothing about this,” she promised.

  Gloria hugged Brian and then Andrea. “I have to keep an eye on you two!”

  Finally, after the hotdogs and s’mores were all gone and the last guest headed home, Paul turned to his bride-to-be. “I hope this night meant as much to you as it has to me.”

  Gloria looked down at the beautiful diamond ring and back up at Paul. Her throat closed and the tears began to flow. She was at a loss for words.

  Paul wrapped his arms around the woman that he loved and let the tears of joy flow.

  They sat on the porch for a long time after everyone had left as they talked about the future. They made some very important decisions. One decision they made was to keep both farms, at least for now, and split their time between the two.

  Paul would keep working, maybe for another year…maybe less.

  Last but not least, they set the wedding date. They would marry when all of Gloria’s children would be home for the holidays.

  Home for the holidays. Home for a wedding.

  Finally, in the wee hours of the morning, Paul got to his feet. “I should go.” He kissed Gloria one more time and stepped off the porch and to his car.

  Gloria quietly stood by the back door and watched as his taillights disappeared from the drive. She stepped inside, turned off the porch light and locked the door.

  Today. This day had been the best day ever.

  The end.

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  Layered Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie

  Ingredients:

  Baked pie crust OR graham cracker crust

  For cream cheese, white chocolate layer:

  ¾ - 1 Cup white chocolate chips

  8 oz. cream cheese, softened

  2 Tbsp heavy cream

  For no bake pumpkin layer:

  1/3 Cup light brown sugar

  4 Tbsp corn starch

  ¼ tsp nutmeg

  2 Cups milk (whole milk works best)

  ½ Cup pumpkin puree

  1 Tbsp butter

  1 Tbsp vanilla extract

  1 Teaspoon pumpkin spice

  ¼ Teaspoon salt

  To prepare white chocolate cream cheese layer:

  -Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium/high speed until light and fluffy.

  -In medium bowl, mix chocolate chips and heavy cream. Microwave on 50% power until chocolate has melted. Be careful not to let it get too hot or it will clump. (If that happens, add a little more cream and whisk until smooth.)

  -With the mixer running, add the melted white chocolate a spoonful at a time to the cream cheese and beat until fluffy. Cover and place in refrigerator until ready to assemble pie.

  To prepare pumpkin layer:

  -Using a heavy-duty saucepan, mix the brown sugar and cornstarch together. Add 1/3 cup of the milk and whisk until smooth. Add the rest of the milk.

  -Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Let cook for another minute. Continue whisking.

  -Remove from heat and whisk in the pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Blend until smooth.

  -Place in large glass bowl. Press plastic wrap on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Let the pudding cool completely.

  To assemble:

  -Spread the white chocolate-cream cheese mixture evenly over the baked piecrust (or graham cracker crust). Spoon the chilled pudding over the cream layer.

  -Chill for 3 hours. Serve with whipped cream or white chocolate shavings – or both!