“Should I stick with the classic luxury look?” Liz lowered the gold faucet in her right hand and lifted the one she was holding in her left. “Or go with this one? I absolutely adore the hand-cut French crystal knobs.”
Her sister Gloria gave them a once-over. “What’s the cost
difference?”
“Cost doesn’t matter. Beauty, style, and elegance are what I’m after.” Liz turned up her nose. “Floyd told me to go with the one that makes me happy.”
“It sounds as if you’re going with the French crystal,” Gloria said. “It’s pretty. Will it match the sinks and counters?”
Liz shot Margaret and Lucy, the owners of Hip Chick House Flips, a questioning look. “Have we discussed the master bath sinks and counters?”
“At length.” Lucy tapped her iPad screen and flipped it around so Liz could see. “You chose the mahogany cabinets with cobalt blue double sinks, which is how you found the blue crystal knobs to begin with.”
“Right. Right.” Liz set the gold faucet on the card table and dusted her hands. “I’ve made my decision. One can never go wrong with French crystal.”
“We’ll have even more samples tomorrow,” Lucy promised.
“You need to be here to help.” Liz tapped her sister’s arm. “You have the farmhouse chic down pat and I need your input.”
A horn honked, and Liz hustled to the door, watching as Dot’s Hot Meals on Wheels van pulled into the driveway. Dot,
along with family friend Eleanor Whittaker, climbed out.
“Lunch has arrived.” Liz caught up with them in the driveway. “You’re right on time. I’m starving. All this picking out faucets and cabinets has worked up an appetite.”
“I’m sure it’s hard work.” Dot unlatched the van’s rolling window up. “I have some bad news. I didn’t have time to make the pumpkin cheddar strata or the fig salad, so we’ll have to settle for a chicken with smoked gouda quiche and strawberry walnut vinaigrette salad.”
“No worries. I know I was asking for a bit much.” Liz’s eyes slid along the stainless steel counter. “Were you able to get the cheesecake bites?”
Dot gave a thumbs up. “Yes, and they’re delish.”
Eleanor grabbed an apron off the hook and slipped it over her head. “We just left a new meal drop spot over on the other side of Green Springs. Delivering food to the homeless is the most satisfying yet humbling experience. I think everyone should volunteer at least once.”
The Garden Girls trekked out of the farmhouse and assembled near the open counter while Liz pulled Dot aside. She reached into her front pocket and handed her a check. “Thank you for catering lunch. This is for you and Ray.”
Dot glanced at the amount and started shaking her head. “I can’t
accept this. It’s too much.” She attempted to hand it back.
Liz gently pushed her hand away. “You can and you will. Those mineral rights checks keep rolling in. I could wrap a layer of solid gold around the outside of this house and not bat an eye. Please let us help.”
Dot stared at the check. “You have no idea how far this will go. Thank you, Liz.” She hugged her friend. “This will easily cover our expenses until the end of the year and now I won’t have to worry about fundraisers.”
“I’m glad you brought that up. Floyd and I are interested in hosting one here. He knows tons of local business owners who would love to help you.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.” Dot blinked back the sudden tears as she thanked God for answering her prayers. Earlier that morning, she and Ray had
gone over their expenses and discovered they were short on funds, forcing them to eliminate two lunch meals per week.
Floyd and Liz’s generous donation meant not only would Dot’s Hot Meals on Wheels not have to cut back, but they could also add the new location, this one filled with people affected by the economic
downturn. The new group consisted of locals who were barely scraping by, having to choose between buying groceries or paying the rent. It was an “either or” situation for many of them.
“You’re helping people, giving them hope and sharing your faith in God,” Liz said. “Floyd and I both agreed to add you to our regular
rotation of donations. As long as you operate your food truck, we’ll be here to help.”
“You’re an answer to prayers.” Dot pressed a hand to her chest. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Hey!” Gloria wandered over and playfully nudged her sister’s arm. “I thought you were starving.”
“Liz gave me this.” Dot waved the check in the air. “Remember how I said we were falling short on funds? Liz and Floyd just took care of that and then some.”
“And I told Dot that Floyd and I would love to host a fundraiser as soon as we’re able,” Liz added.
“That’s wonderful.” Gloria clapped her hands. “God’s timing is
perfect.”
“Yes, it is.” Liz patted her stomach. “The quiche and salad are calling my name.”
The women filled their plates with food and settled in at
the nearby picnic tables, chatting about the chateau’s progress and savoring the picture-perfect summer day.
Gloria went back for seconds and squeezed in next to her sister. “I sent you a link to forward to Echo. It was a job application for the Montbay County Sheriff’s Department. Did you get it?”
“Yeah. I sent it to her. She hasn’t mentioned it, so I don’t know if she’s done anything with it yet.” Echo Quigley, Liz and Floyd’s new tenant, who was also a former evidence technician, was interested in a job working for the county and now that she had a permanent address, Liz thought she would help by putting in a good word with
Sheriff Joe Nelson.
“She’s dragging her feet?” Gloria sawed off a chunk of quiche and popped it into her mouth.
“Maybe, unless she never got it. I’ll
have to check.”
The other friends who were listening in threw out theories about why Echo no longer seemed gung ho to apply for a position which suited her perfectly.
Liz savored her last tasty morsel and reached for her napkin. “I suppose it’s none of my business. Maybe she’s changed her mind and would rather continue working at the family farm.”
“We have company.” Dot shaded her eyes and motioned to a work van that was turning into the driveway.
“Is it one of the construction workers?” Liz asked.
“No.” Lucy shook her head. “I don’t have anyone on the calendar for today.”
A man wearing a ball cap, worn jeans and a faded t-shirt emerged.
“I’ll see who it is.” Liz slid off the bench and strode across the driveway, catching up with the man near
the front of his van. “Hello.”
“Hello. Is this the Rasmussen property?”
“It is. We’re not expecting workers until tomorrow.”
“I’m not here to work.” The man shifted his feet. “I’m looking for Echo Quigley.”
“Echo isn’t here.” Liz’s scalp started tingling as an internal warning bell
sounded. “She doesn’t live here.” Which was technically the truth. Echo lived in the mobile home near the edge of the property.
Liz shifted her gaze, forcing her eyes away from the long scar running from the corner of the man’s mouth to the center of his chin.
“Do you know where I can find her?”
“Can I give her a message?” Liz asked.
“No. That won’t be necessary.” The man took a step back, his eyes shifting from her to studying the house…the RV, her friends seated at the picnic table. In other words, he was casing the joint. “Thank you…”
The man was fishing for her name, which made no sense considering
the fact he already knew the property owner’s last name.
“You’re welcome.” Liz warily watched as he climbed back inside his van. He backed out of the driveway and slowly drove off.
She released the breath she was holding, wondering why he backed all the way out instead of turning around, and then it hit her. His license plate. The man was making sure she couldn’t read his license plate.
“Who was that?” Liz turned to find Margaret standing directly behind
her.
“Someone who was looking for Echo.”
End of Sneak Peek...Tenant and Trouble Coming Next Week!
