Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 03 - Smoky Mountain Mystery by Hope Callaghan Page A

flames was just pourin’ out.”
    Aunt Ethel took a sip of hot tea before continuing.  “After the explosion, Momma, she done took off runnin’ for the barn.”
    Aunt Ethel’s hands shook as she gingerly set the cup in the center of the saucer.  Her sharp eyes glossed over as a glimmer of tears filled them.  “But it was too late.  By the time the fire trucks got here, the barn was burnt to the ground with Daddy inside. Somehow Skeeter, he made it out but not Daddy.”
    She abruptly got up from the table and made her way over to the kitchen sink.  The three sat in stunned silence as they stared at the back of Aunt Ethel’s thin frame.  Never in their lives had the girls heard the story of how their grandfather died.
    Gloria drummed her fingers on the old Formica table thoughtfully.  A sad story, for sure.  But something wasn’t adding up.  “If the barn burned to the ground with your father - our grandfather - inside, how come it’s still standing and the moonshine equipment’s still inside and in such good condition?”
    Ethel whirled around, her eyes blazing as they fixed on Gloria.  “That ain’t the barn!” she practically shouted.  “The moonshine barn was on the other side of the driveway.  Those there parts you saw were just spare parts Daddy kept in case somethin’ broke down.”
    Gloria shrunk back from the venom in Aunt Ethel’s voice.  She went from sweet, little old lady to wicked witch in a matter of seconds.  “I didn’t mean anything by that.  I was just wondering…”
    The venomous look was instantly replaced by an expression of sweet, gentle grandmotherly concern.  “I’m sorry dear.  I didn’t mean to snap at you.” She stared at the kitchen floor as she wiped her hands on the faded flower apron tied firmly around her waist.  “It’s hard to talk about.  Even now after all these years.”
    Liz saw the perfect opportunity to suck up to their only known living relative, outside of their own families, that is.  She sprung from her chair and ran over to Aunt Ethel.  She tenderly wrapped an arm around her shoulder.  “Don’t you worry about Gloria.” Liz shot Gloria a look of triumph.  “She’s just so thoughtless sometimes.”
    Gloria returned the look with her own withering glare, quickly replaced by a soothing smile.  “I truly didn’t mean to upset you, Aunt Ethel.” She tried to sound sincere, although deep down something still wasn’t sitting right with the whole story.
    She glanced out the kitchen window.  The sun was long gone and it was almost dark outside.  “We really ought to get going.  We’re not familiar with the roads and we’ve got a good 45 minute drive back to the hotel.”
    Sensing her best ally was Liz, Aunt Ethel focused all her attention on Gloria’s older sister.  “The thing I didn’t get ‘round to explainin’ is Daddy told Momma before he died that he hid somethin’ away.  Somethin’ for a rainy day.  You know, for when the moonshine business dried up. I think it’s somewheres out there in the barn.”
    Liz’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.  Jackpot!  She tried not to sound overly-eager.  “You never found it?” 
    “I been lookin’ on and off now since Momma told me ‘bout it years ago.  Right before she died,” she explained.
    Aunt Ethel finally turned her attention to Gloria.  Apparently her anger long forgotten now, she focused on the one person that might actually be able to help find the hidden stash.  “Heard you was a pretty good detective.  What with solvin’ all them there murders in your town.”
    She took a step toward the table where Gloria was still sitting.  “You think you can figure out where it might be hidden?”  All eyes were on Gloria now.  Granted, she did kind of have a knack for digging up clues and finding killers but finding hidden treasure? 
    “I’m not sure.” She shrugged her shoulders.  “Guess I could give it a try.”
    She pulled herself from the chair