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

and slowly stood.  “Not today, though.  Maybe we could come back tomorrow?”
    Before Aunt Ethel could answer, Liz blurted out.  “Of course we’ll come back tomorrow and help Aunt Ethel.” She gave the woman a warm hug, as if she’d known dear, old Aunt Ethel for ages now. 
    “We’d love to help you out for free but what with all our expenses getting here, the cost of the hotel,” she explained, “maybe you could pass a little bit on to us if we help you find it?”  Liz certainly had a way of laying on the nauseatingly sweet charm.
    Aunt Ethel played right into her hand.  “Why of course, dear.  What would an old woman like myself need with all that money anyways?”
    She started toward the living room.  “I think splittin’ it 50/50 would be fair.  After all, half the money would’ve belonged to Doodle anyways.”
    Liz stifled a laugh.  She still couldn’t get over the fact that someone – anyone - would call her father “Doodle.”
    Margaret was getting hungry.  Lunch was hours ago.  “We’ll be back in the morning, then.” Without waiting for an answer, she sidestepped the others and snaked her way through the living room maze and out the front door. 
    Gloria and Mally were right behind her.  Liz, still sucking up to poor Aunt Ethel, brought up the rear.  They walked to the car in silence.  All Liz could think about was the hidden stash.  Margaret was focused on food and Gloria?  Well, Gloria smelled a rat.  There was more to the story and she had every intention of finding out what it was.

Chapter 5
 
    Liz dropped Gloria and Margaret off at the store parking lot to pick up Anabelle.  “Where’re you staying tonight?”
    Gloria shrugged.  She hadn’t planned that far ahead.  “How’s the place you’re staying at?”  She glanced down at Mally.  “More importantly, do they allow dogs?”
    Liz sniffed.  “It’s alright, I guess and yeah, they allow dogs.”  If Liz said it was “alright” it was probably actually pretty nice.  Champagne tastes on a beer budget.  That was Liz.  “I guess we’ll head on over there, then.”
    Liz backed her car out of the parking lot.  She lowered the window before pulling away. “Pick up some food on your way,” Liz yelled through the open window.  “Remember, I’m allergic to lettuce!”
    Gloria rolled her eyes.  Only Liz could be allergic to lettuce.  More like Liz was allergic to anything healthy.  The woman thrived on caffeine and sugar. 
    Gloria made a quick stop at a drive-thru restaurant on the way to the hotel.  At least Margaret wasn’t being picky.  She sure seemed hungry, though.  Two greasy cheeseburgers, an extra-large French fry and thick milk chocolate shake just for her.  Gloria shook her head as she handed over the bags of food.  “You’re lucky you don’t weigh 500 lbs.”
    Margaret sniffed as she grabbed the bags.  “I’m making up for missing dinner.”
    They had missed dinner.  Gloria forgot all about it, so caught up in the mystery.  “I’m sorry, Margaret.  It never even dawned on me we haven’t eaten since that small pizza hours ago.”
    Gloria didn’t mean to sound cranky.  It’s just that Liz was so darned good at getting under her skin, it made Gloria snap at everyone in sight.  Even a friend who volunteered to keep Gloria company on this messed up misadventure. 
    Margaret plucked a fry from the bag and munched away.  “It’s okay.  I know how Liz gets on your nerves and you didn’t mean anything by it,” she said.
    “Thanks for being such a good friend, Margaret.  I don’t deserve you,” Gloria added.  And she meant it.  Right then and there, she vowed yet again to bite her tongue and try harder.   She felt even worse when she remembered the Bible verse about true friends:
    “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.  NIV
    God surely wouldn’t be pleased with her grumpiness!
    The girls quickly checked