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and watched Isabelle drive away. He held the phone to his ear, even though the caller had apologized as a wrong number and hung up. Gloria gave him a wave as she walked across the street to the parsonage that was behind the church. The brick church with the gray steeple sat on the corner of Main and Park. Lydia Wheeler, the organist was just getting out of her car in the church parking, carrying an armload of music. Gloria stopped and chatted with the rotund Lydia before crossing the driveway into her yard. Jim started the truck and eased out onto Main Street. He thought he caught a glimpse of a man darting through the bushes that separated the church and the parsonage. That was a little strange, but maybe it was the Reverend. He didn’t think so though.

Chapter 6
     
     
    T he phone jangled incessantly, dogs were barking, people were picking up and dropping off their dogs.  Gracie determined that she absolutely needed help today. There were only so many things she and Jim could do. They had certainly miscalculated at how the business would grow in three months. It was great, but it was also a disaster. Another kennel helper and a groomer were necessities. She finally made it into the office to call Marian Majewski, a retired groomer. She’d run into her a couple of weeks ago in the grocery store. When she’d asked Marian about working again, there had been some interest. She’d beg Marian on her hands and knees to help them for at least a couple of weeks until a more permanent arrangement could be made. The phone was ringing. She crossed her fingers that Marian would answer.
    “Hi, Marian. This is Gracie Andersen at Milky Way.  I’m wondering if you’re still interested in working. We could sure use you here even if it’s temporary. We’re swamped, and I know you could get the grooming schedule under control.”
    “I’ve been thinking about calling you,” Marian laughed. “Honestly, I’ve been bored out of my mind, Gracie. I don’t think I’m settling into retirement like I thought. I’d love to help out. I miss those fur balls and their sloppy kisses.”
    “Any chance you could start today?”
    “You bet. Let me tell my husband and I’ll be there in about an hour or so.”
    “Wow! Great! Thanks!” Gracie breathed a sigh of relief.
    Some real help was on the way and so easily too. Marian’s reputation with the dog community was impeccable. She could shampoo a dog and clip his toenails before he knew what hit him. She could put the most hyper or distressed dog at ease in minutes. She had a reputation for being the same way with people. Marian would certainly get the grooming organized.
    Gracie was turning people away because there just weren’t enough hours in the day. Having Marian around would give her some breathing room which meant she wouldn’t be doing the books late at night—maybe.
    Beth informed her she hadn’t been able to locate a friend, so the search for a kennel helper continued. Gracie had a call in to the security company to get them out to check the system. She had also spent a lot of time soothing the fears of customers who were concerned about the safety of their dogs. Word of the break-in traveled at lightning speed —in town and out of town. Her head stilled ached, but was manageable.  Gracie had just finished another call, calming an anxious dog owner, when she saw Isabelle’s Lexus pull in. At least Jim had been able to give her a heads up when he’d arrived a few minutes ago.
    “OK. Here we go,” she said to a sleeping Haley. The dog opened one eye, groaned, and went back to sleep. “Thanks for the support, girl.”
    She met Isabelle in the parking lot to discourage sitting or lingering of any sort.
    “Hi, Isabelle. What brings you out so early?”
    “I heard about the break-in. I just had to see if you were all right.”
    “I’m fine, except for lack of sleep. The sheriff’s department is working on it.”
    “I don’t have a lot of confidence in them.