Read Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 05 - Eye Spy for Free Online Page A

the yard sale,” Ruth said.
    “What’d she say?”
    “Yeah.  She seems real excited.  I think she’s going to bring some stuff by,” Ruth answered.
    If anyone had stuff to get rid of, it would be Margaret.  Margaret and her husband, Don, had traveled all over the world through the years, visiting some exotic locations, including one Gloria herself had always wanted to visit.  Israel.  And Jerusalem. 
    Gloria made a mental note to sift through whatever Margaret decided to get rid of.  She had some cool stuff Gloria wouldn’t mind having for herself.
    Ruth brushed her hands on the front of her pants and waited while Gloria closed the barn doors and snapped the padlock closed.
    Ever since the time the bank robber had snuck into Gloria’s barn to hide out, she’d added locks to all her barn doors - and she used them!
    “I noticed Kenny stopped by with your mail,” Ruth said.
    Gloria wasn’t sure how Ruth would feel about Gloria poking around in the post office investigation.  “He said he missed you and that it was boring without you,” she answered.
    Ruth’s face brightened.  “He did?”
    “Yep.”
    Then her face fell.  “I hope they wrap this thing up soon.  I need to get back to work.  I have no idea what people who don’t work do with all their free time!” she declared.
    Ruth clamped her mouth shut when it dawned on Ruth that she was talking about Gloria.  But Gloria knew she meant no harm.  She just said the first thing that popped into her head.  And she was sure others wondered the same thing. 
    But Gloria stayed busy. So busy, she wondered how she would survive if she did have a 9 to 5 job!  Between her gardens, her friends and her investigations, her days filled up fast.  Sometimes there didn’t even seem like enough hours in the day to get it all done!
    “You’d be surprised,” Gloria answered.  She linked arms with Ruth as they wandered across the yard and back to the house.  “One day you’ll find out and then you’ll be just like me,” she promised.
    After lunch, Ruth wandered from room-to-room aimlessly.  There was no way Gloria could keep her busy at her house.  They needed to get out.  To go into town and make the rounds. “C’mon, let’s head into town.”
    Ruth frowned.  “But aren’t people going to start asking questions?” she asked.  “What if they start whispering about me behind my back?”
    Gloria planted her hands on her hips.  “Ruth Carpenter!  You know better than to pay any mind to the gossips in this town!  We are going into Belhaven and you are going to hold your head up high!”
    Ruth stiffened her back at Gloria’s pep talk.  “You’re right!  No bunch of busybodies are gonna make me hide out in shame!” she declared.
    The girls climbed in Ruth’s van.  “Let’s stop by Andrea’s first.  I want to see how the place is shaping up,” Gloria said.
    “Great idea,” Ruth agreed. 
    Andrea’s beautiful home - the town’s unofficial mansion - was almost finished with its spectacular renovation.  Andrea bought the house and immediately began updating both the inside and out.  It was fun to watch the transformation.  The young woman had done a terrific job of keeping the historical charm, yet adding modern touches and her own personal flair. 
    There was one other vehicle parked in the driveway.  It was parked next to Andrea’s expensive sports car.  It looked to be some sort of handyman van.  Ruth pulled her van behind Andrea’s car and the girls climbed out.  The front door was wide open.
    “Knock, knock.” Gloria peeked her head inside the door to announce their arrival.
    From the corner of her eye, Gloria caught a glimpse of a black shadow as it darted across the room.  “Woof!” A sleek, shiny black Labrador retriever pranced over to them, his tail wagging.  He sniffed Ruth first, who patted his head.  Then he turned to Gloria.  Gloria bent down and rubbed his ears.  “Well, hello there!  Who are