Once home, she deposited the groceries where they belonged, thankful she hadn’t purchased anything that would thaw or spoil. By the time she’d taken her plants from the trunk and set them where she wanted to plant them, she was ready for a nap. Unfortunately that would have to wait. Kate cleaned up for dinner and enjoyed a nice tuna casserole, salad, and bread with Paul, Aleeda, and the boys.
After dinner, having gotten a second wind, Kate managed to get in two hours of quality time in her studio. The stained-glass window was coming along well. Her supplies had arrived, and Kate, feeling like a kid at Christmas, filed everything away.
Chapter Twenty-Six
On Wednesday morning, Paul picked up his briefcase and kissed Kate’s cheek. “There’s another piece in the national paper about Castile. I left it on the kitchen table for you.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now I’d better get moving before Miss Organization thinks I’ve gone missing.”
“Be sure to tell Millie I said hi.” Kate kissed him good-bye and wished him a productive day. She scanned the short article, noting there was nothing new on the case. She had a strong urge to visit Ava Castile, but she also felt the pressure of figuring out who, other than Charlie, had taken the funds at Valley Trust. She already had a full schedule, working on the Faith Freezer supplies for the homeless and wanting to get back to her stained-glass project.
Still, she might be able to learn something from Ava that would help Charlie Mayer. Before attempting anything else, Kate decided it might be time to pay a visit to Ava Castile. She’d call first but needed to find the number. She doubted it would be listed, but there it was, in the white pages, under N and A Castile.
Kate placed the call, expecting to be routed to a secretary or manager of some sort. She was surprised when Ava herself picked up the phone. Kate introduced herself and asked if they could meet to talk about the situation at Valley Trust.
“I’d love to meet you, Kate. Can you come here for lunch?”
“Perfect.” Kate got directions and the code for the security gate and hung up. “That was easy.” Maybe too easy. She let the thought slip by and tried to stem her excitement. She laughed at herself for feeling too much like a teenage girl about to visit a rock star.
With plenty of time before her meeting, Kate showered, then dressed in jeans and an old plaid work shirt. When she stepped out of the master bedroom, she noticed that Aleeda had returned from taking the boys to school. She was standing at the kitchen sink.
“Hola!” Kate greeted as she walked into the kitchen.
“Hola.” Aleeda wrung out the dishrag and wiped down the counters. She sounded cheerful as always.
“Can you help me with the Faith Freezer Program again today?”
“Sí.” Aleeda grinned. “I have good news. We have more than enough volunteers. We are stockpiling casseroles and side dishes. We should be able to serve dinner at the campsite tomorrow evening.”
“Wonderful!”
“I am more than happy to take care of this for you. I can show you the schedule and what we have done so far.”
“Maybe later.” Kate hugged her assistant and friend. “You are a godsend. What am I going to do when you leave?”
“Perhaps I can continue to help you in some ways.”
Kate smiled. “I’ll count on that.”
Though Kate had a number of items on her to-do list, she poured herself another mug of coffee and went into her studio. Aleeda bid Kate farewell as she headed out the door to the Faith Freezer house.
Kate had been working for more than an hour when the doorbell rang. She stretched and rubbed her backside as she hurried to the door. “Renee. What...?”
“This won’t take long.” Renee brushed past Kate.
“But I—” Figuring there was no way to stop her, Kate relented.
“I just wanted to...” Renee stopped midstride and turned back to face Kate. “I came to apologize for what I said Saturday night at the town hall meeting. I don’t know why I sided with Lucy Mae. I guess the whole idea of helping all those people felt overwhelming. I’d like to do what I can to help the homeless at the campground...especially the children.”
Kate’s annoyance melted as she moved forward to give Renee a hug. “Thank you.” She stepped back.
“You’re welcome. I’m heading over to the Faith Freezer house, so I’ll see you later.”
“Wait, I’ll go over with you.” Kate needed a break and wanted to take a look at the schedule to see for herself what kind of progress Aleeda and the others had made.
Kate had never seen the house so busy. It was like walking into a beehive, not that Kate had ever done that.
“Kate, come see.” Aleeda waved her in and over to the long table already laden with boxes, labeled and ready for storage. “We’ve run out of room in the freezers.” She beamed. “But several of the women have volunteered to store the boxes in theirs.”
“Oh, Kate. I’m so glad you’re here.” Lucy Mae Briddle stood at one of the counters with her hands sunk into bread dough. “I was planning to call you to apologize.”
“Me too.” This came from the other side of the kitchen, where real-estate agent Gail Carson was putting on an apron.
“After the meeting on Saturday,” Gail said, “we had a long talk with Loretta and LuAnne over at the diner.”
“We were being shortsighted,” Lucy Mae added. “Renee called me this morning and said the Faith Freezer Program could use some extra hands, so here we are.”
“You were right at that meeting, Kate.” Gail wound the apron strings around her waist and tied them at the front. “We also heard about Aleeda.” Gail nodded at her and smiled. “I had no idea we had people from our own community living out there.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Kate went from one woman to the other and gave each a hug.
“Some of the women are cooking at home.” Aleeda’s brown eyes sparkled as she spoke. “I thought we could stockpile a month’s worth of dinners, and then it would simply be a matter of maintaining the supply.”
“Do you have a menu for tomorrow’s dinner?” Kate asked.
“Sí. I wrote out the one you had written on your list. A Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. I found a farmer who promised to give us six fresh turkeys that we’ll prepare in the morning. I thought we’d use your oven as well as the one here and I’m working on finding others. I have volunteers set up to bring the food. We’ll use Paul’s pickup and Danny Jenner’s SUV to haul most of what we’ll need.”
Kate chuckled. “I see you have everything under control.”
Her cell phone rang, and she stepped outside so she could hear.
“Hi, Kate, Lucas Gregory here.”
Kate was embarrassed that she hadn’t contacted him sooner. “Lucas, hi. I suppose you’re wondering how I’m coming along with the window.”
“Yes, but I’m calling for another reason as well. I wonder if you have a few minutes. I have someone here I’d like you to meet.”
“Um...sure.” She glanced at her watch. She still had an hour and a half before her lunch with Ava Castile.
“Meet us at the Country Diner.” Lucas sounded jovial enough, but Kate was still confused.
“Oh, okay.”
“You might want to bring Paul.”
“If I can.”
Kate closed her phone, said her good-byes to the volunteers, and then phoned Paul as she hurried back to the house to change and pick up her car. She was just checking out her outfit—a periwinkle blue sweater set, charcoal gray slacks, and flat black dress shoes—when Paul walked into the bedroom.
“Lookin’ good, Mrs. Hanlon.” Paul raised his eyebrows and met her gaze in the mirror. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck.
She ducked out of his embrace and laughed. “You do say the nicest things”—grabbing his hand, she pulled him into the living room—“but we have to get going.”
“So what’s the big secret?” Paul as
ked as he settled himself in the Honda.
“I have no idea. Lucas said he wanted me to meet someone and to bring you along.”
“And another mystery begins.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
On the drive to the diner, Paul and Kate talked about the progress they were making on the various projects to help the homeless.
“I take it you’ve recovered from the reception you got from some of our model citizens last Saturday.”
“Not quite. I’m still disappointed in the mayor and the city council, but I’m very proud of our churches and our friends.”
They parked out front, noting the absence of cars, but then it was only eleven. Paul pulled up next to a black Cadillac Escalade. “That’s some car.” Paul eyed the SUV.
Kate narrowed her eyes. This looked like the same car she’d seen on three different occasions. She’d almost run into it out at Joe’s place, it had been parked at Valley Trust, and she felt certain it had been the one parked just down the street from their house the other night. Kate pushed back her sudden curiosity. One mystery at a time.
Paul settled an arm around her shoulders, drawing her back into a safe place. “I’ve actually gotten to like my little blue pickup. It’s got personality.”
Kate managed to smile. “Speaking of which, you need to make an appointment to get it fixed.”
“I already did.” Paul opened the door and escorted Kate inside. “The Honda too.”
Lucas waved them over. Kate and Paul took a few seconds to greet a couple from church.
Kate started for Lucas’ booth when she noticed LuAnne placing a ticket on the table in front of a customer who looked as if he’d been in the woods for a week.
Kate’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she saw who he was. Joe Brainerd. She hoped he wouldn’t see her and turned away, intent on focusing on Lucas...Which was when she got a look at the man sitting with him.
Kate gasped. “Oh!”
“Well I’ll be.” Rosie’s father grinned at her and winked.
Lucas looked from one to the other. “Do you already know each other?”
“Not exactly,” Kate managed to say.
The man seemed to be enjoying her distress. “We’ve crossed paths a time or two, but I had no idea who she was.”
“You’re Jake Saunders.” Paul grinned and shook hands with the man across the table.
“I am.”
Kate switched her gaze from Jake to Paul and back again. “Should I know you?”
Jake chuckled. “Not unless you’re into pro football and ads for sports gear.”
Kate wasn’t. “I’m sorry.”
Lucas made the introductions.
LuAnne set coffee in front of Paul. “Special today is vegetable stew with big chunks of sirloin, salad, and homemade sourdough rolls. We also have a Reuben sandwich with coleslaw and sweet-potato fries. I’ll let you think on that while I get Kate’s tea.”
Kate turned her attention back to Lucas. “Forgive me if I seem naive,” she said, “but why in the world would you want me to meet Jake?” Not that she minded. Meeting him now might save tracking him down later.
Lucas grinned and started to answer when LuAnne came back with hot water and a small basket of teas.
“You folks decide on what you want?”
Since she’d be having lunch with Ava shortly, Kate declined. The men all went with the Reuben.
As soon as LuAnne left, Kate zeroed in on Lucas and Jake. “You were saying...?”
It was Jake rather than Lucas who answered. “No easy way to say this, ma’am, but I’m the guy whose gun went off at St. Lucy’s.”
Kate drew in a sharp breath. “Oh.” Her mind fishtailed as thoughts collided. She didn’t know what to think. Kate tabled her questions about his association with Valley Trust for the time being and forced herself to concentrate on what the man was saying.
“Father Gregory has been telling me about your work with stained glass and that you were repairing the one I broke. I plan on paying for that window, so I’d like you to get the best supplies. And I’ll pay you for your work too. It’s the least I can do.”
“Thank you.” Kate dunked her tea bag into the cup. “I always use the best materials. So, Jake, why were you going so fast on Ashland Street?”
He ducked his head, seemingly embarrassed. “I shouldn’t have been going that fast through town. I did think I was on Smoky Mountain Road, though. Somehow I got turned around. Believe me, I deserve the ticket the sheriff wrote up. Call it a hunter’s high. I couldn’t wait to get into the wilds.” He shrugged and offered a penitent grin. “No excuses.”
Kate returned his smile. “Well, regardless, I appreciate that you’re willing to pay to have the window fixed. I’m happy to be working on it.” She turned to Lucas. “By the way, I did some research on the church and found some rather exciting information.” Kate drew the folder out of her handbag and handed it to Lucas, then proceeded to tell them about the artist.
“Jake, you are indeed fortunate that it can be repaired. If I weren’t able to repair it, you’d be out a lot of money.”
Jake’s brown eyes twinkled as he smiled at her. “I am truly blessed.”
Kate felt a bit foolish, realizing that cost was probably the man’s last concern. She turned to Lucas. “I meant to give you the information sooner but haven’t had time to make copies.”
Lucas looked over her notes and leaned back. “Impressive. Guess I’d better get an appraiser and up the insurance. Thank you, Kate.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Well, Jake,” Lucas said, “I’d say God was looking out for you on the financial end too.”
Jake grinned. “God works all things for good, huh?”
By the end of the meal, Kate had come to like Jake Saunders. He’d heard about the homeless situation and offered to volunteer his services. “I’ll bet I can find some guys out at the camp who’d be willing to work for me on a new construction site in Pine Ridge.”
“You have jobs available?” Kate asked.
He nodded. “I’m coming through the recession okay so far. I’ve been able to make some great deals on property.” He frowned. “I know that sounds opportunistic, but it also means I can resell at more realistic rates. Housing prices were getting way out of hand.”
“So you’re a developer?” Paul wanted to know. “I knew you’d retired.”
“Yep. Retired from pro ball a couple of years ago and decided to invest in property.” He eyed Kate. “Which reminds me. I’m often on the lookout for good quality stained-glass art. If you’re interested in working for me, I can keep you busy full-time.”
“That’s very kind of you, Jake. Unfortunately, I have a full schedule. I love being a pastor’s wife, and that leaves me with a lot of responsibilities.” She squeezed Paul’s hand under the table.
Paul winked at her. “She’s also our local amateur sleuth.”
“But,” Kate added, “I wouldn’t mind working on some stained-glass pieces from time to time.”
“Great. Let me give you one of my business cards.”
Kate accepted his card. “And our phone number is in the telephone book, should you need to reach me.”
LuAnne brought the check, and Jake took it. He grinned up at her. “This pay-what-you-can deal is a good thing.”
“We think so.” LuAnne took a moment to straighten her crisp white apron. “It’s amazin’ how generous our usual patrons have been.” She glanced back at the door, where Joe was just walking out. “We got burned this morning, though. That guy is a local, but he’s upset about Loretta’s new policy. Says we’re turnin’ the diner into a mission for bums. Ordered a huge meal and didn’t leave a dime.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Paul said, looking out the window as Joe was opening the door to his mud-caked truck.
“Maybe this will help.” Jake reached into his wallet and extracted a folded envelope, along with a credit card. “Charge the credit card with our meals and
with whatever Joe’s meal actually cost. Give the envelope to Loretta.”
Kate’s curiosity rose to a new level. Jake had called Joe by name, which meant he probably knew him. And Jake had obviously planned on presenting Loretta with whatever was in the envelope before coming. From his philanthropic attitude throughout their lunch, she had a hunch the envelope contained a donation to the restaurant. She was pleased at his kind gesture.
LuAnne nodded. “Thanks.”
“Just one small catch.” Jake looked at each of them and lowered his voice. “Don’t tell anyone else where it came from. I like to keep things anonymous when I can.”
Privacy issues. That’s what Rosie had said about the Valley Trust board members not being listed on the bank’s Web site. More important, though, how did he know Joe Brainerd?
Jake and Lucas left together, climbed into the Escalade, and drove off in the direction of St. Lucy’s. Kate’s mind churned with unanswered questions. Had Jake’s SUV been the one she’d seen near Joe’s place? Jake could have been parked in the Valley Trust parking lot too. But what about the SUV parked near the Faith Freezer house on Monday night?
“What a nice guy,” Paul said. “Seems really down to earth.”
“Hmm.” Kate nodded. Though she hadn’t had a chance to ask Jake about Valley Trust, or his connection to Joe, she tucked his card into her wallet. She definitely planned to call him.
They were about to leave when Loretta slipped into the seat across from them, and LuAnne squeezed in next to her. Loretta seemed to be struggling for air. With a shaky hand she gave the now-open envelope Jake had given her to Kate.
“Loretta, what’s wrong?”
“J-just read the note.”
“It’s unbelievable.” LuAnne’s eyes were so big, Kate was afraid she’d explode. “We can’t tell anybody, but you guys already saw him give us the envelope.”
Kate opened the envelope and drew out a check that was tucked inside a card. Just as she thought, a donation...But when she saw the amount, Kate gasped. She held it out for Paul to read. He whistled, put the check and the note into the envelope, and handed it back to Loretta. The note read:
Strangers in Their Midst Page 16
