Look Into My Ice (Garden Girls Christian Cozy Mystery Series Book 12)

by Hope Callaghan

  Gloria patted Mally’s head absentmindedly as she watched the special weather report on the storm. It was a doozy and she was glad she wasn’t out in it.

  The special weather report ended and the channel returned to the regularly scheduled program – a presidential debate was in progress. Gloria groaned. “Not another one! How many of these debates are there?” It seemed as if there was a debate every other night.

  “I have no idea.” Paul changed the channel and they started watching a football game.

  Gloria closed her eyes and promptly nodded off.

  “Ready for bed?” Paul’s voice was close…close to her ear.

  Gloria and Mally both jumped.

  “The game is over,” Paul said as he reached over and rubbed her arm.

  Gloria glanced at the living room grandfather clock. It was only nine. “Yeah, we can turn in early.” She peered out the large picture window. The snow had let up a little, which meant there was hope the county would plow the roads before Paul had to leave in the morning.

  She let Mally out for a quick bathroom break while Paul got ready for bed.

  The old farmhouse had one inside bathroom. There was another bathroom in one of the outbuildings just off the back porch but Gloria hadn’t used it in years.

  She gave Puddles and Mally a small snack before heading to the now empty bathroom.

  Paul was watching television in bed by the time Gloria made her way in. “They’re cancelling schools right and left for tomorrow.”

  That meant Tyler and Ryan more than likely had a snow day. The buses would have trouble navigating the backroads and many of the side roads would be drifted shut. “The boys will be home tomorrow. Maybe I’ll run by Jill’s place if the main roads are clear.”

  Paul waited until Gloria was under the covers before shutting off the television. “Nothing like a little snowstorm to make you want to cuddle.”

  Paul pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her passionately.

  Gloria’s toes started to tingle. Perhaps Alice’s special love potion wasn’t so bad after all…

  Chapter 18

  Gloria awoke before the alarm sounded the next morning. Although the evening had been wonderful, it had ended up being a restless night. Between the wind howling and rattling the bedroom window, to the thoughts bouncing around in her head on how to either flush out Ed Mueller’s killer or trick the killer into confessing, she had tossed and turned for hours.

  On the one hand, a good old-fashioned stakeout was exciting, but then she had never tried to coerce a full out confession. Sally would be the perfect candidate to try the latter on. The woman loved to talk…mostly about herself.

  Gloria’s tentative strategy would be more of “suggesting” something that would cause Sally to panic and confess. She needed to map out the timeline for the events leading up to Ed Mueller’s death and tie them to the clues they had thus far. Unfortunately, there weren’t many.

  Sally’s nametag was the biggest clue. She thought about the tracks in the snow. Somehow, someone had been able to move Ed Mueller’s body out to the shanty, unless, of course, they had killed him during an argument inside the shanty. That would make the most sense.

  The inside of the shanty was small. If two people were in the midst of a life and death struggle, wouldn’t there be signs the struggle? There was always the possibility the police had already removed all of the evidence.

  The shanty door had been busted open. Someone had been desperate to get inside the shanty - perhaps to look for a nametag?

  Gloria, deep in her musings, jumped when the alarm sounded. Paul shut the alarm off and threw the covers back before swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “One more day and then the weekend off.”

  It was time to kick the investigation into high gear. Paul would be home for the weekend and they had already planned to run over to his farm to sort through more things they planned to donate to the Salvation Army in nearby Green Springs.

  They had also invited all of the kids – Jill, Greg and the boys, along with Paul’s children - his son, Jeff, daughter-in-law, Tina, and his youngest, Allie, for a late Saturday afternoon dinner.

  It would be a busy weekend.

  Gloria crawled out of bed and hopped to the window. She lifted the edge of the blind and peered out. It was still dark but she could see the mercury light on the corner of the barn. The snow had stopped.

  The newlyweds had already gotten into a small routine, especially when Paul was working. Gloria would let Mally out, then start a pot of coffee and either fix a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and a side of toast or go for something quicker and easier – a bowl of cereal and a pastry.

  Paul wasn’t fussy and Gloria appreciated the fact he never grumbled no matter what was waiting for him on the kitchen table.

  She had just started the coffee and made her way over to the fridge when he appeared in the door. “I’m going to shovel the porch and sidewalk before I leave,” he said.

  Gloria turned. “What about breakfast?”

  “I’ll hit one of the drive-thru fast food places on my way.” He kissed the top of her forehead and walked over to the chair by the door to slip his boots on. “I know there’s no way you’re going to sit home today and I don’t want you struggling to make it across the snow covered porch or sidewalk.”

  He eased into his coat, zipped the front, pulled on a hat and stepped onto the porch.

  Gloria watched as he made quick work of shoveling the porch and a path leading to the garage. “Thank you Lord for such a wonderful husband,” she whispered. Her heart warmed as she watched him.

  When he came back inside, Gloria had a travel mug filled with fresh, hot coffee waiting for him.

  She hugged him, despite his cold, snowy jacket and laid her head against his chest. “Thank you. That was so thoughtful.” Her voice cracked and sudden tears burned the back of her eyes.

  “You’re welcome. Anything to keep my beautiful bride safe.”

  She lifted her face and Paul gently kissed her lips. “You can pay me back later,” he flirted.

  Gloria’s stomach fluttered and her eyes grew wide. Was Alice’s “Love Potion” still working its magic?

  Mally slipped in when Paul made his way out. He had also brushed the snow off his truck and started the engine. She waved from the doorway, unsure if he could even see her.

  When his truck disappeared onto the main road, she closed the door and looked down at her beloved pooch. “I better get ready. We have a lot to do today.”

  Gloria grabbed her crutches and hobbled to the bathroom. She peeled off her pajamas, plugged the bathtub drain and turned on the hot water.

  The steamy bath warmed her bones and twice she added more hot water. She stayed in the tub until Mally began whining at the door.

  “Okay. I’ll get out.”

  Getting out of the tub was trickier than getting in. It was a balancing act since she had to be careful to keep her cast from getting wet.

  Once she was out, she towel dried her body and went over the day’s schedule in her mind.

  First, she was going to call Jill to see if she and the boys were going to be home. After that, she was going to stop at the post office to find out if Ruth had heard anything else.

  Gloria’s stomach grumbled and she added a stop at Dot’s Restaurant for breakfast to her to-do list. Not only would she be able to bounce some ideas off her friend, she would enjoy a home-cooked breakfast while she was at it.

  Rounding out her list was something she had vowed to do for a long time now, which was pay a visit to At Your Service.

  She spent extra time in the bathroom making sure her hair was completely dry before applying some makeup and then dressing.

  She pulled on a pair of black sweatpants and a cream-colored sweater. Sweat pants were Gloria’s new best friend ever since she discovered she was not able to fit the cast into regular pants. The sweatpants were roomy enough to do the trick. Sweatpants were comfortable and, in her
opinion, highly underrated.

  Mally was patiently waiting by the bathroom door when Gloria emerged. “What? You want to be my sidekick today? We’re going to see if Ryan and Tyler are home. Would you like to see Ryan and Tyler?”

  Mally whined, which Gloria took as a yes, and the two of them slowly made their way into the kitchen. She studied the linoleum floor, looking for telltale puddles of water, which were treacherous for her and her crutches.

  She grabbed the mop propped up against the wall and swiped at a couple of small puddles near the porch door.

  There was still half a pot of coffee in the carafe and she had just poured a cup when the house phone rang. “That’s right. I need to call Jill,” she reminded herself aloud.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi Gloria. It’s Andrea.”

  “Hi dear. How are you?”

  Andrea sighed heavily. “I’m bored. I think I have cabin fever.”

  Gloria grinned. “Cabin fever in your big old house?” If Gloria lived in Andrea’s magnificent mini-mansion, she would never get bored. In fact, she would light a fire in the library’s fireplace and curl up in one of her comfy wingback chairs with a good mystery, although not today.

  The day would be jam packed with places to go and people to see. “You can tag along with me today. I have a bunch of errands to run.”

  “I thought you’d never ask,” Andrea said. “When are you leaving?”

  Gloria glanced at her worn Bible sitting on the corner cabinet. “I’m going to have a cup of coffee, read my Bible and then head out. Maybe half an hour or so.”

  “I’ll be there with bells on,” Andrea said. “Thanks for letting me come along!”

  “Don’t you want to know where we’re going?” Gloria asked.

  “Nope. I’m sure whatever you have planned will be exciting,” her young friend said before hanging up the phone.

  Gloria replaced the phone on the receiver and shuffled to the chair.

  Puddles climbed onto her lap, which was his morning ritual for Bible reading, and began purring while Gloria opened her Bible.

  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 (KJV)

  Gloria lifted her gaze and stared out the kitchen window. Her life was full of blessings…her children and grandchildren, Paul and her dear friends. She thanked the Lord every day for all He had given her.

  She felt guilty over her mumbling and grumbling about her broken leg. Yes, she had broken her leg, but God had provided – Paul who made sure the porch and sidewalk were shoveled so she wouldn’t slip and fall. She also had her friends, who called to check on her if they hadn’t heard from her.

  Gloria smiled as she thought of her family…her grandsons who had made their own breakfasts and fed Gloria’s beloved pets so she wouldn’t have to.

  The thought of all she’d been blessed with caused Gloria to tear up for a second time that day. A tear trickled down her cheek. It wasn’t a tear of sadness but a tear of thankfulness for all she had.

  She swiped the tear with the back of her hand. Puddles nudged her hand and rubbed his wet nose on Gloria’s thumb.

  Gloria scratched Puddles’ ear as she also thanked God for her beloved pets. With a heart full of gratitude, Gloria closed her Bible and set it back on the corner shelf.

  “That’s right. I have to call Jill,” she reminded herself as she hopped to the kitchen counter and reached for the house phone to call her daughter.

  Jill picked up on the first ring and Gloria could hear her grandsons hollering in the background. “Are the natives restless already?”

  Jill groaned. “Good heavens. You would think it was Christmas morning. So far, I’ve broken up two fights, stopped them from setting the living room rug on fire and cleaned up three sinks overflowing with dirty dishes, all before eight a.m.”

  Gloria smiled. “It looks like the main roads are clear. Andrea, Mally and I are heading out to run some errands and thought we’d stop by for a visit.”

  “Great! The boys would love to see you, Mom.”

  “Grams! You’re coming to see us?” Tyler must have overheard the conversation and taken the phone from his mother.

  “Yes, but not for too long. It will be Andrea, Mally and me.”

  “Did you find out anything on the coins we found in the barn?” he asked breathlessly.

  Gloria frowned. She hadn’t even had time to think about the coins, let alone clean them up for a closer inspection. “Not yet. I promise to do it this week. Unless you would like me to bring them to you. You and Ryan can do some research.” It was a brilliant idea and one that would keep the boys busy, at least for a couple of minutes.

  “Okay! We’ll be waiting.”

  He turned the phone back over to his mother. “What time do you think you’ll be here?” her daughter asked.

  Gloria glanced at the clock. It was nine. She wanted to stop at the post office, then Dot’s for breakfast. It would be late morning. “Probably around eleven thirty? I can stop by a fast food drive-thru and grab some burgers and fries.”

  “Burgers and fries sound good,” Jill said.

  “Burgers and fries, burgers and fries,” echoed in the background.

  A movement caught Gloria’s eye and she gazed through the kitchen door. It was Andrea’s truck pulling in the drive.

  The driver’s side door popped open and her young friend hopped out of the truck, her blonde ponytail swinging back and forth as she slammed the door shut and darted across the snowy drive.

  “Andrea is here. I’ll see you soon.” Gloria hung up the phone and shuffled to the door.

  Andrea bounded up the porch steps and stomped her feet as Gloria opened the kitchen door. “Well, look at this lovely ray of sunshine.” She hugged Andrea, hopped to the side and motioned her in.

  The young woman looked adorable in her sunny yellow ski jacket, matching yellow and pink headband and pink moon boots.

  “I need to tag along with you when you shop. I love your style.”

  “Thanks.” Andrea grinned, the dimple in her cheek deepening. She rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait to hang out with you today.”

  Andrea’s enormous diamond engagement ring sparkled in the kitchen light. Brian had proposed to Andrea while Paul and Gloria had been honeymooning in Florida.

  Gloria rattled off the schedule and Andrea nodded. “Sounds good. You want me to drive?” her young friend offered.

  “Well…I was going to take Mally along.”

  Mally heard her name and trotted over.

  “No problem. Brutus rides in the truck all the time.”

  “That would be wonderful.” Riding around on snowy roads in Andrea’s four-wheel drive pick-up would be much safer than Gloria’s car.

  “Let me grab my purse.” She disappeared into the back and returned moments later, purse in hand. “Let’s get this show on the road!”

  Chapter 19

  Downtown Belhaven was a beehive of activity and Gloria never would have guessed the large number of residents who were out and about. Perhaps they were like Andrea, suffering from cabin fever and anxious for the arrival of spring.

  Winter was wearing on Gloria, as well. She was lucky to have had a brief respite in Florida and had thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine and balmy temperatures.

  Andrea veered into the post office parking lot and parked in an open spot on the end.

  Gloria waited for Mally to hop out first before sliding out of her seat. The three of them made their way inside.

  Ruth was behind the counter, waiting on a customer. She shot Gloria a glance – a look that said she had heard something else. The women stood off to the side to wait.

  After the customer left the counter, he dropped his stamped envelopes in the out of town mail slot and exited the post office.

  Ruth reached into the top drawer, pulled out her container of dog treats and stepped out into the lobby. “H
ey Mally. How’re you today?” She patted her head as she gave her the doggie treat.

  Mally licked Ruth’s hand, chomped down on the treat and headed to the corner to eat it.

  They were alone inside the post office except for Kenny Webber, Ruth’s right hand man and rural route carrier. He waved at Gloria and continued sorting the mail in the back.

  “Kate stopped by here first thing this morning. She’s madder than a wet hornet and was on her way to confront Brian Sellers over at Nails and Knobs.”

  Ruth shook her head. “She said she’s going to give him an ultimatum. He either get rid of Sally Keane or she was going to quit.”

  “It won’t end well,” Gloria predicted. Although Sally was a pain in the rear, he couldn’t fire her just because Kate wanted him to.

  Sally would be the type of person to file a lawsuit and Brian, a former circuit court judge, would know she might have a legitimate claim. If anything, the ultimatum would backfire and Kate would end up quitting.

  Gloria admired the woman’s spunk and she would love to talk to her. There was a good chance the woman had overheard something that would be useful in the investigation.

  “Brian is level-headed. He’ll calm her down,” Gloria said. She turned to Andrea. “We should stop by the hardware store and chat with him after we have breakfast at Dot’s.”

  “You want us to bring you back anything to eat?” Andrea asked Ruth. She felt bad knowing Ruth had to work while Gloria and she were able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast.

  Ruth shook her head. “Nah. Thanks for asking. Kenny here.” She pointed at Kenny. “Brought in some donuts and gourmet vanilla coffee.” She pronounced it “gor-met.”

  “You’re a good man,” Gloria hollered out as she hopped to the door and the trio made their way outside.

  They crossed the street and Gloria was careful to keep her injured leg high off the ground lest some of the salty, wet road splashed her cast. She hopped onto the sidewalk and lowered her leg.

  The restaurant was abuzz with excited chatter. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted them at the door.

  Gloria glanced around, finally spying a table for two near the back. The girls reached the table at the same time Dot made her way over with a pot of coffee. Mally crawled under the table in search of scraps of food.