Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 03 - Smoky Mountain Mystery Read Online Free

big admission for Margaret and she didn’t want to make it seem like a trivial confession.  “I’m sorry you feel that way, Margaret.  It’s just that when Lucy’s husband and my James died within months of each other, we kind of went through the mourning process together,” she explained.
    Margaret nodded.  “Yeah, I know.” She avoided Gloria’s eyes as she stared out the window.  “Don gets so wrapped up in his golfing buddies.  Seems like he doesn’t have time for me anymore.” 
    Gloria never was very close to Margaret’s husband.  He always seemed a bit aloof.  But the two of them seemed a good match.  After all, they’d been together for a very long time.  The only thing that bothered Gloria was Don never seemed to make an effort to spend time with his wife or do any of the things she wanted to do. 
    Margaret just put the whole thing in a brand new light for Gloria.  One just never knew what kind of battles others were fighting and how they might need a shoulder to cry on or a friend they could turn to every once in awhile. 
    Gloria silently resolved that from now on she would make a point to include Margaret more and be a better friend.  “Maybe you could sit down and have an honest conversation with him.  Let him know how you feel left out…”
    Margaret glanced across the seat, tears filling her hazel blue eyes.  “I’ve tried several times.  The harder I try, the more he shuts me out.”  The next confession tore at Gloria’s heart.  “I think he might be running around with another woman.”
    The thought never occurred to Gloria but Margaret knew her husband much better than anyone else.  “But Belhaven is so small.  Nothing is a secret…”
    Margaret shook her head.  “No.  I think she may be from Lakeville.” She looked down at the worn, wrinkled hands in her lap.  “I hired an investigator,” she confessed.  “He’s going to get back with me next week.  After we get back from this trip.”
    “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about,” Gloria reasoned. “Don would be a fool to take up with someone else!”
    And it was true.  Margaret was an attractive woman.  Her figure was a tad on the plump side but weren’t they all?  Her short gray hair was cut in a flattering style.  To Gloria, she always looked stylish and put together.  Gloria saw no reason the man would go chasing after someone else.
    Still, one never could tell what goes on in someone else’s mind.  “Well, that would be a good time to check up on him while we’re gone.” Without thinking, she blurted out.  “The mice will play while the cat’s away.”  Instantly regretting her words, she quickly added.  “But I think you’re going to find out he’s completely innocent.” 
    Whether she herself believed the words, Gloria wasn’t sure.  She just hoped she sounded halfway convincing for her friend’s sake.
    Gloria quickly changed the subject and began talking about her grandsons and all the predicaments they always seemed to get into.  They made good time without any major traffic back-ups and were finally on the outskirts of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  With only a few quick turns, they easily found the train station. 
    The train was scheduled to depart at 3 p.m. sharp and it was only 2:30.  Gloria could see a few people milling about outside.  She unfastened her seatbelt and grabbed the door handle.  “I hope we’re not too early.”
    She opened the back door to let Mally out to stretch her legs and check out some nearby shrubbery.  She quickly finished her business and obediently trotted over to where the women were waiting near Gloria’s car, Anabelle. 
    Gloria snapped the familiar leash in place and headed through the parking lot as they made their way over to the massive steam locomotive.  Puffs of gray smoke billowed from the tall smokestack.  Gloria leaned slightly forward and peered to the left.  The train was long.  So long that she couldn’t even see