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

the last car from where they were standing.
    Directly in front of them was a small, square ticket booth.  A lone attendant was standing behind the counter. Gloria narrowed his eyes as she tried to read the small print on his name tag.  “Jonathan.” She pulled the tickets from her purse and held them out.  Jonathan glanced down and then nodded, “You’re in the right place.” 
    He shook his head sadly as he motioned at Mally.  “I’m sorry. Dogs aren’t allowed.” He came out from around the booth and bent down to stroke Mally’s head. He glanced from one to the other uncertainly.  “Unless she’s a service dog. You know, for the disabled.”
    Margaret knew Gloria wouldn’t leave Mally behind.  They might not actually make it on the train and the entire trip would be for nothing.  She stepped forward.  “You mean if someone were visually impaired, the dog could come with us?”
    Jonathan slowly nodded. 
    Margaret was blinder than a bat without her glasses.  Almost legally blind according to her eye doctor.  She whipped off her glasses and fumbled with the clasp on her purse as she attempted to shove them inside.  “We’re all set then.  I’m legally blind without my glasses.”  Which wasn’t a lie.  The young man’s face was now nothing but a round blob of blur. 
    A slow grin spread across his face as he stuck the leash in Margaret’s outstretched hand.  “I’m not supposed to allow animals to board without the special harness, but…” He waved a hand in the direction of the stairs.  “Feel free to board whenever you’re ready.”
    Gloria grasped Margaret’s hand and led her towards the steps.  “Sheer genius Margaret.” She squeezed her hand tightly.  “I could hug you right now.”
    Margaret slipped her glasses back on as she climbed the steps.  “I’ll take a rain check on that hug.  Instead, you can hang onto your dog.” She thrust the leash in Gloria’s hand and finished boarding the train.
    Gloria followed her up the steep steps.  The first one was a doozy. She grasped the handrail and pulled herself up the three narrow steps and into the Pullman train car. The interior of the train was a step back in time.  The round wooden ceiling was a deep mahogany color.  Intricate carvings ran along the edges of the ceiling.  Plush parlour chairs lined both sides of the narrow car. 
    A booming voice echoed loudly across the long, narrow space.  “Good afternoon ladies.” 
    Gloria whirled around to face the deep voice.  A distinguished gentleman wearing a white shirt along with a silky black fitted vest and a pair of tailored black slacks appeared out of nowhere.  Large, brass buttons ran down the center of his vest and a gold chain hung from his right side pocket.  On his head was a stiff black hat with a small visor.  Across the front in bold silver letters was the word “Conductor.”
    From where Gloria was standing, she could tell he was rather tall.  His giant strides brought him directly in front of the girls who were still standing uncertainly near the car entrance.  He swept a long arm to the left.  “Welcome aboard!  You may be seated anywhere you choose,” he added with flourish.  He leaned over and patted Mally’s head.  “Well, hello there my furry friend.”
    Gloria clutched her handbag as she looked around.  “I hope we’re not the only ones travelling today.”
    The man shook his head and straightened his back.  A brilliant white smile beamed across his face.  “No.  Today’s trip is completely sold out,” he told them.
    Margaret slid into the nearest seat and promptly propped her feet on a round velvet ottoman centered directly in front of it.  “Looks like we’ll be riding in style.”
    Before Gloria could answer, the conductor stuck his hand in his small front pockets and chuckled.  “You are in for a real treat today, ladies.”  He turned on his heel and called out as he exited the car.  “Enjoy the