Gloria woke early Saturday morning, excited about the fact that company was coming. She was pleased as punch about the special dinner she had planned for Andrea Malone. The poor thing probably hadn’t had a home cooked meal in years, if ever!
Gloria got busy whipping together a pot roast. The house smelled heavenly. She pulled the door open and lifted the lid when the phone rang.
She quickly shut the oven door and shuffled over to the phone. “Hello?”
“Mrs. Rutherford, this is Andrea Malone.”
Gloria’s heart sank. Hopefully she hadn’t changed her mind.
“I just wanted to make sure you were still OK with having company tonight.”
Whew!! “Yes, of course dear. I’m working on dinner right now.” She glanced up at the clock. It was 4:30. “I hope you like pot roast.”
“It-it sounds wonderful. I’ve never had it before but I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Gloria shook her head in amazement. Never had pot roast? “Then you’re in for a real treat. Head on over any time my dear.”
“If you’re sure it’s okay…” Andrea trailed off.
“Absolutely,” Gloria reassured. “I’m looking forward to the company.”
By the time Andrea pulled her Mercedes into the drive, Gloria was pulling a piping hot loaf of homemade bread from the oven.
Puddles was circling her feet, sniffing the air appreciatively. He loved it when Gloria cooked and it wasn’t that often anymore. Delicious treats were in his future!
Gloria wiped her hands on her apron and made her way out onto the porch.
Andrea looked even younger than Gloria remembered. She was dressed like a teenager in skinny jeans, a bright blue summer blouse and black flats. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. As she got closer, Gloria could see she wasn’t wearing any makeup. But she didn’t really need any. Her complexion was flawless.
She was carrying her small purse, a backpack and a small bouquet of bright flowers. “I hope I’m not too early.” She handed the flowers to Gloria. “These are for you – for having me over,” she added.
Gloria was touched by the gesture as she reached out and wrapped her in a warm hug. “You’re right on time!” She looked down at the colorful daisies and tulips. “These are beautiful – thank you!”
They made their way into the house. Gloria settled her into the downstairs spare bedroom before popping the flowers into an antique flower vase and setting it in the middle of the table. The flowers brightened the entire room.
Gloria checked the roast one final time as she lifted the lid and peered inside. It was cooked to perfection. The thick slab of meat was bubbling away. She poked a fork in the potatoes and carrots surrounding the beef. Tender and juicy.
“The kitchen smells wonderful.” Andrea was standing in the doorway.
“Thank you, my dear. Have a seat.” Gloria waved her to the table.
Andrea no more than sat down when Puddles decided to find out who the unexpected guest was. He jumped onto her lap and started sniffing her hand.
“What a beautiful cat.” Puddles tilted his fluffy white face to the side as he gazed up at his new admirer.
“That’s Puddles and you can just put him on the floor if he’s bothering you.”
But he wasn’t bothering Andrea. Not one little bit. She always wanted a pet. Her parents couldn’t stand them and Daniel was allergic to animals. She began scratching his ears and he was loving every second of it as he began purring loudly. “I think he likes me.”
Gloria set two plates and some silverware on the table before settling into a chair opposite Andrea. She clasped her hands in prayer. Andrea followed suit. After Gloria said grace, the girls dug into the food.
Gloria watched as Andrea loaded her plate with the tender beef and perfectly cooked potatoes and carrots. She grabbed a slice of piping hot bread and smeared a thick layer of melting butter on top.
The poor girl must be starving to death! She ate everything on her plate, finishing long before Gloria was done.
Andrea looked sheepish when she realized how quickly she gobbled up her meal. “I guess I was hungry.”
Gloria paused as she studied the young girl across from her. “Can’t imagine you had much of an appetite in jail.”
She slowly shook her head and shivered. “That place was scary. I’m so grateful for you helping the police figure out who really murdered Daniel.”
Gloria gazed out the kitchen window, in deep thought. “One of the things that didn’t add up was the fact that Daniel was a pretty big guy and you’re just a … well, a tiny little thing.” She shook her head. “There was no way you could’ve gotten your husband into the woods. At least not by yourself.”
Gloria got a little carried away with her sleuthing and didn’t realize how her words were affecting Andrea. The poor thing had tears in her eyes as she listened to Gloria.
Gloria scolded herself. Shame on me for reminding this poor child of something so painful.
She quickly changed the subject as she grabbed the dirty dishes off the table and carried them over to the sink. Gloria stuck the leftovers in the fridge as she turned back to where Andrea was standing. “Now if you get hungry, feel free to help yourself.”
“Thanks again, Mrs. Rutherford. Uh, Gloria.” Andrea walked over to the kitchen window and stared out at one of the big red barns dotting the edge of the sprawling side yard. “Are those yours?”
Gloria walked over to where Andrea was pointing. “Yes. I still own all the barns and several acres of farming land.”
Andrea stared out the window at the big red barn. “I’ve never been in a barn before.”
Gloria finished drying her hands and untied the apron from around her waist. She pulled the apron over her head and hung it neatly on a hook near the door. “Gosh, I haven’t been in that barn for months now. Would you like to take a look?”
Andrea’s head bobbed up and down. Would she ever!
The sun was just starting to set as the two of them made their way across the gravel drive in the direction of the big red barn. The double doors were heavy. Gloria tugged at the rusting metal latch until it finally broke free. The wheels groaned in protest as the women forced the doors down the old track.
The fading daylight cast long shadows across the smooth cement floor. Gloria stepped inside first. Andrea was right behind her. She peeked around Gloria’s shoulder as she gazed up at the combine tractor. “What’s that thing do?”
Gloria was more than a little surprised. A city slicker interested in farming equipment? Go figure. “That harvests crops like corn and wheat.”
Andrea walked over to the tractor. She ran an admiring hand along the massive metal frame. “Does it still work?”
Gloria nodded. “I’m pretty sure.” Her eyes wandered upward and came to rest on the cab. She could almost see James sitting inside, smiling down at her. A sudden lump filled her throat as she blinked away unexpected tears.
Andrea turned around to find Gloria standing so still, a somber expression etched on her face.
She walked over to where the older woman was standing. Andrea apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
Gloria shook her head. “It does make me a little sad,” she admitted. “But it also brings back some wonderful memories of my dear husband.”
Andrea impulsively wrapped her arms around Gloria’s shoulders.
After a few quiet moments, Andrea pointed to a narrow doorway. “What’s back there?”
Relieved to be able to take her mind off James, Gloria led her through the doorway and down a small, narrow step. The outside walls of the cramped room were lined with identical wooden stalls. A long narrow plank ran the entire length of the room, covering the old metal drain that was cemented down the center.
Andrea stepped inside. The faintest whiff of souring milk and bales of hay lingered in the air. She looked around in awe at the ancient metal storage tanks nearby. The place was simply fascinating.
Gloria could see how enamored Andrea was with the old barn as she came up beside her. It was almost like seeing it herself in a brand new light. Although she loved the old farm with all her heart, she took it for granted that it would always be here. Comfortable, familiar, home.
Andrea was grateful the older woman had taken the time to show her the barn. “Thank you for showing this to me. It’s one of the coolest places I’ve ever been.”
“Maybe you should sell your home and move out here to the country,” Gloria suggested.
Andrea’s head swung around. The thought had never crossed her mind but now that Gloria mentioned it, maybe she could move to the country. She didn’t know all that much about living anywhere other than the city but she could certainly learn. And Gloria could teach her.
A beaming smile lit Andrea’s face. Yes. She just might do that.
On their way back out of the barn, Andrea spied a sturdy wooden ladder set back in the corner. It led to an opening in the top of the barn. “What’s that?”
“The hayloft,” Gloria explained.
Andrea’s eyes were wide with wonder. “Can I take a peek?”
“Yes, of course. But be careful. I haven’t been on that ladder in years,” Gloria warned.
That didn’t scare Andrea one little bit. Before Gloria could change her mind, Andrea darted over to the ladder and scrambled to the top.
Gloria shook her head as she watched her scamper up the ladder. This was a little country girl at heart!
Andrea gazed around at the old bales of hay stacked up in the corner. There was a pitchfork piercing one of the bales. Andrea shuddered. I need to stop watching so many scary movies!
Just as she lowered her foot to back down the ladder, something caught her eye. There was an old wool blanket spread carefully out over the top of two square bales of hay. Propped up against the hay was a dark blue backpack. And it didn’t look that old.
A chill ran down Andrea’s spine as she narrowed her eyes and scanned the loft. Nothing else jumped out at her that seemed so obviously out of place. She slowly backed down the ladder, one step at a time.
She brushed off her pant legs as she turned to Gloria. “This place is the bomb!”
Gloria smiled as she plucked a piece of straw out of Andrea’s blonde locks. “I’m glad you like it dear.”
On the way back to the large double doors, Andrea studied the walls leading out to see if there was anything else lying around that looked like it didn’t belong there. Her eagle eye honed in on a flashlight tucked behind a tall wooden post. It was almost out of sight. But not quite.
Andrea helped Gloria push the heavy old doors shut and watched as she dropped the latch back in place.
A cool evening breeze chilled the air as the fallen leaves danced around on the ground. Andrea shivered in the damp air.
Gloria felt the chill, as well. “Let’s get back inside before you catch cold in this night air.”
Back in the kitchen, Gloria walked over to the fridge. “Ready for a piece of chocolate cream pie?”
Andrea’s cheeks were bright pink from a mixture of the exertion and farm-fresh air. “That sounds delicious.”
She glanced worriedly out the window, in the direction of the barn. “Do you lock your doors at night, Gloria?”
Gloria paused, a tall cold glass of milk in her hand. She nodded. “My son-in-law just changed the locks the other day. I never used to but I do now.”
She set the glass down in front of Andrea. “Why?”
Andrea didn’t know how to say this without scaring Gloria. That’s the last thing she wanted to do.
She took a sip of milk. “When we were in the barn and I climbed up the ladder to look in the loft, I saw a blanket spread out on top of a couple bales of hay that were way back in the corner.”
Gloria’s eyebrows raised. Why would a blanket be in the loft?
Andrea went on. “There was also a backpack. I’m pretty sure it was navy blue and it looked fairly new. Like someone had just left it there.”
Gloria pulled out a chair and sat down with a thud. What on earth would a backpack be up there for? “Now I know I didn’t leave something like that up there.”
But Andrea wasn’t done. “One more thing. On the way out, I noticed a flashlight tucked away behind a post by the door.”
“You don’t think a homeless person is living in your barn, do you?” Andrea asked.
Gloria slowly shook her head. Anything was possible…
“I didn’t want to say anything while we were in there,” Andrea explained. “You know, in case the backpack’s owner was hiding somewhere inside the barn…”
A shiver ran down Gloria’s spine. Someone living in her barn?
She got up and made her way to the kitchen door, twisting the bolt in place with a firm click. The thought of someone in her barn was starting to creep her out.
Gloria definitely needed to have it checked out. “It’s too late to do anything tonight but I’ll have my son-in-law stop by tomorrow and take a look up there.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she began having second thoughts. If Jill even remotely believed someone was living on the farm – a homeless person or anyone else - she’d make her mom move out that very day. Maybe that wasn’t such a great idea…
“On second thought, I’ll have my friend Lucy’s boyfriend take a look up there.” Gloria gazed out at the barn that now loomed dark and sinister. “Tomorrow. We’ll do it tomorrow.”
Andrea hoped she wasn’t making a big deal out of nothing. She could see Gloria was shook up. “I’m sure it will turn out to be nothing.” She tried to sound reassuring. “But better safe than sorry.” Andrea yawned. The busy day had her completely worn out.
Gloria took the cue. “I guess it’s time we hit the hay. Haha.”
Andrea grinned. “Yeah, all this farm life wore me out.”
Gloria checked each and every door one more time before heading to her bedroom. But sleep was elusive once again. She tossed and turned half the night. What if someone was living in her barn?
She reached over to touch the empty spot where James had slept beside her for so many years. A small sigh escaped her lips. Some days she missed him so much. Today was one of them. A small tear trickled out of the corner of her eye and ran down the side of her face. She grabbed his pillow and pulled it to her face. She took a deep breath. If she tried hard enough, she could still catch a faint whiff of his after shave. She wrapped her arms around the pillow and hugged it tightly, wishing more than anything it was him and not just his pillow.
After several long hours, Gloria finally fell into an exhausted sleep.