what you do best, spying.”
Jill looked up at Lynus, who towered over her. She thought he was one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen, with his wavy dark hair and soft brown eyes. He had a killer smile that she knew had bought beachfront property for some orthodontist. Lynus was also the kindest, the gentlest, the most caring person she’d ever met in her life. She also knew he was one of those rare people who would always be in her life because he knew, as she did, how important friendships were.
“Okay, big guy, I’m outta here. Keep me posted and give Lewis a hug for me. Tell him those pastries were awesome.”
“Those boots have to go, Jill! Lose the backpack, too. Tell Barney you need a raise, and I’ll take you shopping for shoes and handbags. I can get them for you wholesale.”
Jill laughed all the way to her car. She called over her shoulder, “You know that is never going to happen, Lynus, so give it up already.”
Lynus laughed along with her. “Someday you are going to beg me for those three and a half hours. Mark my words.”
He locked the door, then made his way back to the office, stopping only long enough to salute the blowup doll at the reception desk.
Gus Hollister clicked the remote on the visor and waited for the garage door to open. He sailed in, parked, cut the engine, and hopped out. Wilson was next, but he waited, like the gentleman he must have been in his former life, for his master to first lift out Winnie, who was protesting at being groped.
Gus walked the dogs around to the door that led to the kitchen and waited till both dogs were inside before he carried in Wilson’s pink basket and Winnie’s treasures. He set the baskets down in the kitchen, then whistled for the dogs, who ignored him completely because they were too busy sniffing out their new digs.
Gus eyed the pile of dog things and decided Maggie might not appreciate having all their treasures in her kitchen, so he lugged their beds and the baskets into the family room and placed everything by the hearth. Maybe tonight he’d make a fire. The last thing he’d heard on the car radio before he turned off the engine was the weatherman announcing the evening temperature, a chilly forty-four degrees once the sun went down. Wilson loved a good blazing fire. Gus kind of liked it himself. He wasn’t sure about fat little Winnie. She might have to waddle off to the side if the heat was too much for her.
Gus made his way back out to the kitchen, where he saw that the coffeepot was full, and there was a plate of sandwiches along with a bowl of cut-up fruit in the refrigerator just waiting for him. He helped himself.
He tidied up the kitchen before he headed to Barney’s home office, where he sent off text messages, an e-mail, and a fax to Barney, apprising him of what he had learned at Blossom Farm and asking for advice. He was certain Barney would respond to either the text or the e-mail, but he wasn’t sure about the fax. The main question, however, was, “Were you aware of any of this?” Right now, though, he needed to think, to come up with a game plan to help his granny and aunts.
Gus trudged back to the kitchen for a second cup of coffee, which he carried into the family room. He was not surprised to see both dogs sacked out in their beds. Wilson offered up a feeble wag of his tail and went back to sleep. Winnie was already snoring, her paws wrapped around a ragged doll that might have been a Raggedy Andy at some point in time. He smiled.
He settled down in Barney’s favorite recliner to wait for his friend to get in touch. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 10
GUS BOLTED OFF THE RECLINER WHEN HE HEARD THE THREENOTE cell-phone ring. He shook his head to clear away the muzziness from his interrupted sleep. He answered and mumbled a sleepy greeting.
“Well, hi there, sleepyhead,” Barney said. “What the hell are you doing sleeping at this time of day? Now, me, I should be pounding out some z’s considering the time difference, just so you know.”
“I’m stressed, okay? Cut the bullshit, Barney, I’m not in the mood. All I want to know is did you know what