hide her smile.
“Do you have time for some questions now?” Bree asked.
“I’m expected at the fire hall.”
“Oh?”
“The Ladies Auxiliary gathers several times a week to make meals for our community outreach program—meals for shut-ins, the elderly, that sort of thing,” Martha explained, her eyes holding a calculating gleam that belied the innocence of her tone. “Why don’t you come with me? I’m sure they’d love to meet you.”
Bree pictured a room full of Marthas angling for inside information. How could she possibly pass that up?
“Sure, I’d like that. Just give me a few minutes to freshen up, and I’ll be ready to go.”
They opted to walk; the fire hall wasn’t far. Several women were already there when they arrived. Judging by the instant cease in conversation, Bree guessed she was the primary topic.
“Ladies, this is Gabriella De Rossi, the reporter I was telling you about,” Martha announced and then proceeded to introduce each of the women there.
One of them Bree recognized as the librarian from earlier that morning.
“Bree, please.”
“You’ve already met Agnes Miller,” Martha said, confirming that these women were in fact key players in the Sumneyville gossip vine. “That’s Mona Delvecchio, Edith and Lydia Schaeffer, and Winona Mitchell.”
Bree nodded and greeted each of them in turn. They were older than Martha—the median age probably around seventy or so. Unlike the men of Sanctuary, the women of the Ladies Auxiliary were exactly as Bree had pictured them.
All were actively involved in meal prep and wearing aprons that covered them neck to knees. Winona was adding spices to rings of sausage in roasting pans. Agnes was kneading dough on a floured surface. Edith and Lydia, who appeared to be identical twins, were expertly peeling and chopping a colorful array of vegetables that looked as if they’d come straight from a farm.
The only exception was the woman introduced as Mona, who sat, perched on a stool in the corner, and didn’t actually appear to be doing anything. She reminded Bree of a queen presiding over her court.
“Bree is interested in learning about Sumneyville for her article,” Martha said.
“I thought you said she was investigating Sanctuary,” said one of the twins.
Again with the investigating. Why exactly did the locals believe Sanctuary warranted an investigation?
Bree picked up the same wary vibe from the others as she had from Martha whenever the subject arose.
“There’s never just one angle to a story,” Bree said carefully, “and I like to get the whole picture.”
Her guess paid off.
They nodded, murmuring variations of, “Yes, absolutely.”
“You were up there today, weren’t you?” asked Mona.
Bree glanced at Martha, who avoided her gaze. “Yes, I was.”
“And what did you think?”
“It was very scenic.” In more ways than one.
“Well, it was quite the popular resort at one time,” commented Edith. At least, Bree thought it was Edith. She and Lydia had changed places, and it was difficult to tell them apart.
“What happened to the resort?”
“A horrible fire. We were quite surprised Matthew wanted to return at all.”
The name was instantly familiar. “Matthew? Matt Winston?”
“Yes, his family owned and operated the place for years before they ...” Winona said before she lowered her head and made the sign of the cross. “So tragic, to lose his entire family like that.”
Before Bree could ask more about that, Mona asked, “Did they actually show you around?”
“They gave me a tour of the facilities and the grounds, yes.”
“I’m sure they didn’t show her everything,” Agnes murmured. “Only what they wanted her to see.”
“Did you see Kate while you were there?” asked Lydia with interest.
Unsure if it was the same Kate she’d met, Bree said, “I did speak with a woman named Kate, yes. She runs the kitchen.”
“That would be our Kate,” Edith said with a nod. “Such a sweet girl. She used to cook with us before she took up with them. And of course, she was always such a help with her father’s store. Tell me, does she look okay?”
“She’s fine,” snapped Agnes before Bree could answer, flashing Edith a warning look. “Kate made her choice.”
“Enough!” Mona sharply commanded.
They obediently clamped their lips shut, though a few angry glances were cast about. Bree had the feeling much more would have been said if she weren’t there, which was a shame because it sounded like a very interesting story. She made a mental note to pursue that at another time—when Agnes and Mona weren’t present.
“So, tell me about what you’re doing here,” Bree said brightly, changing the subject. “Ms. McGillicuddy tells me the Ladies Auxiliary gets together