Eden Hill by Bill Higgs Page B

Good-bye, Alma, and thanks for your advice.”
    Alma smiled and started for her own little cottage justacross the street. Yes, her older friend’s counsel was good and trustworthy. She’d known Alma nearly as long as Virgil had known Welby, and she had deep appreciation for the woman’s friendship. A friendship that went far beyond sharing lunch on a cold Friday in January.
    The roast? Virgil and Vee would likely eat the leftovers for Saturday’s lunch. Between the two, the pan would likely be licked clean and would only need a quick dunk in the sink with a splash of Lux Liquid to get it sparkling.
    Dishwashing detergent? Oh dear. She was completely out, having used the last of it this morning. Fortunately, Stacy’s Grocery was right on her way home, and she could quickly stop in and still return in time to have the kitchen straightened up before Virgil returned. Her funds were low, but she had a dollar bill left   —enough for a squeeze bottle of the bright-pink dish soap.
    Anna Belle was minding the counter when Mavine arrived, her hairdo still glued together from a fresh coat of Aqua Net. Not surprisingly, the store was quiet. Grover, clad in his usual greasy apron, was helping the only other customer retrieve an item from a top shelf at one side. She couldn’t see the woman clearly, nor did she recognize the voice.
    The Lux was right on the shelf where she expected, near the Duz and the Oxydol. She also grabbed a loaf of butter-top bread   —Virgil’s favorite   —and a pound of packaged ground beef from the meat cooler. The total was well over a dollar, but with the change in her coin purse she could just make it. Tucking the bottle of detergent in her elbow, she walked around to the cash register. Grover spoke and wavedas he went back behind the meat counter; she could only nod without dropping something.
    A young woman stood at the register, chatting with Anna Belle. Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail. There were several items on the counter, including a tin of Spam, a jar of Tang, and some cans of beans.
    “That’s two dollars and eighty-eight cents.” Anna Belle pulled back the handle on the register, ringing the bell and allowing the drawer to spring open.
    The shopper rummaged in her worn handbag. “I’m . . . so sorry. I’m a bit short. I’ll put the pinto beans back.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about it.” Anna Belle slid the can into a paper bag along with the other purchases. “I think Grover put the peanut butter on sale this week, so you’ve got just enough.”
    “Thank you so much, Mrs. Stacy. We really appreciate it.”
    Anna Belle handed her customer a few coins and the paper bag. “No problem at all. It’s been a delight to see you today. Oh, have you met Mavine Osgood?”
    The woman turned and faced Mavine. Young. Pregnant. Exactly as Gladys had described her.
    There was an awkward pause. The younger woman looked up and down before offering, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Osgood. I’m . . . JoAnn. JoAnn Alexander.”
    Mavine felt a wash of emotion and a surprising chill. The armload of groceries needed both hands, so she merely nodded as she placed her purchases on the counter.
    “Good to meet you . . . too.” She tried to smile. Tried very hard.
    Anna Belle took the items from Mavine’s hands and lined them up. “JoAnn’s husband, Cornelius, will be running the new Zipco station.”
    “So I hear.” Mavine looked for any sign of pleasure in JoAnn and found none. “When do you . . . expect to open?”
    “Soon, Cornelius says.” JoAnn slung her own purse onto her shoulder, tucked the grocery bag under her opposite arm, and moved awkwardly toward the door. “Very soon . . . he says.”
    Mavine wasn’t sure, but thought she saw a lump rise in JoAnn’s throat.
    “I’ll get that for you, Mrs. Alexander.” Anna Belle had already stepped from behind the counter and opened the door.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Stacy. And please thank Mr. Stacy for us as