Free Darned if You Do by Monica Ferris Page B

piled up in there?”
    Tall, fair Jill already knew some of the details about what had befallen Tom Riordan, since she was married to Sergeant Larson, who’d been one of the first responders when the accident was reported. “Put me down, too,” she said now. “I wonder if that poor woman has any idea what she’s in for.”
    Betsy said, “She’s been inside the house, so yes, she has an idea. But she’s hoping it will only take a week.”
    â€œShe’s a heck of an optimist, in that case!” said Phil with a laugh.
    Emily said, “I’m afraid I can’t volunteer more than one day, but I’ll ask at my church if anyone else will come.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Betsy said. “I’ll do that, too. And Leona is asking around as well. If we can get enough people, they can work in shifts, and maybe the cleanup will get done quickly.”
    â€œSo you’re volunteering, too?” asked Jill.
    â€œI’m afraid not. I’m down to two part-timers right now, so I have to work more hours. But I’ll ask Connor.”
    â€œOh yes, please do that!” said Jill.
    â€œAdd me to the list,” said Doris, and Betsy added her name to the list she was compiling.
    â€œI can help out, too,” said Cherie.
    â€œWhat hat will you wear?” teased Phil.
    Cherie liked hats, the more exotic the better. The one she was wearing today looked something like a squashed pot of dark red and orange velvet, with autumn leaves made from smooth fabric stuck carelessly on one side. She took the question seriously and thought for a few seconds. “I don’t have a hard hat, but I have a sweet cloche that will keep the spiders out of my hair, at least.”
    â€œOh, ugh!” said Emily.
    â€œScarves for everyone, even Phil,” pronounced Doris.
    Georgine said, “I know I’m a relative stranger, but I’d like to help, if I can. And maybe my sister will help, too.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” said Grace, wriggling her shoulders. “I’m afraid of mice. Bugs, too, for that matter.”
    â€œThat’s very nice of you, Georgie!” said Jill, and the others agreed.
    â€œHow many volunteers does she need?” Godwin, who had been eavesdropping while he restocked a spinner rack with overdyed silk floss, asked.
    â€œI’m not sure,” replied Betsy. “I should think at least four at a time, so it will depend on who can work when and for how many hours.” She checked her watch. “Valentina said she’d come in today, and I hope she does.”
    â€œWhen does this volunteer help start?” asked Jill, the pragmatic member of the Bunch.
    â€œAs soon as she gets the legal right to start clearing,” said Betsy. “If she doesn’t come into the store today, I’ll call her later to tell her the good news that she’s already got some volunteers lined up. Now, when I read your name back, tell me what days you can work.”
    When Valentina arrived a few minutes later, she was apologetic and out of breath. “Oh, I’m glad you’re still here!” she said. “I had a flat tire—I haven’t had a flat tire in years and years. It took me a while to figure out how to change it.”
    â€œYou changed it all by yourself?” asked Godwin, impressed.
    â€œSure. It’s not hard, just a little messy.” She looked at her hands, which were absolutely filthy.
    â€œThere’s a restroom all the way in the back,” said Betsy, “if you want to wash up.”
    And while she was gone, the Monday Bunch exchanged the opinion that she did, indeed, look a whole lot like her cousin, Tom.

Chapter Ten

    â€œT OMMY ?” Valentina peered around the hospital room door.
    â€œThat you, Val? Come in, come in!”
    â€œWow, you’re sitting up!” She came into the room. Riordan was sitting in a chair beside the bed, his leg