Read Online The Root of All Evil (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 4) by Ellery Adams, Elizabeth Lockard - Free Book Online

nodded kindly at every comment. Her eyes moved over each person, as if she were trying to drink it all in. When Edward had his turn, he simply said his name and refused to elaborate. He studied Ms. Donna with a calculated stare, but she just smiled back until it was finally her turn.
    “You all seem like such lov-e-ly people. As Savannah here said, I’m Ms. Donna Linley. I recently moved to Richmond from Dubuque, Iowa.”
    “That’s a long way from home,” Trish commented. “What brought you out here?”
    “Family. But there’s a funny story! I made quick plans when my daughter told me her husband was laid off. I was coming to Richmond to help watch the grandkids, so she could look for work at the same time he did to make sure the family was in a good place financially.”
    “Awfully kind of you,” Jake said. “Not a lot of mothers would pick up and leave everything for the sake of their adult children.”
    “My daughter and my grandkids are my life,” Ms. Donna replied. “It didn’t seem like a burden to me. It was an . . . opportunity. Yes, that’s the word. I gave my landlord notice, packed everything and prepared to move. Then, two weeks ago, when I was just about to start my travels, my daughter called. Jenny—my daughter—said that her husband found a new job, and she wasn’t going to have to look for work.”
    “Wonderful!” Bryant exclaimed. “Glad to hear it all worked out so well!”
    Cooper nodded. “Not many people can find a job so quickly.”
    Ms. Donna hesitated. “Don’t rejoice just yet. You see, as it turned out, the new job’s in Jacksonville. Jacksonville, Florida. The company wanted Bob—my son-in-law—right away, so off they went to Florida. I’d already made all the arrangements, so I went ahead and came to Richmond. Seemed like time for a change of scenery, anyway. By the time I got here, Jenny, Bob and the kids were already on their way.”
    Everyone was quiet for a moment. Cooper wasn’t sure what to say. It was a heartbreaking story, and the look in Ms. Donna’s eyes nearly brought tears to her own. Savannah reached over and took Ms. Donna’s hand. “We’ll help you work through this, Ms. Donna.”
    Ms. Donna smiled gratefully. “I appreciate that. And don’t think I’m not happy for them. I certainly wouldn’t have taken that job from my son-in-law for the world. Once I got here, though, I found myself wishing I’d stayed in Dubuque. I had a home I loved, friends I enjoyed, a whole life. I don’t rightly know anyone in Richmond, since Jenny’s not here anymore.”
    Cooper leaned forward. “So what happens now? Will you stay in Richmond? Or will you move to Jacksonville?”
    “For the time being I’ll stay here. Jenny told me she’d let me know when they’ve settled into their new house. If they find a place big enough, I might even be able to go live with them. That’s the future, though, and none of us is guaranteed tomorrow. I’ve just got to get through the days one at a time!”
    “That’s not a bad idea, Ms. Donna,” Savannah said. “Matthew chapter six, verse thirty-four. ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’”
    “And don’t I know it!” Ms. Donna laughed. “More and more trouble every day! Sometimes I swear I feel more like ninety-six than fifty-six. If it ain’t my back, it’s my knees. And if it ain’t my knees, it’s my hip. There are days when I think my whole body is gonna fall to pieces!”
    Everyone laughed.
    “I know about aches and pains!” Trish added. “But my little ones are so young, I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to have grandchildren.”
    Ms. Donna grinned. “They’re a handful, but they make you feel younger. They help with some of the aches and pains. They’d just love this church you all have. Or is this a school?”
    “Both,” Jake answered. “Hope Street Church and Hope Street Christian