“This is Shelby.” Mrs. Warren pointed at the blond next to Zoe. "The other friend is Fiona. “The four girls played summer softball together and had the time of their lives.”
Toni nodded. “It’s evident in the photo.”
“I have extra copies if you’d like this one.”
“I’d love to have it,” Toni said, meaning it.
The woman handed it to her. “I just wanted to meet you, and the girls insisted you wouldn’t mind. Thank you,” she repeated softly, smiling through her tears.
“Thank you,” Toni said, hugging the picture to her chest. “You’re right about focusing on the good times. This will help me do that with you.”
This time the woman initiated the hug. “We have to go now,” she said when she moved back. “We have a meeting to attend.” She opened the door and stepped outside.
“We’re picking up a check from the police chief,” Zoe whispered into Toni’s ear. “She’s being given the reward money for our help in identifying the killer.”
Toni watched them get into Melody’s car and drive away. Then she turned toward the sound of her boys' chattering in their room.
She needed a hug from them.
The End
MOZARK MARRIAGES
Ozark Sweetheart
Ozark Reunion
Ozark Wedding
DODGE CITY DUOS
Bandit Bride
Prairie Bride
Dodge City Duos Boxed Set
HEARTLAND HEARTMATES
Show Me Love
Heartland Illusions
Mozark Vision
Missouri Catch
Heartland Heartmates Boxed Set
BOOTHEEL BRIDES
Bootheel Bride
Bootheel Bachelor
Bootheel Betrothal
LAKE OZARK LADIES
Paige’s Proposal
Brooke’s Bargain
Haley’s Hero
Kelsey’s Keeper
Lake Ozark Ladies Boxed Set
NOVELLAS
Hawthorne Hope
Tree of Hope
River Town Romance (2 in 1)
Pasque Plight
Black-Eyed Susan’s Secret
Love Blooms (2 in 1)
Shamrock Ruby
Mother Road Matches (2 in 1)
Secrets in the Park
Secrets of the Heart (5 in 1)
Gift Bride
MYSTERIES
Educated in Murder
Preyed in Murder
Coached in Murder
Helen Gray grew up in a small Missouri town and married her pastor. While working alongside her husband in his ministry, she had three children, taught school, directed/accompanied church music programs, and became an amateur ventriloquist. Now retired, with the three children gone from the nest, she and her supportive husband still live in their native Missouri Ozarks where he roams the woods, hunts and fishes, and she weaves stories meant to honor God and depict Christian lives and problems as she knows and observes them. Helen thanks God for the time and opportunity to write and considers it an added blessing if her stories touch others in even a small way.
http://www.helenbrowngray.com