“That’s good to know,” Ruby said. “But there’s no telling how long it will take for all of that to happen. Donna wants to go home, and we need to help her make that happen. I think our best bet is a notice in the paper about some money-raising event that will get everyone out. I’m still working on it. Don’t worry. We’ll get Donna some cash to get a moving van and get her on home.”

“Thanks, Ruby. You’re the best,” Lon said.

“Peanut thinks so,” Ruby said, and then giggled and disconnected.

She grabbed her purse and locked up the shop on her way out. It was time to pay Donna a visit. She’d already called Dan Amos for an address, so instead of crossing Main to go home, she came out of the alley behind her salon and headed north into the residential area there.

* * *

Dub Truesdale and one of his employees had just delivered the car to Donna’s house. She thanked them for their trouble, and then after they left she dropped the car keys in her purse and sat down, unable to think what to do next.

There was no funeral to plan. The coroner would have Arnold’s body for autopsy. And since she was moving back to West Virginia, she didn’t want to leave Arnold here. It made her feel better to think about taking his ashes back with her and scattering them there.

She was just now realizing how insulated her little world here had been. With only the one car, she’d never had outside interests beyond home and family. Wherever they had gone, they’d gone together. She had friends at church, but not close ones. Not the kind she would have gone to lunch with because their budget did not accommodate lunches with friends.

Her sister still had not returned the call, and so she sat, uncertain what, if anything, she needed to do next. Weary and heartsick to the bone, Donna leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes.

The next thing she knew, someone was knocking at her door. She got up, smoothing her hair as she went, and opened the door.

“Donna, I apologize for stopping by without calling first. Is it okay if I come in a moment?” Ruby asked.

“Of course,” Donna said. “Please come in. I’m just passing the time here in the living room, waiting for my sister to call. Have a seat.”

Ruby sat, then leaned forward, her elbows on her knees as Donna sat back down in her chair.

“I want you to know how sorry I am for what happened to Arnold. You have my deepest sympathies,” Ruby said.

Donna nodded. “Thank you, Ruby.”