But she hadn’t thought to inquire about the important stuff, like was he married? Did he have a girlfriend? Where was he living? And exactly what was his job description going to be at the Feed and Seed?

After he disappeared within the crowd, Birdie started up her car and drove to Ava’s house. She got out carrying the desserts and knocked on the door.

Hunt opened it, smiling. “Hey, kid, come on in.”

“The dinners are still in my car. I brought mine here, too, if that’s okay?”

“Of course it’s okay. I’ll get the food. You can find your way to the kitchen.”

“Is Ava awake?” Birdie asked.

“She’s waking up. I saw you drive up and woke her. She’ll be here shortly. Go on in.”

A few minutes later, they were seated around Ava’s kitchen table, talking about Donna Hollis’s thank-you speech, the huge turnout, and everything but Wade Montgomery’s sudden reappearance in Blessings. Birdie didn’t want to hear Hunt start teasing her about another guy.

* * *

Peanut and Ruby took Donna home after the potluck was over, then Ruby walked her back to the house.

“I’ll call you tomorrow. I know we sold almost six thousand dollars’ worth of potluck tickets, plus a few donations added in. That’s already been deposited into your bank account. There’s the silent auction at the country club tomorrow night, so there’ll be more. And whatever else is in the envelopes you were given today. We’ll see what kind of a total you come up with. Hopefully it will be enough to get you home, and a little nest egg to carry you over until your benefits start coming in.”

“I’m so grateful,” Donna said. “I’ll count up what they gave me today and take it to the bank in the morning, too. Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome, sugar,” Ruby said. “Now go inside and get your shoes off and get comfy.”

“I will, and thank you again,” Donna said, and went inside, put up the food she’d brought home, then carried the envelopes into her bedroom and laid them aside until she had changed her clothes. Only after she was comfortable did she sit down on the bed and begin opening them up.

The first twelve all had cash ranging from $20 to several with $100 bills, and a few with even more. The next envelope she picked up had $1,000 in cash. She gasped. She’d never held that much cash money in her hand at once, and she added it to the stack.

The next couple of envelopes had checks, and the next five had more cash. The stack was growing, and she was crying now.

“Oh, Arnie, would you just look. I never knew people could be so kind and giving. I’m just so sad you had to die for this to happen.”