Page 15 of Her Hidden Smile

“Yeah,” she said softly. “It was terrible. We all miss him.”

I knew he had been free-basing cocaine and caught on fire, then died from his injuries after a week in the hospital.

“You and I know I’m playing on your sympathies because of Garth, and I’m going to go even further. Arkansas only has a pediatric burn center; it desperately needs an adult burn center. That is something we are currently working with UAMS to get built.”

“So, you’re hoping because I grew up in Arkansas I would be willing to donate, huh? Not a bad pitch.”

The timer went off.

“Hold on, I have to take my cookies out of the oven.”

Ginny laughed.

I took out the second batch of peanut butter cookies and slotted in some chocolate chips.

“What kind of cookies?”

“Some college students are helping me out at my orchard, so all kinds. Right now chocolate chip and peanut butter,” I answered.

“Good choice. Can I ask you a question, Millie?”

“Sure.”

“I donate money every year, and I’ve set it up with my attorney. Why didn’t you just go through him?”

“Honestly? I did my research. You’re bringing in twice the money this year from last year, and before your attorney came to you with charity suggestions, I wanted to bring this to you.”

Ginny laughed. “You know, this is exactly the kind of polite forcefulness that I used to get my first record deal.”

This time I laughed. “You believed in yourself, just like I believe in what I’m doing. When you believe, it’s easy.”

“You’ve got that right. I’m all-in on donating my extra monies to your cause this year. Let me talk to Shep and I’ll have him give you a call next week. If, for some reason, you don’t hear from him in five days, call me back. We’re going to make this happen.”

I’d been putting the warm cookies onto a plastic platter with a spatula, and as soon as she said that I threw up my hands in excitement and the cookies went flying through the air, landing on my living room couch.

“Thank you so much, Ginny. This means the world to me, and it will make miracles happen for so many people. Please know that one of the things that we do for donors is let them know exactly how their money is being spent and then provide stories of patients, as long as we get their permission.”

“I appreciate that. I’ll let you get back to your cookies.”

“Thanks, Ginny. Goodbye.”

As soon as I hung up, I jumped up and down. Then I went and picked up the broken pieces of the cookie off the couch. As I did, I saw the first two cars come up the drive. Renzo was there, and he motioned for them to head toward the barn, just like Irving always had the farm workers do during harvest season. After five cars drove by, I went to my bedroom where I had the best view of the barn and watched as Renzo stood in front of one of the cherry pickers with his legs spread and his arms crossed over his chest. It was clear he was in charge. A Prius and a double cab truck with an extended bed drove up at the same time. A strawberry-blonde woman in khakis, who also had an air of authority, got out of the Prius and a gigantic man with a big grin got out of the truck. He’d be scary if he wasn’t smiling.

Renzo walked toward both of them and shook their hands. After the introductions were made, he motioned to my house, and I knew I was visible in the sliding door to my patio and I waved. That’s me, always good at a distance or on the phone.

They all waved back, then turned their attention back to Renzo. Soon the woman, who was obviously the professor, was handing out paperwork to all the students. Renzo and the large man went into the barn, and soon Renzo came out, followed by the second cherry picker driven by the big man. I watched as everyone headed out to my orchard. That was my cue to head to the kitchen and continue baking.

Hours later, I jumped when there was a knock on my door.

What in the world?

I knew I’d closed the gate. I went to the door and looked out my speakeasy peephole.

It was Renzo. I unlocked and opened the door a couple of feet.

“How did you get past the gate?”

“I jumped it.”