Susannah May Farmer walked up two steps to a glass door that had the words Lilies of the Field painted on it in fancy gold letters. As she pushed open the door, little bells tinkled cheerfully, and warm, sweet-smelling air rushed to greet her. A tall lady with short dark hair and big glasses looked up at her and smiled.
Mac looked up. G. M. put her head out the door behind Joseph and grinned. “Open the door wide and stand back,” she advised. “She’ll burst in all directions as soon as she gets here.”
MacKenzie Isabelle Evans scooped another bite of mashed potatoes into her mouth. Dad looked at her. “It would be nice if you finished chewing one mouthful before you stuffed another one in,” he said.
Joseph Anderson Donetti reached for the big cardboard box on the top shelf in the garage. “Be careful!” G.M. cautioned, steadying the ladder. “Hand me the box. Don’t try to climb down while you’re holding it.”
Suddenly the upstairs volunteer hurried into the kitchen. “There’s another artifact missing!” she gasped. “The jewelry box from the big bedroom!”
Joseph Anderson Donetti frowned. “I don’t really like writing reports,” he reminded G.M.
“Stay here,” Louise whispered back. “I’m going to warn all the volunteers to keep their eyes on her. And when she leaves, we will watch and see what kind of car she has. We will write her license number down.”
MacKenzie Isabelle Evans craned her neck to see the back of herself in the long, skinny mirror. “How do I look?” she asked anxiously.
Joseph Anderson Donetti heard her coming all the way across the yard. He peeked through the window, and then he hurried to open the back door. Mac was running so fast, he was afraid she couldn’t stop to knock. “Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!” Mac shouted as she slid into the kitchen.