Heart of Gold Read Online Free PDF

agree, Tamar gave her a look.
    â€œDid you hear me?”
    Quelled, she responded, “Yes, ma’am.”
    Tamar got out and grabbed a bag of groceries from the bed. Zoey watched her walk through the rusty gate. Almost immediately an old man holding a shotgun charged out onto the porch and yelled, “Go away!”
    Zoey knew the town’s matriarch was fearless and that nothing in the world ever got the best of her, but worry for her safety made Zoey disobey Tamar’s edict and leave the truck. Bending low so she wouldn’t be seen, she hunkered down next to the front tires to watch. If she needed to call 911 for help, she had her phone.
    The old man yelled again, “Not telling you again! Get out of here, you old bat, before I shoot you for trespassing.”
    Tamar called back, “You’re not going to shoot me, Cephas, and we both know it. Be glad somebody comes out to make sure you’re still alive.”
    â€œYou’re just after my gold!”
    â€œNobody wants your old gold. Are you taking your medicine?”
    â€œWhat’s it to you?”
    â€œNot a thing, but since I’m the one who’ll be burying you when the time comes, I thought I’d ask.”
    â€œDon’t need your questions. Now git, ’fore I shoot you!”
    To Zoey, Cephas looked like an old prospector from the westerns Mr. Bing, one of the town’s senior citizens, liked to watch on the big screen at the rec center. Mr. Patterson was bald, had white whiskers, and was wearing a brown checked shirt and brown pants held up by worn suspenders. She didn’t like the way he had the gun pointed at Tamar, though, and wondered if she should text her dad.
    But Tamar didn’t seem worried. “Do you have enough food?”
    â€œGot enough of everything!”
    Tamar set the big bag of groceries on the ground at her feet. “There’s meat in here, so don’t let it sit out and spoil.”
    Zoey’s mom often left food for Old Man Barker in the spot where he slept behind an abandoned gas station. He’d never thanked her, but it was always gone when she and her mom went to check on him the next day.
    â€œOkay, Cephas. I’m going. I’ll be back to check next month.”
    â€œDon’t need you and your spies checking on me. The gold is mine!”
    â€œWhat spies?”
    He pointed with the gun. “That one hiding by the truck.”
    Zoey gulped, and on the heels of that heard Tamar call angrily, “Zoey!”
    Chagrined, she stood and showed herself. Tamar didn’t look happy. “Get over here.”
    Brimming with guilt, she walked over.
    Cephas yelled, “You after my gold too, little girl?”
    â€œNo, sir.”
    â€œWhat’s your name, so I’ll know who you are if I have to shoot you?”
    â€œZoey Raymond Garland.”
    â€œRaymond? What kind of name is that for a female?”
    Zoey opened her mouth to explain but closed it instantly in response to the flare in Tamar’s eyes. Zoey wondered if she’d be painting Ms. Marie’s fence for her disobedience.
    â€œGet back in the truck,” Tamar instructed coolly.
    Zoey complied instantly and, listening from inside, heard Tamar say, “Take care of yourself, you old mule. I’ll be back.”
    â€œIf you do, I’ll shoot you.”
    Tamar shook her head and walked away. As she started up Olivia and headed back to town she asked, “What did I tell you to do?”
    â€œStay in the truck.”
    â€œJust wanted to make sure you haven’t gone deaf.”
    â€œI was worried he was going to shoot you.”
    â€œI appreciate that, but next time I expect you to do as you’re told.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” After a few more moments of silence, she asked, “Why doesn’t he have any kids or family?”
    â€œHe never married. His father died when we were in grade school, and years later his mother was in a car