The Possum Hollow Hullabaloo (The Penelope Pembroke Cozy Mystery Series) Read Online Free PDF

lot goes on in these kids’ homes we don’t know about, and most of the time, we don’t want to know about it. But the law is the law, and this is one we can’t wink at.”
    ****
    Penelope relayed the information to Bradley and Rosabel that evening over pork chops, red beans, and rice. “I hope whoever they send has enough sense to come by the PD and get an officer to go out to Jeremiah Hadden’s with them,” Bradley said.
    “I don’t volunteer,” Rosabel said, winking at Penelope.
    “You’re not getting within a mile of any house out in the Hollow,” Bradley snapped. “I’m proud of you for volunteering some of your time off to help out there, but don’t even think about getting involved with those kids on a personal basis.”
    “They’re good kids,” Rosabel said, her voice neutral, though her cheeks had turned pink.
    “I know that, Rosie,” Bradley said, turning apologetic, “but most of their parents aren’t.”
    She nodded and helped herself to another roll.
    “And there’s more bad news, Mother,” Bradley went on. “A man came by the PD last week and said he’d heard there was going to be a Christmas program at the community center—a Nativity Play—and wanted me to put a stop to it. I told him that wasn’t my job unless I had a court order.”
    “So is he getting one?”
    “I don’t know. He’s with some group I never heard of.”
    “Atheist or one of those separation of church and state folks?” Jake asked.
    “No idea, Pawpaw. He came in ready to fight, and I got him out of my office as quick as I could.”
    “Can he get a court order to stop it?” Penelope asked.
    “That all depends. The Town Council gave Aunt Mary Lynn some money to get started out there, but the rest of the work has been donated.”
    “That’s right, no government money,” Jake said. “People like that just want to make trouble. They don’t really care about a prayer at high school graduation or a football game. It’s all about getting their way.”
    “It’s more than that, Pawpaw,” Bradley said. “Some of the really organized groups are promoting an agenda, but they have a right to do it even if we don’t agree with what they’re after.”
    “It’s wrong.” Jake set down his glass of milk with more force than necessary.
    “I agree, but they have the right,” Bradley reiterated.
    “Does Mary Lynn know?” Penelope asked.
    “I haven’t said anything to her, but you could mention it. What kinds of records have you two kept about the money for repairs?”
    “We write down the name of everybody who donates time and money—or anything else.”
    “That’s good. I’m not really worried about this guy shutting down your program, but you never know.”
    Jake narrowed his eyes. “That’s not what I went off to war to fight for.”
                  “Sure you did, Pawpaw—the Constitution.  Everybody’s rights.”
    The older man shook his head. “I’ve got rights, too, Brad, and I aim to exercise them without anybody bothering me.”
    ****
    Penelope’s mind ping-ponged between Ellie’s situation and the unknown protestor as she tried to fall asleep. At midnight, when she was still wide-awake, the phone rang beside her bed.
    “Hello, Nell.”
    “Two weeks and two days, Sam.”
    He chuckled. “Still keeping track.”
    “It’s all I can do. Where are you? How are you?”
    “I’m not in Amaryllis, and I’m fine. What about you?”
    She filled him in on Miss Maude Pendleton, Ellie Hadden, and the man who wanted to shut down the Christmas program at the community center. “I can’t sleep,” she finished.
    “If I was there, I’d rock you.”
    “And get in a little grope while you did it.”
    “Aw, Nell, that’s not fair. I don’t grope you anymore, and you liked it anyway.
    “I did not!”
    “I might be able to get there at Thanksgiving if there’s a seat at the table for me.”
    “There is. It’ll just be the Hargroves and Brad and Rosabel.”
    “I’m not