Recovery Center for addiction support and rehabilitation started. They’ve made incredible progress, and their efforts are working. Though addressing the drug problem is vital, this town has to deal with the abandoned children and homeless families that are the fallout. We need a facility with day care and programs for the children and the parents. I want more than counseling. The children need activities and learning experiences. And so do the parents. Their backs are against the wall, and they’re desperate.”
“They need options,” Violet agreed.
“Yes,” Mrs. Beabots said. “We will staff it, and I personally will award an endowment so that the shelter can go on for years.”
“You will?” all four women chorused.
“Sarah, I told you I was the ambitious type.” Mrs. Beabots smiled proudly.
“Yes, but...” Sarah looked from Violet to Maddie and to Liz.
Mrs. Beabots wagged her forefinger at Sarah. “Now don’t go thinking because I’m older that I can’t do this. I can and I will. I want to leave something that will go on—after I’m not here.”
Violet reached over and touched Mrs. Beabots’s hand. “You are all heart.”
“Look who’s talking. You don’t fool me, Violet Hawks. If you weren’t trying to eliminate crime in our town, you’d be the first to take in these children and you know it.”
“Well, I’m not sure about that. I don’t have much experience with kids.” Violet felt a pinch in her heart thinking about the infants that were abandoned by addict mothers and fathers. She pushed her emotions aside. “So, Mrs. Beabots. Exactly what are you thinking? To build this kind of shelter will take millions. And just as much to staff.”
“I understand that. I have philanthropic friends all across Indiana. It’s about time I talked to them. And Maddie, I could have a chat with that friend of yours, Alex Perkins, who helped you get the investor for your café.”
Maddie folded her hands and rested her chin on them. “You have been thinking about this, haven’t you?”
“Ever since I started volunteering at The Alliance. But this idea came to fruition when Beatrice Wilcox and Rand Nelson took in those two foster boys of theirs. If more people stepped up to the plate like they did, think of the lives that would be changed forever.”
She picked up her linen napkin and dabbed her eyes.
Maddie said, “I think this is a great idea. I want to help.”
“Me, too,” Liz chimed in.
“You know I’m at your beck and call,” Sarah said.
“I’ll help in any way I can,” Maddie said. “I could organize food pantry donations at my café.”
Liz nodded. “I can help with that as well at the vineyard. In fact, we should double our efforts during harvest when we have so many tourists to the vineyard. With the holidays after that, Thanksgiving donations tend to soar.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Mrs. Beabots said.
Maddie snapped her fingers. “It should be an annual event. Maybe we could have a harvest dance and donation at the vineyard. I’ll donate cupcakes, doughnuts, cider. The tourists will love it.”
“So would I,” Liz said.
“Mrs. Beabots,” Violet said slowly, “this is a monumental task. You’re going to need more than just us. What if I were to talk to my chief? Perhaps the Indian Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Both have resources and connections we could use.”
“That’s a fine idea, Violet.” Mrs. Beabots placed her hand over Violet’s. “I’ve thought of everything from taking on one of the old mansions that needs renovation and starting there. I’ve toyed with the idea of asking Gina Barzonni to donate a tract of her farmland to build on, too.”
Maddie looked at Liz. Gina was mother-in-law to them both. “What do you think? Would Gina do that?”
“Gina adores children. I think if we presented it to her the right way, she just might. Rafe is managing the farm now, but Olivia said that he’s got two Thoroughbreds he’s been racing all spring and they are winning race after race. If he keeps this up, he won’t want such a large farm to manage. His heart is still with his horses.”
Violet caught their enthusiasm. “You know, I grew up in the country north of town. I loved it. We had neighbors, an Amish family, who let me ride their horses. Mother didn’t know, but I was always very careful. I loved working our little vegetable garden, and Isabelle planted a million flowers every spring, claiming they were magical. I thought it was the best place to grow up. If those kids had a whole farm to learn skills and play and just be in the clean air and sunshine...”
“Violet, you are so right!” Maddie said. “We have to talk to Gina about this.”
“But remember, girls,” Mrs. Beabots cautioned. “The land is only the beginning. It’s going to take a lot of money. For that, we need one huge extravaganza of a fund-raiser.”
“You can’t steal my summer festival idea,” Sarah said. “St. Mark’s still needs the profits every year.”
The edges of Mrs. Beabots’s mouth cranked up. “It’s Violet who gave me the idea.”
“I did?”
“What was the biggest gathering you all have seen since we’ve been doing fund-raisers together? Not counting Sarah’s Summer Festival.”
“The opening of Austin’s car museum,” Maddie replied.
“Exactly!” Mrs. Beabots’s eyes grew wider with excitement. “And Violet, I’m going to take you up on your offer to help.”
“What can I do?”
“Austin McCreary is sponsoring an event at his car museum. Wine and appetizers. I was thinking if you would ask Josh Stevens to make a personal appearance that night, we could sell so many tickets, people would be out the door. Better still, ask him if he’ll bring that fancy Bugatti of his for photographs of him and the donors.”
“Why not ask Austin to ask Josh?” Violet asked uncomfortably.
“Because I’ve asked Austin for a great deal more than a simple event at his museum.”
“Like what?” Violet asked.
“He’s donating a million dollars. And that, ladies, is information that remains in this room.”
They all stared at Mrs. Beabots.
“Pressing Austin for more after his generous donation might not be prudent,” Mrs. Beabots said.
“Well,” Maddie interjected, “I think this is all fabulous. And this upcoming event is perfect. I know Olivia would be happy to take photographs. She’s so talented. Maybe she can get them printed in the Chicago papers.”
“The Indianapolis newspaper would run anything about Josh Stevens,” Sarah said.
The
