CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVEN – THE TOWN GOSSIP

They exchanged a confused look before scrambling to their feet and hurrying towards the ruckus. The crisp autumn leaves crunched beneath their boots as they followed the sound of excited voices towards a cluster of people on the outskirts of the town square. Mildred stood at the center of the fray, waving her arms animatedly as her booming rasp carried over the din: "Good gracious, where are they? I swore I saw 'em headin' this way!" "We're here, Gram!" Kayla called as they trotted up, breathless. "What's going on? Is everything okay?" Mildred spun around, eyes alight with what could only be described as chaotic glee. A veritable riot seemed to be unfolding all around them, bystanders abuzz with frenzied whispers and gesticulations. "Oh thank heaven!" Mildred looped her arm through Kayla's and barreled straight into the heart of the madness. "Y'all are never gonna believe this. That little snipe Tiffany's been runnin' her mouth, but old Betsy Wilcox went and let the cat outta the b