Other people involved were also being investigated.
The criminal proceedings weren't finished.
Some victims were still working through the process of restoring their finances.
But something important had changed.
The women were no longer afraid to stand together.
The gathering had been my mother's idea.
After the investigation exposed the attempts to acquire the Seven Oaks properties, the remaining members worked with attorneys and an independent conservation organization to strengthen the protection of Hawthorn Orchard.
The land arrangements were complicated, especially because Agnes's interests were entangled in the legal proceedings.
But the women had decided not to sell their homes simply because someone had tried to make them feel powerless.
Instead, they wanted to preserve the orchard and create a community garden, walking paths, and a small gathering space for older residents.
The new project would be called The Seven Oaks Community Garden.
At the entrance stood a wooden sign.
