The Emerald Hills Collection

by Judith Post

  He could nail that school teacher look when he chose to. Every good teacher she'd ever had could intimidate an entire class with a raised eyebrow.

  "You're a nonbeliever. I've told you more than most. You've been warned."

  "In that case, yes and yes," he said.

  "What?" Tana wasn't following him.

  "Yes, I like teaching, and yes, I like it here—more than I expected to." He leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "I've only been here once before, when I was a small boy. Aunt Sheri took me to her church for Sunday School and I met a little girl with long, red braids. I pulled one of them, and she hit me with the other one. Hard. It left a welt."

  Tana choked on the cracker she'd just swallowed. She took a quick sip of coffee to wash it down.

  He raised the same accusing brow. "I'm right. It was you, wasn't it?"

  "I didn't leave a welt."

  "Could have. You hit me with your braid."

  "You shouldn't have pulled my hair."

  He stared. "And here we are again. How odd."

  She smiled, waving the coincidence away. "Ordinary. You're in Emerald Hills."

  He sat, studying her, for a moment.

  She squirmed. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

  "You have a nice smile. I don't see it very often."

  She huffed, unimpressed. "I smile at every customer who enters my shoppe."

  "That's different. That's professional. It doesn't light up your eyes."

  "Oh, lord." She went for another change of subject. "You never really told me about your class. Do you have lots of students? Are they beginners or advanced?"

  "Changing the topic again? How did I offend you this time? Too personal?"

  "I barely know you."

  "In that case, I have a little of everything in my class—hobbyists, beginners, pros—but that's all right. I always start with the basics anyway. You have to have a strong foundation to build a career."

  "Like Gino's shoes."

  He grimaced.

  She pointed an accusing finger his way. "You're just as dedicated to your photography and writing as I am to my candies."

  He grinned and the deep dimple in his right cheek flirted with her again. She chewed her bottom lip. She loved dimples. He spread his hands in surrender. "Guilty, as accused. That's one of the things we have in common—passion."

  Tana's breath caught for a moment, but then she gave a quick nod. He was talking about passion for their work. She leaned back in her chair, more relaxed with him. She understood that kind of dedication, that kind of drive. "How do you teach the photography part? Do you go out in the field?"

  "It's the only way to learn. We drive around like a little caravan, looking for good shots." He suddenly looked away, lost in thought. "I had the strangest thing happen, though."

  "What was that?"

  "I found this farm stand with the most perfect produce I've ever seen. The owner let me take pictures of her, working in these huge gardens."

  Tana nodded. "That would be Midu. She has a green thumb. Anything she plants, grows."

  He shook his head, clearly bewildered. "We all took our memory cards to a drugstore to print out our photos for the day…."

  "What happened?" she prompted.

  "My pictures came out great. I could have sold every one of them. And then the woman started to fade. As we stood around, looking at them, she got paler and paler until her spots were blank. Everything else was still sharp and focused."

  A shiver slithered over Tana's skin. She rubbed her arms to quiet her nerves. "That's Emerald Hill's magic."

  "What does it mean?"

  She could barely make herself say the words. If she said them, they'd be real. But that was silly, she knew. If she didn't say them, the magic was still there. "If we don't change something, and soon, Midu will be gone."

  Nate stared. "You're trying to tell me that my pictures were some kind of premonition?"

  "Yes." The chill wouldn't leave her. It grew and spread inside her. She pushed her plate to the side and waved for their check.

  "Wait. We haven't finished the pate'."

  Giselle hurried to their table. "Is everything all right?" She glared at Nate. "Did he upset you?"

  "Nothing like that." Tana quickly told Giselle about Nate's photos.

  Giselle started clearing the table and motioned for them to leave. "No charge. Go. You have to warn her."

  "Hey, can't I at least finish first?" Nate reached for another cracker. "Aren't you guys overreacting just a bit?

  Giselle skewed him with a fierce stare. "You're not from Emerald Hills. You don't understand, but Tana has to check on Midu now."

  He hesitated.

  Giselle hissed, "As in immediately."

  He got to his feet and reached for his billfold.

  "I told you. It's free. Just go."

  Nate started after Tana. She was speed-walking back to her shoppe. "What are you going to do?" he asked.

  "Drive to Midu's to warn her. If we can figure out what to change, her images will return."

  "You're kidding. My pictures will re-form?"

  "Exactly."

  "I'm coming with you."

  She stopped so abruptly, he nearly ran into her. "Why?"

  "Curiosity. Maybe a little shock. Could be sort of afraid. You guys are freaking me out a little."

  "You can't help."

  Nate's tone turned firm. "I'm in on this. They were my pictures."

  She sighed. How could she argue with that? "Oh, all right, but don't get in the way."

  She set off again, and he followed, shaking his head. "You know, some people value my opinions and expertise."

  She walked to a car parked behind her shoppe and slid inside. "You're no expert on magic, but it chose to use you for some reason. So, are you coming or blabbing?"

  He scrambled onto the passenger seat and she took off, driving as fast as she could in the traffic.

  * * *

  Nate gaped at the lush, green hills that inundated in the distance and at the meandering river that separated the business district from the residential area of Emerald Hills, but Tana had no time for scenery. She sped to Midu's farm stand. When she saw Midu, sitting on a high stool behind her wooden counter, she almost cried with relief. Nate hadn't talked on the drive over, and she was grateful. Customers were thumping melons of all shapes and sizes, trying to decide between different varieties of eggplants and squashes, and placing the usual fruits and veggies in their baskets. The stand was busy.

  Tana parked out of the way and walked to where Midu sat. Nate silently kept pace beside her. As they neared the stand, a man wearing a wide-brimmed hat walked to the counter, placed an ice-cold bottle of water near Midu while she was busy ringing out a customer, then turned and left. Midu finished her order, saw the water bottle, and reached for it.

  Tana called, "Wait!"

  Both Midu and Nate looked at her in surprise, but Midu quickly shook off the awkward moment with a smile. "Hey, I didn't see you pull in. How's it going?"

  "I need to talk to you."

  Midu motioned for Kyle, her helper, to take her place and started to walk toward a huge, old oak nearby that provided shade. On her way, Tana grabbed the water bottle off the counter. Finally, when they were out of earshot of everyone, Midu turned, a worried frown on her face. "What's up?"

  Tana told Midu about the photos Nate had taken of her.

  "I know I'm not photogenic," Midu teased, "but I've never broken a camera yet." When she chewed her bottom lip, obviously worried, Nate shook his head. "I don't get it. You take the photos seriously, too? They're just pictures."

  Midu hesitated, struggling to find a way to explain her concern, then said, "Small things mean a lot in Emerald Hills. It's the way our enchantments work. It's like osmosis. The magic seeps into things through us."

  Nate sighed. "So you believe in magic too?"

  "We all do." Midu turned her attention to the water bottle. "But I can't seriously bel
ieve that anyone would try to hurt me. I only put love in my produce. How could anyone hate me for that?"

  Nate ran a hand through his spiky, blond hair. "How does love work into fruits and vegetables?"

  Midu blushed, slightly embarrassed. "When someone uses produce from my stand, it helps them tap into the right kind of love—love for their kids or family, finding their special someone, or caring for their aging parents with joy instead of duty."

  "So you water your produce with a love potion?" Nate asked.

  "No, nothing like that. Love potions can make you like someone you shouldn't. My produce helps you find the right fit."

  "And if it's the wrong fit?"

  Midu shrugged. "Then it won't work." Her gaze returned to the water bottle. "What makes you worry about a water bottle, Tana?"

  "It's the way the man gave it to you. He wore one of those Aussie hats with a brim that hid his face, and he walked up while you were busy and put it where you'd see it."

  Midu frowned. "A customer? I asked Kyle to bring me some water. I thought he left it there for me."

  "See?" Tana said.

  Nate was frowning, studying the water bottle, now. He reached for it, and Tana let him open the lid. "Not sealed," he said.

  Midu's brown eyes went round. "Do you mean someone's tampered with it?"

  "They could have." Nate raised the bottle and pointed. "There's sediment that's settling on the bottom, like when sugar isn't all the way dissolved."

  Tana pressed her lips together, looking back to the stand and scanning the customers there. "The man in the hat is gone."

  "How can you be sure?" Nate said. "You didn't see his face."

  "He was wearing a white T-shirt and old jeans. No one else is."

  Nate let out another exasperated sigh. "The guy's smart. No one pays attention to jeans and a T-shirt."

  Midu put a hand to her throat. Her smooth, mocha-colored complexion went pale, and she looked like her knees were going to give. Nate grabbed her under the elbow to steady her. She gave her head a violent shake. "This can't be right. Why would anyone want to hurt me?"

  Tana shrugged. She had no answers. Midu was one of the nicest people she knew.

  Midu gripped Tana's shoulder so tightly, it hurt. "If you hadn't come, and I'd have drunk that water, what would have happened to me?"

  Nate tightened the cap on the bottle and tucked it under his arm. "We need to find out. I'm taking this to the sheriff's office in Bloomington. They have a lab. I know a guy there."

  "Already?" Tana couldn't hide her surprise. "You're new to town. How do you know someone at the lab?"

  "You ladies obviously don't hang out at the right places. Bars are great for journalists. You meet the most interesting people at local watering holes."

  She'd bet Nate met people every place he went. She turned her attention to Midu. "Are you going to be okay?"

  Her friend gave a quick nod. "I can't take this all in."

  When they walked back to the stand, Kyle took one look at Midu's face and stopped what he was doing. "Something's wrong. I want in on it."

  Nate filled in the details.

  "Until you guys tell me the water bottle only had sugar in it, Midu's not staying out here by herself," Kyle said. "I'm camping here, twenty-four/seven. "

  Midu gave him a grateful look. "I appreciate that, but the farm house has lots of room. You can have the couch if you stick around."

  Kyle looked down, avoiding her gaze. He looked uncomfortable. He was quiet and shy, Tana knew. Working together with someone was one thing. Spending evenings with them might be hard for him. "Are you sure? I can pop up a tent."

  Midu laughed. "Don't be silly. I'll even cook breakfast for you."

  Kyle looked like he might bolt, but he squared his shoulders, determined to protect her. "That's easy enough. I'm a milk and cereal guy."

  Satisfied, Tana started toward her car. "I'll call you later tonight, Midu. You'd better pick up so I know you're okay."

  "Will do."

  On the drive back to town, Tana's mind wandered. She was on auto-pilot until they reached Ruby Riverwalk—the road that circled Emerald Hill's business district—then Nate's voice jerked her back to reality.

  "What's the Cheshire grin about?" he asked. "You look smug."

  "Me? Oh, sorry, just wool gathering."

  He laughed. "I haven't heard that phrase for a long time, but I expected sighs and worries. Instead, you're smirking. There has to be a reason."

  They passed the drive that wound up the hill to Thea's A-frame house. Lights spilled from its windows, and Tana wondered if Gabe would be there, in his mortal form. She'd been told a number of ghosts lingered in the area, but she was glad she couldn't see them. She breathed easier when they reached Gold Galleyway. Each street was named for a color—someone's idea of attracting tourists. And who knows? It might have worked. Emerald Hills had more than its share of visitors.

  Nate repeated his question. "Earth to Tana. I lost you again. What's with the smug smile?"

  Tana shook herself out of her reveries. "I guess there's no reason not to tell you. But Midu's single, and so is Kyle. I always thought they'd make a great couple. If they spend time together outside of work and eat Midu's produce, just maybe…." Her voice trailed off.

  "Kyle looked more scared than anything," Nate said.

  "He's shy. He might get over it if they're thrown together, don't you think?"

  Nate's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, what do you know? You do have a tiny streak of romance in you. I was beginning to wonder."

  "About what?"

  "If you had a romantic bone in your entire body."

  "I'll have you know…."

  "Yes?"

  She shook her head. "Okay, you've got me. I don't trust my heart all that much. I've seen it backfire too many times."

  "For you?" There was an edge to his voice.

  "Hell, no. I've watched my friends, and that's enough. I thought Thea and Gabe were a perfect couple, but when the going got tough, Gabe cheated on her."

  "So they divorced?"

  "They did. They're back together again, but since he's a ghost and all, it's not the same."

  Nate stared, then shook his head. "It's an Emerald Hills thing, right? He's a ghost?"

  Tana shrugged. "It's a long story. It works for them, though, because Gabe can be solid when he's in the…." She stopped again. "Oh, never mind."

  They reached Tana's candy shoppe and Tana turned the next corner to reach the alley that ran behind it. She pulled into her garage and turned off the car's engine with a sigh.

  "It's not that bad, is it?" Nate reached across the seat and placed his hand on top of hers. "You were right to worry. You might have saved Midu's life."

  His words, and his touch, sent a strange, zinging sensation through her. How long had it been since she'd had fun in the sack? One heck of a long time. But she made a habit of choosing men who were unavailable. It was safer that way. Never a married man, just commitment phobics. She wasn't sure about Nate.

  His expression grew serious. "Have you been hurt in the past?"

  "Me? No."

  He studied her another long moment. "You never let anyone close enough, do you?"

  All of a sudden, she felt irritated. "What are you, my shrink? Listen. I only have so much energy and so much time. Starting my business was my top priority. I didn't want anything to derail me."

  He gave a small nod. "Been there. Done that. Still doing it."

  "Good. So you understand." She looked at the water bottle he still held. "I can run that to the lab if you don't have time. They'd listen to me too."

  He scrambled out of the car. "No, I have to drive to Bloomington anyway. It's no trouble." His stomach rumbled. "Aunt Sheri's playing the piano for some group tonight. We can't meet up. I was going to leave the candy on her kitchen table, then take off, but I'm hungry. Would you go to supper with me before I have to leave? I don't like to eat alone."

  She blinked at him
in surprise. "You travel all over the world. I thought you'd be used to that."

  That damn grin of his showed again. A show stopper. "I don't have that much trouble finding company."

  "I bet you don't."

  "Come on. It's just supper. You didn't let me finish my pate'."

  Her stomach grumbled too. She pressed a hand to it. "Why not? We can go to Nancy's restaurant. It's nothing fancy, but it's good."

  He frowned. "Is there any kind of magic in it?"

  "Not a shred. Not everyone has sorcery here."

  "Then it works for me." He led her to his car, put the bottle of water inside, and then locked it. They walked to the restaurant.

  As usual, it was crowded, but they only had to wait ten minutes for a table, and the food always came fast once you ordered. They carefully stayed clear of any serious subjects while they ate, and by the time Nate pulled away from the curb to drive back to Bloomington, Tana was glad they'd shared supper together. The man could be amusing without even trying.

  * * *

  It was late afternoon when Nate rang her cell phone. In a break between customers, she called him back. "Well? Did you get any answers?"

  "Arsenic," he said. "Almost tasteless. Found in insecticides and weed killers."

  "Midu's farm is organic."

  "The guy didn't want to kill Midu, just make her miserable for a while. Some vomiting and diarrhea."

  Tana's mind went blank. She just couldn't imagine someone wanting to hurt Midu.

  "Tana? Are you there?"

  "Sorry." She tried to rally. "I can't wrap my mind around anyone being mean to Midu, but he would have killed her. Even if that wasn't his intention. Something would have gone wrong, and she'd have died. She disappeared in your photos."

  "Maybe this isn't personal. Maybe it's about business or money. Maybe the guy wants her out of commission for a while to ruin her business?"

  "I'm coming up blank on that too."

  There was a long moment of silence. He finally said, "Look. I'm driving to town when my class is finished. Care to meet for supper? Brainstorm?"

  She felt herself nodding as she said, "That would be great. I'll call Midu and tell her what you've learned. Maybe she'll have some ideas for us."