Deadly Harvest

by Marissa Shrock

  “My brother didn’t have an interest, and I did—though I didn’t admit it until after Daddy died and Grandpa started talking about selling our farm. I was going to be a music teacher.” I shook my head. “Until I student taught and realized God didn’t equip me to deal with a classroom full of antsy kiddos—no matter what age they are.”

  Cal leaned back and chuckled. “I couldn’t deal with that either.”

  “I had a quarter-life crisis of epic proportions while I was student teaching. I knew God would show me something else to do with my life, but I never thought it’d be farming without my dad.” I took a deep breath, and Cal reached for my hand.

  The bell on the door jingled, and Kelsey strutted in with Evan. I withdrew my hand.

  “Cal!” She squealed and hurried over with more enthusiasm than I’d ever seen her demonstrate. “I hope you don’t mind if we join you. I told Evan we had to come over because I was dying for some of Velda’s vegetable soup.”

  “Sure. Go ahead and order,” Cal said. “As you can see, we’re still waiting.” They left to get in line. “Sorry. Kelsey means well.”

  “She has a weird way of showing it.” I leaned back, crossed my arms, and marveled at her miraculous recovery after our restroom encounter.

  Cal’s laughter boomed through the café, and for a second, its resonance reminded me of Daddy’s laugh.

  Even though I wanted to claw Kelsey’s eyes out, I decided to spin this situation positively. “Getting to know Evan would be nice for you,” I said. “We’re in the same Bible study group. You’re always welcome.”

  “That’s not my thing.”

  “How come?”

  “A lot of them are social groups—no spiritual substance. Then there’s the sharing private feelings thing.”

  “Nobody makes you share more than you want, and we just finished a study of Ecclesiastes. We’re meeting at Evan’s place tonight if you change your mind.”

  “Thanks.” He shifted and glanced out at the traffic streaming by on Main Street.

  I tried not to take offense and told myself his declining my invitation didn’t make him any less of a Christian. “What are your feelings about church?”

  “Wildcat Springs Community? Or church in general?”

  “Both.”

  A server brought our food. Cal offered to pray, and when the food was blessed, I waited for him to answer.

  “Your church is fine,” he said. “Friendly—I felt welcome.”

  “But?” I tore a piece of sour dough from the lid to my bread bowl and tossed it into my chicken noodle soup.

  “I’m not sure it’s where I’m going to land. But then again, your church may be the best option around, so I haven’t ruled it out.”

  “Oh my goodness, Georgia. How can you eat so many carbs?” Kelsey sat next to me and wrinkled her nose. Evan was paying for their meals.

  “I hate feeling hungry all the time.” I was not going to let her get to me. Nice Georgia.

  “I can tell.”

  Cal frowned. “Easy, Kels.”

  I shrugged. “There’s more to life than being skinny. You have to enjoy a good piece of pie once in a while.” I surveyed the pies Velda had displayed in the case by the door. I’d have to pass on a slice of chocolate silk today—my pride was worth something.

  Kelsey followed my gaze. “That’s what fat people say.”

  “Is it?” I grinned. “How enlightening. Do you speak from experience?”

  “No.” She scowled and clutched the edge of the table. “I’ve never been overweight.”

  “I apologize,” I said. “You seem so knowledgeable and disciplined when it comes to nutrition.”

  She fiddled with her silver earring. “Thanks.”

  Evan took the seat next to Kelsey. “What’d I miss?”

  Cal cleared his throat. “A fascinating discussion about nutrition.”

  Evan took Kelsey’s hand and squeezed. “My girl has taught me so much about eating right. I never thought I could cut back on meat, but I’ve been doing it.”

  “Pretty soon, you’ll be a vegetarian like me.” She gazed into his eyes.

  He beamed.

  Life Lesson #327: Love did conquer all. Including the desire to eat meat—but I’d believe that when I saw it. If Evan could give up his love for wings, I’d eat nothing but tofu for a month.

  The waiter brought their food, and Kelsey eyed the sandwich on Evan’s plate. “Is that turkey?”

  The tips of his ears flamed. “I thought it’d be okay since we had vegetarian last night.”

  She pursed her lips. “Whatev.”

  Cal and I exchanged glances. We needed a redo on this hijacked date.

  “Be honest,” Cal said as we stood in the public parking lot down the street from Velda’s Café after Evan and Kelsey had left. “What’s the history with you and Evan?”

  “Is this the detective talking or my new friend?” I crossed my arms and leaned against my truck.

  He grinned. “Both.”

  “We’ve always just been friends. For a while I thought it might be more, but…” A brisk wind whipped through my thin raincoat.

  “It didn’t work out?”

  “Right. It’s fine, though. I want him to be happy.”

  “That’s sweet of you, but my cousin’s behavior is probably making that hard for you to accept.”

  “You got me.” Why, oh why, did I have to be so easy to read?

  “No, I get it. She has a good heart. I’m not sure why she’s acting so insecure.”

  “She’s young.” I shrugged. “Are you coming to group tonight?”

  “Probably not.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “But I’d like to see you again. How about Saturday?”

  I smiled. “Deal.”

  “And Georgia?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I haven’t forgotten about your dad’s case. With the Fullerton investigation, it’s been crazy, but as soon as we wrap that up, I’ll finish going through his file.”

  I’d hoped for something bigger, but when I’d put the situation in the Lord’s hands three years ago, I’d had to surrender the timing, though I wasn’t a fan of how long it was taking. “How is the Fullerton case?”

  He grimaced. “We’re hoping to make an arrest soon.”

  That afternoon while I sprawled on my sectional sofa and watched the Colts game on TV, my phone dinged with a text from Jon Nordmeyer.

  Tell me more about your friend.

  I sent him a few details about Brandi. She might hate the idea, but dipping her toes in the dating waters wouldn’t be dangerous with someone like Jon as long as he’d learned his lesson and would keep his lips to himself.

  He’d done everything else right on the date. They’d at least have a pleasant conversation because Brandi was good at drawing people out. Now, I needed to tell Ashley not to say anything to Brandi about the almost kiss.

  My phone chimed again.

  Sounds good. If she approves, please send me her number.

  I should show Brandi the dossier Dan had created. I flipped my braid between my fingers and bit my lip. Even without her knowing the whole story of my date, getting Brandi’s approval would be difficult.

  That evening our small group gathered at Evan’s modest ranch house in Sycamore Hills, the same subdivision where Brandi lived. I stood in his kitchen and squirted a healthy amount of spicy ketchup on the lettuce-wrapped black bean burger that New and Improved Evan—with Kelsey’s assistance—had prepared.

  In all the years I’d known him, he’d never so much as offered a vegetarian option, let alone made it the sole entrée. Old Evan would’ve offered a choice of burgers, hot dogs, or brats along with the appropriate sides and condiments.

  Nevertheless, I was willing to try something new and prove to Kelsey that I wasn’t afraid of her food.

  I took my paper plate, also filled with carrot sticks and hummus, to the living room that was open to the kitchen. J.T. and Dave were engrossed in a Broncos gam
e. Ashley was deep in conversation with Heather, so I sat next to Brandi on the leather sofa.

  “How was lunch with Cal?” She swiped a red pepper in the hummus.

  “How did you find out about that?”

  “Before you got here, Evan mentioned the four of you ate lunch together and that he invited Cal to come tonight. I think Evan was hoping Cal would show, so there’d be another guy.”

  Before I could comment or ask her about a potential date with Jon, a commotion in the kitchen interrupted.

  “I told you we didn’t need dessert,” Kelsey hissed.

  Brandi and I whipped around and gawked at her.

  Kelsey pointed at a stack of pink boxes from Pastry Delight sitting on Evan’s island. “When did you get those?”

  “Yesterday afternoon. They were out in the garage fridge.” A stain of red crept up Evan’s neck as he removed a chocolate silk pie from a box and set it on the counter next to a peanut butter cream pie. “My friends like pie.” His tone was tense, like he was trying to keep everyone from staring at them—which was completely unsuccessful.

  Except for J.T., who was worried about the Broncos. Too bad he didn’t have the same devotion to the Colts. It would’ve saved me from hearing Evan extol the wonders of Kelsey at our gathering earlier in the month.

  “You never listen to me.” Kelsey put her hands on her hips.

  Evan furrowed his brow. “About what?”

  “The dangers of sugar. Fat. Carbs. Obesity.”

  I dipped a carrot in hummus, popped it in my mouth, and sat back to watch the show.

  “Sweetie, this isn’t the time or place.” He took out a sugar cream pie.

  “Don’t sweetie me.” She glanced over her shoulder at all of us, then turned back. “Admit it. You bought them for her.” She hitched her thumb over her shoulder.

  Okay, so assuming the her in question was me, due to our earlier conversation about pie, why in the name of all that’s holy, would she make that accusation in front of everyone?

  “That’s ridiculous,” Evan said. “Everyone in this group likes pie.”

  “Yeah, pie’s kind of our group’s thing.” Heather got up off the couch and tossed her plate and napkin in the trash.

  J.T. looked up. “It’s true. Peanut butter’s my favorite.”

  So he did have an awareness that extended beyond the game.

  “I’m a fan of cherry,” Dave said as he adjusted his baseball cap.

  “I’m partial to peach,” Ashley drawled.

  “And I like chocolate silk.” Brandi elbowed me. Did she expect me to chime in with a pie that wasn’t a current option?

  “I’ve always liked mince.” I cleared my throat to stifle a giggle as Brandi rolled her eyes.

  “See, it’s all perfectly innocent.” Evan rubbed Kelsey’s shoulder.

  “Yeah, right.” Kelsey jerked away, picked up the chocolate silk pie, raised it above her head, and chucked it in the trash. Then, she ran into the bathroom and slammed the door.

  Whoa. Any amusement I’d felt over Kelsey’s tantrum vanished.

  Heather’s eyes were humongous. Ashley gasped, and Brandi’s mouth hung open.

  Evan wiped a blob of whipped cream from his cheek and licked his finger.

  “Touchdown!” J.T. shot off the couch and did a hip-bumping victory dance with Dave.

  Evan started toward the bathroom, stopped, and looked back. “I’m so sorry, guys. We’d agreed to have a healthy meal, and I thought that meant we could have dessert.”

  “Apparently not.” I surveyed the remaining pies sitting on the counter. “But we can eat the peanut butter and sugar cream, right?”

  Chapter Eleven

  On Monday, I woke up later than usual and trudged through the living room into my kitchen because I hadn’t been able to sleep after the excitement of The Pie Incident.

  Evan had banged on the bathroom door and tried to coax Kelsey out, but she refused. So, he divided the offending pies among us and sent us on our way with profuse apologies that we weren’t having our lesson and prayer time. After the awkwardness, no one had appeared to mind, and we definitely knew what we needed to pray about.

  My head pounded from lack of caffeine, so I brewed coffee and took a survey of my pantry contents. Jars of green beans Mom and I had canned from my garden, salsa Mom had made from my tomatoes, fruit cocktail, a box of outdated wild rice, and a bag of tortilla chips filled with crumbs. My refrigerator wasn’t any better. Ranch dressing, ketchup, and peanut butter cream pie.

  The pie won.

  I poured a cup of coffee and dug into the slice. It was too bad Kelsey thought she couldn’t trust Evan, which is what that little incident had to have been about. No one who was secure in a relationship got that upset over pies.

  I hoped Evan knew what he was getting into. Did his training as a counselor make him think he could fix her insecurities? Kelsey’s behavior was a huge red flag because if she would act like that when they were dating, what might she do if they tied the knot?

  God, give Evan wisdom. Help Kelsey not to be so insecure.

  After downing a cup of coffee and polishing off the pie, the caffeine began to hit my brain, and it became clear I needed to spend some time at the grocery store, so I got ready and headed to Hometown Market in downtown Wildcat Springs. Brandi always said I needed to be prepared in case of a natural or man-made disaster because she might not have enough supplies for everyone who’d probably show up at her house.

  That was the advantage of not being a prepper—no one would dream of descending on my house in the midst of the apocalypse.

  I was picking out bananas when Evan stopped beside me.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” I located a small bunch with plenty of green and put it in my cart.

  “Fall break.”

  “Are you sure it’s safe to be seen with me?” Why had I said that?

  The muscle in his jaw twitched. “Kelsey and I broke up.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I tightened my grip on the cart.

  “Are you?” His voice held a note of accusation.

  I wasn’t heartless, but his tone irked me. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I started walking toward the apples, and Evan followed.

  “Does your encounter in the church restroom ring a bell?”

  My face flamed, but I faced him anyway. “She was goading me, so I spouted off. I didn’t mean any of it.” I surveyed the apples. “Don’t blame Kelsey’s insecurity on me.” I heaved a bag of Honeycrisps off the display.

  “I know.” He sighed. “It was never enough. No matter what I did.” He pointed to his cart. “Look at all these fruits and vegetables.”

  “And steak.” The package of meat was half-hidden under a bag of spinach.

  He ignored my comment and held up a bunch of broccoli. “She’s still in my head. I never touched broccoli before we dated.”

  “You don’t have to torture yourself.”

  “I actually like it.”

  I quirked an eyebrow. “Torture?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Broccoli.”

  Good to know. “I could talk to Kelsey.”

  “Oh, no.” His eyes widened. “Don’t do that.”

  “But if she knew there wasn’t anything between you and me, then—”

  “Georgia, leave it alone.”

  “How can I? You’re blaming me.”

  “I was venting. Sorry.” He lowered his voice. “Kels and I obviously weren’t as rock solid as I thought, so I don’t know if I want to go there again…” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Please don’t say anything.”

  I sighed. “Fine. I just hate seeing you upset.”

  “I’ll survive.”

  I pointed to his cart. “Yeah, you’ll outlive all of us when you’re eating like that.”

  “This bouquet is lovely, dearie. You have great taste,” Beverly Alspaugh said.

  After I’d unloaded my groceries at home, I’d set out for Beverly’s place, down the road from
my farmhouse.

  “Thank you. I thought they’d cheer you up.” I perched on her flowered couch while her black Schnauzer, Miss Peacock, pawed my legs.

  “Certainly.” Beverly drew her robe tighter, settled in her recliner, and pulled a blanket over her legs, even though the room was stuffy.

  “How are you feeling?” I ignored the dog and hoped she’d realize I was the Alpha and leave me alone. Instead, she gave a yippy bark and attempted to leap onto the couch.

  “Down, Miss Peacock,” Beverly said. The dog actually obeyed, sat next to the couch, and gazed up at me.

  I patted her head. So much for being the Alpha.

  “Not terrible. Cancer’s not going to take me before the good Lord’s ready, so I rest in that.”

  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to rest. I’d probably be kicking and screaming while the angel of death dragged me away.

  The creases in Beverly’s forehead deepened. “Are you okay? Finding Tara couldn’t have been easy.”

  I swallowed. “It definitely brought back memories of Daddy’s death.”

  “Of all people in Wildcat Springs to have found Tara.” Beverly shook her head. “I’ve been praying for years for your dad’s case to be solved. Sometimes I wonder what the good Lord’s thinking, letting a killer roam free, and now there’s another one.” Miss Peacock darted to Beverly, and she reached down and scooped her up. “But, I always remind myself to trust God. He’ll reveal the truth in the proper time.”

  “Your great-nephew may help things along.”

  Beverly clasped her hands. “Wonderful. I pray for him all the time. When I was growing up, I never thought I’d see the day when we had murders in our little town.” She shook her head. “I’m thankful Tara knew Jesus. I’ve often wondered if her mother did.”

  I couldn’t ignore an opening like that. “How did you know Tara and her mom?”

  “They stayed with me after they moved to town around sixteen years ago. Your family’s rental house wasn’t going to be ready for a couple of weeks because of a water leak, so your daddy asked if I could put them up.”