“I put all his paperwork and information in a red folder underneath your counter out there.” She pointed and grabbed an apple out of the basket. “You’ve already been to the Farmer’s Market today?”
I grabbed a teacup off the rack and carefully poured Louise’s tea. I set it in front of her and moseyed over to the refrigerator to get her creamer.
“No, in fact I’ve got to get over there and call Patrick to take me.” I dragged my phone out and quickly texted him. “Loretta Bebe came in and actually asked me to make some apple honey crisps for the last meeting of the year for the Southern Women’s Club. Can you believe it?”
“Low-retta is a pushover. She just acts like she’s mightier than thou. Plus, you and all your goodies are the talk of Honey Springs. She knows that she needs to hire you before you get too busy. She’ll brag on how she discovered you.” Louise rolled her eyes so big it was enough for the both of us. “Do you mind putting this into a to-go cup? I’ve got a full day.”
“Sure.” I didn’t hesitate. I had a full day too and getting to the Farmer’s Market to get the best apples Mr. Hill had was my number one priority.
Three
“You didn’t have to take off work to bring me to the Farmer’s Market.” I said to Patrick, though I was so glad he did because the market was already packed. “But I really appreciate it. I could’ve biked, but with all the apples I need or if I’d planned better, I could’ve driven my car today to the coffeehouse.”
“What’s the benefit of running a company if I can’t take off a few hours? Besides, Steve has got it under control.” He referred to Steve Arpel, one of his employees.
I looked over at Patrick. His chiseled jaw tensed. His hand twisted around his dog’s leash, pulling Sassy closer to him. Pepper and Tank followed her as if I too had tugged on their leashes, though I hadn’t.
Sassy was a black standard poodle that Patrick had adopted and she certainly lived up to her name. She was a sassy dog that barely gave anyone but him and Pepper the time of day.
When I looked at Patrick, I saw past the few wrinkles that’d made a home around his eyes and the touches of grey that dotted his brown crew cut and saw the tender smile and loving brown eyes that I’d fallen head over heels in love with as a teenage girl. He might’ve aged on the outside like me, but his heart and depths of his eyes told me his true soul.
The first day he walked into The Bean Hive, he walked right back into my heart.
Whoever passed us took a moment to pet the dogs. How could they not when Pepper rubbed up against any human leg that walked past him. Tank wasn’t a bit timid when it came to being pet. Whoever pet him, I handed a Pet Palace card and gave a brief story on how to adopt Tank.
“Steve’s a quick learner.” It was nice how Steve was able to just pick up where Patrick needed him. It was hard to find an employee like that. “That must feel good.”
The Farmer’s Market was every Monday downtown in Central Park. It was a five-minute drive from the boardwalk but I liked to bike there. Especially since the weather had really turned. Just a week ago the morning still held the crisp cool air that was left over from winter that required a jacket or cozy sweatshirt. Today the temperature started out in the mid-sixties and was only going up from there.
“Very good. It sure is a nice day to be playing hooky.” Patrick winked and held my hand as we walked across the street to Central Park. The dogs trailing next to us. “And playing it with you.”
Sassy nudged between us. Tank yipped at her. We laughed.
“You too, girl.” He let go of my hand and patted her curly hair. “We are going to find you a perfect home.” He picked up Tank. His head darted around as Tank tried to lick all over his face.
The park was smack dab in the middle of town with a sidewalk around the perimeter. There was a gazebo in the middle and on any given warm summer day, many people sat there and read or even enjoyed their lunch.
The summertime Honey Springs flags with a scene of the lake and boardwalk flapped in the light breeze as they hung from the dowel rods on the carriage lights that dotted the downtown sidewalks. The wildflowers made a colorful landscape around the park with the vibrant purple, pink, yellow, white, and blue colors. This was just the beginning of the beauty Mother Nature drew in our cozy town.
The courthouse, medical building, the library along with a few specialty shops were located in the middle of Main Street across from the park.
“So what is going on with you?” Patrick stopped right in front of Honey Bee Company’s booth at the Farmer’s Market. He hooked the handle of Sassy’s leash around his wrist. He set Tank back on the ground.
I took Tank’s leash and attached it to my wrist to free up my hand.
Honey Bee Company had the best tasting honey that went perfectly with most of my specialty teas. They also kept the comb in the honey jar, which was best for baking.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged and picked up a jar so I didn’t have to look at Patrick.
He reached down and took the jar from my hands, forcing me to look up at him.
“You can tell me.” There was a deep concern in his eyes. “I can tell there’s something on your mind.”
I handed the sales lady a five-dollar bill and put the jar of honey in the grocery bag I’d brought with me. The cotton bag swung back and forth as we walked to Hill’s Orchard fruit stand, owned by Fred Hill. He had the perfect apples for my apple tart. This time of the year was hard to find that perfect apple that had the sweet and tart, but somehow Fred never disappointed.
“I’ve been thinking.” I grabbed his hand to stop in front of the apples at Mr. Hill’s stand. “I know the teenage Patrick really well. I’ve only been back to Honey Springs for six months fulltime. I want to date you.” I scanned the table lined with orchard baskets filled with all sorts of freshly picked apples. The stems and leaves were still on them.
“We have a lifetime of dating ahead of us.” He brought my hand up to my own eyes to get a glimpse of my ring. “Or did you forget about this?” He kissed my ring before he dropped our hands back down.
“Of course I didn’t forget that.” I smiled. He did tug my heartstrings. I pulled my hand away and grabbed a few apples and put them in my bag.
There were a few more apples I wanted, so I’d get them and tally them up and pay when I was finished. Besides, Fred and his wife Jean were busy helping other customers. We’d made eye contact so he knew I was there for my weekly fruit.
“Are you saying you don’t want to marry me?” Patrick’s voice cracked.
“No, no.” I shook my head. “It’s been the best couple of months of my life.” I put my hand on my heart. “You are amazing. I don’t want to get another divorce and I worry about how well we know each other.”
“We love each other, isn’t that enough?” he asked.
“Patrick.” My head tilted to the side. The sun grazed my shoulder and gave a spotlight on his face. There was a hurt in his eyes that made my heart break. “Do you even know my favorite movie? My favorite food? Color?”
“No. But I know what’s in there.” He pointed to my heart.
“Yes you do. There’s no harm in taking the time to go on a few dates, get to really know each other.” It made perfect sense to me and sounded like a good plan. “We aren’t going anywhere. It isn’t like we have a date to get married, just taking some time to really get to know each other.”
He dragged his hand up and scratched his head.
“If that’s what you want.” He blinked a few times. There was a thin smile on his lips as he spoke. “I’ll do whatever needs to be done. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I curled up on my toes and gave him a kiss. “It’ll be fun,” my voice escalated in an excited tone. Now I felt like a heel. I probably should’ve just made dates and not told him my underlying meaning. “You love to fish. So take me fishing. Let me love it.”
“I don’t expect you to love my hobbies. Just like I don’t love to bake or love coffe
e like you.” He had a point.
My body slumped. I looked at him and let out a long sigh. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see and hear Louise Carlton having a heated conversation with Fred. She leaned way over an apple basket shaking a finger at him. Both of them fussing at the same time. Who knew how they could hear each other.
“Fine.” He curled me into his big arms and kissed the top of my head. I could almost feel his thoughts. He was worried, but he’d see that there was no reason to be and my suggestion would make us stronger. “We will only grow stronger.”
I wanted to believe his words, but the look on his face was as if I’d taken out his heart and stomped my cowboy boots on it over and over again until it was as thin as a cake of soap.
“That’s right.” I looked up, and with a soft sigh, he gently kissed me.
The loud bickering made me pull away.
“What’s going on with Louise? She looks mad,” Patrick said.
“I don’t know.” I tugged on Pepper’s leash for him to stop sniffing and to follow me over to her. Patrick and Sassy followed me.
“That was not what we agreed to and I’m afraid I’m going to have to take Bertie back,” Louise tried to modulate her voice as she fought to maintain control.
“That’s not going to happen. I need Bertie to continue to lay the eggs that I need to keep my booth here at the Farmer’s Market. If you dare step a foot on my property. . .” He curled his lips together.
“You’ll what? Egg my car?” Louise’s nostrils flared.
It was a side of Louise I’d never seen. She was always so kind and even-keeled.
“It’s not a good day, Louise. I suggest you step away. I adopted Bertie fair and square.” He shook his finger back at her. It was a finger shake off. “Don’t make me call the police on you because you heard what Officer Shepard said last time I did.”
“I don’t care if they take away my license. I have to save Bertie,” she spat through her gritted teeth. “I don’t care what Spencer said either.”
“Excuse me,” I stepped in and smiled at both of them. “Pepper and Tank wanted to say hello.”
Fred and Louise became silent but stared at each other. Pepper scurried over to get a good scratch.
“I’ve got to go.” Louise jerked around. “Roxy, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Sure.” I shrugged and looked at Fred. He didn’t say anything. He went back to his produce.
“That was very odd.” Patrick arched a sly brow.
“Very.” I inhaled deeply and watched Louise run across the road, nearly missing getting hit by a car before she got into hers. “Very.” I exhaled with a thankful sigh that she didn’t get flattened.
Four
“Errrt-uh-errr-uh-errrrrrrrr!” The sound of a chicken roused me from my deep sleep.
Pepper jumped up from the makeshift pallet I’d made for him on the floor of the Pet Palace office and barked loudly.
My head flew up in the air. My heart nearly pounded out of my chest. For one glorious minute, I’d fallen asleep and completely forgotten how tired I was since I’d been running around all day like a chicken with my head cut off.
A massive figure stood at the office door. Monday night was my volunteer night. Most Mondays I wasn’t tired, I was plum wore out.
“Errrt-uh-errr-uh-errrrrrrrr!” The sound of the chicken came with the person at the door.
The man’s shoulders filled his red and black checkered plaid coat. His fat face melted into a buttery smile. “You got a little drool.” He motioned to his chin with the free hand that wasn’t holding the feathered chicken. “I wasn’t expecting to see you, Roxy.”
I swiped the back of my hand across my face and patted down my hair because I knew it was sticking straight up. It would definitely be sprung up around my head since I’d been sleeping. My eyes adjusted. The figure sharpened.
“Mr. Hill.” I greeted him when I realized who it was. “I’m sorry. You must be here to see Louise. She isn’t here.” I stood up, brushing my hands down the front of my shirt. I walked forward, stopping in front of him. “You can leave her a note if you want.”
When I first volunteered to help out, I thought it’d be fun, but it was really hard work to clean all the kennels, feed, and play with the animals.
Mr. Hill stepped aside. He had on his John Deere green baseball cap pulled way down on his forehead. The bottom of his lip stuck out on the right where there was a big piece of chewing tobacco.
“Ah!” I jumped back when out of the corner of my eye I saw the bird’s beak coming at me.
He laughed. “This here is Bertie.” He referred to the feathery fowl.
“Errrt-uh-errr-uh-errrrrrrrr!” The big chicken crowed again. Pepper’s nails ticked on the concrete floor as he did his little jig trying to get a good smell of Bertie.
“Hi, Bertie.” I giggled. Never in a million years and certainly not this time a year ago did I ever think I’d be volunteering at a kennel and petting a chicken.
“You tell Louise that I stopped by.” His face suddenly tensed. He pulled Bertie closer to his body. “You can also tell her to stay off my property or else.”
I gulped.
His eyes lowered, as did his voice, “Are you still one of them lawyers?”
I nodded.
“Is everything okay in here?” Spencer Shepard asked when he appeared down the hall. “I saw some lights on while doing my nightly rounds and didn’t realize anyone was here this late.”
“Everything is just fine.” Fred looked at Spencer. “I was just telling Roxy to leave Louise a message from me. Stay off my property.” This time there was no doubt in my mind that Mr. Hill meant it.
“I’ll be sure to tell Louise.” I took Mr. Hill by the arm that wasn’t carrying Bertie. I led him out of the office and to the front of Pet Palace where it was deserted.
There was a fireplace in the middle of the front room. The flame from the gas logs flickered giving the room a cozy feel and a few yips could be heard from the dog kennel side of the facility. Thanks to Patrick and Cane Contractors, Pet Palace had an all-new building and now they were working on the kennels. Soon the project would be complete and Louise would have the dream building she’d always imagined.
“How would you like it if someone harassed you all the time?” he asked as I unlocked the door.
“I wouldn’t.” I offered a smile and showed him out the door.
“What was that all about?” Spencer walked up behind me.
I locked the door.
“I have no idea.” My hand lingered on the door handle as I wondered how on earth he’d gotten in there. “There’s some bad blood between the two. I didn’t get to ask her about it. In fact,” I leaned up against the glass door and watched Mr. Hill’s taillights until they disappeared into the dark night. “I had to break up an argument between them at the Farmer’s Market.”
He looked up at the ceiling and rolled those green eyes.
“So what are you doing here so late?” he asked.
“I fell asleep.” I dragged my phone from my back pocket. It was close to eleven o’clock. Way past my bedtime. There were several missed calls from Patrick. I bet he was terrified where I was. I’d text him when I got home. “I’ve got to get home.”
“Gather your things. I’m not letting you bike in the dark at this hour.” He pointed to my bike that was leaning up against the outside of the building. “I’ll take you and Pepper home.”
Like good citizens, Pepper and I accepted his ride with my bike strapped into the open trunk of his sheriff’s car. Pepper sat right up front and in the middle of us.
I needed air. I rolled down the window just enough for a fresh breath.
He stopped the cruiser at the stop sign in the middle of downtown near Central Park where the Farmer’s Market was held. “Now what are you thinking about?”
My eyes raked over the park. The whole day had been strange beginning with the Farmer’s Market scuffle between Louise and Mr. Hill.
<
br /> “I was just thinking about Mr. Hill. He sure does have something to tell Louise. She sure did have a bone to pick with him,” I said and shifted in my seat.
The streetlights along Main Street lit up the streets like it was daytime. The twinkling lights around the gazebo in the middle of Central Park looked like the fireflies that would soon be blanketing Honey Springs.
“The summer crowd is coming up, isn’t it?” I decided to change the subject. I fiddled with the engagement ring.
The summer held fond memories from my teenage years. Patrick and I thought we were big shots hanging out by the lake, listening to the banjos and trying to catch fireflies.
“It sure is.” Spencer continued to talk about how crowded the lake was going to be with boats and skiers.
I let out a few mmm-hmms, yeps, and un-huhs, but I wasn’t listening to a word he said, and before I knew it, we were pulling up to my little cabin where Patrick was sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair along with . . .
“Mother?” My jaw dropped.
Five
“Roxy, we’ve been worried sick.” Mom stood up.
It was like looking into a mirror. It was obvious whom I looked like.
“Patrick.” Spencer nodded after Patrick stood up.
“Is something wrong?” Patrick asked and stood up. “Roxy, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I opened the back door of the cruiser. Pepper jumped out and bounced toward the cabin. “I fell asleep at Pet Palace and Spencer was kind enough to give us a ride home.”
Mocha and Murder Page 2
