by Amy Lillard
“Are you still making everyone go around back for their kapps?”
She closed the door and crossed her arms. “Is that what you came here to talk to me about?” It was an old disagreement between the two of them and, as far as Kappy was concerned, dead. As a doornail.
“No.” He sucked in a breath, then let it out slowly. “Can we sit? Maybe at the table. Or in the living room?”
She gestured toward the couch and followed him into the living area.
“I know you don’t believe me, but the women would really appreciate a gentler approach to salesmanship.”
“I believe you’ve said that before.” She settled down in the wooden rocker as he found a place on the couch.
“It’s true.”
She stopped herself from shaking her head. It would do no good to try to change Hiram’s mind. Just as it would do no good for him to try to change hers. She didn’t coddle her customers. She had the kapps ready in the basement, she got her special orders ready when requested, and she didn’t hover over her customers as they were trying to shop. They had peace, and she had privacy. It had worked this way for years. She saw no reason to change the system now.
“What did you really come here about, Hiram?”
He leaned forward onto the edge of the sofa, clasping his hands between his knees. “I heard you’ve been quite the traveler lately.”
Kappy frowned. What was he talking about? “Who told you that?”
He shrugged. “Emma told me that you stopped by yesterday.”
“I did.”
“And you went to visit Silas Hershberger in Edie Peachey’s car.”
“I did not.” At least that one she could answer honestly and still contradict him. They had gone in her buggy.
“You didn’t visit with Silas yesterday?”
“I didn’t say that. I said I didn’t visit him in Edie’s car.”
“Just Lorna Betz?”
“Get to the point, Hiram.” She was beginning to lose interest in this conversation.
“It doesn’t look good, Kappy. You shouldn’t be running all over with ex-Amish and in a car.”
So a buggy was okay? She shook those words away. “I think you’re missing something here, Hiram. We are no longer a couple.”
“And if I was the deacon? Or Bishop Sam?”
She rocked back in her seat and calmly studied him. He was very upset, though she couldn’t figure why. Maybe because Hiram Lapp had gotten most everything he’d wanted in his life. Now he wanted her, but he couldn’t have her. It was driving him out of his mind.
“But you aren’t the deacon or Bishop Sam, and I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“If you haven’t done anything, then why won’t you tell me what you were doing?”
Because it’s none of your business jumped to her lips, but she managed to bite it back. She didn’t have anything to say to Hiram. Everything she might say would just sound defensive, and she wasn’t about to defend herself to him. If her theories were correct and someone had been trying to kill Sally June Esh, then she just might be saving someone else by uncovering the killer.
Plus, it wasn’t as if she and Hiram were an actual couple; they were just almost a couple. His attention to her had kept anyone else who might be interested at bay, but she couldn’t say that she minded all that much. She wasn’t sure she was cut out for marriage.
But solving a crime, that seemed to suit her well enough. Though if she said that, she was certain that Hiram would have a fit. And tell her that there was no crime to solve. So she simply smiled and kept her thoughts to herself.
* * *
It seemed to take forever to get Hiram satisfied and out the door. She couldn’t say he was happy with her answers, but it was obvious that he knew when to give up. Once he was gone, she glanced back at the table at the list she had been making. She didn’t have the heart to go back to it. Her encounter with Hiram had left a bad taste in her mouth.
He didn’t seem to be quite himself these days. Like the rest of the Lapp family, he was worried about Willie.
But she didn’t think he would find any comfort in knowing that Willie had been texting Edie. Besides, they weren’t absolutely certain that the texts were from Willie. More like strongly suspected. She couldn’t say anything to Hiram until she had more concrete information.
A knock sounded at the front door. She shook her head. She’d had more visitors in the last few days than in a long time. And where was her dog, who should be sounding the alert? Most likely off terrorizing her neighbor’s hostas.
“I know you’re in there. I can hear you breathing.”
“Go away, Edie.”
“I thought you might want to go with me to pick up Jimmy.” She really needed to be figuring out how to repair her fence to keep her dog on the right side of the wire. “Can you take me by the hardware store?”
“Of course. Why do you want to go?”
“Fence.”
“Right. Are you coming?”
“Let me get my money.”
* * *
As much as she hated to admit it, traveling in a car was so much more efficient than a horse and buggy, but Kappy couldn’t imagine traveling at these speeds everywhere she went. She wasn’t sure her heart could take it.
“Penny for them.”
“Huh?” Kappy dragged her gaze away from the passing landscape and settled it on her friend.
“Your thoughts. A penny for your thoughts.”
Kappy made a face.
“It was supposed to make you smile.”
“Nathaniel Ebersol came by the house this afternoon.”
Edie blew out a snort. “That’s enough to make anyone frown.”
“He told me that Ephraim Jess might have been in the cemetery at the time of the accident.”
“What?” Edie nearly braked in her excitement. “How would he know that?”
“It seems they have some sort of schedule worked out. You know the two of them can barely be in church together.”
“Still going strong, huh?”
“I think it gets worse every year.”
“And still no one knows what they are into it about?” Kappy shrugged. “Someone has to know, but as old as they are, most of their friends are gone now, taking that secret with them.”
“And old Nate thinks that Ephraim may know something?”
“It’s possible. If he was at the cemetery at the same time as the accident.”
“You realize that he may be telling you this in order to harass Ephraim?”
“I know.”
“Then again, he may have seen the entire thing.”
They rode in silence, each one lost in swirling thoughts. Jimmy was excited to be picked up and even more excited when Edie told him that they were going to the hardware store.
“Are we going to build something?”
“I’ve got to fix the fence where Elmer keeps getting out.”
“Can I help?” His excitement was so strong that Kappy couldn’t help but smile.
“Of course.”
“Bonus,” Jimmy exclaimed.
“Where did you hear that?” Edie asked.
Jimmy grinned, obviously pleased with himself for remembering to use that new special word. “Some Englisch kids came in today to buy bait. And honey. I heard them say it.” His smile stilled, then fell. “It’s not bad, is it?”
Edie shook her head. “No, it’s just sort of . . . worldly.”
Hardly the word Kappy would have used. Vague or vapid would have been better, but Edie didn’t have a word-a-day calendar like she did.
“Jah. Okay then.” Jimmy sat back in his seat and let the wind rushing in from the rolled-down window blow his hair off his face.
“He’s cute,” Kappy said so only Edie could hear.
Edie’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “Do I let him say that? Or do I tell him not to? What would the bishop do?”
“You’re worrying about this way too much.”
“Easy for you to say. He’s not your brother. You aren’t trying to raise him in a culture that you left behind a long time ago.”
“That’s small potatoes,” Kappy pointed out. “Let the small stuff alone. It’ll take care of itself. The big stuff: church, baptism, following the Ordnung, those are the things to worry about.”
“If you say so.” Edie pulled her car into the parking lot at the hardware store, and they all piled out. “What are you looking for?” she asked Kappy.
“I don’t know, really. Something to keep the puppy in the yard.”
“Can I help you?”
Kappy whirled around at the familiar voice. Silas Hershberger was standing behind her wearing a green vest with a store name tag and a sweet smile. “Silas? What are you doing here?”
“Working. Part-time, you know.”
“No, I didn’t.” But it was nice to see a friendly face.
Edie nudged her in the ribs.
Kappy took a quick step away.
“What are you looking for today?”
“Kappy’s puppy keeps getting out,” Jimmy helpfully supplied.
“You have a puppy?”
“A little beagle. He’s about six months old now, I guess.”
“I love puppies.”
Edie nudged her again as if to say, I told you he liked dogs.
“This little guy likes to dig and then he crawls under the fence . . .”
“And terrorizes the valley,” Silas finished for her.
Kappy laughed. “Something like that.”
“I’m going to help.” Jimmy grinned at Silas, who promptly smiled back.
“Kappy is lucky to have such a fine helper. Every master needs an apprentice.”
Jimmy tugged on Kappy’s elbow. “Do you hear that? Are you a master?”
“Hardly.”
“She is,” Silas said emphatically. “And that makes you the apprentice.”
“You’re funny, Silas.” Jimmy laughed.
“Right this way,” he continued. “I have just the thing.”
They followed behind him to the area where the fencing was housed.
“How long have you been working here?” Edie asked. Then slapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” she whispered. It was obvious that she didn’t want to get Silas in trouble for talking to her. She was under a Bann, after all.
“No worries,” Silas whispered in return, his smile playful. “I guess I started right after Bettie came to live with us. Here we are.” The conversation about Bettie stopped as Silas pointed out the features of the fencing he was showing them. But Kappy could only think of one thing. His household had increased, and he had to take a part-time job to make ends meet. No wonder Bettie was so determined to convert everyone over to green pickles. She needed the money so her nephew could quit his part-time job.
Chapter 12
“I know what you’re thinking,” Edie said as they drove home. They were almost to the turnoff for School Yard Road when they finally had a chance to talk. Jimmy had chatted nonstop about Silas, the fence, helping Kappy, and Silas. Yes, he talked enough to mention the man twice.
“You do?” Kappy asked.
At last, Jimmy sat back in his seat and was now staring out the window, that sappy yet irresistible smile that was all Jimmy plastered across his face.
“Let’s drop Jimmy off at the house, and we’ll go over there.”
“I don’t want to go,” Jimmy piped in. “I need to feed the ducks. And the gerbils, and the rabbits. And the goats.”
Kappy whirled to face Edie. “You have goats?”
Jimmy laughed hysterically from his place in the back seat.
“He’s just wishful thinking,” Edie said with an affectionate eye roll.
Jimmy laughed harder, slapping one hand against his knee. “I almost had you there.”
“He thinks that if I agree to let him feed the goats, then I’m saying that he can have some.”
“Jimmy,” Kappy admonished, turning in her seat to look at him directly.
He shrugged. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
Kappy stifled a laugh, not wanting to encourage him.
“Yes,” Edie said. “Yes, I can.”
Jimmy was more than ready to get out and stretch his legs, but the sight of a familiar car kept Edie and Kappy in their seats a bit longer.
“What’s he doing here?” Kappy asked.
“And I know this how?”
Kappy shook her head. The last person she had expected to see today parked in front of Edie’s house was none other than Jack Jones, detective. “You don’t think he knows about the texts, do you?”
“How would he?”
True, the only people who knew about the texts were the three of them and the texter. Jimmy could have let their secret slip, but when had he been around Jack Jones?
“What does he want?” Kappy asked.
Edie sighed. “Only one way to find out.” She turned off the engine and got out of the car. Kappy followed behind her.
“Well, well, well,” Edie drawled, sashaying toward Jack’s car. It was the only word Kappy knew to describe the way Edie walked, like clothes on the line blowing in the wind. “Jack Jones. What brings you out today?”
Jack opened his own door and stood. Until that moment Kappy had forgotten how tall the man was. Or how intimidating. He had dark, dark hair and no matter the time of day appeared to have a five o’clock shadow across his firm jaw. His dark eyes were hidden behind mirrored sunglasses, which he didn’t bother to remove as they came near. Instead he propped his backside against the front part of his car and waited for them to come closer. “Just checking out how the other half lives.”
“Other half?” Edie raised one brow in question.
“Hi, Jack.” Jimmy waved vigorously at the detective until Jack returned the gesture. Then Jimmy skipped into the barn to start his chores.
“The Amish.”
“I see.” Edie didn’t bother to point out to him that she was actually ex-Amish and for that Kappy was grateful. She didn’t want to get into a discussion of semantics.
“There’s been a lot of concern since the Esh girl died.”
Kappy nodded. “We’ve all been worried.”
“Because the Englisch drivers don’t take it slow enough around curves?” Jack asked.
“Among other things.”
“That’s the strange thing about that accident,” Jack continued. “There is no curve there. And no skid marks.”
Kappy and Edie looked at each other, then back at Jack. She hoped her expression was less revealing than Edie’s. Her friend looked as if she were about to crack and tell Jack everything they had found out.
“Really?” Edie said, the one word sounding more like it belonged to a Southern belle than an ex-Amish Pennsylvania girl.
“What does that mean?” Kappy asked. Her voice was unfamiliar to her ears, and she wondered if she sounded as strange to Jack.
Maybe not, since he pushed up from this lounging position and pointed to the tracks of fencing they had bought at the hardware store. “What’s that?”
Edie waved away his question. “Nothing.”
“It’s supposed to keep my dog in the yard.”
Jack raised one coal-black brow. “Elmer’s been getting out?” She sighed. “He’s something of a pill.”
“And this is supposed to keep him in?” He pointed to the flat pieces of fencing that looked more like they belonged to a barbecue grill than around the yard.
“Silas said they would. Plus, they have some sort of guarantee.”
Jack gave a quick nod. “What exactly do you do with them?”
“They get buried in the affected area to extend the fence below the ground level.”
“Smart.” Jack nodded. “You need any help?”
“I’m sure we can manage,” Edie started but Kappy was already saying, “Of course. Another set of hands would be very helpful.”
“Come on, then. I’ll follo
w you back to Kappy’s.” Jack nodded and smiled, then returned to his car.
“Let me tell Jimmy,” Edie called toward his departing back. He lifted one hand in a pseudo-wave, but didn’t bother to turn around.
Of course, Jimmy wanted to go, too, and they promised to help him feed the ducks once the fence was complete. Kappy was grateful to have both Jimmy and Jack’s help and didn’t want to waste the opportunity of two strong men willing and able.
“What was that all about?” Edie asked as the three of them returned to her car.
“What?” Kappy asked, though she knew what Edie was referring to.
“Jack.”
“I thought we could use his help,” Kappy said with a sniff.
“Liar.”
Kappy sputtered. “Why . . . why would you say that?”
“You always sound like you have a cold coming on when you tell a lie.”
“I do not,” Kappy gasped. Did she?
“The truth this time,” Edie commanded as she eased her car down the lane.
Kappy gave her a small grin. “I need his help. I can’t dig all those holes to bury these fence pieces, or whatever these things are.”
“And that’s the only reason?”
“Of course. Why?” She sniffed again. Hen’s teeth! She did it again.
“Jack is not Amish,” Jimmy proclaimed.
“If you really needed help, why didn’t you ask Silas to come over?”
“I like Silas,” Jimmy said.
Kappy raised her nose a bit into the air and managed not to make a sound. “He has a lot to do if he had to get a part-time job. I wouldn’t want to take him away from any of his family time.”
“And you relished the opportunity to corner me and Jack together.”
“You certainly can’t date if you never talk.”
Edie didn’t answer as she pulled the car into Kappy’s drive and cut the engine.
“I wondered if the two of you got lost,” Jack quipped.
“Hi, Jack,” Jimmy said, then immediately started laughing at his own joke.
“Good one,” Jack said good-naturedly. Kappy couldn’t believe that was the first time he had heard that one.
Their time for conversation had come to an end.
“I really appreciate this,” Kappy said.
“No problem.” Jack led the way into the backyard and directly over to Elmer’s favorite place to dig, marked with a small pile of dirt. The pooch himself was nowhere to be seen. Probably off terrorizing chickens and geraniums. “You have a shovel?”
