Falling for the Lawman

by Ruth Logan Herne

  Most of the crowd cheered. A few lakefront owners grumbled disagreement. Ron started to dismiss her address with a wave of his hand, but two of the board members began asking questions about land use and projections.

  Their interrogation made the supervisor visibly nervous and more than a little angry, so when Marty Harrison approached the podium, Ron Palmeteer was already stressed.

  “Mr. Supervisor and the board, I want to thank you for your attention to the wishes of your constituents tonight.”

  “And you are?”

  “Martin Harrison. I live on Watkins Ridge with my son.”

  “Are you a Kirkwood Lake taxpayer, Mr. Harrison?”

  Marty shifted an easy brow up. “I’ve paid my share over the years, but not here as yet. But in an open forum, that shouldn’t matter. What matters is what’s fair and correct, regardless of whether I’m a landowner or a renter. Correct?”

  A board member nodded. “Yes. Please continue.”

  Marty withdrew a sheet of paper from his folder. “This is a directive from New York State Agriculture and Markets that says a town in an agricultural district should do nothing to impede the acts pertaining to agriculture.”

  The supervisor’s exasperated look said he knew all that and disagreed. “What you’re missing is that the right of eminent domain prevails when the good of the larger community is involved. Surely you understand that roads must be built. Bridges reinforced. Libraries stocked and schools maintained. Infrastructure adjusted as benefits the needs of the majority.”

  Marty nodded. “Understood. And if the properties adjacent to the eminent domain then triple in value, that’s not a bad thing for those particular property owners, is it?”

  Ron squirmed because Marty was pointing out the benefits to the supervisor’s private property behind Vince and Linda’s farm.

  Two more board members sat straighter, watching Marty and keeping an eye on the supervisor.

  “However, if the land abutting Watkins Ridge above McKinney Farm is sold for farmland, this whole process becomes moot because there won’t be any sprawling subdivision overlooking Kirkwood Lake on the upper west shore.”

  “Change can be hard, Mr. Harrison.” The supervisor offered mock sympathy in a patronizing voice that infuriated Piper. Zach’s hand on her arm kept her in her seat, but what she wanted to do was jump up and defend Marty’s reputation by telling the room who he was and what he’d accomplished in Central New York.

  Marty acknowledged the supervisor’s words with a laugh. “Mr. Supervisor, you don’t know the half of it.” He sought out Zach in the crowd and smiled, because Marty understood change better than most now. “But it can also be beneficial.” He waved another document for the board’s attention. “I have here a bill of sale from Vince and Linda Hogan that names me the new owner of nearly ninety acres across from McKinney Farm.”

  Piper nearly choked. Marty bought Vince and Linda’s land?

  Zach’s wink said he’d known about the deal and gave full approval.

  “Which makes me a taxpayer, Mr. Supervisor.”

  Anger blotched Ron’s complexion.

  The board member to his left smiled. “Welcome to Kirkwood Lake, sir. Are you a farmer?”

  “I am. I’ve also procured sixty acres from Wilma and Doug Johnson on the Upper Valley Road.”

  “Surrounding McKinney Farm.”

  “Proximity is a wonderful thing,” Marty admitted with a grin. “My son lives here.” He waved a hand toward Zach and the McKinney clan. “My daughter is moving here with my two grandsons. And I have a substantial nest egg at my disposal from the disbursement of my former farm, Tri-Central Dairy.”

  Gazes sharpened.

  Tiny whispers danced across the room. Any farmer worth his salt held Tri-Central in high esteem. Having Marty Harrison’s expertise in Kirkwood Lake would strengthen the farming core of the town.

  And annoy the supervisor. Piper marked that a win-win.

  “Mr. Harrison, let me be the first to welcome you to Kirkwood Lake.” A board member broke protocol and circled the table to shake Marty’s hand. “You’ve efficiently cut off any need we might have for a new sewer line stretching from the town to the proposed land north of McKinney Farm.”

  Marty nodded.

  “And without a sewer line linking the town to developable land flanking the upper west shore, there’s no reason to consider seizing anyone’s land for eminent domain because the expected increase in population won’t happen.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Marty shook the board member’s hand, and moved back to take a seat behind Piper.

  The board moved for a dismissal.

  Six voted “yes.”

  The lone dissenting vote was Ron Palmeteer.

  The crowd erupted and it took nearly an hour of chatter and congratulations before Zach, Piper and the rest of the family made it to the parking lot.

  Piper turned to face Marty once they were at Piper’s car. “Thank you.”

  Marty grinned and hugged her. “The thanks is on my side, Piper. I woke up two months ago to circumstances that made me downright angry. Helping you on the farm made me see things through fresh eyes. And if my son is as smart as I think he is, we’ll be looking at mutually beneficial contracting agreements in the future.”

  Zach laughed and put his arm around Piper’s shoulders.

  “But in the meantime, I’d like to buy in as a partner to McKinney Farm,” Marty continued. “That would give you the operating capital to move ahead with your breeding program and build the extra barn we’d need, plus you’d be able to buy out your brothers.”

  Buy out her brothers?

  Piper shook her head. “Marty, that’s too much. I appreciate what you’re saying, but—”

  “It’s business, Piper.” He didn’t let her finish. “Ask my son, I’m pretty stuck-in-the-mud when it comes to business, and I never take an unnecessary risk. Slow and steady. That’s the Harrison way.”

  “Except in certain matters.” Zach’s whisper tickled her ear. Sweet, wistful dreams of a true farm family danced in her mind, making her smile. “In those cases we Harrisons like to waste no time. So if we could make this all official and change your name to Harrison later this fall, I’d be okay with that. Gives us a long winter to plan.” He looped his arms around her from the back and let his hands lay against her waist.

  A home with Zach. Babies. A solid partnership with Marty, securing the farm financially.

  Tears smarted Piper’s eyes. Zach leaned in, saw the moisture and smiled, knowing. “Just say yes, honey. Keep it simple.”

  “Yes. To both of you. And tomorrow morning I’m going to give those two roosters all the extra feed they want, because we owe them. Big-time.”

  Zach and Marty laughed together as the first drops of promised rain began to fall. “And then we cook ’em. Right?”

  “We’ll buy chicken at Tops Markets like everybody else,” Piper scolded, but she laughed along with the men. “Leave my roosters alone.”

  “I will,” Zach promised. He leaned in for a proper kiss as Marty moved off to the SUV. “You don’t mind marrying a cop, Piper?”

  Piper grinned and kissed him back thoroughly. Convincingly. She ignored the rain, enjoying the cool feel of the moisture against her hair, her skin, safe in the circle of Zach’s arms. “Not in the least,” she whispered.

  Epilogue

  “I will not know what to do with all this space when you are gone.” Lucia’s right hand fluttered slightly. Her deep breath said she would miss Piper’s daily presence in the aging farmhouse.

  But Piper merely laughed and grabbed her in a long hug. “I’ll be right next door. After all this time, you’re going to guilt-trip me for getting married?”

  “I think it’s the cleaning she’s fretting o
ver,” Rainey announced as she stepped into the room. She waved her cell phone, impatient. “Our appointment at the bridal shop is in thirty minutes and it’s a twenty-minute drive. Let’s roll.”

  Lucia nodded. “Sonya? Dorrie? Donde esta?”

  “We’re here!” The twins raced across the hall, ponytails bouncing. Five-year-old excitement widened their eyes. “We really get to be flower girls, Aunt Piper? Both of us?”

  “As if we could separate them,” muttered Lucia.

  Piper met Rainey’s smile with a grin. “This could turn out to be a very short shopping trip.” She angled a quick, knowing look at the girls. They loved to shop when it was all about them. Anything else taxed five-year-old impatience.

  “Wrong.” Rainey shooed the girls downstairs. “If they get a little crazy, Marty will take them off our hands so we can get things done. A fall wedding is lovely,” she directed a pointed glance in Piper’s direction, “unless it’s nearly fall when you announce it.”

  Piper laughed, then shrugged. “Why wait? Small, sweet, and Reverend Smith said he’d do an outside ceremony at the lakeshore, weather permitting.”

  “The gazebo will be lovely,” Lucia declared. “White lights, white netting...”

  “And those lit-up Mason jars hanging everywhere,” Rainey added.

  “Flowers.”

  “And fall foliage. So many colors.”

  “Tan perfecto!” Lucia’s tone underscored her approval.

  “Piper?” Zach’s deep voice called from downstairs, a voice that beckoned the womanly spirit within her.

  “Coming.” Piper hurried downstairs and straight into Zach’s waiting arms. He kissed her good-morning, a kiss that made her long to hurry the weeks away. But Lucia was already prepared to do her bodily harm for planning a wedding in the middle of harvest, so she’d keep her wishes to herself.

  “When will you be back?” He whispered the words into her ear, his tone reflecting her emotions. Being separated for hours was too much for them these days.

  She leaned back against his steady, strong arms, knowing they’d hold her. “Probably not before you go to work.”

  “Wrong answer.” He fake-scowled, then pulled her close for drawn-out seconds. “Then I will come for you in the morning. We’ll go to church together and then crunch numbers.”

  “Numbers.” She nodded, firm, as if she had a clue what he was talking about. “Sure. Cows? Heifers? Corn yields?”

  “Babies.”

  Her heart melted at the sweet, husky sound of his voice near her ear. “You mean how many?”

  “Yes. That’s a four-bedroom house over there.” He eyed the west-facing window. “And farm help is at a premium these days, therefore the sooner the better, right?”

  She batted his arm, returned his fake scowl with a slightly more real one, then smiled. “We’ll talk. Then leave it to God.”

  His smile said he wouldn’t disagree. He took a broad but reluctant step back. “You’ve got money for your dress?”

  “Thanks to your father’s partnership, my wedding budget isn’t nearly as tight as it would have been.”

  “And the goat is her dowry. Lucky you.” Rainey made the remark as she prodded her mother down the stairs. “Your hair is fine, we’re late, let’s go.”

  Zach reached out a hand to pause Rainey’s progress as she drew near. She stopped, surprised, then took the envelope he’d extended her way. “What’s this?”

  “Read it and see.”

  Puzzled, her brows knit as she opened the envelope. Then she sat, stunned, tears running down her cheeks.

  “Rainey. What is it? What’s wrong?” Piper sank into the chair alongside her, grabbed Rainey’s hand, then turned and scolded Zach. “What have you done? Why is she crying?”

  “She’s happy, would be my guess.”

  “Happy?”

  “Yes.” Rainey reached out and clutched Zach’s hand. “You did this.”

  “I went to some very important people and told the truth. And then I prayed, loud and long. The rest was up to them.”

  “Larraina? What is wrong?” Lucia’s face showed motherly concern as she hurried back to them.

  “Nothing, Mama. Nothing at all.” She waved the paper. “I’m free.”

  “You are...?” Confusion marred Lucia’s features. “I do not understand.”

  “Rainey will not have to face consequences for breaking her parole. The assistant district attorney and the judge decided that her assistance in putting away a large-scale racketeering ring outweighed her youthful indiscretion. And while they were at it, they reopened the case of the convenience store robbery and have arrested Chloe Markakis in California. With the current evidence supporting Rainey’s story, her record will be expunged.”

  “Cleared?” Piper grabbed him around the neck and hugged him. “You think she’ll be cleared, Zach?”

  “I know she will. Because in the end, the truth will set you free.”

  Rainey stood. She hugged him, swiped her eyes, hugged her mother and then tapped her watch. “I am overwhelmed. And so grateful. But if we’re late to this appointment, you might be getting married in blue jeans.”

  “I wouldn’t care,” Zach declared, grinning.

  “But I would.” Lucia’s scowl said only a white dress would do, and no one messed with Lucia’s scowl. Ever. “You.” She reached up and took Zach’s face between two strong, brown hands and then pulled him down to kiss his cheek. “You honor us by being part of this family, Zach Harrison. I will be pleased to call you my son.”

  Zach’s gaze softened and he surprised Lucia by giving her a big, old-fashioned hug. “Thank you.”

  The sound of joyous chatter trailed as Rainey and Lucia hurried to the car. Zach gave Piper one last kiss. “Have fun. I miss you already.”

  “Me, too.” His words blessed her as she returned his hug, then hustled to the waiting car.

  She d begun the summer in prayer, the future dim, her prospects unwieldy on multiple levels.

  Now the future lay open to a world of happiness.

  She’d started the summer with intercessions, asking God’s help.

  She’d end it with gentle thanksgiving in the arms of the man she loved. As they pulled away, she saw Marty approach Zach from across the yard. Martin and Connor were walking the pup they’d decided to keep on one leash and Beansy on another.

  The pup was less than cooperative as his tiny legs got tangled in the leash.

  The goat didn’t appear to be any happier.

  Zach picked up the pup, saving him from further childish intervention. Marty followed suit with the goat, two big men, sheltering God’s creatures from busy boy hands.

  It was a Norman Rockwell picture in the making. Two men, faith-filled, believing that hard work could prevail. Believing in her.

  That was reason enough to smile right there.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from A Canyon Springs Courtship by Glynna Kaye.

  Dear Reader,

  I love farm country! Small towns, rolling hills or long, flat expanses, I love living in the country. I’m also blessed to live near beautiful lakes, and how fun it is to create a new rural and riparian community in Kirkwood Lake!

  I’ve watched several family farms disappear over the last five years. I’ve seen homes sold, and brothers and sisters estranged. The legal process for entrusting a farm is tricky. Most parents think their children will rise to the occasion and work things out, but that doesn’t always happen when money is involved. Using Marty’s and Piper’s farms as examples, I’ve tried to show how difficult it can be for the current generation to keep the family farm afloat. Like Shammah in the book of Samuel, Piper fights the good fight, often feeling alone in her uphill struggle.

  We buy local when
ever possible. I’d rather have apple farmer Kim or vegetable producer Kevin get my produce dollars. We support our town’s goal to maintain an agricultural community. And when folks move to a farming community, they should be prepared to accept all the nuances of country living, not just the pretty landscape outside their windows. Including roosters, of course!

  I hope you enjoyed this story of a new beginning and that you’ll come back and visit Kirkwood Lake often. As always, please come visit me at ruthloganherne.com and www.ruthysplace.com, friend me on Facebook, email me at ruthy@ruthloganherne.com, or send your letters to me through Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279. I love hearing from you!

  May God bless you in abundance,

  Ruthy

  Questions for Discussion

  Caring for aging parents has become a huge responsibility for many people. What helps us make critical decisions for our parents, spouses and children during a health crisis? Has your faith helped you make those choices?

  Zach Harrison started the summer with a mapped-out plan. Within a few weeks, his plan had been thoroughly disrupted by life. What’s the best way to handle unseen bends in the road?

  Piper’s been hurt and embarrassed by past actions. She’s sensitive to scandal, even though she wasn’t personally responsible for any of it. Have you ever felt guilty by association because of others’ behavior?

  Piper’s relationship with her brothers is strained. She’s the only McKinney descendant who wants to farm. Where does family heritage leave off and fairness enter into a family debate like this?