Abandon the Dark

by Marta Perry

  He stood still for a moment, scanning the crowd for Lainey and earning an annoyed look from an out-of-towner with a camera. Murmuring an apology, he let himself be caught up in the slowly moving stream.

  Apple fritters, apple cider, apple-flavored ice cream, craft items of every description decorated with apples—and people were buying, locals and visitors alike. After all, a big share of the profits went to the volunteer fire company, and everyone benefited from its good work.

  Keeping an eye out for Lainey, he worked his way along one side of the row of stands. The trouble with knowing everyone in town was that he was naturally expected to buy at every booth. Faithfully promising to come back after he’d made the rounds, he managed to keep himself unencumbered until he spotted his quarry.

  Lainey stood among the small group gathered around the apple-butter making demonstration, listening intently to Rachel’s little girl, Mandy, who was apparently explaining the process, to judge by her gestures. Meredith and Rachel looked on, smiling either at the child’s enthusiasm or at Lainey’s questions.

  Jake sidled through the group of onlookers to them, inhaling the rich, spicy aroma of cooking apples. “Mandy’s giving the lecture today, is she?” he asked.

  Mandy looked up and grinned. “I helped my grossmammi and grossdaadi and the aunts and uncles make it last week.”

  “That means you’re an authority,” he said gravely.

  “She probably knows more than you do,” Rachel teased.

  “Come on, now, I’ve taken my turn stirring the kettle a time or two in the past.” He studied Lainey’s face, trying not to stare. She was looking a bit worse for the wear this morning, the lines of strain around her eyes accentuated. The wave of protectiveness he felt at the sight was probably inappropriate.

  “Mind if I borrow Lainey for a few minutes? Not long, I promise,” he added quickly, as Lainey seemed about to refuse. “Just a couple of questions.”

  Rachel answered before Lainey had the chance, catching Mandy’s hand. “No problem. We promised to stop by the apple dumpling stand my cousin is running.” She tapped her daughter’s nose. “I’m sure she had an apple dumpling with your name on it.”

  “I’ll catch up with you there, then,” Lainey said as they moved off. She turned back to Jake, a question in her eyes. “Problems?”

  “No new ones,” he said. “Let’s walk.” He didn’t want to begin a private conversation where so many people were standing close to them, no matter how wrapped up they were in the making of apple butter.

  She nodded, falling into step with him.

  “I take it nothing else happened last night, since you didn’t call me.” Not that he’d felt at all sure she would. After all, she’d gone after the last threat with a skillet in defense of the cat.

  “Everything was quiet,” she said. Her smile flickered. “I did have my watch-cat inside.”

  “Good. I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of those claws. To say nothing of the cast-iron skillet. If you’d hit anyone with that, I’d be bailing you out of jail today.”

  “That’s all right.” She smiled. “It seems I know a good attorney.”

  “You must mean my dad.” Jake shook his head in response to a hail from a friend at the basketball toss stand. “Not now,” he called. “Later.”

  “Wimp.” Jase Morgan grinned. “I’ll spot you a couple and still beat you.”

  Lainey raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t let me interrupt your fun.”

  “That’s the trouble with knowing everyone,” he said. “I’ll go home with empty pockets and an armload of things I have no use for.”

  “Big man on campus?” she suggested. “Football team, homecoming king, class president?”

  He shrugged, suspecting she was laughing at him. “That’s small-town life,” he said. “I like it.” If he’d married Julie, he’d have been ground up in her father’s law firm, probably commuting back and forth from the city to the suburbs every day, with little time for anything but work. It hadn’t been her father he’d wanted to emulate, but his own. Dad might not have a Rolex or a vacation home in the Caribbean, but he had the respect of everyone he knew.

  “I don’t suppose that’s what you wanted to talk to me about,” Lainey said, looking with apparent fascination at a bin of dried apples.

  “No.” He didn’t bother reminding her that she was the one who’d brought it up. Maybe she was trying to redraw the rather shaky boundaries between them. “My questions about hexerei practitioners finally bore fruit. I’ve found someone local. An elderly woman known as Doctor Mary.”

  Lainey blinked. “Not really a doctor, I assume.”

  “Healer, herbalist, practitioner of the traditional lore. The point is, if someone around here is interested in hexerei to the point of putting witch signs around your house, she probably can at least make a guess as to who it is.”

  Lainey studied his face, as if trying to convince herself that he was serious. “You know, it’s hard to believe we’re really having this conversation.”

  “I know,” he said impatiently. “You think it’s silly. I certainly don’t believe in it, but that’s not the point. Someone does, and I don’t think you can expect much help from the police in finding him.”

  Lainey’s lips relaxed in a rueful smile. “That was useless, wasn’t it? He had enough trouble believing in a prowler. He’d probably have put me down as delusional if I started talking about witchcraft.”

  “At least the prowler is on the record. That’s something. Anyway, I’m planning to pay a call on Doctor Mary this evening. Supposedly she’s out during the day collecting herbs and so forth, but folks are welcome to come by in the evening.”

  “Do you think she’ll talk to you?”

  “Maybe not,” he said. “But I suspect she’ll talk to you.”

  “Me?” Lainey stopped, swinging to face him. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Hear me out,” he said, lowering his voice. “She probably knows who I am. She’ll connect me with the law and clam up. But if someone seriously believes you’re a practitioner, she’s bound to be curious. Wouldn’t you be, in her place?”

  “I have trouble imagining myself in her place,” Lainey said tartly. “But I guess you have a point. So you want me to go.”

  “I want you to go with me,” he corrected. “I’m not letting you wander off into the woods looking for her cabin alone. You’d never find it. What do you say? Tonight around six?”

  Lainey studied his face, frowning a little. Finally she nodded. “I don’t have much choice, do I?”

  “Not if you’re serious about finding out who’s behind what’s been happening,” he said. “I think—” He cut the comment off when someone grabbed his arm.

  “Jake, you’re just the person I need.” Molly McIntyre was chairperson of the Apple Festival—at the moment a very flurried one. “Reverend Nelson was supposed to judge the children’s art contest, but he was called away. You’re just the person to take over. After all, everyone knows you’ll be fair.” Molly had an iron grip on his arm and clearly didn’t intend to let go.

  He glanced at Lainey, finding the expected amusement in her face.

  “You’d better go,” she said. “I’m sure you’re needed.”

  If she’d said out loud she thought him a big fish in a small pond, she couldn’t have made her attitude clearer.

  Jake clenched his jaw, reminding himself that this was the life he’d chosen. The life he wanted. With a curt nod, he let himself be towed away.

  * * *

  LAINEY FOUND MEREDITH and Rachel sitting with Mandy at a picnic table set up next to the tent housing the apple dumpling stand.

  “We saved you a seat.” Meredith waved to the bench next to her.

  “My cousin is keeping your dumpling warm,” Mandy said, scrambling up. “I’ll get it. Do you want ice cream? Ice cream is yummy on apple dumplings.”

  “Sure, why not? What are a few calories between friends?” Lainey slid o
nto the bench, smiling at the child’s enthusiasm.

  Rachel eyed her, obviously battling curiosity. “Did you settle whatever it was Jake wanted?”

  Meredith jogged her elbow, laughter in her eyes. “Don’t be so polite,” she said. “We’re old friends, remember? What did Jake want?”

  Lainey hesitated for an instant, but why not? She might not have the memories of old friendship as much as the other two did, but at least they understood the situation she was in.

  “Someone has been putting witch signs around the house—brooms, salt on the windowsills, chalked crosses. I know, it sounds ridiculous.”

  “It sounds nasty,” Rachel said. “Who would do a thing like that?”

  She shrugged, not wanting to speculate. “Jake found a woman he thinks can tell us something about who might have done it—a woman called Doctor Mary. Do you know anything about her?” She addressed the question primarily to Rachel. Someone who’d grown up Amish would, it seemed, be more likely to know about something like this.

  Meredith looked blank, but Rachel nodded. “I didn’t realize Doctor Mary was still alive. She must be quite old.”

  “Don’t tell me your parents actually went to a powwow doctor,” Meredith said.

  Rachel shrugged. “It’s not as odd as it sounds. She’s a braucher—I guess you’d say a sort of faith healer. Brauchers use Bible verses and herbs and so forth to heal people and animals.” Rachel frowned a little. “Why does Jake think she knows something? I can’t imagine her running around your house at night with a salt box. She must be ninety if she’s a day.”

  “I don’t think he suspects her,” Lainey said. “But if there’s someone around who seriously believes I’m a witch, he feels she would know. It seems like a stretch to me, but...”

  She let that trail off, because Mandy was returning, carefully holding a plastic bowl in both hands.

  “It couldn’t hurt,” Rachel said obliquely as Mandy set the bowl in front of Lainey. Her glance at her daughter made it clear that the subject was closed for the moment.

  Aware of Mandy’s gaze on her, Lainey scooped up a spoon of melting vanilla ice cream and warm dumpling. The flavors blended, spicy and sweet together, and the dumpling dough was crisp and tender. “Yummy is right.” She grinned at Mandy. “This is absolutely delicious. Thanks for suggesting the ice cream.”

  Mandy’s smile lit her small face. With her blond hair pulled back in a single braid and those blue eyes, she looked like a miniature version of her mother.

  “I’ll bet Jake would like some, too. He should’ve come with you.”

  Lainey blinked. Mandy was obviously a noticing child. “I think he had to go and judge some contest,” she said. “So you know Jake, do you?”

  “Everybody knows Jake,” Mandy said. She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin and shot a glance at her mother. “Can I go see if Grossmammi needs help at the quilt stand? She said I could if it’s all right with you.”

  “Sure, go ahead. But nowhere else, mind.” Rachel tugged Mandy’s braid lightly. “And throw away your trash first.”

  Mandy gathered up the debris of her snack and scurried off. Lainey found that the other two were watching her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “So, Jake,” Meredith said. “He’s certainly spending a lot of time with you.”

  Lainey concentrated on the dumpling. “He’s just trying to do his duty to his client, that’s all.”

  “Funny thing,” Meredith said. “He’s never taken me out for dinner, and I’m a client. How about you, Rachel? He ever take you out?”

  Rachel smiled, shaking her head. “Don’t mind her, Lainey. She’s just so happy with her Zach that she sees romance everywhere she looks.”

  “Well, you’re just as bad,” Meredith retorted, not denying it. “Once you and Colin are married, you’ll be even worse.”

  “Have you set the date yet?” Lainey made an effort to focus the conversation on Rachel’s love life, not hers. The whole subject made her skittish, in fact.

  “We’ve talked about next month, but we haven’t actually set a date.” Rachel had a sweet, gentle smile that seemed to declare her confidence in her love. “Colin’s father suffers from dementia, and we don’t want to upset him with a sudden change. But soon.” Her lips twitched. “Colin claims he’s loved me since he was eighteen, and he says we’ve wasted enough time.”

  “So you have,” Meredith said. “You and Colin need to claim your happily ever after. Don’t you think so, Lainey?”

  Put on the spot, Lainey tried to find something tactful to say. “I...I’m afraid I don’t know much about it.” She grimaced. “As much time as my mother spent jumping into and out of matrimony, I have a jaundiced view of what forever means.”

  “I’m sorry,” Rachel said quickly, her voice warm. “We didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

  “It’s fine. I’m not embarrassed. Just—wary.”

  “You and Jake make a good pair then.” Meredith was apparently irrepressible on the subject. “Since his engagement ended badly, it’s been rare to see him with the same woman twice. I suppose that’s why we can’t help noticing the amount of attention he’s paying to you.” She started gathering up plastic bowls and napkins. “All right, I’m done rushing in where angels fear to tread. Rachel’s right—my own happiness has made me giddy.”

  “Don’t worry about it. And as for Jake—well, he knows I won’t be in Deer Run long.”

  That was a humiliating thought, implying that she only attracted him when he knew it couldn’t lead to anything. Still, that was what she wanted, as well, so she had no reason to complain.

  “What next?” Rachel said, pushing the last of the trash into the overflowing can. “More food or crafts?”

  “Not more food,” Meredith said quickly. “I’m stuffed already. Let’s have a look at the crafts.”

  Lainey, not knowing where anything was, followed the other two as they headed for a row of stands that included everything from an elaborate trailer-mounted shop to a display of jewelry set out on card tables under the shade of a couple of beach umbrellas.

  Lainey let herself fall behind them as they walked, ostensibly studying an assortment of earrings. What possessed her to show her prejudices so clearly at the slightest hint of matchmaking? Just because she didn’t buy the idea of living happily ever after with someone didn’t mean she had to share her opinion. Especially not with Rachel and Meredith, who certainly deserved whatever happiness they’d found.

  Besides, love and marriage might actually work out for them. The fact that she was missing the gene that assured lasting love didn’t mean that it couldn’t happen for others. If she’d had any doubts about that, a string of failed romances should have convinced her, to say nothing of her entanglement with Phillip.

  She lifted a necklace off the rack and studied the effect of the green jade against her skin. She’d actually made a piece like this herself once. Pity she’d let that creative outlet slip away. Designing and making jewelry was far more satisfying than designing advertisements. The pleasure she felt in designing the patches for her proposed quilting project confirmed that.

  Realizing Meredith and Rachel had moved to the next stand, she put the necklace back in place with a regretful shake of her head for the craftsman. They’d invited her to spend time with them, and she really should make an effort, no matter how distracted she was.

  A small group had gathered in front of a stand where a woman was demonstrating spinning. Lainey was working her way toward Meredith and Rachel when a hand closed on her arm. She swung around to find herself face to face with Laura Hammond.

  Lainey’s stomach gave a lurch. Instead of her usual placid, vacant look, Laura’s eyes burned with intensity. Her fingers bit into Lainey’s skin.

  “I have to talk to you.” It was more a demand than a request. She tugged at Lainey’s arm. “Come.”

  Lainey dug her heels in, trying to manage a soothing smile. “We can talk right here,” she said quietly
. “I’m sure no one is paying any attention to us.”

  “No!” Laura’s voice rose on the word. She sent an almost panicked look around and then leaned close to Lainey. “I don’t want anyone to hear. We have to talk alone.”

  She remembered Jake’s speculation about who had really killed Aaron Mast, and a shiver went through her despite the warmth of the day.

  “I can’t.” She tried to pull her arm free, but Laura’s grip was unyielding. “I’m with friends.”

  “Don’t be stupid,” Laura muttered. “You have to listen. Why won’t anyone listen to me?” For a moment she looked genuinely distressed.

  “Just tell me now. I’ll listen.” She shot a look toward Meredith and Rachel, who seemed absorbed in the demonstration. Look at me, she demanded silently.

  “I can’t, not here.” Laura’s eyes widened, and she released her grip. “We can’t talk anymore,” she whispered, backing up. “We have to meet somewhere private. I’ll let you know where.”

  Before Lainey could answer, Laura had slipped away in the crowd.

  Lainey stood where she was, rubbing the red marks on her arm, trying to reassure herself that anyone would be upset by an encounter with a person who wasn’t rational. She had no glimmer of an idea what Laura wanted, but one thing was perfectly clear to her. She wasn’t going to attend any private rendezvous with Laura Hammond, no matter what.

  * * *

  “YOU DIDN’T GET any idea what Laura wanted?” Jake couldn’t seem to stop himself from asking the question, even though Lainey had apparently told him the entire conversation.

  “I’m not sure she knew. She didn’t seem as out of it as the last time I saw her, but that doesn’t mean she was making sense.” Lainey leaned forward, hand on the dash, to look out the windshield. “Are you sure you know how to find this woman? It’s going to be dark soon.”

  The truck hit a rut in the gravel road, and Lainey’s grip tightened. “Have you missed any holes?”

  He grinned. “That’s why I brought the pickup. Dad keeps telling me to get rid of the old girl, but I can take her anywhere.”

  “Pickups are female?” she asked, amusement replacing the concern that had been in her voice when she talked about Laura.