by Vikki Walton
Anne refrained from saying anything. Sweat had beaded on her brow from the greenhouse’s humidity, and she grew more tense with the realization that Mercy wouldn’t let her leave.
“I’m sure you would have been able to tell them Billie was already dead when you got there or that when you arrived, you helped to put the pot back up on the bookcase for her and it fell over and killed her after you left.”
Mercy made a face like a teacher scolding a student who hadn’t gotten the lesson. “You know that isn’t going to fly.”
“But it provides reasonable doubt,” Anne answered.
“Except for one small thing.” She pointed. “What about those gloves? And more importantly, what about you? Sadly, I liked you.”
Anne swallowed hard at Mercy’s use of the past tense.
“I learned a lot from your presentation.” She glanced down and spied her gardening bag. She pulled a garden claw from the bag.
Anne searched for something for protection. “You don’t have to do this.”
“That’s the dumbest statement. Why do people always say that? Does it stop the killer from saying ‘oh, okay, thanks’ or not doing what they know needs to be done? It’s stupid, really. I’d expect better from you, Anne. You seem intelligent.”
She took a step toward Anne.
“But you’re not a killer! You loved Billie. It was an act of mercy. This would be killing in cold blood.” Anne put up her hands, gearing up to ward off an attack.
“True. But once you’ve killed someone, you find that it’s really not that bad, and you can live with the outcome. Plus, I’m the only one to deliver packages in the Springs. People need me.”
She took another step toward Anne who had backed up into the raised bed. Suddenly, the sprinklers exploded, and water shot everywhere. It was enough of a diversion to startle Mercy. Spencer flew through the open door and tackled Mercy. The garden claw flew from her hand, and Anne kicked it away with her foot. Spencer’s friend, Jim, followed behind him, and Spencer yelled to grab some zip ties from a bag by the door. The trio forced Mercy’s hands behind her back and cinched them before going outside and closing the greenhouse door with a large block of wood under the handle.
Jim grinned broadly. “Dude, that was so cool.”
Once they’d moved outside the greenhouse, the air cooled her skin as Anne shakily called Carson. Then she fell to the ground, trembling and crying.
Spencer left his post by the door and kneeled down next to her. “Don’t cry, Ma.” He gathered her into his arms and hugged her. “It’s okay.”
Within a short time, police were escorting Mercy off to a squad car and had traded the gardening ties for handcuffs. Carson had taken over from Spencer and commended both boys on their smarts and heroism in action, though he still admonished them for not calling the police sooner.
After being cleared to leave, the pair had started walking away when Spencer turned back. “Oh, I forgot—shout out!”
He winked as Anne put up her fists to him. Then she collapsed into Carson’s warm embrace.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Anne spent the next few days at home puttering in her garden and creating the kitchen potage with a mixture of culinary herbs, edible flowers, and a few annuals and perennials. It would be right off her back deck and easy to access for cooking or salads. After a day of working outdoors, she made her way inside to take a shower and a quick nap before everyone arrived for dinner that evening.
She was making a large salad with a tart lemon vinaigrette when everyone started arriving. Kandi and Stewart came first and brought a brisket Stewart had smoked. Kandi also brought cupcakes of varying flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and swirl. Then Hope arrived with Aly.
“We were swamped at the store today. So we cheated and ordered potato salad and coleslaw from the diner. Where should I put this?” She held up the bag in her hand.
“I think we’ll make a buffet on the dining room table and load our plates there. Then we can eat out in the back. Carson is already setting up some tables and chairs as it’s really nice, and I want to enjoy it while we can before it gets too hot.”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll go out and see if Carson needs help,” Stewart replied.
“More likely because you’re thinking he may have some homebrew out there.” Kandi giggled.
“You caught me. But you already have me.” He swooped Kandi up and swirled her around as she laughed in his arms.
After Stewart left, Hope said, “When are you going to put that boy out of his misery and marry him?”
She pointed at Anne. “I’m waiting on this one to hurry up and do it first.”
“Oh, no you don’t. You can’t put this on me.”
Anne pulled a tin of hot clover rolls from the oven, their tops glistening from a butter glaze.
“Hello!” A couple appeared at the door, each holding a baby carrier. It was Autumn and Karl.
Anne set the rolls down on the stove and wandered over to ooh and ahh over the two new babies. “They’re adorable. I’m so glad you came.”
“Thanks for inviting us. We may fall asleep during the meal, so don’t mind us.”
They laughed. After the guys had moved over a bench to set the babies up off the ground, everyone gathered around the table.
“I love what you’ve done with the garden, Anne. It’s looking great.” Autumn pointed to the potager. “Have you ever thought of putting up an area here with grape vines or some other vine over it? This is so nice right here like this. I’d spend a lot of my time out here as your yard is beautiful.”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll start thinking about it.”
“Maybe Ben and Brian can help with it. I can ask them,” Aly said.
Anne replied, “So, they’re on speaking terms again?”
Aly nodded as she’d placed salad in her mouth. When she finished chewing, she spoke. “James has left town, so they decided to make up after the misunderstanding. Though I do feel sorry for Ben. He lost his wife and now his best friend.”
“What about, like, Jennifer? Did she leave too?” Kandi joined in.
“No. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I bet they’ll get a divorce, but you don’t know.”
A male voice intruded. “I think Brian will forgive her. I hope I’m not intruding.”
Carson rose and shook Ben’s hand. “We have enough here to feed an army. Here, take my seat, and I’ll grab another one.” After Ben sat and Carson found another chair, the conversation started up again.
Anne spoke to Ben. “Any news about what’s happening with Mercy?”
“I spoke with my lawyer. With so much going on, I felt like I needed some legal insights. He told me they’re charging Mercy with second-degree murder. I have to tell you I’m still in shock that she was the one to kill Billie. Or that she hated me so much. So, now we will wait and see what happens.”
Carson spoke. “I’ve had to deal with some people who’ve done horrible things. But if you didn’t know the stories behind their incarceration, you’d think they were a great guy—or in this case, gal. The fact is that you just don’t know what people are capable of when rational thinking goes out the door.”
“What about Kim?” Hope interjected. “She didn’t commit the crime, but from what Anne said, it sounds like she’d figured out Mercy had been the killer and tried to take advantage of it.”
“It’s probably going to be a ‘she said-she said,’ but it certainly isn’t looking good for her on the embezzlement charges. I think they’re both going to be in prison cells for quite some time.” Carson wiped his mouth with his napkin. “But at least Billie will receive justice, and that’s what matters in the long run.”
Anne turned to him. “Will Mercy plead guilty?”
He nodded. “She’ll get a better deal, and the videos and your testimony plus Spencer also overhearing what she said is pretty convincing for a jury.”
“I think we owe Spencer a toast.” Stewart raised his glass. “To Spe
ncer. And his friend, whoever you are, well done.”
Spencer and Jim turned bright red with embarrassment, but their stifled laughter let Anne know they felt proud of what they’d done.
“Thanks. Um, is it okay if we head out now?”
Anne responded, “Sure.”
Spencer came over and gave her a hug of his own accord. “Later, Ma.”
He then shook hands with Carson before the two boys took off to go skateboarding.
“You’ve got a good kid, there,” Ben said.
Anne replied, “You do, too.”
“Yes, I’m saddened at the loss of Billie, but now I have Aly. I’m learning about her family and her life, and she’s finding out about mine. I have family who couldn’t come earlier coming out for a memorial to spread Billie’s ashes. They’re all very excited to meet Aly.”
“That’s great, Ben.”
Anne picked up the dishes, and they began clearing the way for the dessert of cupcakes or watermelon slices.
The sky darkened, and as she surveyed the group chatting, laughing, and having a good time, she was overcome with thankfulness for the people in her life.
Carson leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Penny for your thoughts.”
“Just thankful for everyone. That’s all. These are the moments I cherish.” She smiled and kissed him lightly.
“Me too.”
“Hey, Stewart, didn’t you bring your guitar? Let’s hear something.”
Kandi grabbed Stewart’s arm. “What about the littles?”
“Thanks for thinking of them, Kandi. They’ll be fine. I think they sleep through anything except their parents sleeping.” Autumn yawned.
Stewart played some soft guitar, and as the sun dipped lower, Anne settled against Carson’s chest. The group listened quietly while sipping their drinks.
“Well, we hate to be the first to beg off, but we’ll need at least a few hours’ sleep before these two start playing their own brand of music.”
Karl rose, and Autumn followed. Kandi and Stewart walked with them out to the car along with Ben and Aly, who had also bidden the group goodnight. Hope helped Carson with the rest of the items before taking leave herself. Soon everyone had left, leaving only Carson and Anne sitting on the front porch glider.
Anne gave a sigh of contentment. “That was nice. Wasn’t it?”
“Yes, I liked that idea about an outdoor dining area, too. It’d be easy to have guests over for dinner or enjoy lunch alfresco when the weather’s so nice.” Carson laced his fingers with Anne’s.
The night was quiet except for a few sounds of people’s lives. Carson looked up at the sky. “You wouldn’t believe the stars out at my place. With no lights around, it’s simply stunning.”
“Take me out there,” Anne said.
“Now?” he replied.
“Why not? You got a heavy date you haven’t told me about?”
He laughed. “Okay, grab a jacket. It gets cooler there.”
“I’ll meet you at the truck.” Anne threw him the keys to her truck as she made for the closet.
They drove in silence out to his property, where Anne could see the shell of the house come into view. It was already taking form, and it would be a beautiful home. Carson switched on some temporary lighting and made their way around the wrap-around porch to the back deck, which held a table and chairs along with two chaise loungers.
“Oh, this is nice. New?”
“Yes, once I saw how beautiful the stars were, I knew I’d want to bring you out here. Wait a minute, and I’ll go grab some blankets from the camper.”
“I’m fine. It’s really not bad.”
She picked a chaise and leaned back on it. He moved his next to hers. As her gaze took in the night sky, she saw more and more of the constellations until a shooting star swooshed by. Then another.
“Oh, wow. That’s amazing.”
He reached over and took her hand. “I knew you’d like it.”
“What do you think about Thanksgiving?”
Carson laughed. “In general, or as a holiday?”
She turned to him. “As a time to get married.”
FROM THE AUTHOR
I hope you enjoyed reading Potager Plot. Would you do me a huge favor and leave a written review on Bookbub, Goodreads, or your favorite book retailer? It helps other readers to know if this is a good fit for them and I truly appreciate your taking the time to leave a review.
Have you read my other books in this series or my other cozy mystery series?
A Backyard Farming Mystery Series
• Chicken Culprit
• Cordial Killing
• Honey Homicide
• Christmas Capers
• Potager Plot
• Duck Disaster (next in series)
A Taylor Texas Mystery Series
• Death Takes A Break
• Death Makes A Move
• Death Stakes A Claim
• Death Steals A Kiss (next in series)
Viviane’s Adventures Mystery Series
• Hijinks in Ajijic (short story prequel)
• Deception in Devon
It is often said that you don’t write alone, and this is true. It takes a lot of people to assist in getting a book from idea to printed page. Even with lots of editing and formatting programs, and many eyes on the story, some things sneak through to the finished book. I hope you’ll give me grace and I accept full responsibility for any errors you find in the book.
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