A Slaying in the Orchard
Page 20
"I like my pumpkins," I said with a shrug. "I think we're done here now, so I'll get back to my work and leave you to enjoy the Halloween activities."
I started to turn away to lead Buzz back to the market stalls, but Angela grabbed me by the wrist. "No. We're not finished yet. Even if you're not violating my civil rights today, I need to know that I'll be welcome at the market in the future. If you're going to be unreasonable, I'll report you to the mayor. My parents are close friends of his, you know. And big supporters during all of his campaigns. He would never have been elected mayor without them."
I liked the mayor, and I thought he liked me, but he was as susceptible as any politician to the demands of his constituents. I already had one local citizen—the potato farmer, Jim Sweetwater—complaining to him about me, and I didn't need another one. Especially someone who might have more impact than the ineffective Sweetwater did.
And to make matters worse, I was intensely aware of Buzz standing quiet and almost motionless at my side, taking in everything Angela said. A few more comments by her, and he'd be convinced that the market was a seething cauldron of political intrigue. Not exactly a selling point for joining the market.
Balancing the need to get Buzz away from Angela with the desire not to provoke her any further, I tried for an upbeat tone. "We can talk some more later if you wish. After I've taken care of some other matters."
"When?" Her tone was more suspicious than aggressive, which I took as a good sign. I had to admire her persistence, even if she was annoying.
"If you give me your number, I'll call you when I have some spare time."
Angela glared at me suspiciously but then dug into her apron pocket to pull out a business card with her name, along with her phone number and a website URL for an online shop selling custom clothing for cosplay events. "I'm coming looking for you if I don't hear anything by noon."
That only gave me an hour to convince Buzz to sign up with the market, and he didn't seem to be in a hurry to make up his mind about anything.
"You'll hear from me as soon as I have some time to give you my undivided attention." I turned to Buzz. "Let's go finish our tour of the market."
A SECRET IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH
coming in October!
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
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