by Rivi Jacks
“If you think you can come in here and—”
She doesn’t get to finish her tirade because one of her customers, Jed Turner, needs her attention. “Hey, Red, I need some ketchup.”
Well, if that ain’t the feather that pushes her over the edge.
“Stop calling me that!” She stomps to a vacated table, snatches up a condiment bottle left there, and deposits it on poor Jed’s table with enough force ketchup comes up and out the top. “Here’s your stupid ketchup!” She storms back to the kitchen, bumping Emma Rae’s shoulder as she leaves.
“Whoa! What a bitch,” Emma Rae states as she sits down by me. “What bit her butt?”
Jed looks over at us. “I didn’t mean to get her all riled up.”
“Don’t worry about it, Jed. Eat your fries,” Emma Rae tells him.
“I don’t think she’s happy I’m coming back to work here,” I say. “And I’m positive she’s furious Murphy appointed her as my helper.”
“Nuh-uh, he didn’t!” Emma Rae declares with obvious humor.
“Yes, he did.”
“He did what?” a voice asks from behind us.
“Diane! Hey!” I say.
Emma Rae stands. “I’ll go get our food.”
“Bring enough for four. Jake is going to join us,” Diane explains.
Emma Rae glances at Diane before turning to me with a lifted eyebrow. “I’ll do that.” She heads to the kitchen.
Diane sits across from me. “I ran into Jake and invited him,” she says as she shrugs her jacket off. “Who did what?”
“Murphy hired me,” I announce, smiling.
“Told ya.”
“And,” I continue, “he picked Bobbi to help me. I’m pretty sure she’s not happy.”
“Oh my, I bet she’s not.” Diane smiles. Jake arrives just as Emma Rae brings our burgers. He’s brought Nick and Sam. We pull another table over to make room, and Nick makes it obvious he wants to sit beside me. Emma Rae, sitting across from us, gives me a raised eyebrow. I do my best to ignore her.
“How are you, Sofie?” Nick asks.
“Fine, thanks.” I glance at him. “And you?”
“Fine, too.” He chuckles. “Think it’s safe to sit at a table with your kin?”
I stare into a pair of sparkling, dark blue eyes framed by long lashes. Why do guys often have perfect eyelashes, which they couldn’t care less about?
“Well, it usually takes a mixture of one part Sawyer and one part Jake to come up with trouble waiting to happen,” I explain. He laughs. “So, as long as Sawyer doesn’t show up...” I shrug and take another bite of my burger, chewing with relish. For some reason, Emma Rae thinks I deserve a hard kick under the table. I glare at her.
“So, were you hired?” I think my face shows my surprise because Nick quickly explains, “Jake told me.”
“Yeah, Murphy hired me.” I pick up my Coke as Nick turns to answer a question from Sam.
Emma Rae kicks me again. Stop it, I mouth, giving her a dirty look.
Nick turns back to me. “Did you say something?”
I glance at Emma Rae, who gives me a sweet, innocent smile.
One of my favorite customers at Murphy’s, Jerome Wooten, stops by our table to welcome me back. He’s one of the guys who shows up every morning and drinks coffee, eats breakfast, and drinks more coffee. They all sit around visiting and seeing who can tell the best story. Emma Rae has dubbed them the Liars’ Club.
Sam tells us how Dennis Burke caught Sawyer sneaking Dennis’s daughter, Mary Alice, back into her house at four in the morning.
“He’s gonna get his ass shot!” Jake exclaims with annoyance.
Well, if that isn’t calling the kettle black, I think as I glance at Jake. “Neither one of you has a lick of sense when it comes to women, chasing anything that squats to pee.” I slap my hand over my mouth. The whole room erupts in laughter. Jake gives me a sheepish grin. I can’t believe I blurted that. A group of guys at the next table stands to leave. As they move past us, one of the guys slaps Jake’s back.
Another one says, “Good to have you home, Sofie.”
Ducking my head, I venture a peek at Nick. He’s smiling, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
Our little lunch party breaks up a bit later. Nick asks if I plan to be at Sam and Sawyer’s that evening. They’ve been redoing a barn on their farm. They put in a bar and are calling it their Shotgun Shack, like the dance halls of the 1930s here in the Ozark hills. Tonight we’re “baptizin’ it”—Sawyer’s words. I think we’re just going to party. Nick tells me he’ll see me later as we stand to leave.
As she scoots by, Emma Rae nudges my shoulder. At the door, I glance at Bobbi. She’s finished with a customer and watches us leave. I do want to get along with her, so I decide to try harder. “Bobbi, I’m really sorry to hear your grandma’s ailing.”
Letting me know she’ll try harder too, she makes a rude gesture with her finger. My mouth drops open and then Diane pushes me out the door. “Don’t give Emma Rae an excuse to come back in here. She’s just itching to get in the middle of Bobbi,” she says in a low voice.
So much for trying. I bet Bobbi will be so much fun to work with.
CHAPTER TWO
Diane and I head to Marshfield, a town west of Sweetwater. It’s the county seat, with a population close to seven thousand. A metropolis compared with Sweetwater.
Jake reminded me we’re hosting the poker game this week, so I should get some appropriate sustenance. I told him I’m going to the grocery, not the liquor store, which he thinks is funny. I wasn’t trying to be.
There’s been a poker game in Sweetwater on Friday nights for years. Jake and Sawyer taught me how to play poker, and because I was always with one of them, the guys let me sit in on their games in the past. I hoped they still would.
“You and Emma Rae should come tomorrow night,” I suggest to Diane as we move through the grocery store.
“Sounds fun.” I catch a funny little smile I can’t quite decipher as she pushes her cart down the aisle.
While I’m checking out the apples, I become aware of the air around me changing. It feels like static prickling against my skin. It’s an odd sensation, not painful—just not pleasant. I look for Diane, wanting to know if she’s experiencing it too.
I catch the woman at the other end of the produce section staring at me. Close to six feet tall and bone thin, she has long black hair with one streak of gray at the front. She’s wearing a dark-colored, floor-length skirt and jacket. Her overall image is dark and mysterious. As I study her, her expression changes to one of surprise. She gives me a small smile, turns, and disappears around the end of the aisle.
The irritating sensation stops.
“Sofie?”
I jump about a foot. “Diane!” I hiss. “You scared the bejeezus out of me!” I lay a hand over my heart. “Did you see that woman?”
“What woman?” She scans the aisle.
“Well—she’s not here now.” I glance around, not seeing the spooky lady. “Never mind—let’s get this finished.”
We continue our shopping, but I keep an eye out for the strange woman.
I stow the last of the canned goods in the pantry and shut the door, still a little rattled. I have no doubt someone watched me unload the car. Don’t ask me how I know; maybe the prickling sensation at the back of my neck. It’s unsettling after what Jake and Sawyer told me had been happening in the area.
Before we leave for Sam and Sawyer’s, we eat supper. I’ve prepared steak and baked potatoes, a spinach salad and some garlic bread. Jake genuinely enjoys the meal, and I take pleasure in cooking for him.
I don’t tell him about the mysterious woman in the store or about someone watching me when I unloaded groceries. Maybe I should have, but years of keeping things that disturb me to myself is a hard habit to break.
After supper, I change into jeans and borrow a flannel shirt from Jake to wear over my T-shirt. Getting to Springfield for some clothes
shopping is quickly becoming my top priority.
Before we head out to the barn, we stop in to say hi to my Aunt Pat. Of all Gram and Gramps’ kids, she’s the one who reminds me of my mom the most with her looks and mannerisms, but she sure doesn’t act like her. She grabs hold and fusses over me just as she does her boys.
Sawyer calls and tells his mom to release us. He’s impatient for me to check out what they’ve accomplished with the barn. Since I talked to him every day while I was in California, I have a good visual, but I’m eager to see it for real. After promising Aunt Pat we’ll come for lunch Sunday after church, we leave.
Situated a fair distance from the house, with its own driveway, stands the old milk barn. A large sign hangs over the door stating S&S’s Shotgun Shack. I smile at the way the brothers solved the problem of whose name would be first. It’s always been that way with them.
They’ve done a good job. A shiny new wood floor lies over the old concrete one, and with the furnishings, it right near looks like a bar. Not that I’ve been in many bars, mind you, but I’ve seen one or two from running with Jake and Sawyer. Diane and Emma Rae are already there, as are several other friends, a few of them cousins. You can’t throw a rock in Sweetwater without hitting a Walker. Sawyer whoops and leaps over the bar. Plain to tell, he’s already had a beer or two.
“This is awesome, guys!” I glance at what they’ve done, and I’m a little sad I haven’t been here to share in the fun. It must show on my face because Sawyer loops his arm over my shoulders.
“Sofe, we aren’t finished yet, so you’ll get to help with the rest. And I promise, you’ll be our number-one barmaid.”
“Gee, thanks, Sawyer,” I say with false gratitude as I elbow him in the ribs.
“Come on over here. Help me pick out some music,” he offers.
After greeting everyone, I follow Sawyer behind the bar, checking out the sweet sound system they’ve installed. I scan the room, noticing Sam’s handiwork in the oak bar top that resembles polished glass. Tables and chairs are situated near the bar, and a pool table with a hanging light is located at the far end of the room. There’s also a small bathroom in the corner, thanks to Aunt Pat insisting on one when they built the barn. To keep everyone warm and toasty, a propane heating stove sits against the wall.
I sit with Emma Rae, Diane, and Sam at the bar. Sam introduces me to Rose Ross, the beautiful girl sitting beside him. She has long, dark-brown hair and her eyes are deep chocolate. They’ve been dating since right after the Ross family moved to Sweetwater. From my conversations with Sam, I know he’s smitten with her.
We enjoy our time together, with cold beer and good music, listening to Sawyer’s tale of a coon attack. He sure has the gift of gab. The outside door opens, drawing our attention as Dawn Hayes and Eli Jones enter, laughing. The cold air coming in with them reminds Diane that she’s brought me a coat to borrow.
Dawn and Eli both give me a hug. Dawn has been a close friend for years, and it’s good to see her. She’s an attractive girl, with shoulder-length, curly brown hair and warm, sherry-brown eyes. Eli, a cousin, resembles most of the Walkers. He recently proposed to Dawn, and their happiness spreads to all of us. The guys are happy to leave us girls as we talk about the upcoming wedding.
“My mom wants us to wait until June to marry, but Eli says he knew six months ago I was the one, and he’s waited long enough,” Dawn confides with a winsome smile.
“When is the wedding?” I ask.
“Well, my mom’s having a fit, but we’ve decided next month, on the fifteenth.”
“Wow, that is quick,” Emma Rae remarks with significance. Diane frowns at her.
“I’m not pregnant!” Dawn insists. “We’re not planning to start a family for a couple of years.”
I smile an apology for Emma Rae. “You’re having a December wedding, how fun!”
“My mom doesn’t think so... She says there’s not enough time, but we don’t want a large wedding. Just family and a few friends, you all.”
“As long as your wedding is the way you want, it’ll be perfect,” Diane advises.
“That’s what Eli says.” Dawn glances across the room to where Eli is watching Jake lean over the pool table setting up a shot. As if he senses her looking, Eli turns toward Dawn and smiles. Awww—how sweet!
Later, while I’m sitting at a table talking with Sawyer and Drew Walker—yes, another cousin—Dawn sits beside me. “I have something to ask you, Sofe.”
I smile. “Sure.”
“Would you consider being my maid of honor?” At my pleased expression, she continues. “It’s going to be casual, nothing fancy. I just count you as one of my best friends and...”
“I’d love to be your maid of honor, Dawn.” I lay my hand on her arm. “Thanks for asking me.” She leans over and hugs me.
“You know, one of the maid of honor’s duties is to give a bachelorette party.” Dawn grins. I can tell she’s pleased by that idea.
The outside door opens, letting in a blast of frigid air and one of my least favorite people: Calvin Stewart. Jackson Drake is with him, and they both stride in. Calvin Stewart is an obnoxious loudmouth, like everyone in his family, and just downright mean. The Stewarts all look as if they come from the same mold: dirty-blond hair, brown eyes, square jaws, medium height. They’re pretty nondescript, except for their mouths: loud and foul.
“It’s cold enough to freeze the balls on a pool table.” Calvin laughs at his own quip.
I turn back to Dawn and ask quietly, “Is Reenie still seeing him?”
She gives a sound of disgust. “Yeah, she’s still with him.”
I shake my head. I never could understand how someone as sweet as Reenie could hook up with an ass like Calvin.
Jackson makes a beeline for our table. He’s cute, black hair, blue eyes, real likable. He’s always been a close friend of Sam and Sawyer’s. “Welcome home, Sofie.”
“Thanks, Jackson.” I give him a smile.
He sits down by Drew. “My dad found the remains of one of our dairy cows this morning,” he states with an exasperated tone. At my quickly indrawn breath, he continues. “That’s two of ours now.”
Sawyer lifts his arm, catches Jake’s attention, and motions for him to come over. He hollers at Sam, who gives Rose a quick kiss before joining us. The talk about the lost cattle quickly resumes. The others gradually move toward our table until we’re all sitting or standing, discussing the crisis affecting our small community.
“It’s those damned witches!” Calvin proclaims. I glance at him with surprise. Sawyer and Jake didn’t tell me others knew of the witches. Jake gives Calvin a glare and dismisses him, not caring for Calvin any more than I do.
“We need to concentrate on getting everyone on board for the meeting tomorrow night and get a plan in motion,” Jake states.
Calvin grunts. “Man, what we need to do is burn out those damned witches.”
“They’re not witches.”
We all glance up in surprise at Nick. I’m not the only one who didn’t notice him come in. He stands behind Calvin with a guy I’ve never seen.
Calvin turns around all belligerent. “Yeah, well, this was a quiet town until they moved in, and cattle started gettin’ slaughtered. And what’s with the sacrifice shit?”
Nick steps closer to Calvin. His action is menacing, but Calvin, not only a bully, is pure stupid. He sticks his chin out, asking for trouble. I leap up and grab Nick’s arm, stepping between him and Calvin.
Nick glances at me with irritation. “Sofie...”
As soon as I’ve distracted Nick, Calvin makes his move, and he has no problem going right through me. What he hasn’t counted on is Nick’s friend, who moves faster than I thought humanly possible. He has Calvin by the throat and on the floor before any of us bat an eye.
The unknown man continues to hold Calvin down as he says, “I’m going to let you up now, but I advise you to keep your mouth shut.”
Maybe mystery guy should remove h
is hand from around Calvin’s throat, I think as I watch the exchange. Calvin doesn’t look too good.
The stranger backs off. He offers his hand to help Calvin up, but Calvin ignores the offer with a glare.
Nick turns to me. “What were you trying to do?” he demands.
“Prevent... a problem?” I answer, uncertain.
He shakes his head in annoyance.
Jake bends down and picks up Calvin’s cap while Calvin rubs his throat. “This ain’t none of your business,” Calvin rasps at the stranger.
“I couldn’t let you possibly cause harm to the fair Sofia.” The stranger turns a dazzling smile on me. Emma Rae makes a strangled noise behind me. No doubt he’s dazzled her too. He’s tall and well built. His hair is that dark brown that’s almost black. His eyes are a dark cocoa color, and right now, they hold a mischievous twinkle.
Jake grabs Calvin’s arm, smashes his baseball cap on his head, and ushers him to the door. “The next time you start shit with my niece around, I’ll be the one to finish it.” Calvin and I both know that is no idle threat. Jake slams the door shut behind Calvin.
“Yee-haw!” Sawyer shouts. “I just knew you’d be the cause of our first bar fight, Sofie!”
My savior chuckles and sticks out his hand. “I’m Taylor, by the way.”
I toss Sawyer a glare before turning to Taylor. “It’s nice to meet you, and thanks.” Glancing at Sawyer, I demand, “How is this my fault?” He grins, and I turn away. “Sorry, Taylor. I appreciate that you stopped that imbecile. He’s always looking for a fight.” Taylor dips his head politely. “Are... you a friend of Nick’s?”
“I am.”
I glance at Nick when Taylor doesn’t say more.
“Taylor and I are old friends,” Nick explains.
“From Florida?” I’m trying to get a conversation going, but I’m not getting much help from either of them.