by Lynn Cahoon
Angie knew Nancy didn’t care about how she looked. It was just a way to defuse the tension in the room. The woman always thought about others. She watched Nancy and Sheriff Brown leave the office, talking about next steps.
“I hate that this is happening to her. She’s too nice a person.” Felicia stood, watching them leave.
“Worse, if Allen can’t figure out who’s doing this and get him to stop, Nancy will quit and go into hiding. She’ll protect those kids no matter what.” Angie’s eyes flashed with anger. “She shouldn’t have to uproot her home just because someone likes playing games with her.”
“She and the kids need to be safe. No matter what.” Felicia glanced at her watch. “I’ve got a couple new servers trying out tonight. I hope everything goes well.”
“Me too.” Angie pulled her hair back into a high pony, then slipped on her chef jacket. It was time to go to work and let the rest of this fall around her. To a place where it wouldn’t hurt anyone anymore.
Chapter 11
They were all seated around Maggie’s oak dining table in the formal dining room the next afternoon. Dinner had been served, and Bleak had eaten, then asked to be excused. Maggie watched her go.
“She’s meeting a study group over at the drive-in to talk about their debate project. I can’t believe how well she’s already fitting into the school. She’s even taking a cooking class this semester. She brings home recipes, and we try them here, as well. She’s a really good cook.” Maggie prattled on about Bleak’s adjustment.
Angie waited for the door to shut. “I think she’s getting more interested in the hospitality side of the industry. She’s already making positive changes to the hostess position. And Felicia says she’s amazing with customers.”
Maggie beamed at the praise. “She’s such a good girl. I can’t believe how lucky we are that she’s in our lives.”
This was a complete one-eighty from the frantically worried Maggie she’d met with a few days ago. Angie pointedly glanced at Allen and Ian before she asked her question. “I don’t want to bring up a sore subject, but everything’s okay now?”
“Oh yes. I appreciate your advice. I was just overthinking things. I know she’s a little concerned about testifying against her aunt, but really, how many times do those things actually go to trial? We might get out of this with the woman confessing for a lower charge. Then all our worry would have been for naught.” Maggie took some of the salad in the bowl next to her and refilled her small plate.
“I’m glad things are going better. But if you ever need to talk…” Angie left the statement open-ended so that Maggie wouldn’t have to say more about the issue she’d tried to keep from her husband and nephew.
“Actually, I am talking to someone about how to raise a child. It’s been very helpful.” Maggie held out the salad bowl. “Anyone else want seconds?”
The three of them shook their heads, almost in unison. The salad wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t good. From what Angie could tell, it had been a mixed greens bag with a tomato chopped up and sprinkled on top. Finding salad ingredients, especially locally in midwinter wasn’t an easy task, but Angie knew a greenhouse that grew greens and herbs for the local restaurants all season. At least the ones who wanted to keep their customers in fresh produce. Others used the same bagged salad as Maggie had served for dinner.
“That’s wonderful. Is it another parent from one of the high school groups? I always thought each subsection should have a parent advisory group. Like the band kids. Or the math kids. People who have common problems.” Angie took another bite of the baked chicken Maggie had made for dinner. Dry, but not bad. She’d even used some seasoning.
“Actually, no, but that’s a great idea.” Maggie smiled. “Although I’m not sure which parent group I’d join for Bleak. She has so many interests.”
Angie glanced up at Ian, who grinned at her. Maggie was one hundred percent in love with her new foster daughter. She didn’t think Bleak would get away when she turned eighteen. Maggie was going to be in her life for the rest of time. Angie smiled back, then realized Maggie had avoided the question. “Who are you meeting with?”
Maggie blushed and dropped her gaze to the floor. She hesitated a bit too long, and Allen looked over at her, concerned.
“Maggie? Who are you talking to, dear?” His voice was calm, but even Angie could feel the concern in the tone.
“Now, don’t get upset, Allen. She’s a lovely woman, and she knows a lot about unconventional family structure.”
Angie blinked her eyes. It couldn’t be! These two women had nothing in common with each other. But just before Maggie said the name, she’d already guessed. She wondered how Allen was going to take the news.
“Maggie?” Allen prodded.
She set her fork down and wiped her mouth on her cloth napkin, identical to the ones she’d set out for every plate. “If you insist on knowing, it’s Barb Travis from the Red Eye.”
Ian had just taken a drink of his water and almost spit it out all over the table, then he started choking. His uncle came over and patted him hard on the back. “Easy now, son. No use overreacting.”
“What do you mean, overreacting? Barb Travis is the nicest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.” Maggie stood and stared at Angie. “Do you see why I wanted to keep the Bleak issues just between us? These men have no ability to see compassion in another human being. None at all.”
They watched as Maggie stood, picked up her plate and salad, and left for the kitchen. The three looked at each other, stunned.
“I don’t think I’d heard more than ten words out of Maggie before Bleak came to River Vista.” Angie smiled as she took her napkin off her lap. “She’s totally amazing.”
“She’s getting advice from a bartender. We have friends at church. She could have talked to one of them. They would have kept her confidence.” Allen rubbed his face. “I guess I’m going to have to put a stop to this.”
“Why?” Angie asked, staring at him.
“Are you kidding? Barb Travis is a really nice woman, but she has no business telling anyone how to raise a child. Especially since she knew Bleak’s background. We need a normal voice helping make decisions, not a crazy one in my wife’s head.” He studied his empty plate. “Sorry dinner was interrupted by this.”
“No worries.” Ian walked over and patted his uncle on the back. “Everything is going to be all right. We have to have faith.”
Angie squirmed a bit. She’d grown fond of Barb after she’d returned. And Allen’s concern wasn’t justified. Finally, she couldn’t just let it sit. She stood and left the table, pausing at the doorway. “Faith won’t help here. You’re being judgmental. I’m shocked that you of all people can’t see that hope and comfort come from a lot of different places. Like Maggie said, Barb’s good people. What she does for a living doesn’t matter. Or if it does, it’s given her even more compassion for people than you could even know.”
Allen looked shocked at her outburst. “I didn’t mean…”
“Yeah, you did.” Angie looked at Ian. “I’m going to say goodbye to Maggie, then I’d like to go home please.”
She made her way to the kitchen, where Maggie sat, a book open in front of her and a journal and a pen on the other side. She sat across from her. “Ian and I are taking off. Thank you so much for dinner. Can I help with cleanup before I leave?”
Maggie shook her head. “No, I think cleaning the kitchen will give me something to do so I don’t yell at my husband. He’s a good man, but sometimes he can be a little narrow-minded.”
Angie reached out and touched the top of Maggie’s hand. “I’m glad you found someone to talk to about Bleak. Raising a child isn’t easy, and it’s not like you can take her to Mommy and Me classes.”
Maggie snorted. “You’re right there. Although we are going for a spa day next Saturday. Don’t worry, she’ll
be at work on time. I just think we need some girl time to chat.”
“That’s a great idea. Bleak’s at that in-between stage. I forget she’s not an adult already.” Angie thought a moment. “You know, she’s really into reading fantasy. You might want to check out the bookstore and see who’s coming to the area to speak soon. I bet she’d love to share that with you.”
“I’m so glad I have angels to talk to. Barb suggested the spa day, and now you give me the book idea. I’ve been looking for something for us to do besides cooking together, and both of those ideas are perfect. And they give her a break from all the work she already does. The girl’s a hard worker.” Maggie made a note in her journal.
“I know she is. And she’s lucky to have someone in her life who cares about all sides of her development.”
Maggie laughed. “Being an insta-mom to a sixteen-year-old isn’t easy. But I’m hoping my enthusiasm makes up for my lack of experience.”
“Just do your best, that’s all she needs.”
When they got into the car and started driving home, no one talked. Finally, Angie broke the ice. “Look, I know you’re mad, but Allen was totally out of line.”
“I agree.” Ian turned down the stereo.
Shocked, Angie turned to him. “You agree?”
He nodded. “You were right. Barb Travis is a good person. God works through all people. You don’t have to be in our church to have good influences on others. Allen just worries about Maggie. It’s only been the two of them for so long, and now he has to share her with Bleak. He’s having some adjustment issues.”
“I figured you were going to be mad at me for yelling at him.” Angie relaxed into the seat, watching the farmland as they drove past.
“I should have said something, but I failed both of you. You said what needed to be said. I’ll speak up next time. We can tag-team these things, although you’re better at getting to the bottom of stuff than I am.” Ian glanced over at Angie and took her hand. “I know we just ate, but do you want to make some brownies tonight and watch a movie?”
“You’re staying over again?”
“You’re not getting rid of me until Uncle Allen has this murderer under wraps. I have a feeling somehow this thing is connected to the whole soybean plant development. I can’t prove it’s your new friend, Jon, but I think he knows more than he’s saying.”
This time it was Angie who nodded. “I agree. But let’s take the night off from our Scooby-Doo roles and just relax. I don’t want to think about murder or missing wives or losing the farmhouse. At least for just one night. Let’s veg. And make brownies.”
He pulled the truck into her driveway and shut off the engine. “Sounds like a perfect evening to me. I’ll go feed the zoo, and you can go inside.”
Angie unlocked the door to the house and greeted Dom. No broken furniture or chewed-up boxes greeted her. Dom liked to spend his alone time in the kitchen in his bed, so if he had found anything that he’d decided was his, the remains of it would be there. She pointed to the mudroom where there was a dog door. “Ian’s outside in the barn. Do you want to go outside and watch for him?”
Dom woofed and headed to the mudroom. Angie wasn’t sure if he really understood her or had just picked out several words he did know. Like “Ian.” And “outside.” Either way, it gave her a few minutes of peace to flip through the pile of mail Ian had grabbed out of the box yesterday. She’d seen it sitting on the kitchen desk this morning but hadn’t wanted to deal with paying bills.
Now seemed like as good of a time to do it as any. Angie had a system. Bills came in, she paid them and sent them back out. That way she never had to think of whether it was the fifteenth and she hadn’t paid the internet. She didn’t get a lot of bills at the house. Tax bills and insurance bills came once a year. Utility bills came monthly. And, thanks to the restaurant being a solid moneymaker, she was able to pay herself a good salary as well as an annual dividend.
If she had to buy a new place, she might owe money on the new house. Especially if she bought somewhere that she could still have Precious and Mabel. Mabel might not be with them for much longer since Nona had brought her onto the farm, but Precious was young. Goats had to live ten, fifteen years, right? She needed to ask Ian.
She opened an envelope, paid a bill, then repeated the process until she was down to two items. A community newsletter that was delivered free every Saturday and a white envelope with her name typed on the front. She opened the newsletter and saw a picture of the large soybean field near her house on the front page. She read the headline aloud. “‘New industry comes to the area.’ Great.”
She tossed the paper farther onto her desk and opened the envelope. It was from the new attorney representing the soybean factory. She leaned back and read the letter.
“Dom’s outside running around the fence line like he’s in a racetrack.” Ian said as he came into the house. He pointed to the letter. “What’s that?”
Angie finished scanning the letter. “Just an announcement that Jon is no longer the attorney of record for the soybean people. I have been reassigned.”
“That was quick. I wonder if his company really thinks he went over the deep end and did in his wife? I think some of the yoga women have husbands in that firm. Would they have pushed for something like that to happen?” Ian came over and took the letter she handed him.
“In a heartbeat. Especially if it would work in their husbands’ favor. It’s a dog-eat-dog kind of group.” Angie greeted Dom, who had gotten tired of his racing and had come back inside, where his people were hanging out. “I don’t know how they pretend to like each other.”
“You’re sure it’s all pretend?” Ian gave her the letter back.
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t treat anyone as bad as these women are treating each other. I hate to say it, but Susan might be in a bunch of mean girls. Which means she might be one of the crowd instead of a victim here.”
“Are you going to tell Barb that, because there is no way on God’s green earth it’s going to come from these lips.” He went over to the fridge and pulled out a soda. “Want one?”
“Of course.” She was still thinking about Susan and her final days at the house. What had she been working on, and why was their fitting in more important than finding friends she could trust? “I don’t think I’m helping Barb at all in this. She must be worried sick.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but you’re a chef with a good eye for these things, not a police investigator.” He stared at her, watching for a reaction.
“I know it. I’ve been pushing Allen too far in some of these investigations. I’m going to try not to get involved, but Barb’s counting on me.”
“You should tell her you aren’t making any progress and you’re bowing out of the agreement.” He handed her his phone. “Go ahead and give her a call. You know you’ll feel so much better when it’s done.”
Angie took the phone. “She’s going to hate me.”
“No, she won’t.”
Angie stared him down with the next look. “Want to bet?”
She called Barb and let her know she wasn’t going to be investigating anymore. Barb didn’t say anything through the entire conversation until the end. “Thanks for your help anyway.”
Angie hung up the phone and stared at it. It was like snowstorm clouds had overtaken the valley. “I’m a heel.”
“You’re human. You can’t find someone who doesn’t want to be found.” Ian pulled her into his arms, and for the first time in a while, Angie let the tears flow.
Chapter 12
The next morning, Ian fed the animals, and after he and Angie had breakfast, he needed to leave to meet with some of his board. He held her close at the door. “I can cancel this. I don’t like leaving you here alone. Not with all that’s going on.”
“You’re going to be at a t
wo-hour meeting.” She glanced at the clock. “I think I can hold down the fort until you get back.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” Ian glanced at his watch. “You could go visit with Felicia or work in your office.”
“Felicia isn’t up yet, and being alone in my office is just the same as being alone here. But here I can be working on fun things. Like my cookbook.” She kissed him, then turned back to the sink. “Go do your job. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, but stay inside and don’t go anywhere.” He reached around and locked the door before he shut it.
“Yes, sir!” Angie gave the closed door a salute. This being on a twenty-four-hour watch was getting annoying. She needed to call Allen and tell him to take Ian off the case. Before she said something to her boyfriend she couldn’t take back. Like “get away from me.” Or “you’re not the boss of me.” Which had been one of the choice responses she’d had ready this morning. “Dom, Ian’s going a little bit crazy with the protection thing.”
Dom woofed his agreement from his bed.
Angie picked up her mom’s journal and set it on the table. Then she grabbed a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies and with her feet tucked up underneath her, started to read.
Her phone rang after the first cup, and she assumed it was Ian checking in with her. “Hey, I’m fine. I’m reading, though, can I call you back?”
“Angie? Is that you?” a whispered voice asked.
Angie looked at her phone display. The call wasn’t from Ian. “Sorry, Barb, I thought Ian…”
“Never mind, I just need you to come and rescue me.”
Angie swallowed hard. “You need me to what?”
“Don’t judge. I’m stuck in a closet in Sunny’s house. I thought her husband was going to work, but he just left for a bit. Now he’s downstairs, and I can’t make sure he won’t see me,” Barb’s whisper rasped on the phone.
“What in the world? Never mind. Look, I’ll go knock on his door and see if I can distract him and you go out the back door. I won’t be able to hold him long, so as soon as you hear me knock on the door, you’d better get going. And then meet me at the Red Eye. We need to talk.” Angie pulled on her boots as she talked. When she got to the door, Dom stood between it and her. She sighed, then focused on the call. “Barb, I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Stay hidden.”