His eyes lit up and his lips rose in a slight smile. “Well, my parents invite friends and neighbors to our home. Usually there is cake and sometimes even musicians. Dancing lasts into the night. Wine and food flow freely...” He trailed off.
“Wow. I know that your father is a councilman, but how does he do it? We barely have enough flour to make it through the month, let alone bake an extra cake or...I’ve never seen live music before. I can’t imagine it. Zander usually brings his machine for parties, so I’ve heard recorded music, but never live. I bet it’s amazing. I would love to see your birthday celebration one day. Of course, that will never happen, but...”
“Maybe you will one day.”
Right. “You think they will let me leave my duties here to travel to Cotton so that I can attend your party. Your father is powerful, but even he can’t move mountains, Crew.”
“Of course. You’re right.” Defeat hung heavy with his words.
“So, you don’t see your parents much back home, but do you have friends? Who do you hang out with?”
“Hang out?” He laughed heartily. “I hang out with my brother, Cam. He’s eighteen, but will turn nineteen next month! And, he’s fun. Where I am quiet, he’s boisterous and loud. Where my hair is dark, his is nearly golden. We are almost opposites, but that’s why I love him.”
“Why isn’t he here with you? Was he needed in Cotton?”
“Yes. Um. He was needed there. He was also just recently married, so...”
“He didn’t want to leave her.”
“Yes. He would have missed her greatly. Their marriage is one of love. As the second born son, he has less of a responsibility to my father and his position, and so is afforded the luxury of marrying the woman he has loved since we were children.”
“Wow. I’m sorry, Crew.”
He turned to me. “Why are you sorry?”
“I’m sorry you don’t get to have that. That you don’t get to marry for love, or choose someone you want for your forever.”
“My forever?” I wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement. So, I nodded. I meant it. I felt as though he was as helpless in this aspect of his life as I had felt being pushed into marrying Zander. Of course, that was before he and his horrible family killed my aunt. Now he was the last man on earth I would marry. One second with him would be like an eternity in hell and I would rather die and face the tortures of hell, than give my hand to Zander Preston.
∞
FOOTSTEPS CRUNCHED THROUGH LEAVES THAT now littered the path a short distance away and we looked over to see Ky crest the small ridge. The footfalls that seemed large and determined, I can now see are frantic. He ran to us and stopped at the end of the small pier. “Get your shoes on. They’re about to tear the village apart to find you. Norris told the Council that you have been kidnapped and are missing. It’s just a rouse to flush you out. You have to hide. I’ve got to figure out a way to get you out of here.” Ky breathed frantically.
“I can’t let them hurt the village because of me. I’ll go back.”
Kyan shook his head and Crew launched to his feet and threw his socks and shoes on. I did the same. The hole in the toe of my ragged tennis shoe mocked me. Crew had servants and I had holes in my shoes and wore plaid shirts and jeans all of the time. I remembered how confident his parents looked in their eveningwear at the dinner party. They must consider me a real joke. Not that I cared what his parents thought. But, Crew’s opinion did matter. I liked him, a lot.
Crew’s eyes locked with mine as I stood up and started forward. “I don’t think you should go. Kyan is right. We should try to get you out of this village. Are there other villages nearby? Somewhere we could take her? Hide her?”
Kyan shook his head. He knew it as well as I did. “No. The Orchards are extensive and though there are two more orchards in this region, we have no way to travel that far. The old pickup trucks are nearly dead and someone would notice them or an animal missing. Not to mention that there is little fuel left. Those who keep the livestock pay close attention. We wouldn’t be able to take a horse without someone noticing. There’s no way to sneak her onto the railway either. She’s stuck.” Kyan cursed and crossed his hands behind his head, as if trying to squeeze another idea out.
“No. It’s my decision. They may be powerful, but they can’t hide Lulu’s murder. The village won’t stand for it. And, I need to address the council. I need to speak my peace.”
“This isn’t a good idea. What if Preston has the council convinced that you’re in danger, or are one. His roots run deep.” Kyan paced.
Crew’s hand brushed under my own and he intertwined his fingers with mine. “I agree. I don’t think this is best.” I began to protest, but he put his free hand up. “But...if you feel that you must do this, I will stand beside you. I’m sure Kyan will as well.”
The two exchanged a heated look before Ky relented. “Of course I will. I’m her best friend.” Tension and fear fueled our pace all the way back to the village, and into the center square where I sought out the council.
FAMILIES WERE GATHERED IN FRONT of the main hall. Fear and anger molded each face. Mothers clutched their children, who held tight to their legs and waists. Fathers remained stoic, jaws clenched. Their houses were being ransacked as we walked into town. No doubt mine lay in shambles. Eyes widened as the three of us passed by. Kyan’s hand was at the small of my back. He didn’t guide me, but with that simple gesture, told the entire village that he stood with me.
Crew’s fingers were still clamped between my own. His palm was sweaty and I knew it wasn’t because of the unseasonable warmth hanging in the evening air. I knew what this means to him. To so publicly defy the Preston family would no doubt bring shame on his family, too. A shame, I was sure his father wouldn’t let him soon forget. His mother, I couldn’t read as well. She seemed almost kind, but I took her as a woman who wouldn’t cross her husband under any circumstance.
The gathered crowd parted like a body of water as we made our way toward the main hall. The Councilmen were gathered, in crisp suits, on the front porch of the seat of their power. Boredom hung on their countenances, until Councilman Preston’s eyes honed in on me. Like a hawk to its prey. He stood suddenly, stepped off the porch and rushed to stand in front of me. “The suspect has been found. Thank you Kyan and Crew for bringing her in to face the charges against her.” His voice boomed into the night. Charges?
“What charges?” The words left my mouth before I could even think about them.
“Murder, Concealment of a body, for starters.” He smirked. “You are aware that we have discovered the body of Luella Kelley, rotten in a shallow grave.”
“Of course I know you found her. But I didn’t murder her, and I certainly didn’t conceal her body or put her in a shallow grave. You did! You and your pet, Norris, killed her! You just weren’t smart enough to dig her deep enough!”
My entire body trembled with rage and I pulled away from Crew and Kyan. “You killed her!” I launched myself toward him, intending to remove his head from his body by force. I was jerked backwards by two sets of strong arms before I could connect. I wildly thrashed against them, mad as hell at their interference. “You’ll pay for what you’ve done.”
“How dare you accuse me of such things? I am a Councilman. An upstanding member of this village. I should see you beaten and then hanged.” His face reddened and contorted in rage as he spat the last word.
“I wish to have an immediate audience in front of the council.” I demanded.
The other councilmen had formed sort of a semi-circle around Mr. Preston and were staring at me, mouths agape. No one had ever challenged one of their own. The four other men looked at one another and nodded. From behind him four words cut through the tension hanging in the air that evening. “We grant your request.”
“What?” Preston turned to face them, stunned that they would entertain me at all. Of course, he would prefer that I hang and that he not have to stand and atone fo
r his dark deeds. Lulu’s murder was most likely the last horrible offense he’d had a hand in, but I don’t know if it was even the worst. But, this would end here. Now.
The Councilmen fell away leading our party into the Main Hall and into the judgment room. Preston was livid. His entire being shook worse than mine, but he followed obediently. “As Councilman Preston is involved in such matters, he will not be consulted on any decisions made. As four of us remain, and it is an even number, we must ensure that no decision is nullified and so I ask that one Councilman remove himself from the decision making process as well.”
Councilman Regar stood up and moved aside. “I shall step aside from this decision, leaving three to determine the outcome.” His tall, thin body limped to the side of the room, where he found a chair, still intent to watch from beneath the bushy white eyebrows that match the hair remaining on his head. He clasped his hands over his thin stomach, leaned back against the wall in his seat and watched sharply.
“Very well. Please tell us why you have accused our peer of such a despicable crime, Abigail Kelley.” Councilman Ward asked before leaning forward to await my answer. His dark brown hair was evenly peppered with gray and he was short and rounded in the middle, where his dark brown suit stretched and puckered.
“I was approached by Zander Preston. He asked for my hand in marriage and I refused. Councilman Preston then asked my aunt, Lulu, I mean, Luella Kelley if she would give her blessing on the union. She refused. After working one day shortly after these occurrences, I came home to find her missing. She never came home. Zander and the Councilman informed me that she had been sent to Olympus on official village business. He and his wife and son then tried to force me into the marriage agreement, as my aunt was not here to thwart their efforts. I feared the worse when I didn’t hear from her in such a time, but it wasn’t until...” My voice cracked. “It wasn’t until Kyan told me they found her body, that I knew she was dead. I didn’t kill her. I had no reason to do so. I loved her. But, the Councilman needed her out of the way. He needed her blessing for this marriage and knew he wasn’t going to get it. So, in my opinion, he got rid of the only thing blocking him: my aunt.”
I wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Be seated.”
“Councilman Preston. What say you to this accusation?”
Mr. Preston raised to his full height. His blonde-gray hair shone like a crown upon his head, glistening in the candle-light which was now mixed with the last light of day. He cleared his throat. “I did ask her aunt for permission for the two young people to wed. I will not deny it. But, I had nothing to do with her disappearance, death, or dishonorable burial. Nor is there any proof to that effect. I vehemently deny these charges against me. I am sorry for the young lady’s loss and for her grief, which seems to be overwhelming her and clouding her judgment, but I deny her accusation. I had no hand in this. It would seem that the young lady was the last to see the victim, Luella Kelley, alive.”
The three men before us looked at one another. They nodded, already knowing what they were going to say. I thought it was customary that they convened in private before issuing their decision.
Councilman Ward stood. “We will continue to investigate the murder of Luella Kelley. But, with no evidence to support your accusation, beyond the fact that the Councilman asked your aunt for her blessing in joining you with his son, we cannot in good faith say that he is indeed guilty of her murder.”
The air had been sucked out of my lungs. I couldn’t breathe. I fell on the hard wooden chair behind me. “You can’t be serious,” I muttered.
Ward continued. “We will get to the bottom of this, dear. And whomever is responsible for Luella Kelley’s death will be punished. Rest assured of that.” I nodded. What else could I do?
∞
I NUMBLY WALKED FROM THE room, down the hall and onto the porch. Crew stood with his parents. His father looked at me with a sharp eye and his mother stared at the ground. Kyan’s hand found the small of my back again and he led me through the crowd, which once again parted for us. Councilman Ward stepped onto the porch, flanked by the other members and announced to the crowd the decision rendered. Gasps, a few claps and murmurs sounded out behind us. We were already on the way home.
“Kyan!” Oh, no. Anyone but her, right now. “Kyan, wait! You can’t go with her. Didn’t you just hear the council? She’s crazy! She accused a Councilman of murder!”
Paige rushed up to us and grabbed Kyan’s elbow, tearing his hand from my back. He shrugged away from her and I saw a flash in his brown eyes. “Get off, Paige. Not now.”
“But, you’re embarrassing me!” She brushed her black hair off her shoulder and pushed her lips out into a pout. How disgusting? Does she think she’s cute?
“I can’t do this.” His words were low and deep. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“What?” she asked. “I couldn’t hear you, baby.”
“I’m not your baby. I cannot do this!” he roared.
She shook her head and I stepped back from them. They obviously needed to have this argument in private and I didn’t want to cause them any trouble. I started to walk on toward my house. “Abigail Blue. You will wait.” He ordered. Kyan never used that tone of voice with me. I stopped dead in my tracks.
“Paige. I cannot do this. I can’t marry you. I don’t love you. I know you don’t love me, either. I’ll make the announcement tomorrow. I’m dissolving our betrothal.” His eyes darkened as if to invite her challenge.
“Dissolving our…? Because of her!” she screeched and pointed at me. Her face contorted with rage and she actually bared her teeth.
“Not because of her. Because of you. I don’t love you. I can’t spend the rest of my life listening to your voice. I hate it!” He paced. Word. It was a horrific voice to have to listen to. I couldn’t imagine hearing it for the rest of my days.
“Look. You need to find someone who loves you and wants to be with you. I’m not that guy. I’m sorry. I tried to be. I know our parents want this, but I don’t and we’ll both be miserable if we go through with this. This has nothing to do with Abby. But the fact that my best friend on this planet embarrasses you, tells me that I shouldn’t be with you. She will always be a part of my life, regardless of who I choose to spend it with. My future wife, will have to accept our friendship. It’s as simple as that.” He stopped in front of her. “I’m sorry. I’ll talk to your parents and mine and then announce it tomorrow. I’ll take the blame. You won’t be shamed for this.”
Smack! Her open hand connected with his cheek. “The hell I won’t. I hate you, Kyan Marx!” And with that, she turned and stomped away. We both watched her retreat but stood quiet and still for a few moments. Could this day possibly get any worse?
LIFE PASSED IN A BLUR for the next several hours and days. Friday evening swooped in like a thief in the night, having stolen the time it seemed it would take to get here. All teams had converged in the center of the orchard, plucking the last of the succulent fruit from the boughs. The smell of sweet apples and crisp leaves floated gently on the cool breeze. Days were now shortening and darkness came quickly in the evenings now.
I pulled the last apple that I could see from a branch above me and settled back into my spot where a large limb meets its lifeline, the backbone, and strength of the tree itself. The fruit itself this year was huge. My hand wouldn’t even fit around it. I remember in scant years when I could easily wrap all my fingers around it and touch my palm on the other side. Those years had been dry and I had been smaller then than now, so I could imagine just how difficult it had been.
Swirls of red, light and bright green streak down the side of the shiny orb, the stem attached still held tight to one leaf for dear life–its last attempt to cling to its mother.
I hadn’t seen Zander or his horrible family since the day of the hearing before the Council. Nor had I seen Norris and both of those facts had made the rest of the week just barely tolerable for me. The council had ordered her body exh
umed to further the investigation into her death. They had banned the Preston’s or Norris from being present during the examination, and during the re-interment. After Lulu was examined, she was laid to rest properly. As was customary, I wasn’t allowed to be present while she was interred.
I had a feeling that as Lulu was once again committed to the earth, the secrets surrounding her death had died and been buried as well. When I was given permission, I visited her grave and placed a small bouquet of the remaining wildflowers on top of the earthen mound that now blanketed her. She always loved wildflowers, especially the bright bluish-purple ones that grew tall, whose edges were jagged and uneven. She said those were the strongest and in a world full of weeds, one had to be strong to survive. To avoid being smothered, they had to have deep roots with which to draw up water from the ground.
Crew’s hand fell upon my own pulling me back to reality, grounding me. I needed it. I needed him. I knew he was leaving soon. Tomorrow would be our harvest festival and then he would be sent home, his help no longer required by our village, by the Greaters that brought him here. I wasn’t sure I would be able to stand seeing him go. Eyes of molten honey bore into me. I wondered if he felt the same way. Not that it really mattered. The Greaters, in one way or another, dictated every move we made, everything we did in our lives, however short or long they might be.
He took the last apple, placed it gently into the top of the almost overflowing bushel and hoisted it up, walking it to the bed of the rusty pickup, filled to the brim with the last of our crop. Cheers, sighs, and laughs of relief filled the air as the tension that had filled our days recently floats away on the clouds that race gently across the evening sky. They were bright orange and yellow, illuminated by the sun against a dull blue-gray sky.
Reap (The Harvest Saga Book 1) Page 12