Potager Plot: A Backyard Farming Mystery, #5

VIKKI WALTON

Copyright @2021 by Vikki Walton

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photo copying, recording or mechanical methods, without the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial use as is permitted by copyright law.

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Morewellson, Ltd.

PO Box 49726

Colorado Springs, Colorado 80949

ISBN: 978-1-950452-27-9 (electronic digital edition)

978-1-950452-28-6 (standard edition print)

978-1-950452-29-3 (standard edition large print)

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

Cover: DLR Designs

Editing: Polaris Editing

Formatting: Rick-Wild Seas Formatting

Potager Plot

A

Backyard Farming

Mystery

BOOK 5

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VIKKI WALTON

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Morewellson, Ltd.

Potager Plot

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Primary Cast of Characters

Ben Whitman: (Husband to Beth, appears loving but may be hiding a secret)

Billie Whitman: (Wife to Ben, struggling with a serious cancer diagnosis)

Mercy Caldwell: (Billie’s best friend and newly appointed garden club president)

Aly (Alyssa) Pierce: (New to Carolan Springs but holds her own secrets)

Jennifer Langley: (Flirty with men and focused on her looks; married to Brian)

Brian Langley: (Appears meek, but may not be as he seems)

James Hart: (Close friends with Ben; helps with building projects for the group)

Kim Leake: (Gardening group’s secretary/treasurer and the Whitmans’ neighbor)

... along with Carolan Springs residents: Anne, Kandi, Hope, Autumn, Spencer, Stewart, Sheriff Carson, and all the rest.

I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone comes a moment of trial. We all of us have our particular devil who rides us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end.

Daphne du Maurier

CHAPTER ONE

The timid voice struggled against a choir of animated voices, all with lively conversations going at full blast. A woman around fifty with a crop of short ash-colored hair moved with a sense of urgency to the frail woman’s side. Billie, please, sit down. Don’t exert yourself. I’ll take it from here.

The sturdy woman escorted Billie to the nearby chair she’d vacated when she’d stood to address the gathering. The voices lessened as she helped Billie, who gingerly took her time sitting. Once in the chair, Billie adjusted the headscarf she wore by pulling it forward to hide the lack of hair. Thank you, Mercy.

Of course. Now, here, let’s keep you warm. Mercy pulled a soft knitted coverlet from the back of the chair, which she tucked around Billie, who laid her frail hands in her lap. When this was all completed, Mercy stood erect. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to our spring meeting. We’re privileged to have author and instructor Anne Freemont with us today to share some of her knowledge. She clapped, and the group joined in with a polite response.

Anne smiled and did a slight wave to the group. Hello, everyone. Thanks for the invite. I’ve been looking for a garden group, so happy to be included.

Mercy turned to Billie, and tears gathered in the woman’s eyes as she struggled to retain her composure. Billie reached up and took Mercy’s hand, but everyone focused on Billie. Her voice whispered, and everyone across the room, as one, leaned forward to hear. As you may know, my cancer has returned. It must just like me or something.

The group laughed politely at her wan attempt at humor.

Anyway, I’m not giving up. I’ll beat it again. She smiled. Since I need to focus on my health for a bit, I’ve asked Mercy to take over as president for now, and she’s graciously accepted. You can’t ask for a better friend.

She squeezed Mercy’s hand before dropping her own back to her lap.

A disturbance caused everyone to turn toward the doorway. A tall man with a head full of thick, coppery hair entered the room. A sharp intake of breath caused Anne to look at the young woman sitting beside her. In contrast to the others in the room, she was much younger, with her jet-black hair stuffed up under a cap, which made her pale skin seem to glow. Anne puzzled over the young woman’s look but turned her attention back to the man who had disrupted the meeting.

The man raked his hands through his copper hair and spoke. Hello, everyone. I can’t stay. But I’ll be here when we start on the raised beds this weekend. He strode over to a smaller man sporting a tattoo sleeve, a crop of sandy-brown hair, and a scruffy beard. James. Good to see you, man.

They slapped each other on the back in the male version of friendship. The only other man in the room stood up. In contrast to the other two, he had a quieter demeanor. He wore a nametag which read Brian. Pushing his glasses back on his nose, Brian stood and held out his hand. Ben.

The copper-haired newcomer shook hands with him. Brian.

Was it Anne’s imagination or were the two only polite for appearances’ sake? Their frosty demeanors gave off an awkward energy.

As Ben made to leave, a gorgeous woman who’d been sitting next to Brian made a pouty sound. Ben, you didn’t say hello to me.

Ben swiveled to the woman with waves of highlighted blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. Unlike others who were dressed in more casual attire for the event, she wore multi-colored tunic and white capris. Jewelry bands adorned her slim, tanned arms, and her long manicured nails were painted with flowers and matching colors.

He took her offered hand, bent down, and air-kissed it. Jennifer, good to see you. Looking good as always.

Hey, you’re showing us up, old man. James punched Ben on the arm.

Anne cut a glance toward Brian. His fists clenched, and his neck and lower jaw reddened. There was definitely some animosity between the men.

A harsh woman’s voice cut through their teasing. You may want to address your wife.

Ah, Mercy. Glad you always keep us doing what’s right. Ben blew Mercy a kiss before stooping over to brush his lips against Billie’s scarf-covered head. See you later, babe.

She took the hand he’d set on her shoulder and smiled up at him. But Anne could see the poor woman struggling with pain.

He addressed the group. You all have fun, but don’t make too much work for us guys. He cocked his head in a ‘come-here’ gesture, and James followed Ben from the room.

Where were we? Mercy said. Oh, yes. I told Billie I would accept but only until she gets her strength back up. Before we hear from Anne, I’d like to introduce a new member to our group. She picked up a piece of paper. Als—sorry.

The young woman sat up. It’s pronounced A-lis-a, but everyone calls me Aly. She clasped her hands together before addressing the group. Hello, everyone. I moved here some months ago and I heard about this group so wanted to check it out. I live in an apartment right now, but I figure I’ll get some good information for when I have a place with a yard.

Welcome. We’re glad you’re here, Alyssa, a woman with a short blonde bob responded. I’m Kim Leake. We’re always happy to have younger people join us. The group has more individuals come out when we do events but not so many for these types of meetings, which are for more specialized areas. We rarely have a speaker, so this is a treat.

Please, call me Aly. She shifted in her seat from the attention but had a sweet smile on her face. Hellos echoed around the room, but Anne was quick to notice a hint of irritation on Mercy’s face. Maybe Mercy didn’t like new people coming to the group, or maybe it was simply that Aly was the youngest person attending. Or it could be the Morticia Addams vibe the young woman gave off because of her straight ebony hair against pale skin.

Mercy nodded before addressing the group. We need to be respectful of the time Anne has given us, so let’s return our focus to today’s meeting. Since Kim has introduced herself, I think it’s time for the minutes and treasurer report. Kim.

Mercy sat in a chair pulled in from the kitchen as Kim stood, notes in hand.

We did great on the plant sale and the on-site consults. We purchased the wood and other items we need to build the raised beds for Jennifer’s new greenhouse, so we can start on it in the next few weeks. I’ve already spoken to Brian about how much we owe on it. So that leaves us at fifteen hundred dollars in savings and five thousand eight hundred ninety-five in the checking.

Kim read the minutes from their last meeting and after acceptance of each report, Mercy introduced Anne, who moved in front of a set of bookcases to give her talk.

Anne smiled at them. Again, thanks for having me, and thank you, Billie, for inviting me. I know you had planned to have this at your primary first of year meeting, but I certainly know how crazy things can be. I’ve brought some papers to make notes and—

Anne dug in her backpack as a knock on the door sounded. Mercy walked over and opened the door. A young woman with bright cherry hair done up in a topknot with an aquamarine butterfly pin rushed in. You forgot these on the printer. I thought you’d want them, so I, like, came over as quick as a mouse.

Thanks, sweetie, Anne replied. Everyone, this is Kandi.

Murmurs of hello went around the room.

Kandi spied Aly. Hey ya. We meet again. She nodded to Anne. We, like, met at the grocery store the other day. She plopped down in the seat Anne had vacated next to Aly, and the pair began chatting.

Mercy cleared her throat and interrupted them. We’re starting our meeting now.

Kandi pulled a face. Sorry. Is it, like, okay if I stay?

Mercy nodded, then turned to Anne and said, Please continue.

Thank you for inviting me. Anne smiled at Billie before addressing the group. As you know, we have a very difficult time with a short growing season, and as we lead busy lives, we need to incorporate gardening that serves our needs. This is where a food forest comes in. Through creating a perennial gardening system that supplies food, you can work in a more automatic and efficient manner without as much input on your behalf. We can all employ this, and it’s important as it allows you to multiply your time spent elsewhere.

Over the course of an hour Anne shared about the creation of a food forest with upper story trees, mid-story fruit trees and bushes, perennial edible and medicinal herbs and plants, vines, and fungi. Anne noted she would meet with Billie to plan such a space for her yard, and anyone was free to join them to map out the plants for the food forest.

That’s a wonderful offer, Anne. Everyone, let’s thank Anne for her generous offer.

They applauded politely.

Now, let’s enjoy some wonderful snacks provided by Kim.

People chatted among themselves, discussing their favorite type of fruiting bushes and trees while making their way to a table laden with food and drink.

Jennifer asked, Where’s Ben? I want to say goodbye. She shrugged off Brian’s hand on her arm.

I’ll let him know you left. Mercy dismissed the woman but spoke to Jennifer’s husband. Brian, it’s always good to see you.

Jennifer flounced away, with Brian following behind, stopping only to say goodbye to Billie.

Mercy hissed to herself. That woman has a nerve showing her face here.

She picked up cups to take to the kitchen, and Anne wondered what had just transpired. There was obviously some bad blood between the pair.

After saying goodbye to everyone and signing a few of her older books, Anne met up with Kandi and Aly in the front yard.

Aly, nice to meet you, and welcome to Carolan Springs. What brought you here?

A cloud passed over Aly’s face before she smiled at Anne. I came here last year. It sounded like a nice place, and I love the mountains—hiking, skiing. There’s just so much to do. So I found an opening at the local bookstore—

Oh, you’re working with Sorcha and Molly?

Yes, well, sort of. Mainly Molly. Sorcha had to go, like, visit her mother for a bit. I hope she’ll keep me on when she gets back, or I may have to look for another job.

Something’s, like, always turning up. This place has a good tourism trade so lots of businesses that often need help, Kandi responded.

That’s, like, terrific.

Oh, no. Not another one. Anne rolled her eyes at the use of like interspersed throughout the conversation and shook her head.

What? Aly queried.

Kandi giggled. It’s the likes.

Aly looked between the pair. Huh?

I have to get on to Kandi for saying like all the time in her sentences. It’s a placeholder like um. You do it a bit too.

Kandi bounced up and down. So we’re a-like. She stuck her tongue out at Anne, who groaned at the play on words. The duo burst into giggles.

Anne realized she’d been played. Oh funny. I get it now.

Couldn’t help it. Plus, you know I’ve gotten better with not saying so many likes. Kandi’s high ponytail bobbed on her head with ribboned braids, creating a cute addition to her cherry-colored hair.

Anne nodded. Yes, you have. Which is good as I was about to strangle you. She mimicked coming after Kandi with her hands outstretched in a menacing manner.

Hey, Aly, want to come over for dinner tonight? Kandi cocked her head to the side, as was her habit, and waited.

Aly replied, That would be nice. What should I bring?

Nothing. I love cooking. Anything you can’t eat?

Aly responded, "Not a big fan of onions. But