Stephen trotted down the steps from the main house. “Does that invitation include me?”
“Of course. I already asked you.”
“What are you doing here?” Mark asked him.
Stephen chuckled. “I could ask you the same question, although I think I know the answer.”
Mark blushed, and then he shot Stephen a fierce glare.
“Stephen is planning to spend the night at the café,” I told Mark. “A former employee with a key was in there stealing food last night. A man named Ralph.”
“Ach.” Mark nodded. “I remember him.”
“I’m glad Stephen is staying,” Beatrice said, “what with a vagrant sneaking into the café. Stephen told me all about it.”
“I’d better go check the refrigerator to make sure there’s enough food for tomorrow,” I said. “I should have done it yesterday.”
“I’ll come with you,” Stephen said. “Unless you’re leaving with Mark.”
I took in Mark’s youthful features and saw a mixture of disappointment and indignation. “No, maybe another time.” I hoped some pretty young woman would catch his fancy at the singing.
Stephen’s cell phone chimed. He stepped away to answer. I listened to the ebb and flow of his tense voice. He finally returned. “That was Wayne.” He stuffed the phone in his pocket. “There’s a dead dog by the side of the road a few miles from here.”
Beatrice crossed herself. “Mio Dio. Not our Heath, I pray.”
“I’d better go check it out.” Stephen dug his keys out of his jeans pocket. “I told Wayne I’d meet him to identify the animal.”
“I want to come too,” I said. “Sorry, Beatrice. I’ll be right back.” I had no appetite anyway. I scrambled after Stephen and ducked into the passenger side of his pickup. I buckled myself in as if I’d ridden in it a hundred times.
He started the engine. “Are you sure you want to come? Could be grisly.”
“Yah.” I was surprising myself. I didn’t even like dogs, but I felt compelled to help.
Ten minutes later we neared Wayne’s squad car at the side of the road. Wayne and another man stood speaking near the black outline of the dead animal. My heart sank, and my throat closed.
Stephen jolted to a halt behind Wayne’s squad car and leaped out, only to return minutes later. He got back into the pickup and closed the door. “Poor beast was some kind of a Lab mix, but not our Heath.”
Wayne sauntered over to the pickup, and Stephen lowered his window. “I need to tell you that another one of Bill Hastings’s sheep was killed early this morning.”
“Maybe I should drive back that way.” Stephen jimmied his key into the ignition.
“Listen, Stephen, do us all a favor and let the police handle it. No telling what that man will do. I remember him from high school. Always a bully.” Wayne’s face was grim. “Please don’t go back.”
“Okay. I have troubles enough at the nursery. Eva found someone in the café last night.”
Wayne’s gaze scrutinized mine. “You did, Eva?”
“Yes. A disheveled fellow who said his name was Ralph.”
“Remember that guy Glenn fired last year?” Stephen asked, and Wayne nodded.
“But Glenn never pressed charges, which makes it hard for me to do anything.” Wayne rested his elbow on the window ledge. “He’s a lush, but he seems harmless enough.”
“You know who that must be?” Stephen slapped his forehead. “Ralph’s last name is Hastings. He’s Bill Hastings’s brother.”
“Yep, I was just thinking the same thing.” Wayne spoke directly to me. “I’ll keep an eye open and alert the rest of the crew. If he comes back, please call 9-1-1, Eva. If it’s the same Ralph I know, he’s never been violent, but you can’t tell what a man will do when he’s down on his luck and has had too much to drink.”
“Yah, I’ll be careful.”
“I’ll stay with her if she needs to go inside the café,” Stephen said.
“Denki.” I knew I’d be safe with him.
We entered the nursery’s parking lot and rolled over to the main house. I was surprised to see Mark’s horse and buggy still there.
“Beatrice must be feeding him supper.” Stephen set the parking brake. “Looks as though you’ve found yourself a serious suitor, Evie.”
I let out a weary sigh. My day had been like a roller coaster swerving off its tracks, and apparently the ride wasn’t over yet. The back door opened, and Missy bounded out, followed by Minnie. As I exited the pickup, Minnie yapped and circled my feet, but Missy raced past us toward the café.
“Missy, come. Missy!” Stephen followed her, but he returned a few minutes later, saying she’d disappeared into the darkness.
“I wonder if she’s following Heath’s scent,” Beatrice said as she and Mark both stepped onto the porch. “I’ve kept her in the house or on leash all day, although she tugged and tried to get away.”
“It was my fault.” Mark raked a hand through his hair. “She slipped right by me when I opened the door.”
“Don’t blame yourself.” Beatrice’s creased forehead betrayed her concern. “Missy was determined.”
I was thankful she was being sympathetic with Mark, who seemed flustered, the way he ran his fingers around his shirt collar.
“Please come in, all of you.” Beatrice had indeed been cooking. The kitchen’s warm air was ambrosial with the scents of stewing chicken, garlic, oregano, and other tasty aromas I couldn’t identify. But I still had no appetite.
The round table was set for four. Beatrice seated me between Mark and Stephen, and she landed across from me, nearest the stove.
Stephen led us in prayer, and then Beatrice served the meal. “What’s wrong with everyone?” she asked when she saw us picking at our food.” She put aside her fork. “I guess I’m not hungry either.”
Stephen got to his feet. “Thanks so much, Beatrice, but I think I should check on the café for an unwelcome visitor and then zip home to fetch my sleeping bag.” He took a leash.
“I’ll come with you.” I stood.
“Absolutely not,” Beatrice said. “How can you possibly help if riffraff is skulking around?”
“I should go
