“Mr. Darlington, I think you will want to hear what I have to say in a more private setting.”
“I see, follow me.” Thomas Darlington is used to being in charge. This is an awkward position for him to be in and having the Sheriff show up at lunchtime, his busiest time of day is not good for business. He leads him to a small office in the back of the building.
It has two chairs and a small table. “We need to keep this short Sheriff, I’m meeting with investors and I don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“I understand.” Sheriff Austin watches the color drain from Thomas’s face as he is told of the incident at the Quilting Bee.
Standing up, he paces and rubs a clean cloth over his face to mop the sweat that has suddenly appeared. “That is a shame to hear, but I can assure you my wife and daughter would do no such thing. Without evidence Sheriff, I’m afraid your hands are tied.”
“Thomas, I don’t need to tell you that if the citizens of our town can’t trust you, they won’t trust their money with you. Why I’d even go so far as to suggest that the investors you are talking to might catch wind of this incident and cause problems for you.”
Thomas loses all color in his face and plops into one of the chairs, “Sheriff these investors are here to invest in a new textile mill. There’s even talk of building a new bank. I don’t need to tell you what that would do for our town. The jobs it will bring to the families and money to this community are desperately needed.”
“This tantrum could have killed someone, Thomas. It’s out of my hands. Nineteen members from our church, all women were affected, including my wife!” He snarls.
“Perhaps an extended visit out of town? I must go to Boston to meet with an architect to discuss plans for the new bank. I will take them both to Edith’s sister. Would that work?”
“I think that’s a good idea, but you must explain the next time they pull something like this, I will arrest them both. That will mean newspaper articles, Thomas.”
“I understand, Sheriff. Thank you for your discretion. They will be on the first train for Boston in the morning.
Anika sits in the chair near the window and nurses Quinton for the first time in three days. “Hi sweet boy, I've missed you.” He grins behind her breast, and she sighs in contentment as Savannah returns with another pot of lemon tea.
“Oh, not again. No more lemon and honey. Tell your brother, I’m much better. It’s been four days,” Anika hisses in exasperation.
“I’m not telling him that,” Savannah laughs. “He’s been really worried about you. He slept in the chair beside his bed for two days, Anika.”
“Don't say that out loud. Glenn shouldn't have done that,” she clears her throat reaching for the tea and sips on it while the baby plays with her hair.
“I'm sorry to say it, but Dad had his hands full, and so did Mrs. Henrietta. Anika, Sheriff Austin is downstairs. He wants to speak to you.”
“I’m sure he does. Tell him I’ll be down when I’m finished with the twins.” Quinton fusses when she moves to burp him. “I know big boy. You both need to make up for lost time.”
“Moms feeding the Sheriff her apple pie. He said to tell you to take your time. Should I go get Dad and Glenn?” She asks cautiously.
“No. I’ve caused enough trouble for now.”
“Okay.” Savannah hurries from the room looking worried.
Forty minutes later Anika walks into the main room and stops in shock when she finds the entire family present. Daisy, Allen, Glenn, and Savannah are all waiting for her.
“I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Sheriff.” Butterflies erupt in her stomach, and she clasps her hands together in front of her trim waist.
“No problem. I'm tempted to send you away so I could have a second slice of Daisy's pie.” Everyone laughs as Anika walks slowly in and sits in the only space available, next to Glenn. He settles back, draping an arm over the seat behind her.
“First, let me say that it’s nice to see you have recovered. I’m not sure what you were told, but I have some new information for you all.” He clears his throat nervously, not sure how they are going to take it.
“Can you tell me what you remember?”
Anika glances at Glenn, bunching her hands tightly in her lap. “I’m so sorry, my cider made everyone sick. I have no idea what went wrong, Sheriff. I swear it’s the same recipe as any other cider.”
Glenn sits up and takes her hand, “You did nothing wrong, Anika.”
“He’s right. Martha confessed to pouring a bottle of liquid into the batch of Apple Cider.” Sheriff Austin continues, “We know she bought it, but she is not owning up to that. She says it was on the shelf in the barn when she left.”
“That’s outrageous!” Daisy shouts.
“I found her in the kitchen stirring the cider, I just thought she was trying to make up for being a jerk,” Savannah exclaims.
Allen draws Daisy close to his side, “What else?” he demands.
“Mrs. Flannagan heard her talking about pouring half the bottle into Anika’s cup.”
“Half a bottle!” Glen leaps to his feet and begins pacing. “That explains why you were so sick, Anika.”
“I’m confused. Could someone please explain to me what was in the bottle?” Anika asks.
“Aged moonshine. It’s stronger than most anything you could get in any saloon. In fact, the longer it sits, the stronger it
