Chapter 6
Six
J ane wiped the sweat from her brow as she rounded the corner of Mills River Road, her feet pounding the pavement. A cool breeze brushed against her skin. The sun was still low on the horizon. It was going to be an abnormally warm day. Thankfully, she started her run early.
She passed the charming white church that had been a pillar in the community for one hundred and fifty years, its tall steeple reaching toward heaven.
In fact, this little corner of the street used to be a bustling community with a store and factories. Now it was quiet. A fire destroyed everything except for the church and the old millhouse years ago. However, the church had been repurposed and was currently reserved for weddings and special events.
She crossed the concrete bridge, which replaced a rickety wooden one a short time ago that spanned the Mills River. Below was a swimming hole with a small beach. It was too cold to jump in now, but Jane promised herself she would next year. All summer she saw kids of all ages and adults laughing, picnicking, and jumping around—having fun, enjoying nature.
The slight incline to get to her house was taking its toll, and she was already huffing and puffing. Taking up running after not doing it for a while was taxing on her body. But it was all part of finding herself again, giving herself a sense of accomplishment.
She passed Sugarbush Farm, where the McQueeney brothers lived. The black-and-white cows were grazing in the pasture. In a few hours, Tanner would milk them and again in the middle of the night. Occasionally, when she couldn’t sleep, she could see the lights on in the barn in the middle of the night and hear the cows mooing. The life of a farmer wasn’t easy, and most never made that much money. It was truly a labor of love.
A couple of neighbors were out enjoying the crisp autumn air, and Jane waved as she passed.
Dang, the incline grew steeper at this point, but she pushed herself forward. So what if her calves screamed and her lungs burned? She felt a sense of accomplishment.
Finally, her house came into view.
The new sign Clarence made for her made Jane smile. Mountain View Farm . Vermont was nothing but mountains, and she had the perfect view of Elephant Mountain looming in the background. She felt at peace, safe, cocooned in nature.
The best news of all was Savannah was coming to visit tomorrow.
Jane couldn’t wait for her to see the changes she had made and to meet her new friends. It was one promise she kept after Savannah’s last visit—to get out and start living her life.
“Girlfriend!” Savannah jumped out of her rented car and ran over to Jane, who had just opened the front door to greet her.
The wind whipped her blond hair in every direction. Today Savannah had on what Jane called “country chic,” a green waxed vest over a long-sleeved brown zippered sweater with a collared shirt peeking out. She wore pressed fitted jeans and brown women’s Storm Chaser boots.
“Oof.” Savannah was a hugger. “We just saw each other two weeks ago,” quipped Jane.
“I know, but I’m excited to see you, to see what’s happening in the barn, and to know if you found a tall, sexy cow—farmer to hug.” Savannah winked twice.
Jane shook her head and sighed.
Her friend would not be happy until Jane found someone to love. Clarence was out—too old—and Bucky was not the settling-down type. She hadn’t met any other suitable men except for the obnoxious, broody lawman who lived down the street—he was out, too.
“Did you buy out Orvis?” asked Jane, rubbing Savannah’s arm.
“Ha ha.” Savannah laughed. “No, I restrained myself. Just because you live in the country with”—she lifted her hand and grimaced—“animals and poop and other mysterious things doesn’t mean you can’t be fashionable.”
Jane hugged her again. “You look adorable. Let me grab your bag, then we can sit and chat for a while. I have us meeting some friends at the Twisted Fork Bistro in an hour.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Savannah grabbed her purse and held up a plastic bag. “The front desk from your building called me and mentioned you had mail accumulating, so I picked it up from him, along with what was in your mailbox.”
“Mail? I had everything forwarded here.” Jane frowned. “I wonder who would send it to that address?” She shrugged. “I get little mail here, so I hardly check. I’ll look at it later. Right now, let’s get you settled.”
Savannah followed Jane into the house. Jane placed her overnight bag in the guest bedroom and looked around the recent renovation.
It was a small corner room with two windows that faced each other, so light came through all day. She had painted the walls a soft white.
At Timeless Treasures, the antique store in town, she found a three-drawer vintage nightstand in walnut and placed a lamp and some books on it. She covered the queen-size bed with a puffy top and pillows—just a few. She wasn’t one of those people. She draped a green patterned boho blanket on top of the bedspread. A couple of throw rugs that didn’t cover up the beauty of the wide pine boards lay on either side of the bed, and gauze drapes framed the windows.
“Oh, Jane, this is beautiful,” said Savannah as she bounced on the bed. “I feel like a princess.”
“As long as you don’t kiss any frogs, you’re safe here,” teased Jane. “It’s been fun furnishing each room as it’s finished. I did my bedroom, the living room and library-slash-office. Next up will be the kitchen.”
“I can’t wait to see them.” Savannah stood and gave Jane a hug. “I’m so proud of you.” She gave Jane a small smile. “I know it’s been difficult.”
Jane’s voice trembled as she spoke. “Yeah. I miss Mike so much, but he’s gone. He’d be so disappointed in me if I didn’t start living my life. Renovating the farm has given me a purpose in life. It’s like I’m connected to the past while working in the present to secure my future.”
“So true.” Savannah clapped her hands. “Okay! I’m ready for a cup of coffee to enjoy on your porch while you tell me all the wonderful things you’re doing.”
Jane laughed. Leave it to Savannah to make more of her life than she did. But she was proud of herself. Sure, a lot of the nights were lonely, and she missed cuddling up to a warm body, but that wasn’t in the cards for her right now, so renovating was giving her pleasure.
Jane found a parking spot in front of the Twisted Fork Bistro. The smell of fresh coffee and garlic permeated the air. They were early, but first she wanted to show Savannah the Beaver Creek Falls.
“In the nineteenth century, this spot was known for marble quarrying, and the falls powered several mills,” explained Jane as they walked over the stone bridge connecting the Beaver Creek News to Earth & Fire. The roaring sound of the twenty-foot falls forced Jane to speak louder to be heard over the crashing water.
Savannah peered over the edge of the bridge, her eyes widening. “Wow. This is spectacular.” She glanced at Jane. “You found the perfect area to live. A place steeped in history yet embracing the modern.” She looked around. “I’m sure there are plenty of unwritten stories and secrets hidden around town.”
“Probably.”
Hmmm. In her previous life, Jane would have jumped at the chance to investigate, but now … no. Not yet anyhow. She had written nothing since Mike died. How could she?
“So why don’t you write about them?” Savannah cocked her head and gave Jane her “no bullshit” stare.
“Maybe one of these days I will. But … hey, look over there.” Thankful for the distraction, Jane pointed at a kayaker paddling down Beaver Creek.
Savannah turned her head to look. “That looks like fun. Why don’t we try that?”
“Because you’re uncoordinated and I’m not ready to drown trying to save you,” Jane teased.
While her friend could dress the Martha Stewart part and paint beautiful watercolors, Savannah was not only uncoordinated but uncomfortable in nature. And that still surprised her, considering Savannah had played in the barn with the lambs the last time she was here. Maybe she was showing off for Tanner.
“Pffft. Spoilsport.” Savannah looked at her watch. “Is it time to meet your friends? I’m starving.”
They walked back over the bridge and down Falls Road, past Timeless Treasures. Jane made a mental note to stop by. Ray Carter had called the other day, mentioning he had gotten a new shipment of furniture in.
Scents of vanilla and mint followed them as they passed Crumb & Co., possibly the best bakery in the area.
“Crumb & Co.?” asked Savannah. “That’s a strange but clever name for a bakery.”
Jane laughed. “Vanessa Crumb and her daughter own it. They make the best … well, everything. After we have lunch, we’ll pick up some muffins for the morning.”
“Yum. So, who are we meeting today?”
“Well, Claire, for sure. She owns a gallery and pottery studio. Also Leah, who is a cook at the Harvest Moon Diner, and Lily, who owns a farm down the road from me. She knows everything about farming and is going to help with the bees I ordered.” Jane thought for a moment. “I think Emily, my yoga instructor, might be there if she doesn’t have a class, and I’m not sure who else.”
Savannah hooked her arm with Jane’s. “Sounds like it’ll be fun and interesting.”
Jane opened the door to the bistro and looked around for her friends. Claire was waving to them from a table near the back. “I see them in the corner,” she said.
The Twisted Fork was a favorite of hers, right after the Harvest Moon Diner. The inside walls were old brick, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Beaver Creek. Emmy Walters owned the bistro and renovated it not long ago. Wood-topped tables with black wrought-iron legs dotted the edges. The chairs were wooden, with red leather seats. Paintings of Beaver Creek dotted the wall, and lush green plants were scattered about. It was a welcoming spot.
Savannah looked up. “Oh, I love the rafters and the hanging lights. It gives the place ambience.”
“Yes, it does. Emmy, the owner, is very talented.” Jane slid into the banquette, and Savannah followed. “I hope she’s here today. She’s so interesting.”
The girls had already started with wine. After giving the server their drink order, Jane settled back and made introductions.
“Mary, I’m so glad you could make it today.” She hadn’t noticed Mary when they first sat down.
Mary Snowdon nodded. “Me too. The store was slow, so my assistant took over.”
Jane glanced at Savannah. “Mary owns Mary’s Book Nook here in town. One of the best independent bookstores I’ve ever been to.”
“Oh, are Jane’s books in your store?” asked Savannah.
Mary blushed. “Oh yes. Imagine my surprise when I found out a well-known author was coming to live in Beaver Creek.” She smiled at Jane. “One of these days, we’re going to get Jane to do a book signing.”
Jane held her tongue despite being surprised to know her books were in the shop. She never looked when she’d stopped in so didn’t know Mary carried them. At one time, she used to love doing talks at bookstores, but not anymore.
“Well, it’s nice to hear that an indie bookstore is doing well.” Savannah reached for Jane’s hand under the table and mouthed, I’m sorry.
Jane squeezed her hand. Savannah had always been Jane’s biggest supporter, even before Mike.
Since she wasn’t writing anymore, seeing her books in stores and online just reminded Jane of everything she’d lost.
Changing the subject, Jane asked what everyone was ordering. They looked at their menus and discussed what sounded good.
“I suggest we get a charcuterie board for the table and go from there,” said Lily. She looked at Savannah. “Emmy makes the best boards. Well, the best everything but her boards are exceptional.”
“Works for me,” said Savannah. Everyone chimed in with a yes. They went over their choices for cured meats, cheeses, fruits and nuts. Local honey—yes, please. Apples from the local orchard—definitely. Jane was excited. She’d never sampled a board before.
After their order was placed, the women caught each other up.
“So, what do you do for work, Savannah?” asked Claire.
The women had taken to Savannah like an old friend. Jane was thrilled that she was welcomed and getting along with them.
Savannah took a sip of wine and put her glass down. “I paint scenes of Boston, boats in the harbor and the surrounding area, using watercolor as my medium.”
“Oh. How wonderful. Another artist.” Claire clapped her hands with joy. “You should have Jane bring you by my gallery. I own Earth & Fire in town. I’m a potter, and my partner, Dylan McQueeney, is a painter. He paints in oils and loves finding uninhabited buildings, abandoned farm equipment, and old cars to paint and making them come alive.”
There was another McQueeney? Jane was surprised to hear the name. How many siblings did Ethan have? None of her concern since she hadn’t talked to him since the window was broken and she never saw Tanner.
The server took their order, and the women talked amongst themselves.
“I heard you had a break-in,” said Leah. “Did they take anything? Was Ethan able to help you?”
Pffft. Ethan! Just remembering how dismissive he had been still rankled her.
“No, they didn’t take anything, just moved things around,” Jane replied. “Ethan couldn’t help since nothing was missing. He thought it was just kids.” Jane sighed. It wasn’t as if she was going to tell everyone Ethan thought she had a vivid imagination and hadn’t taken her seriously.
“Oh, sometimes he can be a bit uptight and a fuddy-duddy.” Leah giggled.
A bit uptight? Jane kept her mouth closed.
“He wasn’t like that before Corrine left,” remarked Claire. “Well, let me clarify. He’s always been reserved and very responsible, but before Corrine left, he smiled and laughed a lot.”
The women nodded in agreement. “Corrine’s leaving devastated him,” Leah said.
Corrine?
Jane furrowed her brow. She hadn’t heard Corrine’s name mentioned before. What was she to Ethan?
“Wait, who’s Corrine?” asked Savannah.
Leave it to Savannah to get straight to the point.
“Corrine McIntire.” Emily took a deep breath. “She and Ethan grew up together and were engaged. I knew them both in high school. Corrine liked to act in school plays and community theater. She always dreamed of becoming an actress.” Emily shook her head sadly. “I don’t know what happened. I think Corrine got cold feet and saw her chance of acting slipping away and broke off the engagement.”
Wow. So, this Corrine was Ethan’s ex-fiancée. And she wanted to become an actress? That was sad. Jane couldn’t imagine saying yes to marry someone and then breaking their heart. “Why didn’t she say something before Ethan proposed?” Jane asked.
“I believe her parents convinced her to go through with it. They always liked Ethan,” Leah said. “As the wedding got closer, I think she panicked.”
“How long ago was that?” asked Savannah.
“Hmmm, about a year ago,” Leah answered, scooping some of the liver paté from a small mason jar and spreading it on toasted sourdough bread. “He’s never been the same. Doesn’t date much and doesn’t have a girlfriend.” She took a bite and groaned in delight. “This is delicious.”
The women sampled the board and talked among themselves. Jane sat back in her chair. It must have been a shattering experience for Ethan, especially for him to carry the hurt for so long. No wonder he was so grumpy. She felt a pang—well, a small pang—of sympathy for him.
His personal issues didn’t excuse his accusations or attitude toward her. If he didn’t trust women, that was on him, but he needed to act responsibly as sheriff.