Chapter 3
SARA LEE
Sara Lee woke early to sunshine streaming through her bedroom window and Mister Smee's weight warm against her legs.
The First of June Festival morning dawned bright with just a few fluffy white clouds in the brilliant blue sky.
It was the kind of Virginia morning that made most people excited for the upcoming summer fun.
She quickly dressed in shorts, paired with a light blue T-shirt that Barb had given her, complete with the coffee shop logo printed on the front.
She added a sweater, knowing it would be ditched as soon as she started hauling books and coffee supplies while working outdoors.
Downstairs, she found Nana June already up, wearing khaki capris and a purple Meadowlark Creek Library T-shirt, her silver hair curling softly and brushed back.
“Good morning,” Sara Lee greeted, kissing her grandmother’s cheek. They sat at the kitchen table, quickly eating a simple breakfast of yogurt and fruit. Soon, they rinsed their plates and got ready to leave.
"Big day," her grandmother said, pouring coffee into a travel mug for Sara Lee.
"The biggest. Barb's been planning this for months." Sara Lee accepted the mug gratefully. "Are you ready for the book sale?"
"Everything's organized and priced. Diane called to say she’ll be there early to help finish setting up." Nana June's expression grew thoughtful. "She seemed nervous, but I assumed it was just festival jitters since she’s in charge.”
Sara Lee remembered Diane's pale face yesterday when Petunia mentioned Raymond. She almost mentioned what she noticed, then decided it was probably nothing. People get anxious before big events. Diane’s actions probably didn't mean anything.
"I'm glad I insisted that Barb’s booth be next to the library. I’ll be able to help you if needed since her mom will be there, too," Sara Lee promised. She grinned, adding, "Try not to sell all the good mysteries before I get there."
"No promises,” Nana June laughed.
Sara Lee grabbed her canvas bag and headed out into the perfect morning.
She was going early since the coffee booth would be the first stop for many people.
The whole town hummed with anticipation.
Vendors were setting up booths in the park and along Main Street.
The smell of funnel cakes and barbecue already perfumed the air, even though the festival wouldn't officially open for another two hours.
Barb's coffee booth sat right next to the library's book sale setup, just as Sara Lee had insisted.
She claimed she needed to keep an eye on the library, but really she just wanted to be close to Nana June.
The booth was a simple canopy tent with three folding tables, but Barb had dressed it up with cheerful bunting and a hand-painted sign: "A Whole Latte Coffee - Fueling Your Festival Fun! "
"You're here!" Barb emerged from behind the booth, her curly hair already escaping its ponytail, her face flushed with excitement. "I've been here since six. The iced coffee is chilling, the lemon bars are perfect, and I even made those little chocolate chip cookies you love."
"You're a goddess," Sara Lee said, setting down her bag. "What do you need me to do?"
They spent the next hour organizing supplies, securing the cash box, and arranging the lemon bars on tiered stands that made them look like they belonged in a fancy bakery.
Sara Lee continued glancing at the library booth next door, watching as Nana June, Diane, and a few volunteers set up the book displays.
Diane was a quiet, soft-spoken woman, but her usual contentment seemed to be replaced by anxiety.
"Are you okay?" Barb asked, following Sara Lee's gaze.
"Yeah, just... keeping an eye on things." Sara Lee didn't elaborate. She wasn't exactly sure what she was watching for. It was just a feeling that something was slightly off-kilter.
By nine o'clock, the festival was in full swing.
Families streamed into the park with children racing ahead of their parents.
The high school jazz band played on the gazebo stage…
not quite professional but enthusiastic enough to create an atmosphere.
Face painters were busy at work in their colorful stations.
Artisans displayed handmade jewelry, pottery, woodwork, and quilts.
Sara Lee poured iced coffee and made change, watching the town she loved come alive with celebration.
Mayor Henderson gave a brief speech from the gazebo about community and tradition, and she wasn’t surprised to see Lucy by his side, makeup immaculate, hair pulled back neatly.
But with large sunglasses, it was hard to discern why her lips were pinched together.
Pastor Pete led a blessing. The Garden Beautification Committee's decorations transformed the park into something almost magical. Petunias and begonias overflowed from planters, bunting was strung between trees, and the whole place was bursting with color and life.
Carl and Ted had set up a booth near the dog park area, giving out free bandanas for dogs with the vet clinic's logo.
Sara Lee watched Carl tie a blue bandana around a golden retriever's neck, his hands gently stroking the dog as he spoke quietly to the animals.
Just then, he looked over, catching her watching, and he waved.
Heat crept up her neck as she waved back.
"You've got it bad." Barb's grin was as wide as her voice was teasing.
"Shut up." She pretended to growl. “Just because we’ve been friends since kindergarten doesn’t mean I won’t tease you about the cute deputy that I think comes by the coffee shop just to see you!”
Now it was Barb’s time to roll her eyes. “Tom has to stay awake… that’s why he comes in so often.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that!”
"Carl asked me this morning when you’d have a break. He’s planning on bringing you lunch.”
Sara Lee tried to hide it but couldn't help smiling. "Yes."
Barb grinned in return, but their repartee was cut short by another wave of customers.
The morning passed in a blur of caffeine and conversation.
Sara Lee sold coffee to most of the town.
Sheriff Gordon, in his starched uniform, paid and then tried to refuse change until Barb insisted.
He dropped the extra into the tip jar, then dipped his chin in thanks before leaving.
Lucy walked by, seeming to study Barb’s decorations as though finding fault with them before she bought three lemon bars.
Bob Cordell looked unusually tired and stressed, even when he kissed his daughter on the cheek and said hello to Sara Lee. Jerry and Ivy wandered by, holding hands like newlyweds despite being married for thirty years.
At the library booth, business was brisk.
Sara Lee watched Nana June in her element as she recommended mysteries to patrons, finding picture books for young families, and chatting with Ted, who kept finding excuses to stop by.
Diane worked the cash box, but her eyes kept darting around the crowd, restless and searching.
Around eleven o'clock, the crowd swelled to include visitors from neighboring counties.
Meadowlark Creek might be small, but the First of June Festival had a reputation.
People came from an hour away to enjoy the small-town charm, the homemade food, and the sense of community that felt increasingly rare.
Sara Lee was pouring iced coffee for a tourist couple when she noticed Diane's posture suddenly become rigid, her face draining of color. Sara Lee followed Diane’s gaze across the park, noting Nana June appeared to do the same.
A man had just entered the festival grounds. Late fifties, expensive clothes that didn't quite fit right, with a rumpled appearance of someone who had been wearing them since yesterday. He also walked with the careful precision of someone trying to appear sober and failing.
Raymond had arrived.
Sara Lee had never met him, but the man had the same sharp features as Judge Melton, but coarser where the judge was distinguished.
Raymond carried a silver flask that caught the sunlight.
It could even be seen from across the park when he lifted it to his lips before slipping it back into his jacket's inner pocket.
It was strange how one man could seem to affect so many when the crowd was huge.
Lucy, who'd been inspecting the decorations on the gazebo, went still as a statue.
Helena, who'd just arrived looking pale and distracted, actually took a step backward.
Jerry's hand tightened on Ivy's, his usually cheerful expression going hard.
"Is that him?" Barb whispered. "The judge's brother?"
"Yeah. It must be," Sara Lee whispered in return.
They watched as Raymond made his way through the festival like a rock thrown into still water.
Everywhere he went, the ripple effect was evident in people's expressions.
Judge Melton appeared from the direction of the town hall.
His face was set in grim lines, and he intercepted his brother near the face-painting booth, steering him away from where many children were gathered.
Even from a distance, Sara Lee could see the argument escalating. Raymond's voice carried across the park, and while his words were not intelligible, the tone certainly was. Loud. Belligerent. Accusatory. The Judge tried to keep his voice low, but his face was flushed with embarrassment and anger.
"...always got everything..." Raymond's voice rose. "...while I got nothing..."
"Lower your voice," the Judge hissed, glancing around at the crowd’s gaze. "You're making a scene."
"Let me make a scene! Let everyone know the truth about the Meltons!"
Petunia materialized from somewhere, her pale rose outfit perfect despite the heat, her face a mask of barely controlled fury. She took Raymond's arm, but he shook her off roughly. “You and your fancy ways. Of course, your sister, Ivy, didn’t mind slumming when she married that foreigner.”