Chapter 12
Liam and Jamie hadn’t come back. Sienna gave up the pretense of sleep and slipped into her clothes with trembling hands.
In the dim kitchen light, she poured a glass of water and sat, silence pressing down around her.
After a long moment, she pulled out the ribbon she’d bought for the pottery hearts and tried to busy herself.
Outside, birds chirped in a morning chorus, but instead of comfort, the sound only deepened her worry. Had the hunters intercepted them on their journey there or on the way back?
Her mother entered the kitchen. “Oh, I thought you’d still be asleep.”
“Liam hasn’t returned,” Sienna said, not bothering to hide her unease.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. There could be plenty of reasons they’re not back yet. Get dressed for work, and I’ll make us some eggs on toast.”
Sienna nodded, unappeased. Tensions were rising in the village, and danger lurked everywhere.
But her mother was correct. She could only control her actions, and maybe there was a good reason Liam hadn’t returned.
Still, she worried about him. She liked the man.
A lot. He treated everyone with respect, which had won her over from the start.
Sienna dressed in a plain black skirt and a white blouse. She screwed her hair up into a clip and joined her mother.
“Have you got enough things to sell at the market today?” she asked.
“Yes, but I rely on Liam’s help. I feel safer with him around.”
“Me too,” Sienna said. “We can leave early, and I can help you set up.”
“I’d appreciate the help.” Her mother chewed her bottom lip, and Sienna could see the stress in her expression.
This wasn’t easy for any of them, and the thought that some neighbors wanted them gone so badly they’d put everyone at risk didn’t sit well with Sienna.
Liam was right. They needed to get out before the situation exploded with them caught in the middle.
“We’ll head off once we’ve eaten,” Sienna said.
“I hope we don’t run out of items to sell.”
Sienna snorted. “We used to worry about selling enough to fill the pantry. Keeping up the stock is a better problem. What are you doing with the plain hearts?”
“I have cards with inspirational sayings, and I’ll attach them. I’ll also offer some for sale with no additions. It will be a test to learn which one is more popular.”
Sienna smiled at her mother’s enthusiasm. Liam’s idea had them all excited. Her joy fled when she remembered Liam’s prolonged absence.
“If the hunters have done anything to Liam and Jamie, we’ll hear about it in the village,” her mother said.
“You’re worried, and so am I. I keep thinking about Hedrek and the boys.
None of us is safe. Right now, our priority is to carry on and earn as much as we can.
Liam’s right—we need to leave Stoneford and find a safer place. ”
Sienna nodded, understanding that the person behind the hunt wouldn’t stop until he or she got what they wanted.
Her mother set a plate before her. Eating was the least of her concerns, with her stomach tied in knots.
But the last thing they wanted was for anyone to get sick, adding another burden to their already overwhelming difficulties.
She ate on automatic while her mind raced ahead. “How long will you be at the market?”
“I’ll stay while I have items to sell or until everyone leaves the car park.”
“I’ll stop by during my lunch break before I head to the library to research Edwin Smith.” Sienna ate the last bite of eggs and stood, taking her dirty dishes to the sink. “Are you ready to leave, or should I help you load the trolley?”
Her mother shoved her half-eaten breakfast away. “I’ve packed everything, but I can’t eat when I’m anxious.”
“Let’s go then.”
They set a brisk pace on the walk into Stoneford, not passing anyone. Birds chirped from the thickets, but the lack of noise from the carpenter’s shop concerned Sienna. Normally, the place bustled with activity.
“It’s too quiet,” her mother whispered.
Sienna understood why her mother had lowered her voice. The stillness was eerie and slightly disturbing. “Are they holding the market today?”
“They will because many of the vendors rely on the income.”
Her mother proved correct, and as they entered the village center, locals were busy setting up their stalls. The absence of the usual loud chatter and banter felt eerie, but grim faces told the story. Unease settled over the group, fueled by the news that the hunters had seen a leopard.
“The mayor told us to cooperate with them,” a woman said to her neighbor as they walked past.
“That’s true. He vouched for them, but they don’t have true authority here.”
Sienna slowed her steps to hear the reply.
“It’s easier to go along with them, rather than attract their attention to my family,” the woman said.
Yes, everyone, including her, was wondering what would come next.
The leopard had slipped away, but the hunters had overstepped, barking orders at everyone like they owned the place.
Life here was about to get unbearable, especially if the person in charge threw more money at them to ramp up the hunt.
“This is the site?” Sienna asked after her mother pushed the trolley past the rows of market stalls where the stallholders avoided eye contact, toward the distant car park. “I know you said it was by the car park, but this is so out of the way, you’re lucky to get any foot traffic.”
“I worried at first, but we get more pedestrians here than at our previous spot.”
Given their position, Sienna couldn’t believe that. She checked her watch. With so many shops still closed, she’d thought it was much earlier than eight. Where was everyone? The lemonade seller arrived, calling out a cheery good morning.
“Is Liam not here today?” Tony asked. “I’ve implemented his ideas, and I’m eager to learn whether they improve sales.”
Sienna glanced askance at her mother, but Tamsin shrugged.
“Liam is helping my husband with the production side today,” Tamsin said. “Hopefully, he’ll be by later.”
Tony jerked his head to the right. “Looks like our customers are starting early. Lucky for us, we’re here. Early bird and the juicy worm.”
Sienna helped her mother set up the folding table and display their stock. “How much are you charging for the hearts?”
“Liam and I didn’t discuss the pricing,” her mother said. “Twenty dollars?”
“We need money,” Sienna said. “Which means maximizing prices. What price do you have on the mugs?”
“We were selling them for ten pounds, but Liam doubled the price, and they sold better.”
“All right. Let’s try forty pounds for the painted hearts on ribbons. The loose hearts, perhaps thirty? And the ones with your cards, say thirty-five.”
“Seems expensive,” Tamsin said, doubt in the line of her slumped shoulders.
“Let’s ask for a second opinion,” Sienna said. “Excuse me, Tony, do you think we could sell these for forty pounds each?”
Tony studied the hearts closely. “Yes. Who did the artwork? It’s beautiful. In fact, could I have the one with pink roses instead of you paying me for your share of the site this week? It’s my wife’s birthday on Thursday, and I think she’d love it.”
“Done.” Sienna grinned, plucking the heart from the black velvet where they’d nestled each item for display. She packed it in a velvet pouch she’d helped her mother make yesterday. “I hope your wife enjoys the gift.”
“I’m taking her out to dinner at her favorite restaurant,” Tony said.
“Wish her a happy birthday from us.” Sienna glanced at her watch. “I’d better go, or I’ll be late. Will you be okay?”
Tamsin kissed her on the cheek and shooed her away. Two women paused by their stall, their attention immediately claimed by the heart display. Sienna would’ve liked to linger to see if they purchased one, but aware she couldn’t afford to lose her job, she rushed away.
“You’re late,” Molly snapped when Sienna sat behind her desk. Both phones rang, and the public waiting room looked packed to capacity.
“No, I’m right on time,” Sienna said evenly. “Should I take over for you now? And is there anything urgent I can help you with?”
Molly lowered her voice. “Sorry, it’s the hunters. Three more showed up, and everyone’s on edge. Handle the calls for now, will you? And if you get a quiet moment, a cup of tea would be amazing.”
“I’ll do the tea first,” Sienna said, bustling to the kitchen to make a large pot.
The others would undoubtedly enjoy tea and biscuits.
With refreshments distributed to the rest of the staff, Sienna concentrated on answering the phone and filing between calls.
Meanwhile, she kept her ears open to gauge the mood and to learn if anyone mentioned Liam or Jamie.
All she learned was that the hunters’ presence had scared locals, and more than one glared at her as if she were to blame, which was ludicrous. Toward the afternoon, three hunters appeared in the waiting room. They were big men and wore black, which gave them a menacing air.
Molly hustled over to them. “Can I help?”
“We’re here to see the mayor,” one said. His brown gaze was piercing, his attitude one of confidence, and Sienna bet he missed nothing.
“The mayor is in a meeting with the bank manager,” Molly said, her voice level but her cheeks paler than earlier.
“I don’t care. He gave us assurances and hasn’t upheld his end of the bargain,” the man said. “Either the mayor sees us now, or we interrupt his meeting.”
Was the mayor behind this? But he’d let Molly employ her, which Sienna took as a sign he was sympathetic to their plight.
“The mayor?” the hunter snapped, pulling Sienna from her racing thoughts. She flicked her gaze over the determined hunters and busied herself filing until she discovered one leering at her.
Molly said something Sienna couldn’t hear before hustling to the mayor’s office. It was apparent she’d expected the hunters to wait, but the leader trailed her, and after one final insulting smirk in Sienna’s direction, the hunter’s friends followed.
“Don’t bother introducing us, sweetheart,” the hunter told Molly. He muscled her aside and strode into the mayor’s domain.
“Hello, mayor,” he boomed. “We need a discussion.”
The other two hunters entered the office, and a red-faced bank manager exited a moment later. The office door shut after him with a definitive click.
“I’m so sorry,” Molly said to the furious man. “Should I reschedule your meeting?”
The man tugged at the hem of his black jacket even as he sniffed.
“The mayor wanted my help. He was asking me for a favor. I told him I couldn’t help him because it was too late.
The vultures are already circling. He should’ve listened to me when I warned him about that mall project.
” And with those strident words, he marched from the office, his shoulders straight and his head held high.
Molly sighed and sent Sienna a wan smile. “I can tell this will be a trying day. Perhaps I could have another cup of tea to bolster my fortitude.”
Sienna nodded, weighing the man’s words. What favor did he mean? Was the mayor using these men—or being used himself? Mama had mentioned talks about the mall build circulating at the market. “Of course. I’ll get tea for you now.”
Shouting boomed from the mayor’s office without warning.
“Oh, dear,” Molly said. “I told Cormoran these men would be an issue.” She fumbled in her desk drawer and pulled out a mini liquor bottle. “For my tea.”
Sienna bit her lip, trying not to laugh because this wasn’t a comical situation. Each of them was at risk, and things were about to become worse.