Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The sun beat down relentlessly on Titus, Zach and Colt. They were working at Will’s farm, which was a welcome break. The latest addition to Will’s menagerie was sitting on the barn floor. Fifty turkey chicks were chipping and huddling together under a glowing heat lamp in a cardboard box.
And they weren’t just ordinary turkeys—they were heritage varieties. The Narragansetts were a striking blend of dark gray and white, while the Blue Slate breed was light gray and white. Isabelle loved the idea of the turkeys being color-coordinated.
“Color-coordinated, huh?” jested Colt. “Man, you are pussy-whipped.”
Will smirked and nonchalantly shrugged. “Maybe so, but the happier I make Isabelle, the happier she makes me.”
“Ew. I do not want to know about my sister’s love life,” Colt replied, shaking his head in mock disgust. He paused to wipe the sweat from his brow with his shirt.
Together, they finished framing the floor and the walls, adding openings for a window and door. Colt and Will were now focused on the roof while Titus and Zach passed sheets of plywood up to them.
Then, after lunch, they would install the metal roofing, finish erecting the walls, and install the window and door. Titus figured it would take a couple more hours to complete. Will would finish the interior and fencing himself.
Working on the farm was a welcome distraction for Titus from both work and the situation with Emelia.
She was putting on a brave face and continuing her life as if nothing had happened, but at night when he held her, she would tremble in his arms. It had been a peaceful week with no incidents, but the underlying tension lingered.
The sound of a loud bell rang out across the farmyard. Will looked over at the house. “Lunch is ready.”
“Seriously?” Zach laughed as he stared at the triangular farmhouse dinner bell.
“Hey, don’t knock it,” replied Will with a grin. “Isabelle and Felicia are really getting into farming life.”
They set aside their tools and followed Colt as he started walking to the house.
“Works for me. I’m starving,” said Zach.
Isabelle and Felicia had set out a feast for them on the wooden outdoor table. And what a feast it was. A variety of cut-up sandwiches with cheese, meat, bright red tomatoes peeking out and emerald-green lettuce; bowls of pasta and green salads; mustard and mayonnaise; and—potato chips, his favorite, lined the table.
“Dig in, guys. Felicia will be out in a minute with lemonade,” said Isabelle.
Will kissed Isabelle as she handed him a plate and took one for herself. “This looks delicious. Thank you.”
Isabelle smiled. “If you boys are really good, we have blueberry crumb bars and raspberry plum hand pies for dessert, courtesy of our one and only baker, Emelia.”
“Lemonade coming through,” called Felicia as she came out of the kitchen. “Beer is in the cooler.”
Colt stood, helped her with the pitchers and gave her a big smooch on the cheek.
“And here you were complaining about me,” teased Will. “Get a room.”
After they settled around the table, the conversation turned to lighter subjects.
“I had no idea Emelia was baking desserts for today,” said Titus. “I could have brought them with me.”
Isabelle shook her head. “It’s okay. Felicia and I picked them up. We’re trying out new recipes for our next farm-to-table dinner and negotiating with Emelia to make the desserts.”
“How are the dinners working out?” asked Titus. He knew Will and Isabelle hosted these dinners several times during the year and each time generously donated a substantial percentage of what people paid for the dinner to a nonprofit.
“Great,” Will replied. “The dinners are attracting more people than we can handle. We might have to add more dates. I don’t want to look at a long table with a hundred or more people at it. It’s too impersonal.”
“The proceeds from this dinner will benefit the local shelter in town,” added Felicia.
Will took a gulp of lemonade and put the glass down. “The nonprofits we select are so grateful. It feels good to know we help make a difference.”
“I hear you, bro,” said Titus. Wasn’t that why they joined the Brotherhood Alliance? To give back, to help people in need.
Titus and Zach cleared the plates as the others carried the food into the kitchen. Isabelle made coffee while Felicia brought out the desserts.
“So, have you and Emelia made any headway?” asked Zach.
Shit. Titus looked around the table. Did they want to discuss this in front of Isabelle and Felicia? Although both women knew what the Brotherhood did covertly, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea.
“Don’t look so panicked, Titus,” said Isabelle. “Colt and Will have filled us in on the Brotherhood’s”—she coughed—“extracurricular activities.”
Zach snorted and quipped, “Extracurricular? Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Isabelle rolled her eyes and ignored him. “You know what I mean. Have you any idea or found the bastard that is harassing our friend?”
Titus let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of failure. They were no closer to finding the person than before. “No. I don’t think Wyatt is doing this, but I’m not ruling him out. We’re trying to track down that woman Patty who stole from Emelia, but it’s been difficult because she moved. We also will be checking the background of everyone who works at the bakery.”
He threw his hands up in frustration. “That’s all we have so far. We’re just gonna have to wait and hope to catch the person in the act.”
“Have you considered looking into the previous owners of the bakery?” asked Felicia, whose face turned red when they all turned to stare at her. Colt reached over for her hand. She was the quiet one, the observer.
“Felicia, that’s a terrific idea. Maybe there’s a connection.” Titus mentally kicked himself. Why didn’t he think of that earlier? Anything was possible.
The afternoon flew by as they worked to finish the building. Titus stepped back to look at the enclosure. It was a handsome structure, and the turkeys would love it. Working with his friends brought back memories of building the deck at Abe’s mother’s house. He loved the camaraderie and bonding it brought.
He hoped that the Brotherhood could resolve Emelia’s problem and the two of them could move on to the good things in life. However, Titus knew life didn’t work like that and that there was always darkness before the light. He prayed they would catch the bastard before Emelia got hurt.