Death Rolls In (A Seasoned Sleuth Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Gretchen Allen

Author:Gretchen Allen [Allen, Gretchen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Summer Prescott Books
Published: 2023-05-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

After a brisk walk around the lake, Loretta planned to stop by the market on her way home. Her freezer contained several free-range chickens from a farm she’d passed by on her first day in town, but her pantry and vegetable crispers were empty.

Loretta felt good as she turned off the road and headed into the small, metal building that served as the vegetable market. Large windows covered the front of the building. She walked through the displays of fresh vegetables set under the covered area in the front of the market.

“Morning,” an older man said from a wooden stand next to the door.

“Good morning,” Loretta said.

“You new around here?” the man asked.

Loretta nodded. “I sure am,” she said. “Loretta Barksdale is my name. I moved in about a dozen houses back up that way.” She pointed in the direction of her home.

“You’re the one who found Nina Carpenter’s body, aren’t you?” The man’s friendly smile fell.

Loretta released the small yellow onion she had grabbed from the display in front of her. “Unfortunately, yes, I am,” she said. She sighed and turned to leave.

“Heck of a way to start out in a new place,” the man said. “Sorry you had to go through that.”

Loretta looked up at him. “Thank you. I feel bad for Nina’s family,” she said.

“Oh, of course.” He slipped off his stool and reached for a large canvas bag. “Here you are. On the house. Use it each time you stop by.”

“Thank you,” Loretta said. “I don’t think I know your name.”

“Edwin,” he said. “Edwin Jackson.”

The deep lines in his russet skin revealed his advanced age, but the glint in his eyes belied it. His whole face grinned when he smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Jackson.”

“Oh, you’d better call me Edwin,” he said. “Otherwise, some of these old gossips around are going to get the wrong idea about you and me. Are you sure you’re old enough to be living here? You don’t look a day over forty.”

“Well, you’re sweet, but I am fifty and a couple months old. I qualify to live here, I promise.”

“I sure hope you find what you need. Let me know if you need any help,” Edwin said.

“Well, I’m going to make a chicken pot pie to take over to the Carpenter family,” Loretta said. “I need three pounds of onions, five pounds of potatoes, celery, carrots, and fresh thyme. Do you carry fresh herbs?”

“Sure do,” Edwin said. “Grow them myself on my property. You can pick out whatever you like while I get the rest of your things. Hand me that bag back, and I’ll fill it up for you.”

Loretta handed over the canvas shopping bag and then walked around until she found the fresh herbs on the back wall. She was pleased to find a small cooler with fresh milk, half and half, and heavy cream. She selected a quart of cream and a pound of butter. “This little market of yours has just about everything I need.

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