The Bachelor's Homecoming by Karen Kirst

Author:Karen Kirst
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Jessica was spitting mad. Vaulting out of the rocking chair, she stomped down the porch steps and met Jane in the yard.

“Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Not really.” After leaving Tom’s, she’d had to hurry to the livery and retrieve the wagon before Mr. Warring closed up for the night. The climb down was awkward with one arm.

Her twin’s ire faded the instant she caught sight of her blood-splattered dress. “What happened to you?”

“I fell and scraped up my arm.”

One sleek eyebrow quirked. “Were you and Tom playing tag?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

“Not now, Jess. I have a splitting headache. I’m going to bed as soon as I get the horses situated.”

Concern flared. “I’ll see to them. You go on inside and lie down. I’ll fix you some hot cocoa once I’m finished here.”

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t mind. Truly.” She gave her a tiny nudge. “Go.”

“Thanks, sis.”

Inside, multiple lamps cast the living room in a cozy glow. Good thing her ma wasn’t here. Jane wouldn’t have been able to avoid a confession in the face of Alice’s persistence. She’d been so close to confiding in Tom. Only the knowledge that doing so could put him in danger had prevented her.

Federal revenue collectors had turned their attention to this area in recent years, determined to enforce the excise tax, but that hadn’t halted the production of homemade moonshine. The sale of alcohol was a lucrative business. Not everyone was willing to give that up, even if it meant dealing in illegal activities and risking jail time.

Those who dared snitch on neighbors or family members were dealt with harshly. Property damage was one outcome—burned barns and homes. Personal violence was another. She’d heard of at least four deaths connected to the hidden stills...innocent people who were murdered for alerting the law.

She couldn’t put Tom’s life on the line. Or her sister’s.

The only solution was for Jane to handle this herself. Somehow, she had to find out what Lee was up to. If he was involved in criminal activities, Jessica could be at risk.

By the time she’d changed into her nightclothes, her arm throbbed with a deep, unremitting ache and her headache had increased to an almost unbearable point. Trying to come up with a plan would have to wait. She’d climbed beneath the covers when Jessica came to check on her.

“The milk is heating.” Sinking onto the mattress edge, she folded her hands in her lap. “Are you going to Tom’s tomorrow?”

“Clara needs me.”

“That’s what I thought. Well, don’t worry about the café order. I’ll take care of it.”

“That’s three pound cakes. Oh, and we’re supposed to make the almond cake for Mrs. Liverton’s party.”

“I’ll get an early start tomorrow.” She lifted a shoulder. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I invited Lee for supper tomorrow night. Do you mind?”

Jane worked to keep her tone nonchalant. “That’s fine.”

She must not have been convincing, because Jess’s face fell. “Tell me the truth, Jane. You don’t approve of him, do you?”

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