Plain Trouble by Y'Barbo Kathleen

Author:Y'Barbo, Kathleen [Y'Barbo, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-11-11T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

The dining room smelled of roast beef and apple pie, and the table had been set in what was surely the Jones family’s best china. Sunlight streamed through windows framed by curtains that matched the napkin stretched across his lap.

Joe looked across the table at Bess Jones, a vision in blue gingham, and wondered whether the pretty girl had forgotten how to smile. She’d certainly seemed unhappy when he slid into the Jones family pew at church this morning.

When he sang, she frowned. And on the ride back from town she’d failed to appreciate the fact he’d arrived in a buggy rather than on horseback, something he’d done just to make her grin. She’d only ridden beside him because her pa insisted.

It was enough to make a man think he’d lost his ability to woo a woman. Not that he was trying to do that, of course, though it did wound him a bit when she missed his attempt to help her from the carriage and stepped right past him.

“Didn’t the reverend have a nice sermon, Joe?” Mrs. Klein asked as she dabbed at her chin with her napkin.

“Yes, ma’am,” Joe said. “I’ve heard some preaching in my day but today was exceptional.”

He slid Bess a glance and noticed she seemed to be studying him. When Joe met her gaze, the Jones girl looked away.

“Bess, wasn’t Ida’s pie delicious?”

This time Bess met her father’s stare. “It was,” she said. “Might I have the recipe, Mrs. Klein?”

“Of course, dear,” Ida said.

Alpheus relaxed visibly, and then offered Bess a smile before reaching to place his hand atop Ida’s. “Why don’t I show you that new foal we’ve got out in the barn, Ida?”

“I would like that very much,” Ida said. “But might I have a word with Bess first?” She hesitated. “Alone if you gentlemen don’t mind.”

Joe rose first, unwilling to witness any family trouble. While he was willing to keep to his agreement with Alpheus to watch over Bess, he had his limits.

By the time he reached the porch, Alpheus was on his heels. “I think it’s going pretty well, don’t you?”

“Depends on what you’re trying to accomplish, Alpheus.” Joe stepped off the porch, avoiding the patch of mud still remaining from the deluge of the last two days. “I’d give that conversation that’s about to happen even odds on whether it’s going to be good or bad.”

Alpheus clapped his hand on Joe’s shoulder. “Have faith, boy,” he said. “Ida and I have been praying about this.”

“Well, good,” he said. “Now, about your employee Cal. I spoke to Sheriff Bauer yesterday afternoon.”

“And?”

“And it turns out Bauer’s known Cal since he was a kid. Something about Bauer’s wife and Cal’s grandmother being kin.” Joe shrugged. “It’s enough to satisfy me for now, but I’m still not convinced. The sheriff’s going to check out the suspect’s whereabouts for the past month.”

“The suspect?” Alpheus stopped short. “You sure you’re still remaining neutral?”

“I’m trying,” Joe said.

“Well that’s all we can ask now, isn’t it.” Joe pointed to the tool shed.

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