Page 18 of Exposure of Murder

“Nora, I’m off to check out another problem at Jenkins’s farm,” he said.

Nora pushed her glasses up and smiled. “Sure thing, Ethan. You say hello to that sweet young woman for me.”

Sweet? Jane was anything but sweet. Maybe to others but not to him. Somehow, she seemed to have convinced the townspeople otherwise.

“Yeah. Right,” Ethan replied.

“Oh, Ethan, give her a chance,” Nora chided. “She’s really trying to fit in here and has done nothing wrong.”

“Not so sure about that.” Ethan put on his jacket and walked to his truck. There was a nip in the air, and he took a deep, cleansing breath.

As he drove out to the farm, he thought he’d stop by to see how Tanner was doing after he talked to Jane. While Ethan lived at his family’s farm, Tanner’s workload and odd hours prevented them from spending much time together.

The other pressing matter was what to do about Bucky. Should he confront him about his past or keep an eye on him?

Maybe he’d wait, watch him and see if Bucky had nefarious business in town. Not giving someone a second chance was out of character for him, but Corinne’s betrayal affected him.

Ethan passed the horse farm and waved to the owner, Sue, who stood in the middle of the ring watching a class of young kids ride around in a circle. The ring she had built by the barn was perfect for beginning students.

He laughed to himself, remembering a date he and Corrine had. She had never ridden a horse before, so one time, when they were about fifteen, he planned what he thought was the perfect date.

He rented two horses. One was Tilly, a sweet older horse, perfect for Corrine. The plan was to ride along a trail in the woods, stop, picnic by the lake, kiss—a lot—and then ride home.

Well, that plan had been a bust. Corrine did something to her horse, causing Tilly to take off at a trot, and she couldn’t control her. She was screaming for the horse to stop, her ass bouncing up and down in the saddle, and Ethan laughed. Not his finest moment, but it was funny.

He managed to stop the horse. Thankfully, Tilly was only slightly winded, and Corrine wasn’t hurt. Corrine angrily walked all the way back to the barn, cursing at him and the beast the whole time, and never got on a horse again.

He should have known then that Corrine wasn’t cut out for country living. She hated hay, the smell of manure, animals, dirt. Ugh, the list went on and on.

Bah. Enough of Corrine. Ethan pulled into Jane’s driveway. Bucky’s car wasn’t there, so he’d probably finished for the day.

Ethan walked onto the wide front porch and knocked. Jane answered. She still had on her clothes from earlier.

She was barefoot, and he couldn’t help noticing her pink toenails. And why was he looking at her toes, anyway?Focus, Ethan.

“Hi.” Jane gave him a small smile. “Thanks for coming.” She nodded toward the kitchen.

A pile of mail was on the kitchen table. Jars of what looked like homemade applesauce sat on the counter.

Ethan looked around the comfortable space. He’d been here years ago and remembered a couple of cabinets, stove, refrigerator and a table. Jane had completely renovated the space. Large windows along one wall let in the afternoon light and looked over the golden hayfields to Sugarbush Farm. He saw Tanner moving the cows into the barn.

Rustic wooden ceiling beams and hanging pendant lights gave it a homey feel. New dark blue cabinets and open shelving were along two walls with white marble countertops. A commercial gas stove with a huge hood was on another wall. A wooden table made from wide pine boards with six chairs sat in the middle, an old rug underneath.

“Did Clarence make this?” he asked, running his hand over the table, feeling the burls in the wood. “This wood is probably a hundred years old. They don’t cut wide boards like this anymore.”

Jane nodded. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Clarence is very talented.”

“So,” Jane started, then sighed, took a deep breath and continued. “I bet you’re wondering why I asked you to come over?”

“Crossed my mind.”Sarcastic much, Ethan?

“Sorry. Have a seat. I want to show you something,” she replied. “Oh, would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea, water?”

“I’m all set. What do you want to show me?” Ethan pulled out a chair and sat. He wanted to shoutjust get it out, woman,but his mother taught him better than that.

Jane picked up a white envelope from the pile. “I was opening mail that my friend brought in. Some of it was from Boston and some from here.” She shoved the envelope at him. “Here. Tell me what you think?”

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