Page 42 of Dairy and Deadly

The country preacher zeroed in on the word peace by reading a passage from the Book of John next. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled; neither let them be afraid.”

His words struck home since she’d battled both fear and discouragement in recent weeks. It was a reminder that she was part of something bigger.

The minister looked up to scan the audience from left to right. “It doesn’t mean we won’t deal with challenges. Or that we’ll be on some perpetual vacation. Too bad, huh?”

A round of chuckles worked its way across the sanctuary.

He read a third and final scripture to them, also from the Book of John. “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.”

He closed his Bible. “Our peace is in the Lord,” he concluded simply. “Let us pray.”

That’s it?Ashley’s head swiveled back to Johnny in astonishment. As soon as the prayer ended, she blurted, “That’s the shortest message I’ve ever heard.”

“Isn’t it great? They have a whole team of pastors taking turns so you never get tired of hearing the same one.” Clint gave a gusty stretch, which caused him to bump elbows with Caro.

She visibly recoiled.

“The rest of my day is officially yours,” he chortled, waggling his eyebrows at her.

“Lucky me.” She eyed Johnny accusingly as they made their way to the parking lot.

“Mostof the rest of your day,” Johnny amended sharply. “We’ve got a dairy farm to run, remember?”

Clint didn’t look the least bit apologetic. “I texted Hawk, and he said he’d cover for me.”

Ashley watched Caro sidle closer. However, she drew alongside Ashley instead of Johnny. “I see what you’re doing,” she hissed, “and it’s not going to work.”

Ashley’s heart raced with trepidation. “I beg your pardon?”

Caro’s biting voice jarred her ear. “You can’t outrun what happened in Dallas.”

Ashley’s startled gaze clashed with the woman’s icy one. She was shocked speechless that Caro was threatening her. Actually threatening her!

Clint stepped between them with a steely look, forcing Caro’s attention back to him. “Want to grab an early lunch before we start loading boxes?”

She looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “I’m not hungry.”

He inclined his head at her. “Then we’ll start moving boxes right away.”

Before Ashley could make heads or tails of what was going on, he’d maneuvered Caro into the passenger seat of his truck. Caro yanked the seatbelt over her, looking like she had steam coming out of her ears.

As they drove off, Ashley’s heart continued to pound over the odd exchange between her and Caro.

“You okay?” Johnny gave her a worried look as they strolled together toward his rusty brown truck.

“I will be.” The discovery that he’d driven Caro to church in his oldest vehicle went a long way toward restoring her spirits.

“I saw Caro say something to you,” he prodded as he opened the passenger door for her. “It looked like she upset you.”

Ashley blinked at his perception. “I think she feels threatened by me.”She should since I intend to help put her behind bars.

A low chuckle eased out of him. “I think I know why.”

Not for the reason you’re thinking.She shook her head at him. “You were using me this morning.”

“What?” He couldn’t have looked more taken aback.

She narrowed her gaze at him. “The gossip mill has your name paired with hers. Or did,” she amended with another baleful head shake. “What were you thinking?”

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