Page 22 of Pumpkin Patch Peril
“What’s odd?” Mona asked, following Helen’s gaze.
“That car over there. See the dark one at the edge? It’s been sitting there since we arrived, but I don’t think anyone got out of it.” Helen squinted through the glass, trying to make out more details. “The engine’s running—you can see the exhaust.”
Mona looked at where Helen was pointing. The car was indeed still occupied, though the distance and poor lighting made it impossible to see who was inside.
“Maybe they’re waiting for someone?” Mona suggested, though she felt a small prickle of unease.
“For over an hour?” Helen asked. “And why park so far away if you’re picking someone up?”
Before Mona could respond, Laura Jenkins walked through the main entrance, scanning the room with the purposeful look of someone searching for a specific person. She wore the same hemp jacket from the other day, and as she moved, Helen caught the soft jangle of what sounded like a charm bracelet.
“Ladies,” Helen said quietly, nudging Ruth. “Look who just walked in.”
“Laura Jenkins,” Ruth observed. “What is one of our suspects doing at senior bingo night?”
“Visiting family, maybe?” Mona suggested, but her detective instincts were already engaged.
Laura made her way toward a table near the back corner, where an elderly woman with carefully permed white hair sat organizing her cards for the next game.
“I should go question her… err I mean apologize,” Helen said, though she couldn’t help glancing back toward the window. The mysterious car was still there, its occupant apparently content to wait. “About the flower garden incident. It’s the right thing to do.”
She walked across the room with casual purpose, pausing at the coffee station to pour herself a cup before continuing toward Laura’s table.
“Rosemary!” Helen called out warmly as she approached. “How are you feeling, dear?”
The elderly woman looked up with a bright smile. “Helen! What a lovely surprise! I’m feeling much better, thank you.”
Laura turned, her expression immediately cooling when she recognized Helen. “Oh. You’re one of the ladies from yesterday. The ones with the reckless driving friend.”
“That’s exactly why I came over,” Helen said diplomatically. “I wanted to apologize for Ruth’s parking mishap. We felt terrible about the flowers.”
“Those were late-season bloomers,” Laura said, her tone sharp with accusation. “Do you have any idea how critical those flowers are for bee survival at this time of year?”
“I’m so sorry,” Helen said sincerely. “We had no idea. Ruth feels awful about it.”
“She should,” Laura said, though her tone was softening slightly. “This is my aunt, Rosemary Powell.”
“Oh, I know Rosemary well,” Helen said, settling into a chair beside them. “We’re in the same book club.”
“Helen’s a lovely girl,” Rosemary said to her niece. “Very well-read.”
As Laura gestured while talking, Helen caught the soft musical tinkling of her bracelet. The charms caught the light briefly—tiny silver shapes that looked like bees and what might have been a dragonfly with large wings.
“What a pretty bracelet,” Helen said casually. “I love the little nature charms.”
Laura’s demeanor brightened immediately, her environmental passion overriding her earlier irritation. “Thank you! Ivy Knowles makes them—she’s so talented. She’ll even custom-make pieces if you have something specific in mind.”
“Ivy Knowles from the organic farm?” Helen asked with genuine interest.
“Exactly. She started making jewelry to supplement their farm income, and now it’s become quite popular among environmentally conscious people.” Laura held up her wrist briefly. “Each piece represents something important to our ecosystem.”
“How wonderful that she’s so supportive of the cause,” Helen said warmly.
“Oh, she is. Tom and Ivy are real champions of sustainable living.” Laura’s earlier hostility had completely melted away in the face of finding a kindred environmental spirit. “You should visit their stand sometime. They carry all sorts of earth-friendly products.”
“Ladies!” Mrs. Henderson’s voice boomed through the hall. “Time for game two! Please take your seats!”
The room bustled back to life as players returned to their tables. Helen made her polite goodbyes and rejoined Mona and Ruth at the coffee station.
