Chapter 10

"Do you think you'll be able to remember my tips?" Raylene slid the piece of paper across the table.

"Yeah. My biggest concern is the other employees want nothing to do with me, so getting them to talk might be next to impossible," Leah said. "Who can blame them? If you thought your new co-worker killed someone, you wouldn't want to hang around them either."

"Win them over," Jo said. "Show them you're not the horrible monster they might think you are."

"I'll try. What choice do I have?"

Leah was right. She had little choice. If the investigators railroaded over the top of her and had already concluded she was guilty of murder, then she was only a few short steps away from having her fate sealed. It would be up to her to fight—to prove her innocence.

"You can do it," Jo said. "If you stick to Raylene's game plan and figure out a way to speak with your co-workers one-on-one, play on their sympathy, my guess is some of them might open up to you."

"Be personable. Be pathetic. Be whatever you need to be to get them to talk," Raylene said. "It's your best shot."

Curtis leapt onto Leah's lap and rubbed her head against her arm. She snuggled the cat. "I miss you too, Curtis. Life was so much simpler when I still lived here, before Barr died and my life fell apart."

"Your life hasn't fallen apart," Jo said. "True, you've hit a bump in the road, but we'll get through it."

Leah placed a light kiss on top of her head and gently set her on the floor. "I guess we should see how Delta's doing on the coffee cake."

The trio headed to the kitchen, the tantalizing aroma of cinnamon wafting in the air.

"…local businessman, Dave Kilwin and the horrific murder of his…"

Delta hurriedly shut the television off and tossed the remote on the counter. "You're done. I didn't hear you come in."

Jo shot Leah a quick glance to see if she'd noticed the news report. "We didn't mean to sneak up on you. It smells heavenly in here."

"Dave loves my cinnamon caramel coffee cake. I figured while I was at it, I might as well make a few more. I have enough for us and a couple for him and his workers." Delta plated several servings and passed them out. "This is one of my best and simplest recipes."

Jo picked up the bite size morsel and studied the gooey coating. "I like the idea of simple. What's in it?"

"Refrigerated buttermilk biscuits cut up into pieces. I stick them in the bottom of a Bundt pan, mix up some brown sugar, heavy cream and cinnamon, pour it over the top and then bake it in the oven."

Raylene closed her eyes, savoring the tasty morsel. "I could eat a whole pan of these by myself."

"I better limit my intake." Jo patted her slim hips. "Past the lips and to the hips."

"You could eat dozens of these and never gain an ounce," Leah laughed. "I'm gonna run upstairs and grab my backpack. I'm ready to get this intel mission underway."

"We'll head out as soon as we finish eating breakfast." Delta waited until Leah's footsteps echoed on the stairs. "How is she doing?"

"It's like a seesaw. One minute she's gung-ho to figure out what happened. The next, she seems defeated and depressed." Jo motioned toward the television. "What were they saying on the news about Barr's death?"

"It isn't looking good." Delta said in a low voice. "Investigators are focusing on the farm's employees. Shane Barr recently reprimanded several of them, threatening to fire them. Reading between the lines, the cops are going with the angle that his death and those reprimands are somehow linked."

"Which includes Leah," Jo whispered as she pressed a hand to her forehead. "The clock is ticking. It's only a matter of time before the authorities make an arrest."

"Leah might come across as a little easygoing, but I've seen her when she gets all fired up," Raylene said. "She'll find the strength to fight back, to prove her innocence."

"I hope so," Jo said. "It would be a terrible tragedy for her to be convicted of a crime she didn't commit."

"We're not gonna sit back and let that happen, not if I can help it." Delta glanced at the clock. "Breakfast is ready and daylight is burning."

"You go round up the residents and Raylene and I will take the food to the table."

"Deal." Delta ran outside to ring the breakfast bell while Raylene and Jo carried heaping bowls of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, stacks of buttered toast and a plate filled with coffee cake to the table.

"What's the occasion?" Nash teased as he stepped into the dining room. "You whipped up a feast."

"You know how I like to cook when I get nervous," Delta said. "Besides, I figured Carli and Courtney might enjoy a good old-fashioned Divine farm-style breakfast."

"You won't hear me complain," Nash said.

The residents and Gary gathered at the table with everyone talking at once, wondering why Leah was there.

At first, she was reluctant to share her story, but as it spilled out and she found a sympathetic audience among friends and those who believed in her innocence, she told them everything.

Not only did she have a sympathetic audience, but also a group of people who understood exactly what she was going through. It was a fear they would all have to face one day—judgment over poor past decisions, suspicion they were still criminals, unwilling or unable to leave a life of crime behind.

Jo could also understand Dave Kilwin's dilemma. He needed to protect his workers, to protect his business. He was in a difficult position as a local business owner and employer. As it was, Jo suspected he might be worried he could be slapped with a lawsuit for unsafe working conditions and sued by Shane Barr's family. The list was endless.

The meal ended, and after being encouraged by her friends and former housemates, Leah's smile returned as she helped clear the table.

Courtney and Carli carried a pile of dishes to the kitchen and then waited off to the side.

Jo could feel their eyes on her, and she finally made her way over. "I'll get you started on your first job as soon as we finish cleaning the kitchen."

Delta appeared, juggling a stack of plates. "I was thinkin'…Gary wants to help Leah and since you have a lot going on this morning, he and I could be the ones to drop Leah off at Kilwin's farm."

"I hate to drag him into this," Jo said.

"You know how much he loves her."

Delta was right. Gary and Leah were close, like grandfather and granddaughter. He would want to help, would want to do whatever he could. "Are you sure?"

"Sure as sugar."

"Maybe you two can glean some clues from Dave while you're at it."

"And meet Leah's co-workers." Delta winked. "Who doesn't like homemade baked goods?"

Jo grinned. "I like your way of thinking."

"We have a little cleanup left to do. It might be a half an hour before we can get out of here."

Courtney spoke. "I…we hate to bother you, but were wondering about picking out some things over at the mercantile."

"Oh, my gosh." Jo placed a light hand on her arm. "I am so sorry. I completely forgot we were going to go over there to see what we could find."

"It's okay. You're busy and have a lot going on," Courtney said.

"You run on over there," Delta said. "Leah, Gary and I will swing by before we head out."

With a plan in place, Jo accompanied her new residents to the mercantile, which hadn't yet opened for business. She unlocked the door and pointed out where to find the women's clothing and accessories.

Carli eyed a nearby rack of shoes. She grabbed her flip pad, began scribbling, and then turned it so Jo could see. "Can we pick out shoes?"

Jo glanced at Carli's torn and worn sneakers with her big toe poking out. "Yes. You can pick out shoes, shirts, pants, jeans, shorts, whatever you want."

"And then we'll show you what we found and you can take it out of whatever we get paid?" Courtney asked.

"No." Jo slowly shook her head. "You can take whatever you want free of charge. Each of the farm's residents is allowed to pick out things they need—clothes, shoes, toiletries, toothpaste, shampoo, everything at no cost, when they first arrive."

The twins exchanged a glance.

"We don't have to pay for whatever we pick out?" Courtney asked.

"Correct. Once you have everything you need and you decide you would like more or find something you want to buy, then you purchase it with what you earn so you can re-acclimate to what the real world will be like," Jo explained. "To learn to budget and manage your finances."

A tear trickled down Carli's cheek, and Jo thought she was going to burst into tears.

Jo's throat clogged as she patted her shoulder. "I'm here to help you, to give you a second chance, to prove to both of you that someone cares. I'm on your side. This isn't a free ride. It will be work. It will be challenging. It will be so very different from a life of crime and to do that, I'm giving you a hand up."

"We've never had anyone help us before," Courtney said. "Why would you do this?"

"Because I know all too well what you're going through. I lost someone I loved so very much while she was behind bars." Jo paused, struggling to maintain her composure. "The farm, offering housing to those in need, is my way of working through my guilt and grief."

"Thank you." Courtney clasped her hands, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I don't know why you picked us, but thank you."

"You're welcome. Now start shopping before the customers show up."

Jo stood near the coatrack, her heart bursting as she watched the twins excitedly sift through the clothes, the shoes, the undergarments like kids in a candy store.

Raylene arrived to open for business and Jo caught up with her near the cash register. "Those two are having a ball," she said.

"They came here with very little," Jo said. "They're being conservative about how much they pick out."

"Because they don't want to take advantage of your generosity," Raylene said. "I remember when I got here with not much more than the clothes on my back. It was a humbling experience."

"I remember that day. You tried to kill yourself," Jo said.

"I had no hope until you took me in." Raylene watched as the sisters began gathering up the items. "I think they're starting to understand how lucky they are to be here."

"And I'm blessed to have each of you in my life," Jo said. "You have all taught me a thing or two about compassion, about not passing judgment, and the importance of having a strong support system."

Raylene pivoted so her back was to the women. "I noticed something interesting."

"About?"

"Carli," Raylene said in a low voice. "I think she can read lips."

Jo's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. I was talking to Kelli this morning before breakfast. We're having trouble with one of the bathroom sinks. It keeps clogging. I told her Nash was going to check it out."

"I'm sure he'll get it fixed." Jo said. "What makes you think Carli is reading lips?"

"Because she ran right over and scribbled out a note that she'd noticed the sink drain was slow too."

"Maybe she overheard you talking."

"Not a chance. She was in the living room with her sister and Kelli and I were standing in the kitchen."

"So Carli can read lips but hasn't bothered to share that tidbit of information with us."

"She can pick up on what we're saying without us knowing it," Raylene said. "I thought you might want to know."

"Absolutely. Thank you for giving me a heads up," Jo said.

Courtney, with Carli close behind, hurried over. "We have some stuff picked out."

They excitedly showed Jo the shirts, sweaters, jeans, shorts, shoes and even the bras and underwear they'd found. "Are you sure you don't want to take this out of our wages? It seems like it would be an awful lot of money."

"No, but thank you for the offer. The mercantile can absorb the cost of what I call donating to a good cause." Jo attempted to lighten the mood. "I can't have you running around in your birthday suits now, can I?"

Courtney grinned. "I guess not."

"The clothes are all cleaned and ready to wear so there's no need to launder them. Why don't you swing by your rooms and put the things away? When you come back, I'll have Raylene start training you here in the store."

"Thanks, Jo. We won't be long."

The sisters ran out of the store, passing by Delta, Gary and Leah, who were on their way in.

"Did you see the way those gals' faces were all lit up?" Delta asked when she got close. "They looked like two kids on Christmas morning."

"It was fun watching them, how excited they got at what they found." Jo motioned to the stacks of baked goods boxes Gary and Delta were carrying. "I see you're ready to roll."

"More than ready to roll," Delta said. "Gary and I made a pact. We're not coming back until we have a lead on who murdered Shane Barr."