Chapter 18

Jo casually leaned a hip against the counter and waited for Carli to join them. "Delta said you're enjoying your time working here in the kitchen."

Carli nodded enthusiastically.

"And you learned the ropes this morning with Gary, including caring for the chickens?"

Her new resident nodded again.

"Wonderful." Jo consulted her watch. "I'm calling your probation officer in a few minutes to follow up and make sure he received your file. Is there anything you would like me to mention to him?"

Carli lifted both brows and shook her head.

"No questions, issues or concerns you can think of?" Jo pressed.

Carli grabbed her flip pad and began writing. She turned it so Jo could see the word no.

"Gary and Courtney are back," Delta said. "You should check with Courtney to see if she has any issues."

Both appeared moments later, their arms laden with groceries. Jo waited for them to set the bags on the table.

"The stores were packed," Gary said. "Folks must be stocking up because of the storms moving in. I'll make sure the cellar is ready for us to hunker down."

"Thanks for the supplies." Delta gave her husband a peck on the cheek.

"For you, I would drive all over the countryside, my lovely bride."

"You two are too cute," Jo teased.

"I'll be right back," Gary told Courtney. "We can do a quick run through and make sure everything is secure as soon as I check the cellar."

Gary left, and Jo motioned to Courtney. "How is it going with Gary?"

"He's a great guy and very patient. He explains everything. I've enjoyed every job I've had so far," Courtney said.

"Wonderful." Jo offered her a smile. "I'm glad to hear it. I need to check in with your probation officer. Is there anything you would like for me to discuss, any issues or concerns?"

"Can we…are we allowed to talk to them?"

"Absolutely. Of course," Jo said. "You can chat privately as well."

"I…" Courtney shot her sister a quick glance. "Don't have anything. How about you Carli?"

"I've already checked with Carli and she indicated she has nothing. He may want to talk to you, so hang around for a minute and let me see if I can get him on the phone." Jo placed the call and was transferred several times before being connected with the Ladeaux sister's probation officer, who confirmed he'd received their files.

"How are they settling in?"

"As I mentioned in her file, Carli is nonverbal. She's indicated everything is going well. Courtney is standing here. Would you like to have a word with her?"

"Yes. That would be great."

Jo handed Courtney the phone. "Ed Shevock would like a word with you. Delta and I will be in the dining room."

"I'll let you know when we're finished." Courtney took the cell phone, and Jo and Delta hustled out of the room.

They could hear her talking, but not what was being said. She appeared in the doorway minutes later. "I'm done. He has a few questions for you."

"Thank you." Jo took the phone. "Ed? Can you hang on for a minute?"

"Sure. No problem."

Gary appeared. "The cellar is in shipshape condition and ready for us. I want to double-check the gardens to make sure we picked everything up."

Jo followed Gary and Courtney out, making a point to head to the side yard where the kitchen window faced out.

She caught movement and could see Carli and Delta inside, both standing near the sink. "Thanks for waiting. I'm somewhere I can talk freely now."

"How is it going, Jo?"

Ed Shevock had been the probation officer for almost all of Jo's past residents. He also handled the cases for her current ones, including the Ladeaux sisters. In fact, Jo made a point of requesting him, primarily because they had a good working relationship. He was familiar with the farm, how it was run and was easy to work with.

"Not bad, considering Carli won't speak." Jo made sure she turned so that if Carli was reading her lips, she would understand what she was saying. "They've already worked in several areas and seem eager to acclimate."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Do you have any questions about the files and information I uploaded?"

Jo could hear papers rustling on the other end of the line. "No. As always, your paperwork is in order. I have a note. The state is asking me to schedule a visit."

"Here?"

"To inspect the farm," Shevock said. "I haven't been by there in a while so they want updated information."

Jo and the officer discussed dates and finally settled on the following week.

"You have a full house again."

"I do. Leah McEllish recently moved out, and I filled my two openings with the Ladeaux sisters," Jo said. "It's always bittersweet when one of my residents moves on."

"I have to say, they do nothing but sing your praises, even Laverne Huntsman."

Jo chuckled. "She can be a challenge, but we're managing."

"I can only imagine." Shevock's voice faded. "I have another call coming in I need to take. I'll see you next week."

"See you then." Jo ended the call and then meandered back inside.

She could tell immediately by the look on Delta's face she had her answer. Carli was in the exact same spot she'd been standing in when Jo went outside to talk to the officer…at the window, looking out.

"Well?" Delta asked.

"Ed Shevock will be by next week to inspect the farm. I'm sure he'll want to chat with the residents while he's here." Jo caught Carli's eyes. "You'll have a chance to speak privately with him as well. Both you and Courtney."

Carli gave a small nod of her head and then looked away with what Jo suspected was a tinge of guilt. "I have a question for you. I want you to be honest and tell me the truth."

Jo waited until the woman lifted her gaze, and their eyes met again. "You can speak."

Carli nodded.

"You can speak, but for some reason, you don't want to. I'm hoping one day soon we'll overcome that hurdle. Life would be so much easier—mostly for you — if you talked to us. Having said that, I want it to be when you're ready. There will be no pressure, no pushing, no negotiating or even bribing you with some of Delta's delicious dishes."

A small smile crept across the young woman's face and there was a look of relief mingled in. Jo could see Carli's shoulders relax.

She nodded toward the door. "You were watching from the window while I was talking to Ed Shevock." She paused, carefully choosing her words, hoping not to put Carli on the defensive.

Unfortunately, there was no easy way to say it without the direct approach. Instead, she posed it as a question. "Were you reading my lips?"

Carli sucked in a breath, giving Jo a deer in the headlights look.

"You can," Jo said. "You can read lips."

Delta placed a light hand on her shoulder. "It's not a crime to read lips, but I think in all fairness to the others, they should know you can and could eavesdrop in on their conversations."

Her new resident's hand trembled, and Jo grabbed it. "It's all right. No one is in trouble. In fact, I think it may come in handy to help me with something. Regardless, I'll be letting the others know about your special skill."

Carli grabbed the flip pad and began scribbling. You're not mad?

"No. I'm not mad, but the others will be told," Jo said.

Okay.

Jo let it drop and headed to her office, mulling over the new tidbit of information and wondering how many conversations Carli and her sister had "listened" in on since arriving.

Something told Jo if she hadn't called Carli out, she may have continued using her special skill on not only Jo, but the others. She thought about her lunch with Leah and how Leah suspected she was the topic of conversation around the picnic table.

The dinner hour arrived and dark clouds filled the skies, turning it almost a shade of purple-black. Thunder rumbled, one rumble right after another.

"The storms are moving in." Raylene cast a concerned look out the window.

"We should eat quickly and keep one ear out for weather warnings." Jo motioned toward Carli. "While we're all here, I would like to share a special skill Carli has."

"You don't…" Courtney started to interrupt, and Jo pinned her with a pointed stare. "Yes, I do."

She continued. "Carli can read lips."

There was a moment of dead silence.

Raylene was the first to speak. "I knew it. She commented about the bathroom sinks not draining and wasn't even close by when Kelli and I were talking about it."

Laverne cleared her throat, and Jo pointed toward her. "You have something to say?"

"I do. With my background in psychology, I have a theory about Carli's disorder."

"Carli doesn't have a disorder," Courtney snapped. "She just doesn't want to talk."

Laverne mumbled under her breath.

Courtney leaned in. "What did you say?"

"That you have some issues of your own."

"I don't have issues."

Jo did a timeout. "Ladies. Laverne, please don't antagonize Courtney or Carli. It's not helpful."

"I'm sorry," Laverne apologized.

"Perhaps we should drop the subject," Jo said.

"No. I want to hear what Laverne thinks." Courtney tapped her sister's hand. "Do you want to have Laverne try to diagnose you?"

Carli shrugged.

"Carli's okay with it. What do you think is wrong with her?" Courtney demanded.

"I believe she could be suffering from DPD. Dependent personality disorder. Something happened to Carli, creating a feeling of vulnerability and fear that she's unable to take care of herself. She's using you as a crutch. I believe with help she could learn to become independent / self-reliant and not look to you to take care of her."

"This-this is ridiculous," Courtney sputtered. "You're a quack."

"I've been called worse," Laverne said. "One of the key traits to DPD is being unable to make even the simplest of decisions."

Before Courtney could reply, another loud rumble echoed.

Duke scrambled out from under the dining room table, his fur standing straight up as he pressed his nose against the window. He let out a low growl, his ears flattening against his head.

Kelli reached for Curtis and her carrier, which were next to her chair. The cat shrank back and let out a timid meow. "Curtis senses something."

Jo shoved her chair back. "I think we should…"

The eerie wail of a weather alert filled the air, and a bolt of lightning lit the sky.

"This is the emergency broadcast system. A funnel cloud has been spotted two miles west of Divine, Kansas. If you can hear my voice, seek shelter immediately. Go to the basement or the lowest level of your dwelling."