Fat hen farm 02- Stabbing in the sugar shack Read online

  Chapter 1

  Crouching, Kitty reached back to grab her hammer and felt the cold leather of a boot instead. Startled, she turned and looked. Cowboy boots, jeans, denim jacket, grinning handsome face.

  “Aaron Chapman. What do you think you’re doing scaring me to death like that?” Doubled over with laughter, he offered his hand to Kitty to help her to her feet.

  “I don’t need your help. What do you think I am? A helpless female you’ve come back to rescue?” Kitty teased with mock irritation in her voice.

  “Oh, Kitty Wilson, you are a sight for sore eyes.” He grabbed her in his arms, lifted her clear off the ground and just about squeezed her to death.

  “Aaron, what are you doing here? Why didn’t Sam tel me you were coming?”

  “You know how Granddad is. He’s probably peeking out his window to see if you dropped dead of a heart attack from my surprise. Actual y, I’m shocked he managed to keep the secret. He’s been itching to tel you. Hey, who’s this handsome fel a keeping guard over you?”

  “You better behave yourself around Max. He’s been programmed to protect me or die.”

  “That must be the dog Granddad told me about. Come here Max. I’m no threat to your beautiful mistress.” Max sniffed Aaron’s outstretched hand and wagged his tail as if to say you’re okay. Aaron looked up at Kitty and grinned. “I must have passed the test.”

  “Grab that two by four and make yourself useful. I’ve got this last piece to nail and then I’m cal ing it a day.”

  “What are you building?”

  “I’m trying to finish this table top.”

  “Table top for what?”

  “This is my new sugar shack-farm stand combo. We’re going to make maple syrup and I want to have a few tables so when people stop by, they have a place to sit and eat my delicious cinnamon and sugar cider donuts and drink hot chocolate or coffee. I’m going to have a pancake breakfast to kick off the maple syrup season here at Fat Hen Farm. I’ve talked to my friend Gloria about it. She’s making fliers and sel ing tickets to raise money for her animal shelter.”

  “I am impressed. Did you build this al yourself?” Aaron was slowly taking in the whole set up; tables, evaporator for boiling the sap, counter and shelves for displaying products.

  “I wish I could take credit for al this but, no, Michael is a contractor and he has helped with al the renovations. Do you remember him? Michael Turner?”

  “Yeah, I do. Kind of short, stocky, on the quiet side?”

  “Yup, that’s Michael. Anyway, he had to go out of town to help his mother in Boston. I don’t have anyone helping me until he gets back.

  Otherwise, this would have been done days ago.”

  “Are you gonna give me the grand tour?”

  “Sure. I have to check on my bread. Come on up to the house and you can see what changes I made there. I’l make you some coffee and you can fil me in on what you’ve been up to.”

  “Granddad told me your grannie Frannie almost sold this farm but he convinced her to leave it to you. She loved you, Kitty. Why was she thinking of sel ing?” Aaron asked as they walked.

  “She despised my husband, Roger, and didn’t want him living here. She thought Roger was a no good, lying, scheming, cheat. Turns outs she was right about al of that. I’l always be indebted to Sam for getting grannie Frannie to change her mind. She sold the development rights so this wil always be farmland. I couldn’t be happier to turn this into a profitable business. Here we are, come on in and see what Michael did with the old farmhouse.”

  Aaron looked around the renovated house. “Wow this is awesome. I like how you kept the main structure of the original farmhouse but opened it up and modernized everything. I wonder what your grandma would think of the changes you made to his home.”

  “Grannie Frannie would have hated it. She hated any change. But look at this. I kept this French door with the wavy glass and this old soapstone sink is saved from the original house. Grab a seat at the table.” With the smel of fresh bread fil ing the air, Kitty got out two mugs, poured the coffee and sat at the table across from Aaron.

  “So Aaron, ya know, you broke al the girls’ hearts when you left for col ege. Why didn’t you ever come home? Sam missed you terribly.”

  “I know. I just loved it in Colorado; the mountains, skiing, biking. I missed the green of Vermont but the mountains just seemed to have some kind of power over me out there. I was always trying to get Granddad to come out and visit but he didn’t want to leave Wil ow Fal s. Granddad didn’t even like to go to the next town. Can you imagine him getting on a plane and flying across the country?” They both laughed.

  “How long are you visiting?”

  “Wel . . . ah . . . it’s not a visit. I’m moving back. I’ve got a friend with me, too.”

  “A friend? A girlfriend? That wil disappoint al the girls here. Especial y Tina,” Kitty said, laughing. “Do you remember my best friend?”

  “Of course I do. You two were inseparable and Tina was awful y cute. Is she married?”

  “Nope. And she’s cuter than ever. I think she’s final y over you, though. She’s working at a lawyer’s office as a paralegal. Loves it. She usual y stops here after work.” Kitty added coyly. “She likes my cooking.”

  “Over me? It would be great to see her again.”

  “You actual y never knew what a crush she had on you?”

  “Geez you two were three years behind me. And I always thought of you and Tina more like annoying sisters.” Aaron sipped his coffee. “The friend I brought with me, it’s complicated. Yes, it’s a girl. Not real y a girlfriend, though. Not yet at least. Just someone I’m helping.”

  “Where did you stash her?”

  “That’s not nice. She’s napping at Granddad’s house. I wanted to come and say hi alone.”

  “Aaron, you seem distracted. Is everything alright with you?” Kitty asked with concern. She couldn’t help but get drawn into his dark sad eyes and handsome face. His hair was longer and shaggier than he use to have it in high school. She thought it suited him, made him look boyish and vulnerable.

  “Like I said, it’s complicated. I don’t know where to start. And I real y would like to keep this between us. I don’t want Sam to worry.” Aaron looked at Kitty with a serious questioning expression.

  “Listen, we’ve known each other for a long time. You were the big brother I never had when my parents were kil ed in that car accident. I won’t lie and say I haven’t been angry about you moving to Colorado and not coming back, but that doesn’t change the fact that you can trust me and I’l help you any way I can.”

  “You’re one in a mil ion. Here’s the deal with my friend Corey. She’s married to a real creep. Brad is older than Corey and they got married right when she finished high school. She’s smart, but Brad wouldn’t let her go to col ege. Said she had to work and help pay the bil s. He’s a mean, angry guy and took it out on Corey. I’m trying to help her move on. Get back on her own feet.”

  “Why did she stay with him?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think she has any family and I guess, he just destroyed any confidence she once had.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “I was thinking that you might need some help around here. Maybe give her a place to stay in exchange for work? She’s quiet, great with animals and a quick learner.”

  “You showed up at the right time. I’ve been thinking I need to find someone. This might just work out for both of us. I have a smal apartment off the barn. It was Michael’s idea to add it on. It’s real y smal . Just a tiny kitchen, bathroom, living room with a sleeping loft.”

  �
��That sounds perfect. Don’t you want to meet her first?”

  “Wel , yeah, of course I do.” Kitty snorted and put her hand on Aaron’s. “Sometimes I get ahead of myself. I’m already planning to have her tapping the maple trees for me! What are you going to do?”

  “Sam is slowing down and he needs some help with the firewood and shoveling. I’l stay with him and look around for work. I’m not real y sure yet. He goes to the senior center and said they’re looking for a driver. It’s only part time. I’d have to find something else too. Maybe construction.

  Does your friend Michael ever hire help?”

  “You’l have to ask him. He’s pretty busy right now with my projects but if he had help maybe he could add some jobs. He’s got a great reputation around here. Everyone wants to hire him. Come on, I’l show you what he’s done for me.” Aaron got up and they took a tour through the house. “The biggest improvements in the house are in the kitchen. Michael opened up the kitchen space, added this dining area and instal ed more windows so I have this beautiful view of the fields and the river and I get al this south facing sunshine for my plants. He made these incredible maple cabinets for me and this big island work space. The living room is about the same, just with new and bigger windows. He updated the two bathrooms, downstairs and upstairs, and the bedrooms upstairs got a facelift. Do you want to see the barn?”

  “Of course, show me everything,” Aaron said enthusiastical y.

  “We can go out the side kitchen door. I have a little mud room here for coats and boots. Michael had to do a lot to the barn. It probably would have been cheaper to tear the old one down and build new, but I just couldn’t do that. This old barn has al these beautiful chestnut beams so Michael basical y just gutted the old stal s and made these bigger separate areas for when I get horses and alpacas, maybe some goats too. Over here he made the chicken coop with nesting boxes and a separate smal area for chicks. My girls have just started to lay. I was so excited to get my first eggs. We’l start tapping the maple trees in a few days and get the syrup production going. After that, I’l be busy planting al the outside crops for my farm store. The little apartment is on the other end of the barn.”

  “This is awesome what you’ve done and what you’re planning to do. You must be proud of yourself.” Aaron told Kitty with excitement in his voice.

  Kitty paused, thinking. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and it does feel great to see things moving forward. Why don’t you and Corey come back for dinner? That would be a nice way to meet her. Tina might be here too and I know she’l be thril ed to see you again. Six o’clock?”

  “Sounds like a plan. Thanks.”

  ***

  Kitty was excited to have company for dinner. She loved making food for friends. She didn’t have a lot of time so she had to figure out something that would be quick and simple. As she was getting salad ingredients out of the refrigerator, she heard footsteps clomping into the house.

  Smiling, she cal ed out, “Tina, I’m in the kitchen. Can you stay for dinner?”

  “I have plans,” her best friend replied.

  “You might want to rethink that. You’l never guess who’s coming over,” Kitty said with a twinkle in her eyes.

  “Your senior girlfriends? For a rousing game of cards?” Tina asked as she rol ed her eyes. Tina knew that Kitty hosted the seniors once in a while for cards and dinner. Kitty tried to get Tina to come too but she managed to always have plans.

  “Nope. Aaron Chapman scared me half to death earlier today. He’s coming with a friend, Corey.”

  “What? Are you kidding? When did he get back?”

  “Not kidding. He just got here. It was great to see him.”

  I’m definitely staying. Is he just as gorgeous as he used to be?”

  “Gorgeous? What are you talking about?”

  “Come on, you know I was madly in puppy love with him.”

  Kitty laughed, enjoying teasing her friend. “You’l just have to stay and see. Get your boots and coat off and come help me get ready.”

  “Who’s this Corey friend? Do I have competition?”

  “It doesn’t sound like it. He says she’s just a friend he’s helping. She needs a job. I might let her live in the barn apartment in exchange for helping me do the sugaring.”

  “You’ve been busy today.” Tina went to hang up her coat and took that opportunity to check herself in the mirror. “Should I change into something sexier?”

  “Maybe just something not so professional. Look in my room. You can borrow anything you want. Somehow my clothes always look better on you anyway. Hurry up, they’l be here in half an hour.”

  “Okay, I’l be right back.” Tina ran upstairs, found some jeans and a comfy, but snug, red sweater in Kitty’s closet. She quickly combed her short blond hair.

  “What’s on the menu?” she asked, coming back into the kitchen.

  “Salad, fresh bread and clam chowder. The chowder is frozen so I just need to defrost it and heat it up. Can you set the table? We’l eat in here in front of the French doors with a view of the fields and river. So, what were the plans you so easily cancel ed?”

  “I was going to the movies with that new guy at work I told you about. I just cal ed and said something came up.”

  “Something? As in an old heartthrob?”

  “Not exactly what I told him. Sometimes it’s better to leave out some of the details.” Tina careful y set the table, adding a candle to the center.

  “I bet he was disappointed. I assume you gave him some hope of another date?” Max barked when the doorbel chimed. Tina looked at Kitty with a hint of panic on her face. “How do I look?”

  “Tina, you’re beautiful. Stop pretending you don’t know it. Go answer the door. I told Aaron you might be here.” Tina rushed to the door. “Aaron Chapman. You look better than I remember. Come on in. Who’s this stunning friend of yours?” Grinning from ear to ear, Aaron gave Tina a bear hug, stepped back and looked her up and down. He whistled his approval. “You’re looking fantastic. Where did that gawky teenager I remember go?” Guiding Corey into the house, Aaron added. “This is my friend Corey.”

  “That gawky teenager died when you disappeared, Aaron,” Tina said in a flirty voice. “Come on into Kitty’s cozy kitchen. I think the food is about ready. Nice to meet you, Corey,” she added almost as an after-thought.

  “It smel s like heaven walking into this house.” Aaron hugged Kitty tightly. “I brought a bottle of wine and this is my friend Corey.”

  “Hi Corey. Thanks for the wine Aaron. Make yourself comfy.” Kitty carried her steaming pot of chowder to the table. “Sit down and help yourselves.” Raising her glass of wine, Kitty looked around the table at her guests. “Cheers. Dig in everyone.”

  “You’ve done a great job with the renovations on your grandma’s farmhouse, Kitty. I’m guessing you’re not going back into dairy cows?” Aaron asked, positioning himself so he’d have a seat next to Tina.

  Kitty laughed out loud. “You guessed right on that. I had enough of cows growing up. Don’t get me wrong, I like cows just fine, I just don’t want a herd of them. My next project is tapping the sugar maples and making syrup. Aaron told me you’re looking for work, Corey. I’l need some help with the sugaring. Are you interested?”

  “Definitely. Your farm is beautiful. It would be great to work here,” she said, the first words she’d spoken since coming inside.

  “I have a tiny apartment attached to the barn. You could stay there if you want.” Corey looked at Aaron, not sure what to say. Was there a catch? She wasn’t used to people being so nice to her. Aaron smiled and nodded.

  “You can trust Kitty. She’s like a sister to me. Besides, she knows I’l kick her butt if she mistreats you.”

  “Don’t be so sure about that Aaron. I’ve gotten a lot stronger since you’ve been gone.” Kitty put her hand on Aaron’s arm. “It sure is nice to see you again. I’ve missed you too much.”

  “Enough of that. Tel me w
hat’s new around here. What excitement have I missed?” Aaron asked.

  “Didn’t Sam tel you about Roger?”

  “Roger Wilson? The guy you married? No, what about him?” Aaron glanced from Kitty to Tina wondering what drama had happened while he was gone.

  Tina jumped in to tel the story. “Kitty found him dead in her barn the day after they moved in. Someone shot him with her gun.”

  “What? Who did it?”

  Kitty interrupted. “I’d rather not talk about this now. Have Sam tel you the details.”

  “Sorry Kitty,” Tina said.

  Kitty turned her attention to Corey. “You’re pretty quiet. We aren’t giving you a chance to talk. Do you think you want to try living in the barn and working for me?”

  “Yes. Yes, I think that would be perfect.” Corey smiled and looked more relaxed than when they had arrived.

  ***

  Corey moved into the apartment and found it to be very comfortable. She had never had a place al to herself. She liked being alone after the craziness of her life with Brad Dixon. She’d fal en in love and married him right after high school. Brad was tal and muscular and she fel for his intense deep blue eyes. He was older, sophisticated, charming and treated her with tender care.

  Until after they were married. That’s when the abuse had started. Corey didn’t know what to do. She always felt it was something she did wrong and she kept trying to please him. She couldn’t understand how he could change like that, especial y since he kept tel ing her he loved her.

  When Aaron showed up, he convinced her there was something wrong with Brad and he offered her a ride away from everything she knew. She was scared to leave, but petrified to stay. She took the biggest risk of her life by getting in Aaron’s car and leaving.

  Thinking about al that while looking out at the fields and woods of Kitty’s farm, she knew she had found a place where she felt safe. Aaron checked up on her every day and his grandfather, Sam, brought her smal treats like a bag of homemade chocolate chip cookies or a loaf of warm bread from the bakery in town. He would just show up out of the blue and always waited for an invitation for a cup of coffee or tea. They would chat for about a half hour, then Sam would say he had to get back to whatever project he had been working on. She got used to his easy company and looked forward to it. It was hard to be comfortable with people being nice to her after her dysfunctional family and abusive husband. It was hard to trust but if she couldn’t trust these people, who could she trust?