“Well, I must be your first customer since I’m finding the two of you sitting down with nothing to do,” Mark teased. “How are you ladies doing? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a couple weeks.”
“We’re doing well,” Beth answered. “Has it really been a couple of weeks already?”
“What about you, Sheriff? Enjoying the peace and quiet?” Anna asked, assembling a small care package for him.
“Oh, yes, it has been wonderful. Deputy Jones and I have gotten a lot of fishing in lately, which is a welcomed change. How is the community doing? I’m sure there have been wonderful barn raising parties since the fires. Are things feeling more settled again, I hope?”
Beth nodded, “Oh, jah. Things have returned to normal, and the community is thriving again.”
“We’re pretty resilient, it’s true,” Anna said, handing Mark the small box of goodies. “It’s back to being boring again,” Anna said, winking at her sister.
Mark laughed and said, “Well, let’s see if we can keep it that way, ladies.” He thanked the sisters for the package. “So, who has a new business? I know it’s the devil’s work to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help but overhear you two talking about it when I walked up.”
“Beth’s son-in-law, Jeremiah Baker,” Anna answered.
“Jah, my husband just helped him set up shop in his barn. He is a very talented leathersmith.” Beth’s face beamed with pride.
“Good for him! I will pass the word around, then.” Mark changing the subject as if he just remembered something, “Have you met the new reporter yet?”
Beth and Anna glanced at each other briefly before Anna responded, “No, not yet. Have you met her?”
“No, but I did run into Hank last night at the store, and he said she had arrived – you know, she’s staying at the inn there. I was wondering how long it would be before she tracked down the two notorious twins for an interview.” He grinned.
“Well, we’re pretty easy to find, so…” Beth’s voice trailed off, and she hoped it wasn’t too obvious that something about that meeting felt a little ominous to her.
“True, true,” said Mark. “Well, you let me know if things get out of hand. I’m sure everything will be fine, but just in case. You know where to find me.”
Anna pressed her lips together in a close-lipped smile. “We’ll be just fine, Sheriff. We’ve faced a lot worse than a simple interview with a reporter from a nationally recognized faith tourism magazine.”
Beth reached out and grabbed Anna’s hand hidden by the height of the table and squeezed it. Maybe it was a “post-traumatic stress” sort of thing, but Beth felt a familiar sense of dread sitting like a heavy anchor right in the middle of her stomach.