Free The Prodigal Nun by Aimée Thurlo

the class I was supposed to teach earlier today, but he needs me now to supervise their girls’ after-school soccer match. Their coach has had to leave on an emergency. Could you give me a ride? I have to be there in about thirty minutes. Oh, and I guess I’ll also need someone to take over parlor duty for me,” she added as an afterthought.
    “Let me go find Sister Bernarda,” Sister Agatha said.
    Sister Bernarda was in the chapel. Sister Agatha signaled her silently, and they stepped out into the hall. Sister Agatha then told her about Reverend Mother’s new orders and Sister Jo’s assignment.
    “I was scheduled to pick up a shipment of sacramental wine from the winery this afternoon,” Sister Bernarda said. “I need the station wagon for that, so why don’t you both ride with me?”
    Sister Agatha nodded. As part owners of the winery next door, the monastery nuns had accepted the job of delivering sacramental wine to the area parishes.
    Not long afterward, they set out, Sister Bernarda behind the wheel of the Antichrysler. Sister de Lourdes had remained behind to take Sister Jo’s place as portress.
    “We’ll pick up the cases of sacramental wine from Luz del Cielo first, then head over to St. Charles,” Sister Agatha told Sister Jo.
    “That’s fine.”
    Luz del Cielo Vineyard and Winery was a large estate with a long, winding driveway. As they drove up to the main structure, an old Spanish-style villa with a red tile roof, Sister Agatha saw crews working the vineyard.
    The Antichrysler backfired loudly, and Eric Barclay looked up from the vine he’d been grooming. Waving, he hurried over to meet them.
    “Just four cases today, Sisters,” he said, then signaled one of his men to help load the back of the wagon.
    Sister Bernarda and Sister Jo stayed with the Antichrysler, supervising, while Sister Agatha stood a few feet away with Eric.
    “How are things going at the monastery?” he asked her in a low voice. “I’ve been worried about all of you. I see you haven’t had time to even get rid of the threat that’s scratched on your car door.” He pointed to the message, which they hadn’t thought to cover. “It was all over last night’s TV news.”
    “We’re all being extra careful, and the sheriff’s keeping an eye on us, too.”
    “Aren’t you afraid to be out and about?”
    She shook her head. “We’ll face this just as we have all the other challenges that have come our way—by relying on God,” Sister Agatha told him firmly. It was the best answer she could give. “But there’s something I’d like to ask. A little after noon today, someone here on the vineyard side threw a box over the wall. There was a very disturbing message inside it. Any idea who might have done that?”
    “A deputy has already asked me about it. The problem is that I’ve had to hire extra laborers recently to get the vines ready for the growing season. There are several new workers here. I’ve asked around, but I haven’t got anything to report.”
    “If any of your men show a particular interest in our monastery, I’d like to know right away, and so would the sheriff.”
    “No problem, but you’ve got me curious now. What was inside the box? The deputy didn’t say.”
    “Keep it to yourself?”
    “Of course.”
    Sister Agatha told him, and he whistled low. Pax’s ears suddenly pricked forward and he looked at Eric strangely.
    Eric smiled. “Sorry, Pax.” He glanced back at Sister Agatha, then added, “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. I won’t forget the debt my daughter and I owe you. You’re the reason this vineyard is still doing business.”
    “You don’t owe us anything. You made us your business partners, and that’s more than we ever expected. We’re very grateful, but we would appreciate any help you can give us with this other matter.”
    “You’ve got it, Sister.”
    Once the cases of wine were loaded and the paperwork signed, the sisters were on their way. The drive to St.