Free Hearts Crossing (Woodland) by Marianne Evans

main aisle and out the doors into a blinding, bright sunlit day.
    Good. He could blame stinging, watery eyes on the elements.

 
     
     
     
     
    10
     
    To be completely honest, despite back-breaking work, Daveny couldn't help cracking up, and Kiara joined right in. What a pair of planting pros. Not.
    “Forget the manicure for five minutes and push down, Kiara! The roots need to be buried deep!”
    Daveny bullied the trunk of a rose bush while Kiara exerted pressure, wedging the roots securely and as far down into the dirt as possible.
    Sandy Pierson stepped up, offering readily, “Let me help.”
    After performing introductions, Pastor Ken had left the group a few minutes ago, and to her credit, the WWJ Radio personality, having finished mingling with the volunteers, launched into action and chipped right in. Daveny liked her already. What wasn't to love about a media person who was willing to give the Woodland project free publicity plus a day's worth of work?
    Crouching, utilizing her shoulder as a brace, Sandy helped Daveny prop and position the trunk. Then she reached down to help Kiara bury the roots.
    “Thanks.” Daveny encouraged, “Teamwork saves the day.”
    Sandy smiled up at her. “You're welcome. Learned long ago that authentic story coverage requires a bit of dirt and sweat.”
    “No doubt,” Kiara quipped, giving their new teammate a grin.
    Church members dug shovels deep into a pile of planting soil to the left, filling in the ground and mounding the dirt to a soft rise soon to be polished off by a perimeter of fieldstones.
    “I started attending church here again a few weeks ago. I remember Jim Cavanaugh. When I heard he bequeathed part of his estate to Woodland, I wanted his story to be told,” Sandy said.
    Daveny helped her wriggle and till and bury.
    “The segment I imagine will be a two minute overview, with interviews. I’d love your help with that, as well as Pastor Ken's, and some of the volunteers, too.”
    “What a great gesture to the church, Sandy,” Daveny replied, thinking, Impressive. So, Sandy has a history here. Daveny looked at Kiara and received her agreeing nod. “We're on board if you need anything.”
    “Thanks. This particular Spotlight feature might be a bit biased, but that can't be helped. This was my church home for years before I moved to Chicago. It feels good to be back.”
    Her eyes strayed. Her attention moved to the front of the church. A short time ago, when the flowerbeds were being finished off by Collin and his brothers, Daveny had noticed the way Sandy watched. Collin had gone inside briefly but had returned now to join his family for a meal break; once again Sandy focused on him. The entire Edwards clan was freshly seated on and around a vivid gingham blanket set with food and beverages.
    Daveny intended to join them, so she offered, “Let's break for lunch. We can work on the rock border afterward.”
    Sandy turned as though abruptly jarred from her revelry. “Ah...sure. That'd be great. I'm supposed to meet up with Pastor Ken.”
    She’d answered, somewhat quickly Daveny felt, especially when she noticed the way Sandy continued to study Collin and his family. Her actions left Daveny puzzled enough to inquire: “Do you know the Edwards family?”
    Sandy shrugged, nearly accomplishing a posture of nonchalance. “They're regulars here. A long-time part of Woodland. I might interview them.”
    Sandy's attitude was almost businesslike, but Daveny noticed her dark hazel eyes were vulnerable and guarded. Intuition told Daveny that Sandy possessed an affiliation to the Edwards family. But how?
    “I want to interview you and Kiara as well. After all, you're the architects of this masterpiece.”
    They took off for the food line. But Daveny couldn't help noticing two things. First, Sandy hadn't answered her question. Second, in passing the Edwards' spot on the lawn, Sandy gave them a wide berth.
     
    ****
     
    Something rode beneath the surface of Collin's