Free Golden Malicious (Apple Orchard Mystery) by Sheila Connolly Page B

selling lumber?”
    “I never even thought of that. I guess I could have some of the trees cut and made into boards, and hold them until or in case I need them for the house. I like the idea of continuing an old tradition like that.”
    “Agreed. Definitely an idea—I can ask Jonas what it would cost. And I—”
    “Could probably get a good deal for me,” Meg finished his sentence, laughing. “Put it on the to-do list, page thirty-seven.” Meg reached out a hand, and Seth took it. They sat in peaceful silence, hands linked. Bats emerged from the barn and swooped through the dusk, eliminating their share of mosquitoes.
    “I should go in,” Meg said, reluctant to move. “Are you staying?”
    Seth’s hand tightened on hers, and then he stood up and pulled her to her feet. “Anytime you want.”

8

    “More coffee, anyone?” Meg waved the pot at Seth and Bree, each reading a section of the paper at the kitchen table the next morning. They mumbled what Meg interpreted as a “no,” so she refilled her own cup and sat down. “Bree, what’s next on the schedule?”
    “I’m going to run some soil moisture tests today, but I think we can wait for tomorrow to water again. Although if it’s going to stay hot for a while, we may need to go to a daily schedule. You got some other project you want to jump into? A short one, anyway?”
    Meg sat back. “Let’s see—I could put on a new roof, repaint the entire house, build a chicken coop, maybe take up weaving so I could do something useful on those long, cold winter nights. That would mean I’d have to get some sheep, although I suppose I could try spinning goat hair.” Meg stopped when she realized that both Bree and Seth were staring at her as though she had lost her mind. She held up both hands. “Hey, just kidding, guys. But you must have figured out by now that I don’t like to just sit around, especially when the weather is good.”
    “You want to come along to Donald’s?” Seth suggested. “Most of the damaged stuff has been cleared away, so I’m about ready to start rebuilding. You could get a good look at eighteenth-century construction, up close. Maybe I could teach you how to plaster, the old-fashioned way.”
    “Doesn’t that involve horsehair?” Meg asked.
    “No problem—I know—”
    “A man with a horse,” Meg completed his sentence. “Sure, sounds like fun. Will Donald mind?”
    “As long as you don’t try to suggest modern improvements, he’s happy to have visitors—he loves to talk about his house. And you can learn a lot from him.”
    “Sounds good. Oh, and let’s invite your mother to dinner, and maybe Rachel and her clan, since I might have time to cook something nice. Over the weekend, maybe?”
    “I’m sure Mom would love to see you,” Seth said amiably.
    “Bree, you want to ask Michael to come over, if we do a cookout or something?”
    “Maybe.” Her tone was not exactly enthusiastic.
    Meg and Seth exchanged a glance. If Bree and Michael were having problems, Bree wasn’t about to confide in her. It was hard enough living with a full-time roommate—with only one bathroom—and Meg tried to give Bree some privacy. Of course, since Seth was around so much, that made it all the more difficult. Meg decided to take the coward’s route and change the subject. “So, Seth, if we’re going to Donald’s, can I be your apprentice? Maybe we could draw up an indenture, or whatever they’re called.”
    “I’ll take it under advisement. How do you feel about tools?”
    “Power tools that cut, like circular saws, scare me. Drills I can manage.”
    “Well, that’s a start. I can show you manual tools that do the same thing, only a lot more slowly. But they build up your muscles.”
    “I’ve got plenty of muscles these days from the orchard. You should know.”
    “Believe me, I do.”
    They smiled at each other, which led Bree to snort. “I’m leaving, so you two can be alone to talk about, uh, tools and