The Harvest Club (5 page)

Jessie’s jaw dropped. “Sure.”

“Talk to you later then.”

“Okay, goodbye.” She hung up the phone.

She managed to keep busy the rest of the morning, not giving herself time to dwell on her conversation with Matt. Jessie had just finished lunch when Pastor Rick walked into the reception area and sat down. “Have I had any calls, or is there anything I need to handle?” His foot shook back and forth the whole time he talked to her.

“I placed some messages in your box. One was from a Mr. Campbell. He wanted you to know his wife was admitted to the hospital.” She shuffled her papers on the desk to take another look at the message book.

“I’ll do a hospital visit later.” He took his messages from the box and looked them over. “You’ve been working here a week. Do you have any questions?”

“So far, so good, everything is pretty straightforward.” She smiled up at him. “I’m getting to know more of the congregation, and I hope my work is satisfactory.”

He cleared his throat. “I’ve heard only positive comments about your work. The congregation seems to like you. It’s obvious that you know how to work with people because you fit right in.” He jumped up and started to pace. She watched him fascinated.

“Jessie, I was wondering if on Wednesday you could stay for a few extra hours to lock up after the town book club meets. They change meeting sites each week, and I forgot this was our week to host it. I scheduled something else on the same night.”

“I’d be happy to. Is it okay if I go have dinner during their meeting time and then come back to lock up afterward?”

“That’s fine. They arrive about 5:30 and are usually done no later than 8:00. They bring their own sack dinner, so Melinda will have everything set up for them. All you have to do is lock up when they leave.” He walked back to his office and shut the door.

Strange...She looked at the closed door. Why was he so nervous? He’d never been that way before. If anything, he was so self-assured, almost arrogant. She made a note to watch him the next few days to see if the trend continued.

****

On Wednesday, Jessie had arranged for Katie to meet her at Patterson’s Pub at six. She could watch the church doors and parking lot from the windows at the front of Patterson’s where she got their table.

Patterson’s had the worn look of an old Irish pub, with dark paneling and trim. Billiard tables and dart boards were in the back room. She liked that it was the locals’ place to hang out. They’re the best. A long bar was the center of attraction in the main dining area, and the small stage hosted live music every weekend. The owner was a little grumpy, but she would win him over from the dark side. She loved a good challenge.

“How is work?” Katie sat down across from Jessie and picked up a menu.

“It’s good. Not the stress level that I’m used to, at least not yet anyway, but I’m only in my second week and everyone still likes me.” She laughed. “Ask me again in a couple of weeks.”

“So what’s new?” Katie peered over the menu at her.

“On Monday I went to talk to Matt Parker about Gina’s murder.” Jessie paused at the waitress’s approach. “I’ll tell you more in a minute.”

“The Rueben is huge and really good. Do you want to split one?”

“Sounds great and I’ll take an iced tea.”

“Now what were you saying about going to see Matt?” Katie’s eyebrow arched.

“We ended up having a shouting match. When I left his office, I was so angry. I felt just like I did when I was the newbie in the newsroom in New York, and the good old boys club fought me every step of the way.” Jessie zoned thinking about it.

“What happened?” Katie tapped Jessie’s hand to get her attention. “I want details, all the juicy details.”

“He told me to keep my nose out of it, basically. If I remember correctly at that point I got eye to eye with him and went off.”

“You didn’t?” She laughed.

“Oh yes, I did.” Jessie felt herself blushing. “I’m not proud of it, but I told him I was writing a story about Gina without his help and to spite him.”

“Are you crazy?” Katie eyes twinkled with amusement.

“I believe I am.” Jessie laughed. “But in my defense, he started it and certainly gave as good as he got.”

“Who was there to witness your free fall?” Katie was shaking her head.

“Dylan was standing in the doorway dumbstruck, and whether anyone else heard, who knows? I’m not exactly quiet when I get wound up.”

“Jessie, you are such a hothead when any guy challenges you.” Katie rolled her eyes. “Didn’t your mama ever teach you anything? Sweetie, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” She laughed.

The waitress set their food in front of them, and the girls were quiet for few minutes until she left.

“Do you want to know what happened next?” Jessie’s face lit up.

“You mean there’s more?” Katie choked back her laughter.

“I’m glad you are being entertained by my hardships.” It was Jessie’s turn to roll her eyes.

“You have to admit it’s pretty funny.” Katie’s eyes sparkled.

“Now, yes, then, not so much. A little later, someone called me. Any guesses who it was?” She held up three fingers.

“Matt?”

“Yes.” Jessie nodded her voice dropping to a whisper.

“No way!”

“Yes way! He called with a lame apology. I shouldn’t say that, but he annoys me.”

“At least he apologized.” Katie shrugged. “What did you say?”

“I was so stunned.” Jessie laughed. “I said sure and goodbye.”

Both girls found her words hilarious.

After they finished dinner, Jessie stood up. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I have to go lock up the church. I see the book club is leaving a little early.”

“Do you want to share a dessert?”

“Sure.” She smiled and Katie giggled. Jessie waved on her way out the door to Dylan and Matt who were just coming in.

****

“Are you finished or can we join you?” Matt asked Katie.

“Have a seat. I’m waiting for Jessie to get back.” She nodded to the open chairs.

“I’ll be right back. I see someone I need to talk to.” Dylan walked over to another table.

“So tell me about Jessie.” Matt sat down in the chair across from Katie.

“What do you want to know? We’ve been friends since we were little girls. She’s pretty, huh?” Katie grinned.

“That’s obvious.” He would use the word stunning. “What’s she doing here?”

“Why to live near me, of course.” Katie smiled. “Actually, she was tired of the city. We were raised in a town smaller than this.”

“Why didn’t she move back home?”

“She wanted to stay near the ocean, me, and away from her dad. He’s a little bit of a tyrant when it comes to her. He’s pretty overprotective, but not abusive or anything.” Katie clarified.

“How did she hear about the job at the church?” Matt leaned back in the chair folding his arms.

“I told her about it. It seemed like a perfect fit. That was before I knew of the Pastor’s murder of course.”

“Naturally. What else can you tell me?”

“She’s very organized when it comes to her work. She has goals ten years out.” Katie smiled at his expression. “I know, crazy, huh?” He nodded.

“Does she have anyone steady in her life?” He couldn’t believe he asked it and regretted it the minute he had. He knew Katie would tell her and probably anyone else who’d listen.

“Do you mean like a guy?” Amusement lit her eyes.

“Yeah…Some guy in the city maybe?”

“No, there isn’t anyone in particular, but there are plenty who would like to be.” She tilted her head and looked at him. “I have a theory that I’m working on. Someday remind me to tell you about it.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Matt couldn’t believe there was no boyfriend.

“Jessie has this plan, you know, things she wants to do. It’s rare for her to deviate from her goals.” She looked at Matt. “I think it’s going to take something out of the ordinary, like falling in love, to get her to be even a little spontaneous.”

“Is that so?” He lifted his brow in challenge.

“Are you interested?”

“Only professionally.” He turned his head and was happy to see Dylan on his way back.

****

Jessie walked up the church steps stopping to chat with the people who were leaving. She went first to the fellowship hall to make sure the lights were off and then checked the side door, which led to the parking lot. On her way back to the foyer, she heard the piano in the sanctuary and someone singing. Her voice was lovely.

She went to check on it, intending to ask whoever it was to lock the doors when they left. The closer she got to the sanctuary, the more apprehension she felt. Mumbling something about listening to people’s crazy ghost stories, she pushed the door open just as the last note was played. The hair on her neck stood up, and a shiver went down her spine. The lights were off, and no one was there. Jessie knew what she had heard was real. She laughed uneasily, trying to shake off the strange feeling. She turned on her heels to walk out, and a cool rush of wind whished past her. Fear paralyzed her; she stood motionless, heart pounding in her chest—swish, it brushed her other side, and then she ran. She turned off the lights in the foyer and locked the church doors. Standing outside, looking in through the window beside the door, she saw the woman in the floral dress standing and staring at her mouthing a word.
Help
!

She paused to get her emotions under control and walked slowly back to Patterson’s, breathing deeply, trying to calm her racing heart. Who was that woman, and how could she help? Panic subsiding, she found herself once again fighting back those pesky tears.

Katie looked up at Jessie as she made her way through the restaurant to their table. “Are you okay? You’re as pale as a ghost.”

How ironic…“I’m fine, and I’m looking forward to dessert.” Her voice sounded shaky even to her.

“Are you sure you’re all right? You’re so white.” They all stared at her.

“Yes!” Just let it go, Katie, she pleaded with her eyes. She leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I’ll explain later.”

Jessie pushed the dessert around the plate without taking a bite. The rest of the night was uneventful, except for every time she looked his way Matt was watching her. She was the new piece of evidence under observation. The room seemed to close in on her, and she needed to get away from his watchful eyes.

Matt stood up and bent down close to her ear so only she could hear. “Something happened to you when you were at the church, and I want to know what.” He walked into the back room.

Like that was ever going to happen. All she needed was for him to think she was crazy, too. It was her cue, time to go.

“Hey, guys, I’m a little tired. I’m going to leave.” She put her money on the table.

“At least you’ve got your color back. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Katie eyed her critically.

“Okay.” Jessie nodded. “Goodbye, Dylan, and tell Matt I said goodbye.”

“Will do...” Dylan lifted his coffee mug in a salute. “See you around!”

****

Matt got her number from Katie when he came back to the table. Thought she could duck him, did she? On his way home, stopping for a light, Matt called her. “Are you going to tell me what happened at the church?” He spoke the minute she said hello.

“I wasn’t planning on it.”

“I know something happened to you when you went to the church. You were clearly distressed when you came back, and I want to hear about it. You got that?” he added more calmly. “Maybe I can help.”

“Have me committed to an institution is more like it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He was clearly irritated.

“Just what I said.”

“Where do you live? I’m coming over.”

“There is really no need for you to come, and I don’t want you to.”

“I’m not asking, I’m telling you.” The light changed, and he accelerated. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll find out where you live and be there with or without your permission.”

“I live in the first cottage down from the inn.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes, and you’d better be prepared to talk.”

“Okay.” She sounded amazingly meek.

“What, no lip? I was kind of looking forward to it.” He smiled.

****

After Matt’s call Jessie stopped pacing in her living room and sat down on the floral chair, drawing her legs up under her. She forced herself to relax taking deep breaths. She tried to make sense of what had just happened to her at the church. Was it a ghost, a person, or possibly both? How could she ever explain it to anyone? No more being afraid, she was no weakling! She would find out who the woman was, ghost or human, and what she wanted. It was time for her to get control over her life. She made a list of the people she needed to talk to and some of the questions she needed to answer. Reba Thomas was number one on the list.

Jessie went to answer the knock at her door. Before she got there, Matt walked in.

“You really should lock your door. Anyone could just walk in.”

“He just did.” She frowned at him. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you to wait until the door is opened before you barge in?”

“Nice place you’ve got here.” He found a chair and stretched out his legs as he sat down.

“Would you like a glass of water or some tea?” She turned her back on him and walked into the kitchen.

“Iced tea sounds great,” he called after her.

She handed him his glass and had barely got seated when his deep voice cut through the awkward silence in the room. “So what happened at the church, Jess?” He studied her. “I know you saw a lot working in New York. What rattled you?”

“My name is Jessie, by the way.” She paused pressing her lips together thoughtfully. “I probably need to tell you about the first day I came to town. I saw a woman pacing in front of the church. The strangest thing was she was glaring at me like I had kept her waiting or something. I went into Java Joe’s, and when I came out she was gone.”

“She probably wasn’t even looking at you.” He shrugged.

“At the time I didn’t think so either. I thought she was waiting for a friend.” Jessie frowned and described seeing her again while in the cemetery. She leaned forward in the chair and made eye contact with him. “I could’ve dismissed it all except for James telling me the picture I was looking at was of Gina Martin, their murdered pastor. I hadn’t even heard there was a murder at the church. No one including Katie had told me about it.” Jessie frowned. “To see Gina’s picture inside the church after seeing her grave was bad enough but add to that a strange woman glaring at me. A woman who looked a lot like Gina, I should add. Well, it blew my mind to say the least.”