Songbird Season Read online

  “The price point might be a bit ambitious,” Rachael admitted. “But I can assure you, the sellers are motivated.”

  “I bet they are,” Miriam spat out at last. “They haven’t responded to any of our lawyer’s requests. As it stands now, we’re footing the whole bill for this land nonsense.”

  “As I said, this is the perfect opportunity. I’m sure they’d be willing to discuss any … adjustments you might feel are appropriate. It’s a wonderful property, now would be the time to make an offer before anyone else can …”

  “Get out.” Miriam wadded up the flyer and slapped it on the counter.

  “Maybe you want to think about it.” Rachael slowly slid the crumpled paper back toward Miriam. “You’ll need to talk to your husband, at least, before you …”

  Melinda took a step back. That suggestion, as Rachael about to learn, was a terrible mistake.

  “I don’t need the building, and I don’t want the building!” Miriam was so enraged she was nearly crying.

  “Not when I only need five feet! Five. Damn. Feet! How stupid do you think I am, honey? That I’m just some hick farm woman who’ll fall for your sales pitch? That building’s a piece of crap. I know it, and you know it. Get out of my store!”

  “She means it.” Melinda steered Rachael toward the door. “You’d better leave, right now.”

  “Well!” Rachael huffed. “She’s incredibly rude. This won’t help the situation, not one bit. I don’t know what I’ll have to tell the seller.”

  “Tell them the Langes aren’t interested.” Melinda opened the door and held it wide. “And if you want to be taken seriously the next time you come down here, lose the heels. And the attitude. Have a nice afternoon.”

  Miriam had her head in her hands when Melinda got back to the counter.

  “Oh, my God, what are we going to do? I shouldn’t have been so rude. If they don’t get it sold, they really won’t want to work with us now.”

  Melinda tried to find something positive to say. “Well, maybe someone will buy it. If it sells, no matter the price, the lot discrepancy will have to be settled before closing.”

  Miriam sighed and shook her head. “Who would be dumb enough to do that?”

  ✽✽✽

  Auggie echoed Miriam’s assessment of the situation when he rang the store only thirty minutes later.

  Melinda’s shoulders sagged when she saw the co-op’s number flash across the screen. She didn’t have time to gossip, but knew he’d keep calling if she didn’t pick up. Prosper Hardware was packed with customers, and she was running it alone. Bill was off and Esther didn’t come in until three, and Miriam was so upset Melinda had insisted she go home.

  “Hey, Auggie,” she sighed. “I bet you’ve …”

  “I can’t believe it! It is really true? What does the sign say?”

  There was no background noise, which told Melinda he’d shut himself in the office so he could discuss and debate without interruption.

  “It’s been twenty-eight years since a property along Main’s been up for sale! And that building’s been empty for longer than that, I’m sure of it. It’s a real dump, no one’s going to want it. Did you see who put the sign up? What time did you first notice it?”

  She desperately needed to vent, but this wasn’t the right time, or the right person. Miriam rarely got angry, and never in public, and Melinda wasn’t about to expose her family to more scrutiny. She gritted her teeth and decided to play dumb.

  “Not really sure. We’re really busy here today. I guess a customer said something, oh, maybe fifteen minutes ago.”

  “I wish I had time to get over there and see it for myself. Is there a flyer box on the sign? Who’s the agent? What’s it listed for, anyway?”

  “I’m not sure, Auggie. I haven’t had time to investigate. I have to go now, OK? I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hung up before he could respond.

  “Let me guess.” The woman at the counter raised an eyebrow as she opened her purse. “Word’s spreading about that sign next door, and Auggie’s about to lose his wits because he doesn’t know every little detail.”

  “That’s about the gist of it,” Melinda sighed.

  It was a blessing that Auggie called when he did. It forced her to get her story straight, decide on a version of the day’s events that was so boring it barely registered with anyone eager to comment on the situation. She smiled and shrugged her way through the afternoon, even keeping most of the truth at bay as she answered Esther’s pointed questions. Melinda hated to be evasive with her friend, but there would be time to fully explain once Miriam calmed down and talked things over with Frank.

  Her thoughts were still swarming as she drove home, the unexpected twist blinding her to the quiet beauty of a spring evening. The newly emerged crops made rows of soft-green stitching across the bare earth. Lush grass now filled the ditches, which were accented with pockets of pink and purple wildflowers. Red and yellow tulips nodded in many of the farmyards along her way home, and the red-winged blackbirds flitted in the bushes along the pasture fences. But all she could see, in her mind’s eye, was Miriam’s anger and Rachael’s smug superiority as she pushed the flyers into their hands.

  Melinda was often exasperated by many locals’ suspicion of outsiders, but now felt that trepidation herself. It was likely the building’s new owners would be from out of town, and may not care about being a good neighbor.

  “This could all get worse before it gets better,” she muttered as she approached the bridge over the creek. “Who knows what these other people will be like? And if it doesn’t sell, we’re right back where we started and … who is that?”

  An unfamiliar car, its back license plate smothered in gravel dust, was parked on the road’s shoulder past the far edge of Melinda’s property. There was movement in the ditch, right where a tiny stream slipped through a culvert.

  She pulled into her driveway and, her heart beating strangely, got out to get the mail. Busying herself with the box’s metal door, she tried to study the situation without turning her head too far in that direction. Two people for sure, maybe a man and a woman?

  One held what appeared to be a plastic sack, and Melinda caught the glint of metal in the early evening light. Was that a knife? She grabbed her newspaper and bills and scooched back to the safety of her car.

  Hobo was lounging by his dog house as if nothing was amiss. He wagged his tail as Melinda closed the garage door and checked it was secure.

  “What is going on around here?” she whispered to him, which was silly because the strangers were so far away. It had been such an exhausting day, and her mind was already in overdrive before she left town. And now this.

  “Let’s get inside, and quick.” She shooed Hobo to the back steps. “I need to sort this out.”

  She was about to call the sheriff’s non-emergency hotline, then hesitated. The whole situation was odd, for sure, but she couldn’t be sure it was criminal. And the last thing she needed was more drama. Maybe she should do a little of her own detective work first.

  Mabel answered on the forth ring. “Sorry, Melinda, I was just putting a meat loaf in the oven. What’s new down your way?”

  Melinda explained what she’d just witnessed. She wasn’t sure what Mabel’s reaction would be, but was taken aback when her neighbor began to laugh heartily.

  “Oh, that’s some asparagus hunters. You said they’re down aways, but before you get to the next corner? On the west side of the road?”

  “Yeah, they … wait. There’s asparagus in the ditch?”

  “Oh, yes, it’s a wild variety. Not what you’d buy at the store. It’s far superior, actually. And it’s easy to transplant if you do it right.” Mabel giggled. “Ed and I have our own stash, right here by the house. We can help you get one started.”

  Melinda was amazed, then decided she shouldn’t be. She used to assume country roadsides were filled with only weeds and snakes, but was proved wrong soon after moving to this farm. Last summer s
he had admired the delicate wild roses that dotted the ditches, and picked juicy plums from the rambling patch between her house and the creek.

  “Well,” she finally said, “I never would have guessed there was asparagus out there, growing wild. It can be pricey in the store. I’ve tried it before, but mine always comes out mushy or stringy.”

  “Tell you what. Once those people are gone, go down and help yourself. Then come over for supper tomorrow night, and I’ll show you how to prepare it the right way.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Main Street was quiet the next morning when Melinda drove into town just before seven, the only sign of life being the coffee guys’ vehicles clustered in front of Prosper Hardware. But instead of being inside the store, the men were gathered around the “for sale” sign next door.

  As she pulled closer, she could see Auggie yapping away, grasping a flyer in one hand and gesturing at the single-story, cinder-block building with the other. He paused long enough to wave at her, then went back to his speech. She turned down Third and into Prosper Hardware’s back parking lot, then reached for her store keys. It would be another long day full of questions and commentary. At least Frank was on his way over, and would update the guys once he arrived.

  Melinda unlocked the front door and started the coffeepot. Dark clouds were rolling in from the west, and the air was damp. Her friends would all want a cup once she herded them inside.

  “I just can’t believe it!” Auggie said as she stepped out from under Prosper Hardware’s green awning. “That price they got here? It’s outrageous.”

  Doc smirked. “Must be a vein of gold down there under the basement.”

  “Well, someone might want it.” George ambled up the sidewalk and put his hands against the dusty picture window, trying to peek inside. “Looks like it’s got high ceilings, sort of an open layout. I suppose it’s good for something.”

  “For what?” Auggie rolled his eyes. “I could store surplus corn in it, I suppose. That’s about all it’s good for, given the shape it’s in.”

  “Can’t see much,” Jerry muttered, his face planted to the small pane of glass in the metal front door. “No lights on, of course. I wonder what we could see from around the back, I think there’s some windows.”

  “Hey, that’s an idea.” Auggie zipped his windbreaker and motioned for the guys to follow him. “Maybe if we go behind the block, we could …”

  “OK, trespassers, that’s enough!” Melinda clapped her hands. “Public property is only from the sidewalk to the street. Jerry, you’re mayor, for God’s sake, I know you know that. What if someone sees you nosing around?”

  Jerry shrugged and adjusted his cap. “Who’s going to see us at this hour? And the county deputy doesn’t cruise through until sometime in the afternoon.”

  “Well, someone might call it in,” Doc admitted. “It’s too risky. And isn’t Jake meeting you over at City Hall at eight? What if he’s early?”

  That brought Jerry up short. Word was Jake might challenge Jerry for the mayoral post in the fall election.

  Melinda gave Doc a thankful nod, and motioned the gawkers toward Prosper Hardware. “It’s going to rain any minute. Besides, I’ve already got the coffee started, and Frank will be here soon to answer your questions.”

  Frank did more than that, much to Melinda’s relief. He puttered around long after the coffee group disbanded, fielding customers’ remarks with so much zest he almost seemed to be enjoying himself. This sudden turn of events had her aunt and uncle privately reeling, but it was giving Frank a chance to reconnect with people after all these months. When Melinda left to have lunch with Karen, he even insisted on taking over the register.

  “Don’t worry about me.” Frank grinned. “I promise to get off my feet and stay there. You got me that fancy new chair, remember? And the lumber orders are flying in this time of year. No reason to pull Bill away when he’s swamped like he is. Those files over at City Hall can wait until tomorrow.”

  Melinda finally agreed to the plan, once Frank promised he’d go home and rest that afternoon. It was raining heavily by the time she left for the Watering Hole, but there was a little spring in her step as she popped open her umbrella. If all this hubbub helped Frank regain his sense of purpose, maybe there was a silver lining to the dark cloud hovering over Prosper Hardware.

  Karen was also in good spirits despite the gloomy day. The spay clinic was now less than a week away, and they had some last-minute details to discuss.

  “We got another call yesterday,” she said excitedly as Melinda slid into the other side of the booth. “That might bring our cat count up to twenty-eight, in addition to Gertrude’s gang.”

  “It might? Another potential holdout in this bunch, I’m guessing?”

  Karen flipped over her menu. “That’s right. She said two kitties for sure, and maybe a third. The one tom’s not always there for meals but they’re going to bring him if they can.”

  “A roamer.” Melinda smirked. “Probably the neighborhood lover boy. Oh, I hope they can get him!”

  “Doc and I’ve been talking it up out in the field, of course, and there’s a couple more farmers that have shown interest but haven’t called us yet. Do you think Gertrude is really on board?”

  “I went by there again the other day. You know the first thing she said? ‘Come around back and see the new babies. They’re so cute!’”

  Karen closed her eyes for a moment in silent frustration. “I knew it! Was it that gray-and-peach girl?”

  “Yeah. Muffin is now a mom. Four kittens, there under the porch.” Melinda gave an irritated sigh. “I got a little testy with Gertrude, I couldn’t help it. I told her, this is exactly how it gets out of control. She’ll let us round up as many as we can find carriers for, since she doesn’t have any, but I don’t think she’s going to have the heart to help us do it.”

  Karen pulled a notebook from her purse. “I might be able to borrow more live traps from that rescue in Mason City, if we can get up there to pick them up. And I have good news! Do you know that clinic on the east side of Swanton? Doctor Taylor is retiring to Arizona and he’s in the middle of moving. But the vet buying the practice emailed me last night to say he wants to help out.”

  “That’s perfect! Even with all the assistants you have lined up, I was afraid you’d have to go it alone most of the day, since Doc will have to take all the regular calls.”

  “Well, I don’t know much about him yet, but I’m not going to turn down an extra set of hands.”

  “That’s the best news I’ve had in days! Now, I really need a burger and fries and, oh, I’m sure I can find room for a slice of coconut-cream pie.” Melinda put her menu back behind the napkin dispenser. “And I’m really looking forward to book club tomorrow night. I think we’ll have some great discussion, and it’ll be one more thing to take my mind off this mess with the store.”

  ✽✽✽

  That proved impossible, as the recent appearance of a “for sale” sign along Main Street quickly consumed the early moments of the book club’s second meeting. Even Sam, who always said he steered clear of Prosper’s gossip mill, pounced on Melinda the moment she entered the library.

  “Can you believe it?” He shook his head as he helped himself to one of Amy’s oatmeal cookies. “What are Frank and Miriam going to do? This complicates things, I expect. But there’s been plenty of interest in the place already. I’ve seen at least a dozen people over there, looking at the flyers and trying to peer in the windows.”

  Melinda hid her smile as she added her jacket to the hall tree. Sam was far more interested in the little town’s doings than he always claimed to be. “Well, I wouldn’t be too sure all of them are interested in buying the building. I know Frank and Miriam aren’t.”

  Here was another chance to distance herself from the drama, and she wasn’t going to pass that up. “You’ve got a good view of things from this side of the street, though. When I’m behind the store’s counter, I can’t see anyt
hing going on next door.”

  Francesca and Vicki were sharing a chair this evening. The little Pomeranian, sporting a pink hoodie, waited patiently while her human mom found the pouch of dog treats in the bottom of her tote. Once Francesca had her snack, Vicki turned to Sam. “What’s happening in town? Did I miss something?”

  “There’s a building for sale right across the way, there next to Prosper Hardware.” He poured a cup of coffee for himself, then one for Melinda. “First one on Main Street in oh, twenty years.”

  “Twenty-eight, actually.” Melinda added creamer to her mug. “Or at least, that’s what Auggie told me.”

  “Well, he would know.” Sam’s tone implied Auggie knew lots of things, or at least thought he did.

  “Anyway, it butts right up to Prosper Hardware, and Frank and Miriam discovered a discrepancy with the lot line under the two buildings.”

  Vicki’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, no, that could be a real problem. I had no idea any of this was going on! I really need to get out more. I’ve been so busy unpacking and decorating. Francesca, baby, don’t get in Melinda’s lap.”

  “Oh, she’s fine.” Melinda shrugged and held her cookie out of the little dog’s reach.

  “She’s just so used to being the center of attention. So, Sam, this building you were talking about; what business is in there now? Are they closing?”

  “It’s been empty for, oh, several years. Prosper’s so small, it’s hard for new businesses to get established. I think it was some sort of office there at the end. Way back, though, I remember it being a laundromat. Nancy, do you know?”

  “Jerry and I were talking about that today.” She shook her head. “It’s been vacant so long, we’re not even sure.”

  Bev soon came through the library’s front door, then held it open for Karen.

  “Sam!” Bev exclaimed before she even removed her canvas coat. “I can’t wait to discuss this book with you! I have a feeling we’re going to get into it on that plot twist at the end. Hey, Karen, glad you could join us! Here, let me take that. Are those lemon cupcakes? Well, sure, I don’t mind if I do.”