Page 25 of Jameson’s Salvation

I’d found Weston was easy to be around. Mainly because he was funny and friendly. He joked and jabbed at me and called me Farmer Jill until I went out in my garden, picked us a cantaloupe and cut it up. The second the juicy square passed his lips, he announced he would be my farm hand if I paid him in cantaloupe and watermelon.

Before he’d left for the day, I packed him up two of each to take home with him.

Then with a wave and a smile, which was more than I got from Jameson, he packed up his tools and left.

Since then, I heard from Nixon. He’d called to tell me they were working their way through Reggie Coleman’s life and they’d hopefully have something soon. I’d also received a call from Holden to tell me the cameras that were installed were working and not to walk around outside naked because the house was being watched. I knew he was kidding but it was a little disconcerting to know I was under surveillance, even if it was for what Nix had called ‘my own protection.’

And the final call I received was from Jonny Spenser from the sheriff’s department to tell me that Reggie Coleman had filed a complaint that I’d threatened to shoot him. I explained the situation and referred him to Jameson as my witness. Jonny’s only advice was to not shoot Reggie and avoid him. I figured both options were good, however I knew only one would happen. It didn’t matter if I tried to avoid Reggie, he always found a way to harass me.

The person I had not heard from was Jameson, which made my cellphone ringing and the display announcing he was calling a shock. I was just leaving the organic grocery store and I was somewhat stunned because after five years of stocking my honey, they’d just informed me they were no longer going to carry it. The owner had apologized but wouldn’t budge, even when I’d offered to drop the cost of a case.

Not in the mood to talk to anyone, I swiped left and declined the call.

I hadn’t even made it two steps and my phone started ringing again.

This time with a scowl on my face, ready to tell Jameson I wasn’t in any sort of mood to be lectured or told what I wanted or needed from a man so he could keep his stupid thoughts to himself, I answered.

Before I could say hello, he was speaking. “Where are you?”

“Why?”

“Kennedy, where the hell are you?”

“You—”

“Where?” he barked.

What had crawled up his ass? It was none of his concern where I was and I certainly didn’t appreciate him barking at me.

“None of your business.”

“Don’t fuck with me right now. Where?”

The anger in his voice gave me pause, but then I remembered he was Nix’s friend. He may’ve been mad but he’d never hurt me.

“In town.”

“Where in town?”

“In front of Nature’s Choice. Not that it’s—”

“Go back into the store and stay there. Do not leave the store until I get there.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Promise me, Kennedy. Go into the store now.”

“What’s—”

“Please trust me.”

Maybe it was the way he’d asked, his tone of voice pleading. No longer mad but more worried.

“Okay. I’ll wait for you.”

“Inside?”

“Yes, Jameson, I’ll go back inside. Though I’m not all fired up about hanging around here since the owner just told me he was no longer buying my honey. I’ll feel more than a little stupid.”