A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die

Chapter 1

am hung the pitchfork on the back wall of her antique barn with a tired hand. The scent of sun on old wood mixed with the aroma of fresh scallions, well-oiled machinery, and a couple of centuries of farmers. Thirty new customers were due at the farm over the next two hours to pick up the rst of their weekly farm shares, and she hoped she was ready. She was about to turn back to her errant farmhand when she spied an unfamiliar plastic jug on a shelf behind the organic products. She extracted it and examined the red-and-green label. What the heck? She whirled, then strode toward the middle of the barn. Whats this doing here? Cam pushed the jug toward a disheveled Mike Montgomery, who faced her in a wide stance, tattooed arms crossed, breath reeking of alcohol despite the noon hour. How would I know? The young man glanced at the container and then examined the ngernails on his left hand. I did not bring this onto the farm, and I cant have it here. Cam willed her employee to look at her, or at least at the label featuring a skull and crossbones. You know that. We follow strict organic practices. I explained everything at the start of the season. A hefty gray-and-white cat arched his puffy, long-haired

Edith Maxwell body against Cams leg. She reached down to stroke him while xing her eyes on Mike. Great-Uncle Albert had asked her to keep him on as farmhand, and shed agreed, despite misgivings. Maybe it was left over from your uncles stuff. Albert didnt care how I took care of the crops. He was just happy somebody did the heavy lifting for him. Cam straightened. Look, Mike. She kept her voice level despite her anger. I cleaned this barn top to bottom when I moved to the farm last fall. I threw out every product like this. I know it wasnt here. Okay. You win. Mike rolled his eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets. I was tired of handpicking those stupid beetles off the asparagus and the potato leaves. I was going to kill them off with a good spraying instead. As Cam opened her mouth, he put up a hand. Now, dont get your panties in a twist. I didnt do it yet. Your precious organic crops are all clean and safe. Theyd better be, a voice said in a shocked tone. Cam turned to see Alexandra Magnusson, one of the new subscribers to Cams farm-share program, who wore two blond braids like a Viking princess. If princesses wore cutoff overalls and hiking boots with red socks, that is. Hey, Alexandra. Be with you in a minute. Bad timing to have a new customer show up right now, a customer Cam wanted to impress. The younger woman stuck her hands in her pockets and scowled at Mike. Her pale skin set off intense green eyes. Cam moved closer to Mike and lowered her voice. Mike, this is unacceptable. You skip work on my most important harvest day so far. When you do drift in, youve been drinking. She ticked his offenses off on her ngers, her ire rising. Mike grinned. Its not a crime to have a morning date, is it? He leered at Alexandra, who backed away with disgust on her face. 2

A TINE TO LIVE, A TINE TO DIE Cam shook her head. A date? When youre supposed to be at work? But the worst part is that you think its ne to spray chemicals on my crops. I could lose my organic certication! I wont tolerate it. She took a deep breath. Im going to have to let you go. You no longer work here. Mike stopped grinning. Glaring at Cam and Alexandra, he pivoted and strode toward the wide main doorway. He stopped and looked back. His face darkened into a scowl. He threw a hand in the air as if to dismiss Cam. Youll regret this! Mike stomped away. The cat surveyed him and then turned and streaked out the open back door of the barn. Two people stood in the wide doorway, silhouetted in the early June light. The smaller one, carrying a large basket by its handle, nearly fell over as Mike pushed between the two without a word and disappeared. Cam shoved the toxic container under the table. She hurried toward the newcomers. Sorry about that. Im Cam Flaherty. Welcome to the share program. Come on in. Who was that poor fellow? He didnt seem too happy. The petite woman with the basket turned toward the barn door, as if sad everyone wasnt as happy as she. He used to work here. Dont worry about him. Cam shook her head. Well, anyway, Im Felicity. She beamed up at Cam. She wore a purple tunic over loose turquoise pants. A long gray braid hung down her back. We met just that once, remember, when we signed up for the CSA? We were so excited to nd a community supported agriculture program here in Westbury. And after a New England winter, nally the season is under way. Arent we excited about our share, Wes? She gazed at her companion. Wes nodded without speaking. He was a little taller than Cams ve feet eleven. He also sported gray hair, although not on the top 3

Edith Maxwell of his shiny head. Friendly wrinkles surrounded blue eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. Alexandra still watched the door, her eyes intent. If that guy tries to put pesticides on your crops, Ill take him down and run a pitchfork through him. Felicity inhaled sharply, and Wes put a hand on her shoulder. Nobody should use those chemicals, Alexandra went on. Theyre poisoning our environment. Im sure you wont need to do that, Alexandra. Hell nd another job somewhere. Cam then mustered her inner social being, not an easy task for a geek-turned-farmer. Thank you all for buying a share in the farm. Getting the money up front really helps, because thats when I need it for seeds and other expenses. And I think youll enjoy your portion of freshly picked local produce every week. Let me show you what we have for today. Cam turned to the produce table, a rustic plank laid out with the rst harvest of the spring. Thirty bundles of asparagus shed cut over the last couple of days. Thirty bags of spinach shed harvested earlier in the morning from the bed that she had seeded last fall. Thirty bunches of slim green-and-white scallions. Thirty small heads of Red Sails lettuce, and more. Nine months ago, when shed taken over her great-uncles farm, she hadnt been sure shed ever get to this point. Now she was both proud of these baby crops and a little nervous that her customers wouldnt think it was enough. The beginning of June in Massachusetts was still early in the growing season. Theyd just have to be satised with the yield. Several other customers approached from the barn door. Cam said to the group, Were starting with half portions for the next month. Help yourself to one of everything. Felicity looked over Cams shoulder. Lucinda! Felicity waved. Hey, whens the next club meeting? 4

A TINE TO LIVE, A TINE TO DIE A wiry woman with curly black hair stood behind the produce table. One of the farm volunteers, Lucinda DaSilva had come early that Saturday morning to help Cam harvest for the shares. Cam looked at Lucinda and back to Felicity. She hadnt realized they knew each other. She raised her eyebrows. Lucinda is the president of our club. The Westbury Locavore Club! Felicitys voice rose until Cam wondered if she was about to oat up to the rafters on sheer enthusiasm. She knew that kind of relentless cheer was not part of her own makeup, and, frankly, was glad. She told me. So youre members, too. Now I see how I got so many subscribers in such a short time in February. Well, food doesnt get any more local than this. Lucinda nodded. We had just formed when I saw your ad for the CSA on Craigslist. Seemed like a perfect match. Some of us are even thinking of joining a CSF. Alexandra spoke behind Cam. Whats a CSF? Community supported shery, Alexandra said. It comes straight from the boat to the consumer. This ones out of Gloucester. Could we have our sh pickup here on the farm? They can bring the truck during our farm-share pickup time. Would you mind? Give me a couple of days to think about it, Cam said. Right now I cant see any problem. Maybe Ill join, too. She wasnt sure shed ever embrace these peoples dedication to all things local, but, hey, if it made her farm protable, that was enough. Great! Alexandra nodded briskly. We do a bulk meat order at Tendercrop Farm over in Newbury, too, because they raise all their own animals and treat them humanely. She stuck her hands in her pockets. Its part of the sustainability model. Were building a new world. Only a recent college graduate lled with idealism could say 5

Edith Maxwell such a thing with a straight face. Cam smiled. She had been there herself a decade earlier. She didnt care as long as the model included sustaining her farm. Sample the salad on the table. Cam spoke to the cluster of shareholders. Ill be preparing a dish from every weeks harvest and putting recipes out for each shareholder. Cam gestured at a small table showcasing a wide wooden bowl brimming with greens, a stack of small paper plates, a mug full of plastic forks, and a basket holding half sheets printed with recipes. Whats in the salad? Wes asked in a deep voice. He walked to the table and peered into the bowl. Felicity beamed at her husband, then said to the group, He does all the cooking in our house. Well, its a couple of kinds of lettuce, along with mizuna, which is a mild Asian green, and baby arugula. Then I marinated asparagus in an herb vinaigrette, added chopped scallions, and topped it up with violets. Ive seen that on cooking shows, but Ive never eaten any owers. Lucinda looked wary. Theyre tasty. Dont worry. I grow several types of edible owers, although the violets are wild. Wait until later in the season, when you taste a nasturtium. Peppery. Really nice. Alexandra strode to the salad table and served herself a heaping plateful, making Cam glad shed put out only tiny plates. The bowl had to last for all thirty subscribers. Alexandra took a bite. She closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and said, Ahhh. So perfect. Reopening her eyes, she selected one of the recipe sheets. Ooh, Herbed Spring-Garlic Quiche, too. I know what Im having for dinner tonight. But paper plates and plastic forks? Felicity raised her eyebrows. Next week Ill bring you some bamboo products. Much more green. Cam thanked her and hoped silently she could deal with all 6

A TINE TO LIVE, A TINE TO DIE this enthusiasm for sustainability. Just then she caught sight of the pesticide jug shed shoved under the table after the confrontation with Mike. Uh-oh. She glanced around quickly, but nobody seemed to have seen it. After Felicity lled her basket, she walked up to Cam and leaned in close. Whens your birthday, Cam? Felicity asked. Have you ever had your astrological chart done? Cam shook her head. Tell me the date and what time of day you were born, and Ill do your chart for you. November second, six fty-eight in the morning. I remember my mother telling me that as if it was signicant. She squinted at Felicity. Is it? Everything is signicant. Eastern time zone? Cam shook her head. No, Central. I was born in Indiana. If Felicity wanted to nd meaning in the planets, Cam wouldnt stop her, but she didnt think there was much logic in it. Hey, everybody. Lucinda held up her hand and waved. Want to make sure you know were kicking off the season with a Locavore Festival this Friday evening. Over at St. Johns Hall. She turned to Cam. We reserved a table for you, Cam. Youll be there, right? Its the rst Ive heard about it, but sure. Im not doing anything else Friday night. Ill just put this up so all the subscribers will know about it. Lucinda drew a yer out of her bag and tacked it to the wall near the produce table. Its going to be great. More shareholders streamed in. The next two hours became a blur of greeting customers, making sure they understood the system of taking one of everything. Cam jotted down the names of new volunteers and showed the elds to several. One asked her about the greenhouse, how she had constructed it from arcs of 7

Edith Maxwell piping and plastic, how she ventilated it, what the cost had been. A man came with his daughter. The girl, who looked somewhere in her preteen years, seemed excited by the barn and the table full of produce. The man spoke with a slight accent. Is Mike Montgomery here? No, hes not. Cam kept it simple. The man looked relieved and let his daughter lead him out to look at the elds. All the schmoozing of the event exhausted Cam, but she kept a smile plastered to her face. At two oclock she stepped out of the barn. Only one share remained for pickup. Lucinda joined her in the fresh air. The cat snuggled up to Lucindas shin. Tudo bem, Preston? Lucinda stroked the back of his neck. Such a big boy, and very handsome. What kind of cat is he? She looked up at Cam. Hes a Norwegian Forest Cat. At Lucindas expression, Cam said, Really! You can nd pictures of other cats who look exactly like him on the Internet. He has the sweetest nature, too. You miss the forest, kitty? Lucinda murmured to Preston. I wonder where the last person is. Cam checked the clipboard in her hand. Its an S. Wilson. I dont think I met him. Or her. Must have been an e-mail application. A car pulled into the drive from the road. Gravel spewed as it passed the house and headed for the barn. It didnt slow and even seemed to accelerate. Lucinda stepped forward. Hey! She held up her hand, palm out. Not so fast, she yelled over the engine noise. The windows of the car were closed. Cam couldnt see the driver, only the shape of a head wearing a hat. The car still didnt slow. Who was this maniac? Cam grabbed Lucindas arm and yanked her into the barn as the car sped straight at them. 8