Organically Yours: Sanctuary, Book Five by Abbie Zanders (love letters to the dead txt) 📕

“Something smells fantastic,” Tina said.

“Sam’s making muffins, most likely,” Doc told her. “They’re almost as addictive as her coffee.”

Smoke was sitting in his usual spot and looked up when they entered.

“Morning,” he said, which Doc knew was for Tina’s benefit. Had it just been him, Smoke would have offered a brisk nod, if that.

“Good morning,” Tina responded.

Doc got them both coffee, but it was still early enough that a hot breakfast wasn’t yet available. Instead of sitting down at the table, Tina asked if she could go into the kitchen and see if Sam needed or wanted help.

“How’s she doing?” Smoke asked when Tina disappeared into the kitchen.

“She was pretty pissed off last night, but I think the gravity of the situation is sinking in,” Doc answered.

“How much does she know?”

“She knows the farm is deep in debt. She’s also now aware that her brothers have been dealing in illegal weapons, thanks to the cache she discovered in the family’s root cellars.”

Smoke’s eyebrows rose. “They admitted it?”

“Not in so many words. Rick said he was—” Doc made quotes with his fingers “—holding them for a friend.”

Smoke snorted.

“Yeah, Tina didn’t buy it either, though she believes that Luther and Gunther are behind everything. But she doesn’t know the full scope of the operation. I don’t think Rick does either, honestly. He believes it’s a lucrative side hustle Gunther and Renninger came up with, one that caters to a niche market of survivalist groups, and they pulled him along for the ride.”

Smoke snorted again. He had a low tolerance for idiots. “He didn’t happen to provide a good origin story, did he?”

“As a matter of fact, he did.” Doc shared what Tina had told him about Dwayne Freed’s prison buddy contact and how he bailed when things started getting out of hand, leaving them to find a new supplier.

“It’s pretty sad when a convicted felon dealing in illegal arms has a higher moral code than a pair of local boys,” Smoke said, shaking his head.

“It also explains how they managed to get in over their heads. Chances are, if they hadn’t gotten greedy, they wouldn’t be in the mess they’re in now. Rick basically came right out and told her that losing the farm was preferable to what’ll happen if they don’t come up with the money to pay off some of those debts.”

Smoke chewed on that for a moment and then said, “You do realize that she’s got a target on her back now, too, right?”

Doc did realize that, and it scared the hell out of him.

“As long as she’s here, she’s safe.”

The problem was keeping her there. She was determined to keep the orchards running for as long as possible, as well as her mill.

“And when she’s not?”

“I’m still working on that part.”

“We’ve got your six, which means we’ve got hers, too.”

A sense of relief washed over him. He hadn’t thought it would be any other way, but it was nice to have Smoke’s confirmation just the same.

Sam and Tina came out of the kitchen, rolling a cart with trays of fresh muffins and thermal carafes, presumably filled with Sam’s secret coffee blend. Just in time, too, because Doc’s mug was empty.

They brought one of each over to the table and sat down.

Doc snatched a muffin for himself and offered one to Tina.

She waved him off. “I’ve already had six.”

Sam laughed. “It’s true. She did.”

“I can’t help it. They’re even better than the ones you used to make at Santori’s.”

“That’s because I use better ingredients,” Sam said matter-of-factly. “Straight from The Mill in fact.”

Tina smiled, but Doc was watching her closely and saw the sadness in her eyes.

“Do you have any idea what’s going to happen?”

Clearly, Tina had shared at least some of what had happened with Sam.

Tina shook her head. “No. I guess that depends on who the buyer is and how fast they tear down the orchards. If there’s something you’re particularly fond of, let me know, and it’s yours.”

“I don’t think you realize what you’re offering,” Doc said with a smile.

“Yes, I do. The Mill is still mine—for now at least—and once word gets out, I imagine we’ll sell out quickly. I’d much rather give it away to people who have supported me over the years than make a few bucks. Even if I sold everything, it wouldn’t make a dent in what we owe.”

Doc hated the undercurrent of defeat in her voice.

“Have you told anyone yet?” asked Sam.

Tina shook her head. “Not officially, no. I keep thinking there has to be a way out of this, but if there is, I haven’t found it. In any event, I need to head back this morning and talk to my crew, so they can prepare. Some of them have families and might want to start looking for other jobs. That’s the least I can do.”

She looked at the cheap but functional watch on her left wrist. “In fact, I should go. Thanks for the coffee and the muffins.”

“Anytime.”

“Want company?” Doc asked as they walked back to his trailer.

“Thanks for the offer, but no. It would complicate things.”

He understood, but he didn’t have to like it. “Will you come back here afterward?”

“I don’t know. Let’s see how the day goes and take it from there.”

* * *

Doc watched her drive away, fighting the powerful urge to jump in his Jeep and follow her. He got as far as extracting the keys from his pocket before Heff’s disembodied voice called out from somewhere off to his left.

“Don’t do it.”

Doc sighed and shook his head. He wondered how long Heff had been eavesdropping.

“Seriously, don’t do it,” Heff told him, stepping out of the woods. “You’ll lose your sensitive, supportive guy cred and, more importantly, you’ll piss her off.”

“And you know this because?”

“Because I know women. Tina isn’t some fragile flower. She’s a strong, independent female, capable of taking care of herself, and if you go in there, trying to fight her battles for her, she’ll resent you