Red Delicious Death Read Online Free Page A

from the rear, still deep in conversation. Apparently male bonding extended to pipe chases and grease filters. “What’s your schedule for the job?” Seth asked.
    “We’re aiming for September first. Are we nuts?”
    “Depends. It’s doable, but it might be tight.”
    Brian looked relieved. “Hey, you’re the first person who even thinks it’s possible. And Sam and I can do a lot of the unskilled stuff, if you’ll let us.”
    “I could use the help,” Seth replied. “When are you going to decide on the site?”
    Nicole and Brian exchanged a long look before Brian spoke again. “Cards on the table? We like this place. It has a good feel, and it’s in our price range. Let me talk to our mortgage broker, and maybe we can make an offer, say, tomorrow?”
    They might be naive , Meg thought, but at least they’re decisive . Frances looked like she was ready to weep for joy, and Meg had to wonder how many deals she had closed lately.
    “You won’t regret it,” Frances said. “It’s a great town, good people. You do this right, and you can attract business from the whole area. You let me know when you’re ready to make a deal, and I’ll talk to the owners.”
    “Thanks, Frances. And Meg, you, too—you’ve been a big help, and now you’ve put us in touch with Seth. I think we’re going to like it here.”
    Meg waited on the porch as Frances escorted Brian and Nicole back to their car, talking a mile a minute. She was admiring the view when Seth came up behind her.
    “Think they can make it work?” she asked over her shoulder.
    “Maybe. I won’t say no. And the town will be happy to have them.”
    “They’ve got a pretty tight timetable. Are they going to be able to get all the permits and permissions and whatever?”
    “From the town, sure—one of the benefits of small-town government. They’ll have to take care of the liquor license, assuming they want one, and the state board of inspection, but I can probably walk them through that. Speaking of government, are you coming to the selectmen’s meeting?”
    “I guess, if you want me to. What is it you think I can do?”
    “You know something about municipal finance—maybe you can give us some ideas on how to generate revenue.”
    “Don’t you have finance people in place? A treasurer?”
    “Of course we do, but they don’t have your kind of experience. Please?”
    “I said I’d come, didn’t I? And I’ll admit I’m curious. Most of the issues I’ve worked with have been for larger towns and cities. I’m not sure what will apply to a place this size.”
    “Numbers are numbers—just whack a few zeroes off what you’re used to and it’ll be fine. Can I pick you up?”
    “Sure. You want me to feed you first? Even though it won’t be up to Boston restaurant standards.”
    “Sounds good. See you at six.”

3

    Back at her house, Meg spotted her orchard manager—and housemate—Bree’s car in the driveway, but she wasn’t in sight.
    “Bree?” Meg called up the stairs.
    “Be right down,” came a voice from the back of the house.
    Since graduating from UMass with a degree in agriculture at the end of May, Briona Stewart had taken on the official job of orchard manager for Meg. Bree might be untested, but she clearly knew a lot more about orchards than Meg did. Meg was still getting used to the idea of having someone else living under her roof full-time, but since the salary she could afford was pitifully small, she’d hoped that offering room and board would help. Bree guarded her privacy jealously, and there had been a few bumps along the way, but they seemed to have settled into a routine in the past month.
    Meg went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, looking for ideas. The sound of the refrigerator door prompted Lolly to appear, and she wrapped herself around Meg’s ankles. “No, silly cat, it’s not dinnertime yet, and you’ve still got food in your dish. I’m trying to feed people here.” Meg reached down to