Rochelle Alers - The Sheriff Of Wickham Falls

She took a spoonful and closed her eyes. When she opened them she found Seth smiling at her. “You’re right. It is delicious.”

“Everything they make here is incredible and that’s why the Den has managed to survive after so many years when restaurants in other towns have gone out of business.”

“Good food and the fact that there are no fast-food restaurants around here,” Natalia said once she swallowed another mouthful of the soup made with navy beans and pieces of smoked ham.

“Fast food notwithstanding, if the Den didn’t offer palatable dishes it wouldn’t have survived.”

“What about Ruthie’s?” Natalia asked.

Seth picked up his spoon. “Ruthie’s is good if you’re looking for variety. And because what they offer is not processed and prepared daily, it is much healthier than fast food. Another good thing is the owners of Ruthie’s and the Den donate all leftovers to our soup kitchen.”

“There’s a soup kitchen here in Wickham Falls?”

“Yes. It’s a part of the church’s outreach.”

Seth gave Natalia a steady stare. “Poor farming techniques and the loss of jobs to mechanization in the mining industry have led to out-migration, and coupled with that, Appalachia has always had a problem with tax revenue and absentee land ownership has left many counties with hard-core pockets of poverty.”

She lowered her eyes. “I suppose I’m going to have to study up on the history of my new state.”

“You may not have to study too hard because I’m willing to bet your patients will give you an earful. Everyone has a tale to tell about their grandmother or grandpappy.”

Natalia finished her soup and laced her fingers together on the Formica tabletop. “How was it for you growing up here?”

Seth closed his eyes as a dreamy expression flitted over his features. “It was great. I didn’t realize we were poor because there was always food on the table and a roof over our heads.”

Sharleen set their orders on the table and over dinner, Natalia listened to Seth talk about three generations of Collier men working in the mines until his father was forced to choose another vocation once the mines began closing down. She pretended interest in the food on her plate because each time she glanced up, she found Seth staring at her.

“Dad’s number came up in the draft several months after he graduated high school. Once he returned to The Falls, he hired himself out as a handyman, extending credit to those unable to pay in full. Folks called on him to repair a leaky roof, busted pipes and rewire their home. Even though we had a little more than many other families my mother drummed it into our heads that we were no better than those who bought their food with government-issued stamps, or kids that wore hand-me-downs.

“I started going with Dad to his jobs once I entered high school. He wanted me to work with him after I graduated, while my mother insisted I go to college. It was the only time I witnessed my parents arguing with each other. I decided to enlist and have the military pay for my college education. I managed to give both my parents what they wanted when I earned a degree in criminal justice and whenever I came home on leave I’d spend that time helping Dad.”

Natalia took a sip of water. “That sounds like a win-win for everyone.”

Seth nodded. “Yes, it was. Enough talk about me and my family. Have your brother or sister made you an auntie?”

“My brother has. He and his wife became parents for the second time last year. My sister just celebrated her second wedding anniversary a couple of months ago, and she and her husband have decided to wait a few years before they start a family.”

“Are you one of those aunties that spoil their nieces or nephews?”

“I will when they’re old enough. My nieces are still too young for them to help me bake cookies or have sleepovers.”

“Speaking of cooking, what do you plan to make tomorrow?”

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.