The Amish Widow (Amish Romance Mystery) (Amish Secret Widows' Society Book 1) by Samantha Price Page A

happy.”
    Emma put her hand on Maureen’s arm. “Why don’t you come with me?”
    Maureen covered her face with her hands.
    “Oh, come on please, Maureen?”
    Maureen chuckled. “All right then.”
    Emma pushed her head into the high back of the couch. “So, what kind of things can we find out from her? See if she knows the vulture, I guess. That would be the first thing. We’d have to wait a few days wouldn’t we? Should we wait until after the funeral to visit her?”
    “Most likely that would be best. But nee, we should go soon. We’ll go first thing tomorrow and maybe take Mrs. Pluver some fresh baked bread and some beef casserole.”
    “Good idea,” Emma said.
    “You bake the bread and I’ll make the casserole. I’ve got some nice beef already. Now, let’s pick up Silvie and we’ll go to Ettie and Elsa-May’s haus so we can tell everyone what’s going on.”
    * * *
    After visiting with all the widows Emma arrived home as the sun was going down. None of the ladies in the widows’ group had any better idea than the plan she and Maureen had come up with – to go and visit Mrs. Pluver. She would bake the fresh bread in the morning. Tonight she was too tired to do anything.
    * * *
    Somehow Emma managed to get a little sleep and she had no bad dreams. She woke early and as she waited for the bread to bake, she heard someone at her door.
    “Hello?”
    She knew that the deep voice belonged to Wil. Emma flung the door open. “Come in, Wil.”
    “Mmm, I smelled the bread and came for breakfast.”
    Emma laughed. “Well, it’ll be ready soon. I’ve baked a few loaves; I’m taking some over to Mrs. Pluver’s haus later today. I’m going there with Maureen.”
    “That’s nice of you.”
    “Sit down and I’ll make a pot of tea.” When Wil was comfortably sitting at the table, Emma asked him, “Tell me Wil, how long was your lease to Pluver?”
    “No idea. I’d have to look it up. It’s a five by five lease, I know that much. We’re into the second lot of five years, but I’ve no idea how far along it is.” He leaned back in the chair. “Why do you ask?”
    “Pluver told me the day before he died that he wanted out of the lease.”
    “Did you agree?”
    “Apparently I had no choice. With Levi gone, that left Pluver with a loophole to get out of the contract.” Emma shrugged her shoulders.
    “I wonder what he was doing in McAllister’s office,” Wil said.
    Emma remained silent hoping to find out more about McAllister from Wil. When Wil offered no further information, Emma said, “Did Pluver ever tell you that he didn’t want to farm your land anymore?”
    “ Nee , but he was still on the lease; I’m pretty certain it goes for quite a while. He made no mention of wanting to end the lease. I would’ve let him out of the lease if he didn’t want to farm the land anymore. It was he who wanted the lease papers drawn up rather than a handshake agreement, so he could be secure in his farming.”
    “I guess that’s understandable.” Emma could be silent no longer about seeing Wil with the vulture. “Wil, I have to tell you that I saw you with the vulture the other day.”
    Wil looked confused. “Really, where?”
    “I saw the two of you talking and then I saw you having lunch together. You looked pretty cozy.”
    “I didn’t see you anywhere. Anyway, I asked him to keep away from you. Then I thought I’d make friends with him in an effort to have him keep his distance.” Wil looked at her. “You do believe me, don’t you? What other business would I have with the man? He did agree to keep away from you; we even shook hands on it.”
    Emma pursed her lips. “Well, did he say anything to you?”
    “About what?”
    “Well, what did you talk about?” Emma asked.
    “He wants to buy up a lot of land. He even asked me if I wanted to sell.”
    Emma poured the hot water over the specially made tea bags. “Is he buying it himself or is he acting as an agent for