If Onions Could Spring Leeks Read Online Free PDF Page A

all I see is you and me. And . . . well, last night I saw Grace.”
    â€œYou did? Here?”
    â€œNot here, exactly, but at another station, though that station was here in the same spot as this station.” I sighed. “I’m sure that doesn’t make sense.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter that it doesn’t make sense. Tell me about Grace. How was she?”
    â€œShe was sad,” I said. “She hoped to make her way to you, but I was under the impression that never happened.”
    â€œNo, I don’t think it did,” Robert said. “I . . . I waited. I came back day after day for a very long time, but Grace never joined me in Broken Rope. That was our plan, you know. She was going to meet me here and we were going to run away together.”
    â€œShe told me.”
    â€œI don’t know what happened to her.”
    â€œI have a little more news,” I said, “but you won’t like it.”
    Robert frowned and then squinted again. I hadn’t noticed that he’d been holding a hat, but he started to rub his finger over the brim as he inspected me this time. “How could it possibly matter that I won’t like it? I’m dead. I’m assuming Grace is, too.”
    â€œYes.” I cleared my throat. “Grace said she was killed, that she was trying to get to you, but she was killed—not accidently, but murdered.”
    As transparent as Robert was, it was a surprise to see his face become paler. He returned to the bench and sat. “Murdered?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œSomeone must have realized what she was doing, coming to me, a white man. Of course you know how difficult it is for people of different skin colors to be in love.”
    â€œThings have changed a little over time, Robert, but not completely yet. Prejudice still exists, but there are many biracial couples now living happy lives together without the need to run away or hide.”
    He looked up and blinked at me. “How wonderful. How incredible.” He moved his eyes back to the platform. “We were born in the wrong time, I suppose, Grace and I.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” I said.
    â€œNo matter.” The set of his jaw was now straightened with determination. “I guess the only thing that matters now is Grace. I would like to know who murdered her. I realize it’s too late to truly acquire justice, but isn’t knowing the truth always a good thing, and somehow its own form of justice? And, perhaps there’s a hope that she and I might be together now. Oh, wouldn’t that be the most amazing thing?”
    â€œI think it would be,” I said.
    â€œWhat shall we do, Betts Winston? How shall we proceed?”
    â€œI’m not sure, yet, Robert, but I promise I’ll try to figure itout.”

Chapter 3

    â€œAnyone else having starter problems?” Roy asked.
    Everyone except April and Todd shook their heads.
    â€œGood,” Roy said. “April, Todd, I’ll get that taken care of before your next shifts. What are you two—Tuesday and Friday?”
    â€œI’m Tuesday,” April said.
    â€œI’m Friday,” Todd added.
    â€œNot a problem. It will be done,” Roy said.
    We were sitting around one of the large center butcher blocks in the cooking school. Gram had come in early to make us breakfast, effectively turning the meeting into one of the more delicious get-togethers we’d had. It was unlike Gram to spend much time in the school, other than the night classes, during the month of June. This was usually her time off. I’d been surprised to find her Volvo out front and then her insidealong with the scents and sounds of cooking bacon, eggs, biscuits, and gravy.
    â€œMaking some grub for the Trigger crew, Betts. After the meeting, I need to talk to you, okay?” she’d said.
    I’d said that would be no problem but I became immediately concerned regarding the