“I’m never going to eat another meat product,” she vowed then remembered how good the steak tasted. “At least, not after I meet them. How can you raise an animal to slaughter? Wouldn’t you get attached?”

Matthew started to look uncomfortable.

Alanna narrowed her eyes on him. “You have, haven’t you?” she asked him accusingly.

His cheeks were becoming flushed. “We don’t get attached to farm animals,” he tried to explain. “We don’t pet them or give them names.”

Alanna jerked her hand free. “What have you killed?”

“Not much. A couple of chickens …”

“What else?”

“Nothing … But Isaac or Silas do kill goats for—”

Alanna raised her hand to prevent him from saying any more. “They kill goats?”

“They did … I didn’t,” he assured her.

Alanna thought of those sweet goats chomping on twigs. She had enjoyed working with them until she turned into the Bride of Frankenstein.

“Will you tell them not to do it while I’m there?”

Matthew eagerly nodded. “Of course.”

Alanna relaxed her rigid posture. It wasn’t like his brothers were slayers of cute animals—chickens weren’t cute. Still, she didn’t want them killed.

“At least there’s one good thing.”

“What is it?” she was forced to ask when he playfully bumped her shoulder with his.

“At least you never met any of the goats or chickens in the freezer.”

Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

Entering the store, Alanna was charmed by the old-fashioned atmosphere of wooden barrels filled with their homemade products, baskets of apples, and jars and jars of preserved fruit, jams, and vegetables.

The store was bustling with customers while a woman behind a wooden counter checked them out.

“Hello,” she greeted them when they entered through the door. “If you need anything, just yell out.”

Alanna didn’t know where to start. She wanted it all.

Matthew must have picked up on her hesitation. Under his amused gaze, he led her to the shelves.

“This is as good a start as any. See anything you want?”

She saw several. The problem was she didn’t have any money.

“Pick out anything you want. Silas will pay for it. It’ll go in the storeroom, so if anyone wants it, they can take it. That includes you. Just make sure to buy several enough to last for a long time. We only come here a few times a year.”

She couldn’t resist the peach preserves. She took one jar.

Matthew took five.

“I love peach cobbler,” he explained at her surprised look. “I’m going to set these on the counter and grab a basket. I’ll be right back.”

Alanna let him take the jar she was holding.