Chapter 34
After breakfast, Brynn opened her laptop while still sitting at the kitchen table. “I’m allowed an hour of screen time every day, so I can check on orders and see what else can be done in an hour.”
“Good luck with that,” Becky said.
Brynn clicked on the computer and the screen froze. Restarted. “We may need a new computer, Wes.”
“I’m not even sure how old it is.” He walked over to watch as the screen flicked back on. After the restart, the screen froze again. “Let me see.” He pulled up a chair next to Brynn. His fingers clicked over the keyboard. He finally urged the screen to unlock. Clicked on the e-mail messages. He and Brynn both scanned the list of messages. Sure enough, another ransom ware notice popped onto the screen.
“I don’t get it. Didn’t you say you called Charlie and he fixed it?”
“Yes, but he said a lot of people received these messages and some have even paid the ransom.” Once again, Brynn marveled at the power technology had in her life. What was going on?
“I suppose we’ll have to call him again, and he’s one busy guy.”
“If he can’t fix it, I’ll get Roy. He’s pretty good with this stuff,” Wes said.
Brynn thought of Roy and shivered as she remembered him and Chelsea together at the fair. A completely unsuitable couple. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Me too,” Wes said. “I’ll call Charlie and try to get him out here today.”
“Thanks, Wes,” Brynn said. She had planned to sit there this morning and print off orders for cheese. Now she was at sea.
Wes closed the laptop. “Why don’t you go and see your girls? Schuyler said she thinks they’re missing you.”
“Great idea,” Becky said. “I’ll come with you. Everything is done here. The kitchen is spotless and Wes is calling the computer guy. Let’s get some cow loving in.”
The sisters left the room and made for the door. A cool breeze met Brynn on opening the door. The grass was greener, the flowers had perked up, and the air had low humidity. What a glorious morning.
Brynn swung open the field gate and Freckles, along with all four cows, greeted her. Becky and Brynn rubbed, scratched, and petted all of them. Jewel waited until all the others greeted Brynn and received their rubs. Then she cautiously walked up to her, eyes blinking beneath hair and looking at Brynn with warmth.
Oh my. Brynn’s heart bloomed. She reached for Jewel and the cow gave off a noise much like a sigh. She was lonely, sad, missing her previous owner, perhaps. This cow needed a home where she’d be loved and appreciated.
“What a sweetie,” Becky said. “You’ve got a great group of cows.”
“Shh. Don’t let them hear you say that.” Brynn grinned. “They already think they’re people.”
Becky laughed. “Then maybe they can fix your computer.”
“I wish they could! What an odd thing. A lot of people have been infected with this ransom ware. And now we’ve gotten it twice. I’d like to understand how to prevent this.”
“I’m not sure you can. It seems to be one of those modern annoyances.”
Jewel seemed as if she couldn’t get enough attention. Brynn hated to leave her. She followed Brynn to the gate. “I’ll be back later.” The cow blinked.
Jewel had to be happier with the brief respite of cooler weather—the shaggy little cow was made for the cold.
“Where are you going?” Becky asked, following Brynn.
“To check out the make and see what needs to be done. I mean, it’s where we make the cheese, so it needs a good cleaning. And I’m sure there’s enough milk for a ton of cheese by now.”
“Let’s not go in there today,” Becky said.
Brynn stopped. “What? Why?”
“I think you’ve done enough for one day,” Becky stammered.
“That’s ridiculous. What have I done? Tried to work. And visited with my cows. I want to peek in.”
“No, you don’t. If I let you peek in, you’ll find something to do, Brynn MacAlister. I know you better than that.” Her voice was stern.
“I promise I won’t.”
“Let’s go back inside,” she said, almost pleading.
What was going on here?
Brynn smelled a rat. But she knew better than to argue with Becky. Was she hiding something in the make? Had something happened in the make? Was her milk okay? Her products?
She’d sneak away later and check on it herself. “Whatever you say.”
“Okay. Never thought I’d hear those words coming from you. But I’ll take it,” she said, and opened the front door.
Brynn didn’t want to admit it to herself, but Becky was probably right. She was certain the make needed a good cleaning, and if she saw it she’d have to do something about it. The fact that milk stores were piling up was also driving her crazy. She was losing money every day milk was sitting in the stores untouched. Wes was doing his best to use it. But he was only one person, who did have other responsibilities, as well as a murder suspicion weighing on him.