Jo paused, carefully choosing her next words. “There are certain rules and stipulations you must agree to, abide by and sign off on.”
“What kinda rules?” Courtney’s eyes narrowed.
“No cell phones, no visitors without prior approval, no contraband items such as alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes. You will both work a regular schedule at the farm and will be paid once a week. What you earn will be deposited directly into your own account. The money accumulates while you live at the farm. The account is turned over to you when you leave.”
“Sweet,” Courtney whooped. Her enthusiasm was short-lived. “After you deduct for our rooms and meals?”
Jo shook her head. “No. My offer includes both. What you earn is yours to keep, although you can’t access the funds without my approval. In other words, I’ll track your purchases while you live under my roof.”
“Can I…can we see a copy of the rules?” Courtney asked.
Carli, who had been listening in, returned to the table.
“Of course.” Jo removed the sets of rules she’d brought with her and handed a copy to each of them.
“Thank you.” Courtney grew quiet as she studied the list.
Carli let out a quick breath, and Jo thought she was going to speak, but she remained silent.
Finally, Courtney slid the list of rules back across the table. “How many other women live on the farm?”
“Four. I had five. One recently completed the program and moved out of the farm this morning,” Jo said. “The most important component of your rehabilitation is you. You must want to change.”
“We haven’t had a good start in this world,” Courtney said.
“I understand that. In fact, I did a little research before coming here today. I know about your background and how you got to this point. All of my residents—those who live there and those who have finished the program and gone on to live successful and productive lives, have been at a disadvantage, hit rock bottom and needed a helping hand.” Jo paused, letting her statement sink in. “We will work as a team. I’ll be your greatest ally, but it’s up to you to put in the effort and to want a fresh start.”
“What kind of work will we have to do?”
“I own a bakeshop and a mercantile, a store which sells gently used clothing and household items. I also have gardens and a workshop where you’ll be able to learn new skills. The residents rotate each day, so you’re taught an even balance of unique skills.”
“Can my sister and I have a minute alone?” Courtney asked.
“Of course.”
The guard escorted Jo and the pastor into the hallway and closed the door behind them.
“Well?” Pastor Murphy nudged Jo. “Do you think they’ll accept your offer?”
An uneasiness settled over her, and she wasn’t sure where it was coming from. The twins appeared to be eager to start over. Courtney asked the right questions. She seemed agreeable to working, learning new skills and abiding by Jo’s rules. If Jo had been in her shoes, she would have jumped at the chance, would’ve signed on the dotted line, yet the woman hesitated.
Something told Jo the hesitation involved Carli. The woman hadn’t uttered a single word the entire time, content to let her sister do the talking. Perhaps Courtney wanted Carli’s input to get her thoughts on whether they should accept Jo’s generous offer.
Why wouldn’t the woman speak? Despite Jo’s digging around, she hadn’t found a single reference to Carli’s silence. Surely, she had talked in the past. There had to be a reason for it. “Do you have any idea why Carli won’t speak?”
The pastor shook his head. “I point-blank asked Courtney. She told me Carli had nothing to say.”
“And you know for certain she can talk?”
“I believe she can.”
Jo grew quiet as she mulled over the unusual situation. A non-speaking resident would create certain challenges. She couldn’t wait on customers if she refused to communicate, which meant she would either need to work alongside someone or Jo would have to assign her tasks that didn’t involve talking.
The guard returned. “They’re done.”
The pastor and Jo stepped back inside the room.
“We’re ready to sign,” Courtney said. “Carli and I want to start over.”
Jo handed Courtney a pen. She signed the first set of papers, printed her name, and dated it before passing the pen to her sister.
Carli did the same and then Jo gathered up the signed agreements. “We’ll have a few hurdles to overcome considering the fact Carli refuses to talk.” Jo pinned Carli with a stare. “You can talk, can’t you?”
Carli silently nodded.
“But you don’t want to?” Jo pressed.
The young woman shook her head.
“I can’t force you to talk, but it will pose some challenges in working with customers.”
“We work together as a team,” Courtney said.
“You will also be required to work alongside the other residents,” Jo warned.
The women exchanged a quick glance, and some unspoken message passed between them.
Jo was starting to suspect working with twins might be her biggest test yet.
“I…we understand,” Courtney said. “Do we get to leave the farm or are we stuck there twenty-four seven?”
“I wouldn’t call it stuck there. We plan outings. If you’re interested, you can also attend church on Sunday. We go out to eat, attend festivals and other events in and around Divine.”
“What about driving?”
“If you don’t know how to drive, we’ll teach you. You’re not allowed to leave the property unsupervised,” Jo said.
The twins exchanged another glance and Jo would’ve gladly paid a hundred bucks to know what the two were saying to each other. She was going to have to get up to speed on non-verbal forms of communication…and fast.
Laverne, the farm’s resident who loved to analyze others, popped into Jo’s head. The woman would have a field day trying to analyze these two.
“No shenanigans,” Jo warned. “If you cause any trouble at the farm, break the rules or refuse to abide by them, you’ll be forced to leave with no second chance. In other words, this is a one and done.”
“We’re ready,” Courtney said. “More than ready.”
Pastor Murphy consulted his watch. “I’ll confirm your exact release schedule before picking you up. From here, we’ll drive directly to Jo’s place.”
Courtney scrambled to her feet. “Thank you, Ms. Pepperdine. You won’t be sorry. Carli and I will be the best residents you’ve ever had.”
“I hope so. You have some stiff competition.” Jo could feel herself start to relax. “If you follow the rules and make the effort, I believe you’re starting the journey to a wonderful new life.”
A guard arrived to escort the twins back to their cells while a second guard accompanied Jo and the pastor to the front desk to retrieve their personal belongings.
Pastor Murphy waited until they were back inside his van. “Well?”
“There was something about them I can’t quite put my finger on,” Jo said.
“Courtney and Carli’s non-verbal communication. It was like they were having a conversation right there in front of us.”
“Yeah. Something was going on between the two of them, some unspoken rule was playing out.” Jo blew air through thinned lips. “I guess I’m going to have to brush up on reading body language.”
“Or figure out why Carli Ladeaux doesn’t want to talk.”