Chapter 3

3

The thing that finally made the whole village notice Sienna was the state of her crops.

While everyone else’s corn was only knee-high, Sienna’s was already taller than a grown man. The stalks were as thick as a child’s arm, and the ears were heavy and drooping, with the golden kernels bursting through the husks, plump and full. The vegetable patch was even more shocking―the cabbages were as large as millstones, the radishes as thick as yams, and the cucumber vines were laden with deep green fruit.

The first one to notice was Mayor Sterling. He was the village leader, having walked these fields for decades, and he had never seen crops like this.

“Sienna,” the Mayor said, standing at the edge of the field, twisting his old hat in his hands. “These crops… how on earth did you grow them?”

Sienna was weeding the field. She straightened up and wiped the sweat from her brow. “Just watering, fertilizing, and weeding. Nothing special.”

The Mayor didn't believe her, but he didn't press for answers. He was an old-fashioned man who knew that everyone had their own secrets and that some things shouldn't be asked.

“Good girl,” he said. “If your father were alive, he’d be so proud.”

Sienna lowered her head to continue weeding. Her hands stayed busy, but her eyes stung with warmth.

News traveled faster than the wind. Within two days, people from three surrounding villages had come to see Sienna’s farm.

“It’s witchcraft! Same seeds, same soil―why does hers grow so well?”

“Does this girl know some new technology?”

“I think it’s her father watching over her from the heavens.”

Sienna listened to the gossip without responding to a word. She headed to the fields before dawn every day and didn't return until dark, remaining as silent as a stone.

But that stone made certain people very restless.

The lights in Silas’s house stayed on all night. Tabitha tossed and turned, her mind obsessed with Sienna’s crops.

“Tell me, do you think she’s hiding some kind of treasure?” Tabitha poked Silas. “Same seeds, same dirt―why do hers grow so well?”

“What kind of treasure could she have?” Silas rolled over. “She’s just had a run of good luck.”

“No way,” Tabitha jumped out of bed. “I’m going to her field tomorrow to see for myself. If she doesn't share some with us, I’ll make everyone be the judge―we’re family, and her food is our food!”

Silas didn't speak, but Tabitha knew his silence was his consent.