The Healer's Touch by Lori Copeland

stories say this particular evil is trapped in this location for reasons unknown to mortals.” Endless legends of missing miners, headless soldiers, and swamp gas tried to explain away the light.
    â€œOh, my.” The girl’s face now turned ashen.
    â€œThere are many theories, but none proven. Most are simply silly.” Lyric shifted, glancing at the corner post. “I would offer you a glass of lemonade, but I used the last of my lemons and sugar. Would you like some spring water?”
    â€œNo, I really should be going.” Katherine stood, shaking the wrinkles from her skirt. The dress was a pretty store-bought one, unlike the one Lyric was wearing. “I wanted to bring the pie and make my apologies for being so inhospitable this morning. We should have tea soon.”
    â€œI would love that.”
    Katherine picked up her wicker basket. “You mentioned your mother. Does she feel up to me peeking in on her? I’d love to meet her.”
    Lyric couldn’t think of a worse idea. “I’m afraid mother is very weak,” she said. “She has been bedridden the past few months and sleeps most of the time. She awakens only for light meals and then only for a few minutes.”
    â€œOh. I’m so sorry.”
    â€œThank you so much for asking. Her time is short. We’re…waiting.”
    â€œI understand. Please call on me if you need anything. And Levi has a strong back. If you need wood…”
    The unexpected and unusual offer brought swift tears to Lyric’s eyes. She quickly turned away so Katherine wouldn’t notice. “Thank you, but that’s not necessary. My little sister and I are quite familiar with an ax.”
    â€œWell, if you should need anything, don’t hesitate to send for us. We want to be good neighbors.”
    â€œI won’t hesitate, and thank you for the pie. Lark and I will enjoy it immensely.” The treat would be most welcome.
    Moving to her visitor’s right side, Lyric walked down the steps with her. Katherine was headed north, so with any luck she’d never spot Younger on the side porch.
    â€œOh, dear. I fear I should have put that roast in the oven before I walked over. It may not be done by supper, but Levi will eat most anything—perhaps we’ll have leftover stew. We had it for dinner, but with a pan of fresh biscuits Levi shouldn’t complain.” The women briefly embraced and then Katherine set off for her homestead, swinging the empty wicker basket. Lyric watched until she disappeared far enough down the road that her voice wouldn’t carry and then bellowed, “Lark!”
    She couldn’t wait to hear those two young ladies explain why they had set a dead man on the front porch.

3

    T he sound of feet clamoring down the stairway alerted Lyric to the two girls’ presence. When the screen door opened, Lark peered out. “Did you scream at me?” she asked.
    Keeping an even tone, Lyric asked, “Why is that man wrapped in a blanket sitting on the front porch?”
    Lark’s eyes traveled to the corner post. “Mr. Younger?”
    â€œWho else would be dead, sitting on our porch, wrapped in a blanket?”
    â€œMr. Younger. We didn’t want him stinking up the house so Boots and I moved him out here.” She glanced at the sun. “It’s getting pretty late now to start digging a hole. Can we get it done before the light fades?”
    â€œOf course not, but it doesn’t matter. We aren’t going to bury him; we have to take him into town first thing in the morning. Thesheriff will have someone there to identify the remains and they will assume responsibility for his disposal.”
    Boots’s eyes lit up. “You mean we might not have to bury him? Good. Carrying him out of the parlor was bad enough.”
    â€œWhy should we? His family will need to deal with his remains. He isn’t our problem. I’m only interested in