In the Land of Milk and Honey by Jane Jensen Read Free Book Online

story in the news about an entire Amish family that had taken sick and died, and the investigators still didn’t know why. It was awful. Amber thought about mentioning the tragedy to Levi, but she wasn’t sure how well he knew the Kinderman family, and she didn’t want to upset him.
    Sometimes the hippies at the Philly market turned up their noses because Amber’s produce wasn’t “certified organic.” Sheexplained that most of the Amish farmers didn’t bother with that kind of government certification, but they raised their produce without all those toxic chemicals, and their animals grazed on real pasture and weren’t locked up indoors their whole lives. But God forbid something not be stamped with a big old “USDA approved.” Idiots. Everyone knew the USDA was in bed with Monsanto and big pharma and every other corporate evil you could name. Amber considered herself a commando against all that. She was involved in nothing less than a holy war.
    â€œThat ’bout does it,” Levi said as he loaded the last of the raw milk into one of her coolers. “Total comes to two hundred fifteen dollars.”
    Amber peeled off the cash, trying not to feel anxious about it. This was business. It took money to make money. “Thank you, Levi! See you Saturday.”
    â€œJa, See ya then. God bless.”
    Levi and his son walked toward the house, and Amber looked around for Rob. She snorted as she saw him squatting down, petting the Fisher’s dog. Like most farm dogs, it was used to visitors and was a social creature. It was pretty too—a Bernese mountain dog. Rob scratched behind both of the dog’s ears and the dog panted happily. That boy was such an animal lover. He was a lazy-ass intern but an animal lover all the same. And she paid pennies for his time because he wanted to learn about organic farming. She could hardly complain if he didn’t bust tail.
    She took the opportunity to open a gallon of the raw milk and fill up her empty travel mug. She hadn’t had time forbreakfast, but the rich milk would hold her for hours. She put the rest of the gallon in the cooler and opened up the driver’s door.
    â€œLet’s go, animal whisperer!” she called out, laughing, to Rob.
    Rob turned to her with a shy smile and headed for the truck.
    â€”
    â€œOoh, fresh asparagus! Don’t you wish we could have it all year long?”
    It was a windy April day and almost closing time at the farmers’ market. Amber was exhausted and ready to pack up the remains of their goods and head home. But the new customer was cute with her cropped blonde hair, boxy black glasses, and rosy-cheeked toddler in a carrier that wrapped around her torso. Amber couldn’t help but smile.
    â€œFresh asparagus is the best,” Amber agreed wholeheartedly. “It’s really amazing when you can just snip it off the stalk in the garden, walk to your stove, and toss it into a hot steamer. But this is as fresh as you’ll find it unless you grow it yourself.”
    â€œOoh, gimme gimme!”
    â€œHow much would you like?”
    â€œI’ll take the three bunches here. Do you have more in the back?”
    â€œNo, sorry. This is the last of the asparagus today.”
    â€œOh no! In that case, let me grab those quick. What about strawberries? I saw some at other booths, but they were from greenhouses. Your stuff is from Amish farms, right?” The womanlooked up at the large banner Amber had designed. It depicted a painted farm scene with a red barn and the words “Fresh Direct to You from Amish Farms in Lancaster County,” and “Chemical Free!” and “Raw Milk!” The woman tilted her head. “Are the strawberries coming in over there yet?”
    â€œWe had the first batch this week.” Amber grinned. “So good! Unfortunately, I didn’t have that many pints and I sold out. But I should have a ton more on