A Better Solution (Crowley County Series Book 2)

by T. E. Killian

  Sue Ann cleared her throat and gave Andy a look and he added, “Ma’am.”

  Thirty minutes later, Sue Ann thought she might throttle the woman if she didn’t get her of there pretty quick. Her questions had been blunt, intrusive, and sometimes downright rude.

  Finally, the woman closed her briefcase and started to rise from her chair. Sue Ann spoke quickly. “Do you think all of this will continue now that my ex-husband is in jail for assaulting me this morning?”

  From the woman’s momentary shocked look, Sue Ann knew she hadn’t known about the attack. She recovered quickly though, shook her head, and said, “I cannot comment on any aspect of this case at this point.”

  She stood and started for the door but Sue Ann wasn’t going to give up that easily. “He nearly broke my arm in public. In fact, the sheriff was the one who pulled him off of me.”

  The social worker finally turned and stared at her. “If that is the case, I’m sure the judge will take it into consideration.”

  She stopped in front of the door. “I am still required to turn in my report to the court. I’m sure you will be hearing from them.”

  With that, she was out the door and walking down the sidewalk toward the street.

  Sue Ann closed the door and turned to her mother and son. “Well, that was an experience.” She shook her head. “One that I’d rather not have to go through again.”

  Andy jumped up and shouted over his shoulder as he ran to his room. “She’s a mean old woman.”

  Sue Ann looked at her mother who was having just as much trouble not laughing as she was. She knew her mother agreed with Andy and so did she.

  Chapter Ten

  Sunday morning, as Sue Ann was almost ready for church, there was a knock on her door. As she sat at her dressing table she turned around to say, “Come on in Andy.”

  The door opened slowly and Andy peeked his head in then came in the rest of the way.

  “How did you know it was me? It could have been Grandma you know.”

  She smiled at her son and said, “I can always tell the difference between your knock and Grandma’s. What’s up little man?”

  Sue Ann watched him in her mirror as he hopped up on her bed. He sat there fidgeting for a minute before he finally looked at her and said, “Do you think Dad will go to prison? Penny said he probably would.”

  Sue Ann jumped up and rushed over to sit next to Andy. As she drew her arm around his shoulders, she said, “I don’t think it will come to that. Floyd said that the judge would probably give him probation this time.”

  “Probation? What does that mean?”

  “It means that he won’t go to prison but if he does anything else wrong for a certain amount of time then he would go to prison.”

  “Oh.”

  The whole time they’d been talking, Andy had been looking down at his hands in his lap. Sue Ann touched his cheek and said, “Would you look at me for a minute Andy?”

  When he slowly turned his head toward her, she said, “I don’t want your dad to go to prison, Honey. Like I said the other day, I think that it’s important for you to have a relationship with him. I just don’t think it’s best for you to live with him fulltime though.”

  When he remained silent, she said, “Do you understand why I say that son?”

  She didn’t think she was going to get a response from him when he jumped down from the bed and opened the door. Then he turned back and said, “Yeah.”

  She could see tears in his eyes. “I don’t want to live with him fulltime now either.”

  After he softly closed the door, Sue Ann sat there with tears streaming down her cheeks for a full five minutes. Finally, she sat back down at her dressing table to repair the damage.

  Of course, Floyd and Penny picked them up to drive them all to church. That seemed to be a given now and she was more than okay with it. When they walked through the front door at the church, she could tell that Jo had been waiting for her. She grabbed Sue Ann by the arm, pulled her down the hall to Gil’s office, and closed the door behind them.

  Sue Ann stood in the middle of the room and crossed her arms over her chest. “Okay, Jo Jo give. What’s got you so all fired excited this morning?”

  Jo giggled and clapped her hands together. “I’m just so excited about the coffee shop. All the time I ran the bar, I wanted to sell it so bad or at least turn it into a restaurant. I’ve always thought I’d like to run a restaurant.”

  “But what about your career as a travel agent?”

  “Oh that. That was just something I started doing while I was finishing college. Then when nothing else came up after I graduated, I kept on doing it. I never meant to stay in it as long as I did.”

  When Sue Ann didn’t comment, Jo placed both hands on her still flat tummy. “And most of all, Sue Ann, I’m so excited about having a baby. It’s the one thing that I’ve always wanted to do more than anything else in the world. It’s been so frustrating not being able to have a baby . . . until now.”

  Sue Ann smiled with Jo and said, “Oh, I’m so excited for you and Gil too.”

  When Jo didn’t say anything else, Sue Ann was sure there was something else Jo wanted to talk about so she said, “And . . . what else did you want to talk about?”

  Jo blushed and said, “I just wanted you to know that marriage can be great if you have the right man. And boy do I have the right man. Would you believe that Gil won’t let me do anything around the house now that I’m pregnant. And Carla’s almost as bad as he is.”

  “The only thing they’ll let me do is cook.” She giggled. And that’s only because Gil can’t cook and Carla won’t. Even at that, he bought a stool like the one at the coffee shop for me to sit on when I’m cooking.”

  When Sue Ann didn’t comment, Jo looked into her eyes and said, “The reason I said all that is to try to convince you that all men aren’t like Ray.”

  Sue Ann still didn’t say anything.

  “What I’m trying to get through that thick skull of yours is that Floyd is not like Ray.”

  Sue Ann snorted. “That’s for sure but he’s not like Gil either.”

  “No he’s not. But Floyd is a good man and if you give him half the chance he’ll eventually prove it to you.”

  Sue Ann placed her hands on her hips and tried to glare back at Jo. “Don’t you think that’s what I’ve been trying to do? We’ve been together every day for over a week.”

  “Oh, Sue Ann, don’t you know what I’m trying to say? You and Floyd belong together. That man has loved you for years and you were either too blind or too stubborn to see it.”

  Sue Ann had to sit down for that one. She almost fell into one of the visitor chairs and put her elbows on her knees with her chin in her hands.

  Wow! Jo Jo sure knew how to blow her away. After a moment, she looked up at Jo and said, “How do you know?”

  “How do I know? Sue Ann, Floyd is my cousin, my favorite cousin. I’ve been around him all my life. That’s how I know.”

  She seemed to be letting that sink in for a moment then continued, “And who else do you think I’ve been around most of my life?” She pointed at Sue Ann. “You! I’ve seen the two of you around each other for twenty-five years. Don’t you think that’s long enough for me to be able to see what’s there between you and Floyd? It’s there just below the surface, but it’s there just the same.”

  Sue Ann felt like her mind was being overloaded. “Stop Jo Jo, please. I can’t take in any more of your revelations right now. I need to think about all you’ve just said, okay?”

  Jo grinned and said, “Sure. I know that when you’ve had time to think all this through you’ll agree with me that not only is Floyd in love with you but you’re in love with him too. Why else would you be doing what you are for him this afternoon?”

  Sue Ann held up her hands and Jo stopped but continued to grin.

  In church, Sue Ann sat between Floyd and Andy. For once, she didn’t have to say a word to Andy about fidgeting in chu
rch. No, he was too busy watching Floyd fidget. That was strange. What was going on here? Something sure seemed to be bothering Floyd but what?

  * * *

  It sure was getting hot in this place. They must have the thermostat on eighty. Floyd couldn’t sit still. He was getting more and more agitated the longer Gil talked or preached or whatever it was they called it. Why did everything the little guy say seem to hit him right between the eyes?

  Had someone told Gil just what to say to make Floyd uncomfortable? He looked next to him at Sue Ann. He wouldn’t put it past her but she was sitting there seemingly listening carefully to every word Gil said. No, she looked too innocent. But maybe that was it. Too innocent?

  He turned his attention back to the front. Gil was saying, “Jesus is standing on the other side of the door just waiting for us to come to Him. He’s even waiting just for us to knock. When we do, He’ll let us come in to Him.”

  Is that all there is to it? Floyd had always thought it would be difficult with all sorts of obstacles to go around or over.

  He’d have to do a lot of thinking about that. He wondered where he could get his hands on a Bible so he could read what Gil was talking about for himself. Maybe Sue Ann would let him borrow hers.

  He was the type of person who never took someone else’s word for what something meant until he could check it out himself. He figured that was the cop in him though.

  He wasn’t ready to talk to anyone about what was bothering him so he didn’t ask Gil anything on the way out of the church. They were all going to Sue Ann’s house for dinner. Maybe he’d get a chance to talk to Gil then.

  When they stepped outside, it was snowing hard. That was all he needed. He wanted to spend the afternoon with his ‘family’ but he’d probably be called out for something weather related.

  As soon as Floyd pulled out of the church parking lot, Sue Ann suddenly turned to him and said, “Oh Floyd, I’m so sorry but I really need to stop by the drug store for a minute. I only need one little thing so I’ll be real quick. Will you stop for me, please?”

  Floyd didn’t think anything of it. Sue Ann was always forgetting something. In a strange way, her zaniness was one of the things that appealed to him about her. He never knew what to expect from her next. So he stopped and sat in the car with Wanda, Penny, and Andy while Sue Ann ran into the drug store.

  She came back out five minutes later carrying a small bag. She smiled at him and said, “Thank you so much Floyd.”

  When they finally made it to Sue Ann’s house, she opened the door and immediately stepped inside and to the left of the door. Floyd wondered what she was up to as he watched the other three do the same thing. When he crossed the threshold to stand beside her that was when everything broke loose inside the house.

  At least a dozen voices called out at once, “Surprise! Happy birthday Floyd!”

  He looked around the room and there were his parents, his sister and her husband and kids, as well as both of his brothers with their wives and kids. And of course Jo was there with Gil and Carla. Gil’s mother and aunt were even there too.

  Wow!

  Now, everyone was talking at once until his mother came up to him and threw her arms around his neck. Jo’s dad had been her brother and that was where they both got their red hair and freckles.

  She brushed some hair out of her eyes and said, “Sue Ann did all this for you Floyd. Isn’t she just the sweetest thing ever?

  Floyd had to chuckle. He really liked Sue Ann but he’d never once thought of her as sweet. He looked around for her and found her standing next to Jo who was wearing a big grin on her face with her hands behind her back.

  When the other two most important women in his life stepped up beside his mother, Jo brought her right hand around and there was a wrapped box in it, which she shoved at him.

  “Happy birthday Floyd. This is from Gil and me.”

  He felt foolish standing in the middle of twenty or so people trying to unwrap a gift that was wrapped in pink paper. It even had a pink bow on it. It was a longstanding joke between them but he sure didn’t think it was very funny right now. She had started using pink paper when they were kids and he’d made the comment once that they’d better never give him pink paper.

  When he finally got it open, he was surprised to find that it was a rather large Bible. He looked up at Jo and said, “Even three weeks ago, I would have been mad at you for giving me this.”

  He looked around the room and his eyes briefly connected with his mother’s teary ones. Then he looked back at Jo and said. “Well, right now there are some things I want to read about in it . . . thanks to Gil.”

  They all laughed at that. Then his mother came over to him dragging his dad behind her. “Floyd, I want you to know that your father has accepted the Lord and wants to be baptized.”

  That floored him. He couldn’t think of a single thing to say. His dad was the one he got his height from and he was also the one who wouldn’t allow any of them to go to church when Floyd was growing up. A rather uncomfortable Harold McCracken frowned at his son with one eyebrow raised and said, “That’s all right. I’m almost as shocked to see you accept that Bible . . . son.”

  Floyd looked at Sue Ann and shoved the Bible and wrappings at her then reached out to draw his dad into a hug.

  Floyd drew back a little and said, “But how?”

  Harold snorted and said, “I guess it was just about time.”

  Then they stepped apart and Jo stepped between them. With a big grin on her face, she said, “Uncle Harold, if you and Aunt Dixie are looking for a church, I think I know a good one.”

  They all laughed and Dixie grabbed her husband by the arm and said, “I just about have him convinced to go to your church, but he wanted to talk to Gil first. They didn’t really get much of a chance at your wedding.”

  Jo turned and motioned for Gil to join them.

  After a few minutes of getting to know each other, it was decided that Gil would baptize Harold next Sunday.

  After that, the women went into the kitchen to get dinner ready to serve.

  * * *

  After dinner, the men were all sitting around the living room watching a basketball game and more or less watching the kids while the women were in the kitchen cleaning up. The kids were getting antsy since it was snowing too hard for them to play outside.

  Sue Ann was quite comfortable with Floyd’s mother, sister, and two sisters-in-law since she’d been to so many family gatherings over the years with Jo. And they seemed to take Wanda in just as easily.

  Now, as she looked around at their faces, she suddenly realized that they had all four been treating her differently today. Why was that? What was going on here?

  Dixie answered Sue Ann’s thoughts when she placed the dishtowel down and laid a hand on Sue Ann’s arm.

  “Sue Ann . . . Dear . . . ever since you and Jo became such good friends, we’ve grown to think of you as one of the family.”

  She let that sink in for a moment and Sue Ann tried to figure out what was coming next.

  Floyd’s mother smiled fondly and said, “Now, we couldn’t be any happier that you and Floyd are getting together.”

  Sue Ann started to protest but Dixie held up a hand and said, “Now don’t try to deny it Dear. It’s as plain as the nose on your face.”

  She looked around at the other women and said, “We can all clearly see that you’re in love with my son.”

  Sue Ann started to protest again but this time Jo poked her in the arm. “See, Sue Ann, I’ve been trying to tell you that same thing for at least six months. You’re just the last one to realize it.”

  When Sue Ann didn’t respond, Jo said, “Just stop and think. How do you feel when Floyd comes into the room?”

  Sue Ann couldn’t believe she actually blushed. She looked at her mother who only smiled and nodded her head.

  Dixie, whom Sue Ann had always thought was the serious one, giggled. “That’s right Dear. One look at you when Floyd
comes into the room is enough for anyone. Why else would you have gone to so much trouble to have this wonderful surprise birthday party for him in your own home?”

  Sue Ann was suddenly overcome. She had to get away for a few minutes or she’d burst into uncontrollable tears. What was worse was that she didn’t even know why. She just knew she would. She had that strong urge to cry and couldn’t keep it down much longer.

  On her way through the living room to the bathroom, she noticed that Floyd was sitting on the sofa with Gil on one side and his father on the other. Floyd had his new Bible open on his lap and it looked like they were all three discussing something in there.

  Good grief! Things were happening way too fast for her feeble brain to process. She barely made it to the bathroom and closed the door before the tears started.

  After a few minutes, there was a soft knock on the door. She knew before she opened the door who it would be.

  Jo stepped inside and didn’t say a word. She just wrapped her arms around Sue Ann and held her for a few minutes.

  Finally, she leaned back and said, “It’s not really all that bad Sue Ann. You and Floyd make a terrific couple.”

  Sue Ann took another tissue and wiped her eyes. “I know. It’s just that I’m scared. What if we can’t make it last for very long? After all, we’ve both been through that before.”

  Jo placed both hands on Sue Ann’s shoulders, looked her in the eye, and said, “How old were you when you married Ray?”

  She had to stop to think about that one. “I was twenty-two I guess.”

  “Okay, you are nine years older now. Don’t you think you’ve matured just a little in that amount of time? I’d also say you’ve probably learned a lot about relationships since then too.”

  She stepped back and continued, “And don’t you even think about comparing my cousin to Ray Vickers.”

  Sue Ann understood where Jo was coming from but it still didn’t take away any of the worry or down right fear of another relationship not working out.

  “But what about Floyd?”