Biloxi Brides (Sugar and Grits)

by Martha Rogers

  She leaned towards him, “I don’t mean to spoil your evening. You stay and I’ll go on upstairs.”

  “I should say not!” He pushed his plate away, all interest in the pastry gone. “No gentleman would let a woman go home unescorted.” He stood and held out his hand to her.

  When she finally grasped it, hers felt cold and clammy. She averted her gaze from his and turned toward the exit.

  ***

  When they arrived at the room, Dottie Jean slid the key into the slot and pushed open the door. “Go on back and enjoy the rest of the dinner. You might even—” She bit her lip then hurried inside and closed the door before he could react.

  She leaned against the door and heard Fletcher pounding on it. She strode to the bed with every ounce of self-confidence and courage down the drain. All the determination not to be intimidated disappeared as the blue sky when clouds roll in. Dottie Jean dropped her handbag on the bedside table then pulled the dress over her head and tossed it in a heap on bed. She plopped down beside it and pulled a pillow to her chest and hugged it. All the while Fletcher knocked on the door and called her name. When he finally gave up and left, she let the sobs escape her throat.

  What had happened to her fighting spirit? She had let Adelle and Liz upset her. A few minutes later the phone rang, but Dottie Jean simply stared at it through her tears. He must have gone down to the house phone and called.

  The more she thought about, the more anger replaced the tears and humiliation. Still, this whole social bit was out of her realm. She didn’t really care about those people. The people she cared about and who cared about her were in Calista. She grabbed the phone book and looked up the number for the bus company. Dottie Jean wanted to go home, sort this all out, and take care of her own business.

  ***

  Fletcher stared at the house phone. After another attempt with no answer, he resigned himself to the fact she didn’t want to talk to him again tonight.

  He retrieved his car and headed home. Fletcher mulled over the evening in his mind, searching for something he had said, or anything that could have made for their early departure. He’d wait until morning then try again to talk with Dottie Jean when he picked her up to take her home.

  He turned his car into the driveway of his spacious home. Instead of going in, he sat in the car. The house would be empty, void of all human life but his. Right now he wasn’t very good company, especially with himself. How he had hoped this evening would be the beginning of a long relationship with a lovely woman he had loved so many years ago. Maybe she’d feel better in the morning when he picked her up for the drive back to Calista. With the trip ahead, his spirits lifted, and he went into house anticipating the morning.

  ***

  Dottie Jean leaned her head against the cool glass of the bus window, thankful to be near, Calista, the only place she could be safe. What a disaster last night turned out to be. Maybe she shouldn’t have run out on Fletcher like she had, but she didn’t feel like facing him this morning—and perhaps never again.

  The memories, suppressed for so many years, came roaring to the surface. Why couldn’t she get over the shame of her family and where she grew up?

  Tears rolled down her cheeks as she remembered the shabby trailer they called home. She and her sister had worn clothes made from scraps and hand-me-downs from her mother’s customers. At least Liz hadn’t mentioned the day Dottie Jean showed up at school in one of Liz’s discarded dresses.

  The city limits sign of Calista welcomed her home. She stepped down from the bus at the depot and trudged the few blocks to her place behind the restaurant. The deserted streets offered a little comfort. She crept into her house and into her room undetected. Dottie Jean crawled into bed, hoping she could sleep and forget about Fletcher. Why hadn’t she listened to Sassy.

  ***

  Fletcher stared at the desk clerk in disbelief. “What do you mean she’s checked out?”

  The young man shrugged. “Just what I said. The file here says she left her key here at two this morning. Is there a problem?”

  “No, I’m just surprised. Thank you.”

  He strode outside to his car and shook his head. Why had she left like that? The only thing he could do was to drive down to Calista anyway and confront her. The ring of his cell phone interrupted his thought. He punched it on. “Fletcher Cameron.”

  “Dad. I have to see you now. In your office or at home, either one, but it has to be now.” The sound of his son’s anger crackled over the airwaves.

  “Hold on, Kevin. What’s so urgent? I was just leaving town for the day.”

  “Cancel it. We need to talk. I’m sorry, Dad. It’s just that I really need to discuss something with you, and I didn’t want to wait until tonight.”

  His son’s ton had turned apologetic and softened Fletcher’s rising anger. From the sound of things, Fletcher wouldn’t be going anywhere until it was resolved. He could go down to Calista after he talked with Kevin.

  “Okay. I’ll drive over to your place. Be there soon.” He ended the connection and headed for his son’s home. A short time later he greeted his grandsons, gave them a hug then followed his son into the family room.

  Kevin handed him a newspaper with his picture and Dottie Jean’s displayed in the center. “Dad, I don’t know what to make of this.”

  Fletcher sighed and held the paper in his hand. “That’s Dottie Jean Weaver. I told you I invited her to the charity dinner. What difference does it make?”

  His son slumped into an oversized leather easy chair. “A lot.” Kevin leaned forward. “What do you really know about her? A man in your position, with your money, and with your reputation can’t just go out with anybody. How do you know she’s not . . .” He stopped abruptly and pressed his lips together.

  Fletcher frowned. “After my money you mean? Well, let me tell you a thing or two. It wouldn’t matter if she was, I’d gladly give it to her. I was in love with Dottie Jean in high school, but she and Hank Weaver were planning to be married. I wasn’t about to ruin it for either of them.”

  Kevin’s face twisted in grief. “But what about Mom? You married her.”

  He tried to soothe his son’s anguish. “I loved your mother with all my heart. We had a good marriage and a good life. My heart broke when she died, and I’ve been terribly alone these past few years.”

  Kevin rose and paced across the room again. “But you’ve had me and Brooke and the children as well as Holly and her family and Kristen in college. You haven’t been alone.”

  Fletcher sighed. “Yes, I have. I’ve missed having a woman to talk to about my day. Someone to rub my shoulders, kiss my neck, and just listen. I’ve missed the companionship that comes with a good relationship.”

  “I see.” He stopped his pacing and peered at his father. “I think I understand what you mean.”

  Fletcher smiled. “Thank you. Dottie Jean is fun, has a wonderful sense of humor, and makes me feel good inside. I’ve fallen in love with her all over again.”

  Kevin’s mouth gaped open. “Dad! Are you saying you want to marry her?”

  “Possibly, if she’ll have me. Before you go worrying about the money bit, Dottie Jean and Hank Weaver had a highly successful fishing fleet and seafood wholesale company. She sold it all last year for a very tidy sum. In other words, she doesn’t need my money.”

  “But what about the diner and life in Calista? Will she want to come up to Jackson to live?”

  “I doubt it, but I’m not worried about that. I don’t need to be here for the business to carry on. You and our partners can handle the everyday stuff, so I’ve already inquired about a piece of property in Calista, and will move down there as soon as a house can be built.”

  “I wasn’t expecting this.” He slumped into the chair again. “You’re really sure this is what you want to do?”

  “I am, but I need to take care of a few matters first.” He stood and offered Kevin his hand. “I need your support, Kev. It’s important to me.” />
  His son stood and shook hands then wrapped an arm around him. “I need time to think and pray about it. I just want you to be happy and not hurt or disappointed.”

  “Thanks. Now I’ve got some errands to run.” He hurried out to his car. He had to get her to talk to him and tell him what happened.

  Chapter Eight

  Dottie Jean awakened, feeling somewhat better, but still disappointed at the way last night had turned out. She needed to be busy, and Saturday’s were always that way. Jenny could use her help in the restaurant

  Before leaving for the duties of the day, she stopped to gaze at Hank’s picture. Well, my love, I made an idiot of myself last night. Then she smiled. Oh, Hank, if you were here, we’d have a good laugh about this and the hoity toity set as Sassy calls them. That’s who she needed to see—Sassy.

  A short drive brought her to Sassy’s. A few customers lingered in the Bait Shop, and her friend greeted her. “Hey there, Dottie Jean. Be with you in a minute.” She turned to a customer, but a sudden realization came into her eyes, and she peered with furrowed brow at Dottie Jean.

  A few minutes later the customer departed. Sassy turned the sign on the door over to “Closed” and spun around. “Okay. Let’s have it. What happened last night to give you that hang-dog look? And what are you doing home so early?”

  Dottie Jean sighed as her friend pulled up two chairs and motioned for her to sit. “Oh, Sassy, I should have listened to you. Last night was awful, well at least some of it was nice, but not all.”

  Sassy clicked her tongue. “I knew it. What did those biddies in Jackson say to upset you? No wait until I get Leota and Sue Ellen here, too. No need to tell it more than once.”

  Her friend rang up the other two. “They’ll be here in a minute. I’m putting on a fresh pot of coffee.”

  In no time the other two women joined them in the bait shop. Sue Ellen burst through the door. “What in the world is going on? Lucky I’m between appointments for a bit.” Then she spotted Dottie Jean. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you still be in Jackson?”

  Leota held the morning edition of the Jackson newspaper in her hand. “I could ask the same question. This looks like you had a good time.” She handed the paper to Dottie Jean.

  The picture of Fletcher and her at the dinner stared back from the page. “Oh, my. I had no idea they’d use this.”

  Sassy looked over Dottie Jean’s shoulder. “Well, it doesn’t do you justice. You’re prettier than that.”

  Sue Ellen and Leota nodded in agreement. Dottie Jean sighed and laid the paper on the counter. “The picture’s not so bad, but what happened after is.”

  The questions in their eyes led her into her tale of the events of the previous evening.

  At the end of Dottie Jean’s story, Sassy pressed her lips together and shook her head. Leota and Sue Ellen stared in disbelief.

  Then all three began talking at once. “How could they?”

  “How rude.”

  “The nerve!”

  Dottie Jean held up her hands. “Slow down, I can’t hear all of it at once.”

  Sassy stomped off to pour mugs of coffee. “I don’t care if it is hot outside. Steaming coffee suits how I feel.”

  Finally Leota asked, “But how did Fletcher react, and what did he do?”

  Dottie Jean sighed. “He doesn’t know about it. He was a perfect gentleman all evening, and tried to make me feel comfortable. I ran off with no explanation, but I just couldn’t tell him last night or face him this morning. I’m nothing but a coward.”

  Sassy returned with a tray of mugs filled with hot coffee. “Smart if you ask me. Get out of this as soon as you can. You don’t need a man in your life right now.”

  Leota shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. Maybe let things ride for a while. Then talk to Fletcher and let him know how you feel.”

  Sue Ellen set her mug hard on the table. “Men! Now I know why I don’t care about finding me one.”

  Sassy laughed and slapped her knee. “Know what you mean. I had me a good one. There’s not another one like him, so why bother?”

  Dottie Jean relaxed. Talking with her friends proved what she should have known along. She didn’t need to see Fletcher again. She belonged right here in Calista.

  ***

  Fletcher parked his car along the main street of Calista and headed for the restaurant. It would be open for lunch, and he prayed Dottie Jean would talk to him.

  He entered and spotted Jenny. She came toward him. “Mr. Cameron. Good to see you. Where’s Mom?”

  “I was hoping you could tell me. She left without saying goodbye or anything.”

  Jenny bit her lip. “I haven’t seen her, but she may be down at Sassy’s.”

  That wasn’t a good sign. From the looks Sassy had given him the few times they saw each other, that lady didn’t like him. No telling what she’d be saying about him to Dottie Jean. He hurried back outside, into the heat. Sassy’s bait shop was up near the river. He jumped back into his car and sped that way. Just after he parked, Dottie Jean and another woman stepped through the door. Neither of the women looked happy.

  “Dottie Jean, wait up. I need to speak to you.”

  To his dismay, she took one look at him and ran toward her car. The other woman shook her head. Sassy poked her head out of the store and gave him a scowl that was enough to curl his toes. He drove after Dottie Jean. Instead of going into the restaurant, she headed for her home.

  When he caught up, she was already inside. He knocked on the door. “Dottie Jean, please come out and talk to me. I don’t understand what happened or why you left in such a hurry.”

  No sound came from the other side. He tried the doorknob, but the door was locked. He rapped on the door again. “I just need to talk with. Please come out.”

  She must have been near the door because he heard her quivering voice plain as day. “Please go away. I’m not ready to talk to you right now. I’m a little confused at the moment. I’ll…I’ll have get back to you later.”

  What? He stepped back. Despite her faltering voice, her determined tone unnerved him. The previous evening rolled through his mind. Everything had run smooth as silk until she had gone to the ladies’ room. Then he remembered seeing Adelle and Liz headed there. Then it dawned on him. The women had said something to Dottie Jean.

  His heart ached for the hurt she must feel. He had to think of something to ease the pain and let her know he didn’t care what the others thought. Although at the moment, he cared very much and wanted to strangle the two snobs.

  He sat down on the step and cradled his head in his hands. From the sound of her voice, he figured Dottie Jean wouldn’t listen to anything he had to say for the moment. No amount of apology could change whatever had happened.

  Fletcher swiped his hands along his thighs and stood. Might as well walk around town a little. But he’d steer clear of Sassy’s bait shop. That was one woman he didn’t care to have on his back today. All his plans and dreams for a future with Dottie Jean seemed destined for the trash heap. No. He wouldn’t give up. Then an idea dawned. He decided just what he had to do to win back Dottie Jean’s trust.

  Chapter Nine

  July stretched toward August, but Dottie Jean avoided Fletcher’s calls for several weeks. She didn’t know how much longer she’d be able to ignore him, especially when he visited the diner this morning searching for her. When he had come in for a hot lunch, she had stayed in the kitchen until he left.

  She stretched her arms and rotated her head slowly. Lunch hour had been exceptionally busy today, and her body ached from being on her feet. She sank into a chair and poured artificial sweetener into a glass of tea. She stirred her tea and gazed out the front window. Suddenly she sat up and leaned forward. Fletcher walked along Main Street with Leota again. This was the third time she’d seen them together. What was going on? Leota was engaged to Matt who was building a new home in Calista where they would live after the wedding.

  She
continued to stare until Leota’s red SUV bearing the magnetic sign for her construction company turned a corner. Her eyes misted over. Fletcher refused to leave her thoughts. She missed being with him, but had decided he was better off without her.

  Rising from the table, she wiped off the water ring then carried her glass to the kitchen. Junior Lee glanced up from peeling potatoes. Dottie Jean nodded and said, “I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back to get my pies done for the dinner crowd. Tell Jenny for me if she asks.”

  “Sure thing, Miz Weaver.” He inclined his head toward the back. “I think Miss Jenny’s in the office.”

  Dottie Jean waved and headed out. She hurried the few blocks down to the church and Pastor Jordon’s office. Once inside, the reverend stood and indicated a chair. “Have a seat, Dottie Jean. What brings you here in the middle of the day?”

  She sat on the edge of the straight back chair and folded her hands in her lap. After a moment she moistened her lips and said, “I have something I need to discuss with you.”

  He leaned back in his chair, pressed his fingertips together and waited for her to continue.

  After a deep breath, she told him of her predicament with Fletcher. At the end, her gaze lowered to her hands, now damp with perspiration. “So you see, I don’t know what to do. I care about him, but I’m not in his league so to speak.”

  Pastor Jordon now moved forward and clasped his hands on the top of his desk. “Dottie Jean, how do you really feel about him?”

  “I’m not sure. I enjoy being with him. He makes me feel special, and I miss that since Hank died.” She picked at hangnail and avoided his gaze.

  “Now isn’t that what is important? You don’t have to be ‘in his league’, as you say. Those women in Jackson have nothing over you. If he is trying to talk with you and see you, then he doesn’t care about things like that. He’s a good Christian man from what I gather.”