She peered into his face. “Yes, he is.”
“And you haven’t told him the reason for your hasty departure after the dinner?” He rested his elbows on his desk.
Dottie shook her head. “No. I think I was too embarrassed by it all.”
“Then I think it’s time to talk it over with him.” He came around the desk. “Your birthday party is this weekend. Why not invite him to it?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that. I’m not sure I want to see him that soon.” She extended her hand. “Thank you, though. I’m really going to consider your advice.”
The pastor held her hand in his. “I’ll be praying for you to make the right decision. In fact, let’s do it now.”
She bowed her head and listened to Pastor Jordon’s soothing tones. “Dear Father, our sister has a dilemma and needs Your guidance. Show her the way she should go, what should be said, and when. Thank you for Your love and care for us. Amen”
“Thank you. I do feel better now.” She glanced at her watch. “Oh dear. It’s time to get my pies made for tonight. Thank you again for your prayers.” She smiled and waved good-bye to the secretary then headed back to the diner. A block from the Catfish House, she spotted Sassy coming from the bank.
“Hi, Sassy. Come on by the diner and have a glass of lemonade with me.”
Her friend stopped abruptly. “Don’t have time, Dottie Jean. See you later.” She turned on her heel and made a beeline back into the building.
Dottie Jean shook her head. What had gotten into her? This was the second time she’d avoided Dottie Jean this week. Maybe it had something to do with the birthday party on Saturday. She shrugged and shook her head. What had started out to be a secret party for her sixty-fifth birthday had turned into a celebration for the whole town. No time to think about that now. She had cooking to do.
A few minutes later she donned her apron and assembled the supplies to make the pie filling. The crusts, rolled out earlier in the day, sat ready and waiting in the refrigerator for her luscious concoction of eggs, butter, sugar, syrup, and pecans.
As she poured the mixture into the pastry, she again thought about the curious behavior of her friends. She had to get to the bottom of that one way or the other. As she made pies, she prayed, two things she could do quite well.
***
Fletcher helped Leota secure a set of blueprints on a tree stump with two stones. He peered over her shoulder at the plans.
Leota shoved her hat back on her head. “Well, Fletcher, what do you think?”
He glanced from the paper to the framework now going up then back to the plans. “Looks good Leota. I know you didn’t want to do this at first, but I really appreciate it.”
Leota grinned and rolled up the plans. “Dottie Jean deserves something grand, and this will do it. I’m sure she suspects something, and I’m hoping she thinks it concerns her birthday party.”
“Leota, Fletcher.” A familiar voice called out.
He spun around to find Sassy stumbling across the lot wearing her fishing overalls and hat. Oh, no. What could she want? When the older woman stopped, she bent over at the waist and panted to catch her breath.
“What in world brings you out here, Sassy?” Leota scurried to her friend’s side.
The older woman straightened up and pointed a finger at him. “You, Mr. Fletcher Cameron. You’re getting me into trouble with my best friend.”
Leota patted her arm. “Now, Sassy, what happened?”
“Dottie Jean, that’s what!” She planted her hands on her hips. “I had to lie to her again today and avoid being with her.”
Oh, no. Sassy could ruin everything. How could he convince her to keep quiet? “I’m sorry, but you can’t tell her about this. Please don’t say anything.”
“Humph. You and your secrets. What makes you think she’ll even want this place or you for that matter?”
He shook his head. “I’m praying she will, but it has to be a surprise for her birthday.” And if she didn’t like it, he’d still have the place for himself, but surely God would consider his prayer and soften Dottie Jean’s heart.
Sassy narrowed her eyes at him. “Well, I just learned from a friend at the bank that you made inquiries about her and the diner. Looks to me like you’re putting your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“I’m sorry about that. Ever since what happened in Jackson I’ve tried. . .”
Sassy exploded. “Say what? How do you know what happened in Jackson?” She turned a fire filled gaze to Leota. “You! You told him. And after we promised Dottie Jean. Why I oughta go up there and spill the whole thing to her.”
Fletcher tried to soothe her by placing a hand on her arm, but Sassy jerked away. “Leave me alone. I’m madder than an old wet hen.”
“And I don’t blame you, but when I explained to Leota how I felt and what I wanted to do, she told me, but I had already guessed.”
Sassy peered at Leota again. “I don’t know what to think about this now. Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?”
Leota shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Fletcher placed his cap back on his head. “Come on back to the truck. We need to get out of this sun.”
Sassy stood her ground. “No. If we go anywhere, I want to go up to the house.” Without waiting for a reply she strode toward the construction.
He shrugged, raised an eyebrow then followed with Leota behind him.
Once on the foundation Sassy inspected the expanse of the concrete slab and the few framing walls now in place with Leota calling warnings to be careful. She finally returned to where they waited by the entrance.
Sassy waved her hand toward the structure. “It’s going to be a fine house. Dottie Jean certainly deserves a place like this.”
“That’s what I told him. Now will you keep quiet?” Leota tapped a foot on the concrete floor.
“I suppose so, but I might bust a gusset in the meantime.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “What I want to know is what you’re going to do if she doesn’t want it?”
Fletcher patted her shoulder. “If she doesn’t want this house, then I plan to move in myself. After that I’ll start courting her proper-like.”
“Humph. Seems to be a waste of money, but I’ll keep quiet.”
“Thanks, Sassy. Like I told Leota, I’ve loved Dottie Jean ever since high school, and I believe God brought us back together. I only pray I can get her to talk with me. So far I haven’t made any headway in that department.”
Sassy shook her head. “Well, I don’t think I can help much right now. If I start suggesting she talk to you, she’ll jump all over me like a hound dog after a coon. Then I’ll spill the beans for sure.”
Leota wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulder. “That’s okay, dear. I’ll take care of that. You steer clear of anything to do with Fletcher.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “I’m sure glad you ladies are on my side. Don’t know what I’d do if you were against me.” Indeed, talking to Leota in the first place and winning Sassy over had been two of the smartest things he could have done. He really didn’t know what he’d do if the plan failed.
He escorted them back to Leota’s SUV and Sassy’s car. After driving back to town, Leota let him out. Fletcher jumped down and said, “Thank you again. Leota. Everything looks great. I’ll see you Saturday and pray she doesn’t throw me out of the party.” He glanced again at Sassy who had followed them. She sat with arms crossed, staring straight ahead. He prayed she would keep her word and not betray him before then.
As he backed out onto the road, Leota stood by Sassy’s car window, and the two women were in deep discussion. Passing by the diner without stopping took all the strength he could muster, but after the extremes Dottie Jean went to in order to avoid him this morning, he didn’t want to risk another rejection today. Saturday would be soon enough. Dear Lord, please let her listen to me and please help me to make her understand how much I love her and want this
house for her. . .for us.
Chapter Ten
Dottie Jean gazed around the noisy dining room. The lunch crowd buzzed with conversation as Allie May and Mary Beth scurried around taking care of the customers. Sassy and Leota finished their lunch and beckoned for Dottie Jean to join them.
She plopped down in the empty seat at their table. “What’s up, ladies?”
Leota set her iced tea glass down. “We were just thinking about your party Saturday. Have you invited Fletcher Cameron yet?”
Dottie Jean shook her head. “No, and I’m not sure I’m going to.”
Sassy slapped her hand on the table. “And why not?”
“I haven’t spoken to him in weeks. I’d look kinda silly calling him now when I’ve avoided him like the plague.” Why were they talking about Fletcher? He was the last person in the world she wanted to discuss.
Leota toyed with her napkin. “I just thought it’d be nice to have him here.”
And why should that matter to them? At that moment, Fanny from the supermarket lumbered into the diner and eased into a chair behind Sassy. Her ample body spilled over the edges.
“I need some service here. I’m so hungry I could eat the horns off a billy goat.” Fanny’s whining voice rang above all the others.
Sassy muttered under breath. “More than likely the whole billy goat, too.”
Dottie Jean threw Sassy a warning look as she signaled to Allie May. The young waitress hurried to Fanny’s table with a tumbler of ice water. She scribbled down the order and headed back to the kitchen.
Fanny cocked her head toward Leota. “Whose fancy house are you clearing land for up there next to that big old lodge of yours?”
Sassy reached over and smacked Fanny’s arm. “Shush your mouth girl.”
“What house?” Dottie Jean’s gaze darted back and forth between the two women.
Leota cleared her throat then swallowed. “Um, just a house for a new client. Thought I’d take care of one last client before selling out to the Sawyer boys.”
Dottie Jean narrowed her eyes to peer at Leota. “Is that what you and Fletcher have been up to these past few weeks?”
The young contractor averted her attention and raised her hand as though to call the waitress. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
At that moment Jenny arrived at the table. “What can I do for you, Leota?”
“We were just discussing your mom’s party. How’s it coming along?”
Dottie Jean didn’t hear Jenny’s reply as her mind filled with questions Leota needed to answer. From the corner of her eye she observed Sassy holding Fanny’s arm in a death grip. The older woman yanked away trying to loosen the hold and glared at Sassy, but Sassy’s strong fingers merely tightened around the flesh.
Leota rose from her seat and followed Jenny to the office, and Sassy leaned over to whisper something into Fanny’s ear.
“That does it! You girls are up to something, and I aim to find out what it is. Sassy, let go of Fanny’s arm. You’re going to squeeze the blood out of it.” Dottie Jean pushed back from the table and marched to the back of the diner. The sound of Fanny’s anger as she complained to Sassy followed her.
She stormed into the office where Leota and Jenny huddled over the desk. “I’d like to know just what ya’ll all are cooking up. I’ve never seen this many secrets and furtive glances since Tillie Hatcher came back to town.”
The two younger women exchanged glances. Jenny shrugged her shoulders. “You may as well know, Mom. I invited Fletcher and his family to your party.”
“You what?”
Jenny held up her hands as if to fend off Dottie Jean’s anger. “Just wait a minute. Now I’ve seen you moping around the past month. I don’t care what happened in Jackson—you still care about Mr. Cameron.”
“Who says so, and what does it matter if I do?”
“Look, we’re simply trying to help you patch things up. He’s been prowling around this town waiting for you to speak to him two or three times a week.” Leota extended her hand to touch Dottie Jean’s arm.
“And that’s why you’ve been hanging around with him so much?”
“Yes and no. Honey, I’ve never seen two more miserable people than you two are. We only want you to be happy, and that’s why we thought the birthday party would be a good time to get you together.” Leota wrapped her arm around Dottie Jean’s shoulders.
Her friend’s soothing voice calmed some of her anger, but she still peered at them suspiciously. Jenny reached out to hug her. Then the anger began to dissolve. Hadn’t she resolved just this morning to ask him to come anyway? Her friends and her family loved her and wanted only what was best.
“Mom, we just want you to be happy like you were when you and Mr. Cameron first started going out. He’s really a nice man. We all like him.”
Leota nodded. “Yes, and he isn’t those ladies in Jackson. They’re snobs with their noses so high in the air they can’t see what Fletcher sees in you.”
Dottie Jean’s mouth quivered. She had been miserable these past weeks, and evidently everyone else had recognized it, too. “Okay. Let him come to the party. I guess it’s time we had a little talk. I’ll call and do the inviting myself. . . no, if you’ve already done it, I’ll just leave it at that.”
Jenny grinned and embraced her mother again. “Thanks, Mom. It’ll be a grand time. Just you wait.”
“Maybe so. Now I’m going back out there to make sure Sassy and Fanny don’t kill each other.” She headed for the dining room, but Sassy and Fanny were nowhere to be found. Dottie Jean shook her head. More was going on around here than any of them were letting on. She’d let them have their little fun and games now, but come Saturday, she’d get some answers.
***
Fletcher decided he’d get an answer from Dottie Jean one way or the other on Saturday. He punched the intercom button. “Mrs. Phelps, call Kevin and tell him I need to see him.”
He swiveled his chair to gaze out at the buildings of downtown Jackson. Jenny’s invitation both surprised and delighted him. At first he’d planned to crash the party, but then decided not to ruin Dottie Jean’s day. Now he could attend without worry.
He spun back around when Kevin entered the office.
“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” His son relaxed in one of the chairs by the desk.
“I’m going down to Calista for Mrs. Weaver’s birthday, and I’d like for you and Brooke to go with me.”
Kevin furrowed his brow. “Are you sure, Dad? I didn’t think she was speaking to you.”
Fletcher fingered some papers on the desktop. “She isn’t, but her daughter called earlier and thinks I ought to come.”
“But she doesn’t know about the house or your plans to move to Calista.” His son shook his head.
“No, and her birthday will be the perfect time to tell her. I’ve prayed about this, and it’s what God wants me to do.”
Kevin shrugged. “I’m not one to argue with God. I’ll talk to Brooke about going with you.” He smiled. “You know she thinks this is all so romantic, and I’ll bet she’ll be happy to tag along and not hear it all second-hand.”
Fletcher chuckled. “Brooke would.” He pushed away from the desk. “I’m glad that’s settled. To be honest, I’m a little nervous about all this, but I do have her friends and Jenny on my side.” Then he remembered Sassy. That one he couldn’t be sure of, but counted on Leota and Sue Ellen to keep her in line.
His son rose and headed for the door. “I’ll talk about this with you more later. I’m going to call Brooke so she can make arrangements for a sitter for the boys.”
“Wait. Don’t do that. I’d like it if you brought them with you. I want her to meet your family. I only wish Holly and Kristen could be there, too. Kristen won’t be back from her mission trip with the church until next week, and with the new baby coming, I know Holly doesn’t want to travel.”
“If you’re sure about the boys, I’ll tell Brooke we’re all invited.” H
e hesitated a moment then blurted out. “Dad, I’m sorry for my attitude a few weeks ago. I really hope this works out for you. I want you to be happy.”
“Thanks, Son. Your support means a lot to me.” He stared at the door after Kevin closed it then slumped back into his leather chair. He checked his calendar for afternoon appointments. Only one needed his attention; the others he quickly cancelled. After his one o’clock meeting, he’d take a quick trip down to Calista to consult with Leota.
By two-thirty he headed for his destination. When he arrived, Leota glanced up from her work then smiled when she recognized him. “Hi, Mr. Cameron. I wasn’t expecting to see you again until Saturday. You are coming to the party, aren’t you?”
Fletcher laughed. “Yes, Jenny talked me into it. I asked my son and his family to come with me. I thought it was time for them to meet Dottie Jean.”
“Oh? Well, the more the merrier. By the way, Jenny told her mother about inviting you, and she didn’t object from what Jenny tells me.” Leota sat back in her chair and twirled her pencil.
“Hmm. That’s a good sign. I hope. I don’t know what I’ll do if she decides to ignore me.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”
Leota handed him a blueprint. “Just came back from the site. Here are a few ideas I had as I toured the foundation this morning. We’re going to make this a place Dottie Jean won’t be able to resist.”
Fletcher settled into a chair. “How are things going with her?”
Leota raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “As well as can be expected I guess. Fanny almost got us into trouble at lunch today.” She told him about the incident between Sassy and Fanny at the diner.
A chuckle escaped Fletcher’s throat. “Good old Sassy. She came through for us after all. I only pray you all won’t regret this.”
“We won’t. Without Sassy, you’d be dead in the water, so her response today is a good sign.
Biloxi Brides (Sugar and Grits) Page 6
