The Only Solution (Crowley County Series Book 3)

by T. E. Killian

  “Daisy, Daisy, Daisy. Do you think Mrs. Bates would be so nice to you if she didn’t approve? That woman would do almost anything to anybody to protect her son.”

  That really made her think and she realized that she’d have to finish those thoughts later in the privacy of her apartment.

  After Daisy dropped Jo off at the church parsonage, she kept thinking about all that Jo had said. She laughed when she realized that Jo hadn’t really said that much. She just confirmed that things were going as they should be going.

  Chapter Four

  Sunday morning, Daisy felt wonderful as she and Lucy moved around their apartment getting ready for church. She was so thankful that Lucy loved church, especially Sunday School. It sure made things easier for Daisy.

  When they sat down at the large table for breakfast with all the residents, everyone seemed to be their usual cheerful selves. With the possible exception of Bert that is. Daisy could tell that something was bothering him. She smiled to herself. Even when something was bothering him, it still didn’t slow him down on his eating.

  When Bert finished eating, he looked over at Daisy and she knew it was coming so she sat back and waited while he went through his routine. First, he scratched his head then he leaned from one side to the other. Finally, he opened his mouth and began.

  “Miz Daisy will I like Mr. Mike’s mother?”

  Daisy worked hard to keep from smiling. “Yes, Bert, I’m sure you’ll like her. She’s a very nice person.”

  He scratched his head. “Will she like me?”

  Daisy knew that for Bert this was the more important question of the two so she answered carefully. “Yes, Bert, I’m sure she will. She likes anyone who likes Mike.”

  Bert grinned then. “Well, I sure like Mr. Mike.”

  She noted that he seemed to be satisfied now and didn’t expect his next comment.

  “She can ride shotgun with you.”

  “Thank you Bert. I’m sure she’ll be much more comfortable up there.”

  Daisy was glad that Sarah seemed to be watching for them. When Daisy pulled the big van into Mike’s driveway, Sarah came out the front door and climbed into the front seat.

  She looked back and said, “Hello Lucy.”

  Daisy said, “Everybody, this is Sarah, she’s Mike’s mother.” Then she started pointing the others out. “That’s Nichole or Nicky next to Lucy. On the next seat is Bert on the left and Bobby on the right. In the back seat from left to right are Samantha or Sam, Julie, and Barbie.”

  Everyone called out “Hi Miz Sarah” and she smiled and waved back at them.

  When they all entered the church, Jo and Gil were standing in their usual place just inside the door. Once all the residents had hugged or shook hands with Jo and Gil then moved on to their Sunday School class, Jo pulled Daisy off to one side and gave her a pleading look.

  “Is everything okay? Has anything happened since Friday?”

  Daisy shook her head and said, “No, I haven’t seen him since then and Sarah came out right away so I didn’t need to go into his house this morning.”

  She could see that Jo was disappointed but smiled up at her anyway.

  Then Jo frowned and said to Sarah, “I would take you to your class, Sarah, but I would imagine you would like to get there before it ends.”

  She turned to a tall blond woman who was coming through the door with a very large man with red hair. Daisy knew that Jo and Sue Ann McCracken were best friends and her husband, Sheriff Floyd McCracken had become good friends with Gil.

  “Sue Ann this is Mike Bates’ mother Sarah. She looked up at Floyd and said, “I understand that you’ve already met her.”

  When he nodded, she said, “Could you two see Sarah to her class, please?”

  Sue Ann almost shouted, “No! Not until I get a chance to tell you something first.”

  Jo looked surprised but she allowed Sue Ann to pull her off to the side.

  Sue Ann whispered something in Jo’s ear and Jo let out a shriek and yelled, “A baby! Oh Sue Ann that’s fantastic.” She hugged Sue Ann then grabbed Floyd and hugged him too. “Congratulations you two.”

  There was so much commotion now that no one even noticed when Daisy touched Sarah’s arm and motioned for her to follow. “I can show you to your class. I think they’re going to be occupied for a while.”

  After Sunday School, she met Sarah at her classroom and led her to the foyer where Lucy was waiting. The three of them went into the sanctuary where the residents were all sitting and when they sat down she had Sarah on one side and Lucy on her other side.

  She was just beginning to relax and prepare herself for the worship service when she noticed that up ahead of her, on the front pew, Jo was fidgeting. Well, since Jo was nine months pregnant and even a few days overdue, she certainly had plenty of reason to be uncomfortable. Daisy knew that Jo’s had to be bothering her at the least.

  Daisy didn’t think any more about Jo as the service started and she devoted her full attention to that. But just as Gil finished his sermon and was stepping down from the pulpit to begin the invitation, Jo leaped to her feet and called out, “Oh my!”

  Gil was there beside her in an instant with Sue Ann and Floyd close behind. Daisy knew immediately from the shocked look on Jo’s face that her water had broken.

  What came next was almost comical. Gil looked like he was going to pass out and the big sheriff didn’t look much better. Sue Ann grabbed Jo’s arm and started trying to pull her toward the rear and the exit. Floyd came to his senses before Gil could and he caught up with the women, picked Jo up in his arms, and carried her out like she was a little baby.

  “Gil who was rushing along behind them called out, “Floyd I can do that.”

  Floyd just laughed and said, “She’s still my little cousin and I’ve already got her.”

  They all exited the sanctuary together and the congregation sat there in dismay. Richard Dickens, the chairman of deacons took Gil’s place in front and the invitation continued while they all sang the last hymn.

  After they were dismissed, Daisy was surprised at how much help Sarah was in helping her calm down all the residents and Lucy too. They were all excited but didn’t really know why they were. She and Sarah tried to help them all understand what was going on.

  When Daisy explained it to Lucy, the little girl giggled and said, “Oh boy, when can I play with the new baby?”

  Daisy knew all was well then.

  * * *

  Mike was sure glad dinner was over and he could sneak off to himself in the family room to watch the Cardinals game on TV. His mom had been relentless in her talk about church and how she sure liked that young pastor, Gil Turner. Then she started in on extolling the virtues of Daisy Thomas. Finally, she had ended by grilling him about how he felt about Daisy.

  Fed up with all that talk, he thought back to how quiet it had been around there before she showed up and moved in with him. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to have another peaceful moment until he could somehow convince her to get a place of her own. But he knew he wouldn’t even be able to start on her about that for at least a month yet.

  So, all he could do for now was to grin and bear. Well, he was pretty sure he could bear it but he wasn’t so sure about the grinning part.

  The game was just getting interesting and the Cardinals had the bases loaded when the doorbell rang. He figured his mom could get it so he kept watching the game. When the doorbell rang a second time, he realized that she wasn’t going to get it. She must be taking a nap back in her room.

  So he reluctantly wheeled himself slowly to the front door. He was surprised at how well he was able to move around after the surgery. Sure, he was stiff and sore but there was very little pain and he could still maneuver his wheelchair if he was careful and did it slowly.

  When he finally made it to the door, he wondered who it could be. He was fairly certain that it wasn’t Floyd since his mom had told him that Floyd’s little cousin Jo was at the hosp
ital having a baby.

  When he pulled the curtain aside to see who it was, he was surprised to see Jason Walker standing there. He was torn. He didn’t really want company. He just wanted to be able to watch the game in peace. But then when he thought about how Jason had been there for him when he was shot and quite a few times since then, he decided to let him in.

  Jason was a county deputy and he had been the first one on the scene the night Mike was shot. He’d drifted in and out of consciousness, but he remembered the guy holding his head up out of the snow until the paramedics arrived and took over. Floyd had been there too, of course, but he had rightfully been more concerned about his daughter who’d been kidnapped. Yes, he’d let the guy in. He figured he owed him at least that much.

  As he opened the door, he realized how alike the two were in appearance. Jason was a little shorter and lighter, but combined with his brown hair and eyes, he could blend in for undercover just as Mike had.

  As soon as Jason stepped in, Mike said, “Come on back to the family room. I’m watching the Cardinals game.”

  Without a word, Jason grabbed the wheelchair handles and pushed Mike back to the family room. Mike started to protest and decided it was better if he didn’t do it himself, just in case. Jason sat in an armchair near Mike’s wheel chair.

  During the next break between innings, Jason turned to Mike and said, “You’re moving around pretty good today. I’m sure you’re going to walk again Mike.”

  Mike snorted. “How can you know that? Can you feel my legs? Well I can’t. And until I can feel them there’s no way I’m ever going to walk again.”

  Jason didn’t react to Mike’s sharp retort. He just smiled and said, “Let me rephrase that. I’m sure you’re going to get feeling back in your legs and then you’ll be able to walk again.”

  Mike shook his head. How much did it take to make the guy mad? Then as he thought about it, he knew the answer. Jason was in law enforcement just as Mike had once been. The only ones who survived for any length of time were the ones who could stay calm and collected no matter what others were doing or saying to them.

  He blew out a sigh and said, “Sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

  After that, they sat there and watched the rest of the game in peace with casual comments about the game going back and forth. Mike was pleased to know that Jason was just as big a Cardinals fan as he was.

  Mike knew his mother must have been just waiting for the game to be over since as soon as he turned the TV off, she was standing next to him.

  Mike didn’t acknowledge her presence but Jason stood and said, “It’s good to see you again Mrs. Bates.”

  She smiled and said, “It’s good to see you again . . . Jason isn’t it.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Well I’m glad to see you again Jason, but please call me Sarah.”

  She turned to Mike and said, “Son, I just talked to Daisy and she and her little girl are coming over in a few minutes.”

  Mike grew angry immediately. He knew that the phone hadn’t rung so his mother had to have called Daisy. He was thirty-four years old and he had had enough of his mother’s matchmaking attempts. Every time she’d been around him for the last ten years, she’d tried to set him up or push him toward some woman. He was tired of it.

  “Well, I hope you and Daisy have a nice visit. Just stay in the living room, okay.”

  She only smiled and said, “Have a nice visit you two.”

  With that, she left the room and when he turned toward Jason, the guy had the nerve to grin at him.

  “My mother’s the same way. She’s been trying to get me married off ever since I became a deputy twelve years ago.”

  Mike looked closely at the guy. “Why haven’t you?” Before Jason could answer, he added. “I know with me the DEA didn’t make for much of a home life. But you’ve stayed in one spot all that time haven’t you?”

  Jason ran his hand through his close-cropped hair. “Yeah, I have. I guess I just haven’t found the right woman yet. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t get married if I did find the right one though.”

  His eyes lifted to the area above and behind Mike and he knew his mother was back. He turned to see what she wanted this time.

  She frowned and said, “What time are your tests and PT for tomorrow Son?”

  “Ten.”

  “Oh drat. That’s what I was afraid of. The ladies in my Sunday School class are having an informal Bible study in someone’s home and I already told them I’d go.”

  Mike was relieved when Jason spoke up. “That’s okay Mrs. . . . Sarah. I’m on duty tomorrow but I can come by and take him. The sheriff . . . Floyd, told me I could do that any time Mike needed a ride anywhere whether I’m on duty or not.”

  “Oh thank you Dear. That will be great.”

  With that, she left again and the doorbell rang before she was out of the room.

  “I’ll get it this time.”

  Mike looked back at Jason. “Well, Jason, that Daisy is one fine woman. Maybe you’d like to get to know her better.”

  Jason just grinned and shook his head. “I already tried to get her to go out with me but she turned me down flat . . . twice.”

  Mike thought he would have been happy to hear that. If she didn’t date at all, that might discourage his mom. But for some strange reason, it made him a little depressed. Why?

  * * *

  All the way over to Mike’s house, Daisy kept wondering why she’d accepted Sarah’s invitation to come and have coffee with her. Sure, Lucy had just awakened from her nap and was a little crabby until she thought they might go see Sarah. To Lucy, all women of a certain age were like grandmas to her. That was part of why Thelma was so special to her. She begged Daisy to go while she was still on the phone with Sarah. So here she was going into Mike’s house again for the third time in a week.

  She didn’t recognize the pickup sitting in the driveway and wondered if she was interrupting something. But Sarah had invited her so it must be okay. Maybe it was just someone to see Mike.

  Sarah met them at the door and made a fuss over Lucy, which the little girl ate up.

  Sarah hugged Daisy and gestured toward the living room. “Why don’t we sit in here? Mike and a friend are in the family room watching a baseball game.”

  Just as she said that and while Daisy was still marveling at all the hugs she’d been getting lately, Mike’s wheelchair came into view from the kitchen. The deputy who had been at the hospital Friday was pushing him.

  She knew she should know the man’s name but it simply escaped her at the moment. Even though he’d asked her out a couple of times before he gave up, she just couldn’t remember. He seemed like a nice guy though, but she just hadn’t been ready to start dating again . . . if she ever would be.

  Sarah said, “Daisy, do you remember Jason Walker from the hospital Friday?”

  Jason stepped forward and said, “It’s good to see you again Daisy.”

  She shook the hand that he offered and then they all stood there rather awkwardly until Jason said, “Well, Mike, I’ll see you in the morning.”

  With that, Jason left and Mike wheeled himself slowly back into the kitchen and Daisy assumed on into the family room again. He obviously didn’t want to be in there while she and Lucy were there.

  Sarah kept talking to Daisy about Sunday School and the worship service that morning until Lucy became bored with all the grownup talk and started to whine. Daisy knew she wanted to watch TV but that was where Mike was and she was sure he didn’t want company especially a four-year-old.

  Sarah looked down at Lucy then back at Daisy. “I think we might be able to persuade Mike to let her watch TV.” She looked back down at Lucy. “Is that what you would like to do Lucy?”

  Lucy nodded her head and raced into the family room without waiting for them.

  As Daisy was following Sarah through the kitchen, Sarah suddenly stopped and then Daisy heard voices.

  She heard Lucy say, “Why
does your chair have wheels on it?”

  Daisy was afraid Mike wouldn’t answer, but he did. “I can’t walk.”

  “Why?”

  “Because . . . I . . . hurt my back.”

  “How?”

  Daisy almost laughed and wanted to say to Mike, ‘Welcome to the question world of a four-year-old. She could tell that he didn’t want to tell her that he’d been shot and she was thankful for that.

  “A bad man did it to me when I tried to stop him from hurting a little girl.”

  “Why?”

  “Lucy, I think that’s enough questions for now.” Daisy stepped around Sarah and moved to stand behind her daughter who was standing just inches in front of Mike’s chair.

  Mike was staring up at Daisy now with, not anger, but wonder on his face. Wow!

  Before she could figure out what that meant, Lucy, who was still standing in front of Mike and looking up at him said, “Will you watch TV with me?”

  Daisy knew he was going to say no and just hoped he wouldn’t do it too roughly. She was surprised when he did nothing but turn and stare down at her.

  She started to coax Lucy out of the room. “Lucy, why don’t . . .”

  Mike held up his hand and said, “What would you like to watch?”

  She was shocked now. It looked like he even had the beginning of a smile on his face as he picked up the remote and turned the TV on.

  Before Daisy could react, she felt a hand on her arm. Sarah gently pulled her out of the room. When they were back in the living room, she turned to Daisy.

  “I think we should give them just a few minutes alone. Something is happening in there and I would like to see how it turns out.”

  Daisy could only agree but she was still more than a little concerned that Mike might upset Lucy somehow.

  Ten minutes later, Mike slowly wheeled his chair into the living room.

  Daisy didn’t know what to say to him and it looked like Sarah was going to wait for him to speak first.

  When he did, Daisy was sure there was a slight smile on his face. He looked at her, shook his head, and said, “How do you stand watching those kiddie sitcoms?”