Falling for You

by Kathleen Y'Barbo

  Sue Ellen ducked her head and took another step toward the pavement. Oh yes, she would definitely let her so-called friend know just how little she appreciated the ribbing—tonight.

  “Just ignore her, Bud,” she said over her shoulder, tossing her ponytail to show him how little Sassy’s teasing had affected her. “She hasn’t made a lick of sense since she and Wendell Meeks hooked up.”

  “Hooked up,” Sassy said with a screeching giggle as she slapped the side of her grocery bag with her hand. “Oh, that’s a good one, Sue Ellen. I get it. Bait shop, hooks, hooked up. Real funny. Now get yourself over here and have a proper conversation about spending New Year’s Eve with Deputy Briggs before the whole town knows your business.”

  Too late for that, Sassy.

  Sue Ellen offered a weak wave to Patty, who’d come out of the flower shop to see what the commotion was about.

  At least Sue Ellen now knew what all the fuss was about. Dottie Jean had told her she suspected Wendell and the boys were cooking up a scheme that involved poor Bud and the New Year’s Eve party they were giving. Last Tuesday at Bible study, the four of them speculated as to just what the big joke would be, but none of them guessed it involved Bud’s asking her to the party.

  Or at least none of them had admitted to knowing about it.

  Sue Ellen narrowed her eyes and gave Sassy an I’ll-talk-to-you-about-this-later look. No way was she getting in the middle of this. Somehow she’d have to make a graceful exit before she was forced to tell the poor, adorable, boring deputy she had plans for midnight on the thirty-first.

  Plans to celebrate in her favorite pink poodle pajamas watching the ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of her cushy sofa while eating her fill of chocolate kisses. All of this after taking a steamy two-hour soak in the tub with a good book, of course.

  “Like I said, ignore her, Bud.” She grabbed the side of the ladder and positioned her foot to take another step, thinking of the new Mango Peach Parfait bubble bath she’d purchased just that morning. “Everyone else does.”

  “Actually, Sue Ellen,” Bud called, “I did want to talk to you about New Year’s Eve.”

  Her heart sank. So Grandpa and the boys had been teasing Bud again. That could be the only explanation for the antisocial deputy to mention any gathering that wasn’t related to church or deer hunting.

  The last time Grandpa and the boys had started up on the poor man, he’d nearly been convinced that there had been a rash of late-night attempts at robbing the station. The prospect of catching the thief kept him up three nights in a row on a stakeout of the property.

  Finally, Wendell Meeks took pity on the sleep-deprived deputy and confessed they’d been playing a joke on him. Bud had been so angry that he’d had them all rounded up and thrown in jail for making false reports.

  The incarceration had only lasted until the chief returned from lunch and set them all free, but the bruises to Bud’s ego had obviously endured.

  “See, I told you,” Sassy said. “Now, are you going with him to Dottie Jean’s shindig, or what?”

  Sue Ellen cast another glance over her shoulder to see Bud heading across the street toward her. For a moment she allowed herself the luxury of imagining herself decked to the nines, sequins and all, with a gussied-up Bud Briggs at her side all evening.

  She might even put a rinse in her hair for the occasion, something shimmery that would wash out in a couple of shampoos. They’d laugh and have fun, visiting with the gals and their dates, talking and laughing about old times until the clock chimed midnight.

  Midnight.

  Sue Ellen imagined what would come next all too clearly. Then, watching the deputy sheriff dodge traffic to cross the street, she imagined it all over again. The clock would chime once, twice, three times, and then—

  And then what? She bit her lip and sent a hasty apology heavenward.

  And then nothing, that’s what.

  You told me I’m to wait for You to bring someone into my life. Spending time with a man who’s not even remotely attracted to me is not what I need to do while I wait.

  Maybe after Bible study, she and Leota would go get a cup of coffee at Tilly’s and talk it out. Sue Ellen sighed. No, of course Leota would need to hurry home to Matt.

  Another friend lost to love.

  Sue Ellen paused to watch Bud wave at Patty, who now stood in the window of the flower store. Why did the deputy have to look so handsome today of all days?

  Resolutely, she cast her gaze heavenward, then glanced back at Bud as she continued her trek down the ladder. Maybe just one evening with him wouldn’t hurt, Lord. It wouldn’t be like we were anything more than friends.

  The answer thundered in her ears as she held tight to the rickety ladder and watched the sun glint off the silver star on his broad chest. She’d always had a particular affinity for men in uniform.

  Well, that man, anyway.

  Don’t even think about it, Sue Ellen. You’re waiting on God, and you’re not going to help Grandpa and his cronies with their little joke.

  Her mind made up, Sue Ellen resolved to be strong and let Bud down easy. Maybe she’d even let him in on the joke, not that he’d get it.

  An evening with him was out of the question, and that’s all there was to it. Still, she couldn’t help taking one last long look at Bud as he stepped up on the curb and put his hand on the ladder.

  That’s when she fell.

  Chapter Three

  I appreciate your concern, but I told you I am fine.” Sue Ellen gathered her pride and the remainder of the red ribbon and hurried inside the shop. Unfortunately, Sassy and the deputy followed her.

  “I don’t know, Sue Ellen,” Bud said. “You might ought to get yourself checked out. You may have broken something.”

  “Humph.” Sassy settled herself into the new zebra-covered shampoo chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “She landed on her rear end, Bud. What in the world do you think she might have broken?”

  To his credit, Bud actually blushed before he turned his back on Sassy. “You sure you don’t want me to run you over to the emergency room? It’s no trouble at all.”

  “ ’Course it’s not,” Sassy said. “You weren’t doing anything but sitting in your car trying to get up the courage to ask her to Dottie Jean’s party.”

  Sue Ellen dropped the ribbon into the drawer and slammed it shut. Thankfully no one was in the waiting room. Sassy’s retorts rarely bothered her. Today, however, she’d had her fill. She was about to say so when the older woman jumped to her feet and beat a path to the door.

  “You two behave,” she said as she slipped outside. “I got things to do that don’t involve a pair of blind lovebirds.”

  The screen door slammed, and Sue Ellen jumped. A check of the pink neon clock, and she knew they’d only be alone a few more minutes. Fanny was due for a cut and color, and she always arrived on time, if not a few minutes early.

  Poor Bud looked as if he’d been glued to the floor. His gaze wandered from the shampoo bowls to the two dryers, then finally to the baskets of curlers the older clients preferred.

  “You’ve never been in here, have you?”

  His nose wrinkled. “It smells funny.”

  “It smells like a beauty shop.” She reached for the scissors. “As long as you’re here, why don’t I shape up that shaggy hair of yours?”

  Bud took three steps toward the door. “You know that’ll never happen. Long as there’s a barbershop in Beaumont, you’ll never get your hands on this hair.”

  She shook her head and set the scissors down. “You act like I want to shave you bald. Honestly,” she said as she reached for the extra-large cape and draped it over the back of the chair, “I could care less that you’d look much better with a little weight off the back and all that gray covered up.”

  He almost fell for it. Almost, but not quite.

  It might have been the fact that she could barely hide her smile that tipped him off. Whatever the reason, he bega
n to laugh, and she couldn’t do anything but join him.

  “Hey, seriously,” Bud finally said, “I think you ought to at least let the doc take a look at you to be sure you didn’t hurt something when you fell.”

  “Bud, I promise the only thing I hurt was my pride.”

  Sue Ellen caught sight of Fanny crossing the street. “Well, like I said, I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. You might want to head on out of here unless you want Fanny, and thus the whole town, to know you’ve been in here considering a haircut.”

  He glanced over his shoulder, then back at Sue Ellen. “Thanks for the warning. If you’re sure you’re all right, I’m going to head back to the office now. And for the record, I never considered a haircut. Not in here, anyway.”

  “I’m fine,” she said to his retreating back.

  “Well, of course you are, hon.” Fanny yanked the screen door open just in time for Bud to press past her. “Where’s he going in such a hurry?”

  “Running from the truth,” Sue Ellen said with a chuckle. “I told him he needed a haircut and a dye job.”

  Fanny wedged herself into the chair, then dipped her chin to let Sue Ellen snap the cape behind her neck. “Honey, you didn’t really tell him that, did you? Not when I’m sure he just came over here to ask you to the New Year’s Eve party at Dottie Jean’s.”

  Sue Ellen ran a comb through Fanny’s hair and ignored the comment. What was so important about a silly New Year’s Eve party? She’d lost track of the number of years spent welcoming the new year with television coverage of Times Square and a quart of strawberry ice cream.

  Even when Mama was living, the day hadn’t been an eventful one. After all, Daddy managed to miss every one. Leastwise, every one she remembered.

  “So I told him I was planning to go, too, so why didn’t we go together?” Fanny looked at Sue Ellen’s reflection and frowned. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

  Sue Ellen grabbed the rat-tail comb and began sectioning off Fanny’s hair. “I’m sorry. Go ahead and tell me again, and I promise I’ll listen this time.”

  She smiled. “Honey, you don’t have to apologize. If I were a younger woman, he’d fluster me, too. As it is, I think I’ll stick with Gus.”

  “Gus? I mean, Grandpa?” Sue Ellen nearly dropped the clip. “You’re going to the party with Grandpa?”

  The older lady fairly beamed. “I sure am. He’s just the sweetest thing. Sweeter than sugar, that grandpa of yours.” Fanny made a face. “Speaking of sugar, have you heard the latest?”

  Sue Ellen shook her head and proceeded to prepare Fanny’s hair for the usual cut. As she grabbed the comb, she knew she’d have bruises in the places that had begun to ache.

  Nothing to do but ignore it. Sue Ellen had work to do, and if she closed up shop because of a couple of aches and pains, who would see to the beauty of the women of Mid-County?

  Perish the thought.

  She began to hum “Return to Sender,” her favorite mood lightener. When Fanny joined in, she switched to singing harmony through all verses—twice.

  “Well, I do love the King.” Sue Ellen chuckled. “Both of them, actually, although my Savior comes first above anyone and anything.”

  “Oh, I get it,” Fanny said. “Jesus, the King, and Elvis. You’re a hoot, Sue Ellen. Say, I heard from a little birdie that we’re about to get us a new restaurant in Port Neches.” Her eyes narrowed. “Can you feature it? Someone giving the Catfish House a run for its money? I heard it was that Faeoni Ledbetter behind it. You know she’s not from around here, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I believe I did.”

  In truth, Fanny had been waxing poetic about the poor Ledbetter woman ever since widowhood forced Faeoni to move in with the chief and his wife some six weeks ago. Sue Ellen’s guess was that Fanny suspected the chief’s sister-in-law just might steal Grandpa from her.

  Not that either woman had a chance at roping the old coot.

  Sue Ellen smiled at the thought of her grandfather living happily ever after with someone. Funny, but neither woman came to mind when she tried to place a bride next to him.

  She turned Fanny away from the mirror. “I guess it’s inevitable someone would bring another restaurant to town eventually. I doubt Jenny and her mama are worried. No one’s going to outcook the Catfish House.”

  “Yes, well, I suppose so, but I do have to admit I never expected something like this.” Fanny let out a long breath. “I had high hopes we would be welcoming more good folks into the community when I heard the name of the restaurant.”

  “Oh?” She heard the screen door slam and looked up to see that Bud had returned. “What’s it called?”

  “Welcome back, Bud,” Fanny said. “I was just telling Sue Ellen here about the new restaurant that’s opening in the old bakery. Maybe you’ve heard about it? It’s called Loaves and Fishes.”

  Bud avoided Sue Ellen’s stare to study the toes of his boots. “That’s a right fine name, Miss Fanny. Reckon they’re Christian folks?”

  “Well, of course you’d think that until you hear what kind of place it is.” Her bejeweled fists grasped the arms of the chair as if she were bracing herself. “Would you believe those crazy folks are building a place that sells fresh bread on one side of the building and sushi on the other?”

  “Sushi? So I can get my fish cooked with corn bread on one side of the street and raw with a wheat loaf on the other.” Bud’s smile was contagious. “Now how about that?”

  “I think that’s a lovely idea,” Sue Ellen added. “I do love fresh bread.”

  “Well, who doesn’t?” Fanny tapped the most prominent of her chins. “It’s the sushi I’m worried about.”

  Bud leaned against the shampoo bowl and shook his head. “Not much to worry about with sushi, Miss Fanny. It’s just prettied up raw fish on a plate. I can tell you it’s good for you, but I’m sure the Catfish House won’t go out of business over it.”

  “Well, that may be so, but I wonder if a petition might be in order. You think that would stop these people from invading the sanctity of the Catfish House? I would hate to think that the Ledbetter woman could just sashay in here and send Dottie Jean to the poorhouse.”

  “Now, Miss Fanny, I hardly think that’s the case here.” Sue Ellen fought to contain her giggle. “Maybe you ought to let Miss Faeoni know you’re worried. I’m sure she could ease your mind.”

  “Humph. Why in the world would I want to talk to her? Why, you know, I saw her at the Catfish House the other day, and it did not escape my attention that she was sitting just five tables over from my Gus.” Fanny’s eyes widened. “I mean, from your dear grandfather.”

  “Who’s talking about the Catfish House?” Dottie Jean walked in, and Sue Ellen set the scissors aside to hug her friend.

  “How was your honeymoon? Did you and Fletcher have fun?” Bud asked, then blushed.

  Chapter Four

  The proprietor of the Catfish House ignored Bud’s discomfort. “It’s good to be back, but we did have a lovely trip.” She turned to Bud. “What are you doing here, Deputy Briggs? You finally decide to let Sue Ellen do something with that hair of yours?”

  “No, ma’am,” was all he said.

  Dottie Jean shook her head. “Don’t tell me she’s talked you into one of those facials. I heard tell that Wendell came in here for a haircut and came out boasting his face was as smooth as a baby’s bottom after he gave in and let Sue Ellen put some goop on it.”

  Bud looked ready to bolt and run. “Actually, I was just passing by.”

  “Again,” Fanny added.

  “Yes, well,” he stammered, “I wondered if Sue Ellen here might need her ladder fixed.”

  “I appreciate that, Bud,” she said, “but I figured I’d let Grandpa handle it.”

  “No sense in that. I already hauled it behind the jailhouse.” He shuffled his feet and inched toward the door. “I just figured I’d tell you where it was in case you went looking for it.”

 
He made another move for the door, and Dottie Jean caught his sleeve. “I’m glad to see all of you here,” she said. “I wanted to be sure that all my friends knew that Fletcher and I will be holding the annual New Year’s Eve party at our home instead of the restaurant.”

  “I can’t wait to see it,” Fanny said. “Gus is taking me, you know.”

  All three sets of eyes turned toward the smiling woman in the chair. Suddenly the empty bride spot beside Grandpa was filled.

  Sue Ellen blinked to remove the image of Fanny in white with a veil.

  “Well, I declare—that’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” Dottie Jean said. “I’ll look forward to seeing the both of you, hon. Do bring those wonderful shrimp tarts you make, will you?”

  While Fanny droned on about the recipe, Dottie Jean exchanged grins with Sue Ellen. “Bud,” Dottie Jean said when Fanny paused to take a breath, “you’ll be there, won’t you?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I generally volunteer to work that night.”

  Sue Ellen watched Dottie Jean walk over to Bud and place her hand on his shoulder. “It’d mean a lot to Fletcher and me if you’d come.”

  Bud seemed to be thinking it over a minute before he nodded. “I’ll go if Sue Ellen will.”

  “Well, of course she will. Why don’t you pick her up a quarter to seven? It’ll take a good ten minutes, maybe more, to get out to the house. You do know where it is, don’t you, Bud? If not, I could have Fletcher get you a set of directions.”

  Sue Ellen stood openmouthed. What was wrong with these two? Why, they were making plans for her right under her nose without even bothering to consult her.

  “No, that’s all right. I know where it is,” Bud said. “Would you like me to bring anything?”

  “I appreciate that,” Dottie Jean said, “but do you think maybe I could get back to you on that? I’m not sure, but I think Fletcher’s going to handle the menfolk. He’s set on grilling even though I told him he’d probably freeze.”