The phone rang and it was Sue Ann. Jo shuddered. She’d never get ready in time now.
“Jo, did you hear about that pastor getting shot at yesterday?”
“Yes, Sue Ann, Floyd told me all about it and I’ve talked to Gil and he’s okay.”
She realized her mistake as soon as the words were out of her mouth.
“What? Gil? So you’re calling him Gil now? What’s going on here Jo Jo?”
“Nothing. But I’m trying to get ready for church if you will get off the phone and let me.”
“Wait just a minute. You’re going to church again? Didn’t you find out everything you needed to know last week?”
“Yes, I did, at least about Gil’s intentions. But now I want to go to church because I want to go to church.”
She wasn’t sure if that made any sense or not, but she just simply didn’t know how else to put it.
There was a long pause on the other end before Sue Ann said, “O . . . kay . . . I’ll be there to pick you up in thirty minutes.”
With that, she hung up without giving Jo a chance to agree or disagree. Oh well, didn’t they always say there was safety in numbers. Now, if Carla would just go too, she would feel much better.
She was stepping out of her bedroom into the living room when Carla came out of her room dressed in a nice blouse and slacks.
Before Jo could ask, Carla said, “Don’t say anything. I’ll go once and if I don’t like it I won’t go back.”
Jo didn’t know what to say. She wanted to encourage Carla but she also wanted to give her a choice in as many things as she possibly could.
“I would say that’s fair enough, if you’ll agree to go there with an open mind. Okay?”
Carla only nodded and went to the kitchen for a glass of milk.
“Oh, by the way, Sue Ann is coming by to get us and we’re riding with her to church.”
Carla made a face then but before she could say anything, Jo said, “I’m sure that Sue Ann will want to go out to eat again.”
That stopped all opposition from Carla and she even smiled. At first, Jo wasn’t sure what changed her little sister’s mind. Then it hit her. She must think that her history teacher might be there again. That had to be it. Well, if that’s the case she knew she couldn’t put off that particular talk with Carla much longer. She’d have to talk to her tonight for sure.
As soon as Jo and Carla were situated in Sue Ann’s car, she started talking about her dinner with Mike Bates and how he would be meeting them for lunch after church.
Jo tried to get a look at Carla in the back seat, but wasn’t able to without being obvious. She was sure, though, that Carla had to be steaming back there and probably glaring darts at Sue Ann.
When they walked into the church, Sue Ann was in the lead with Carla bringing up the rear. Gil was standing at the door. He greeted Sue Ann but she walked right past him into the church. If that wasn’t bad enough, Carla came around Jo and followed Sue Ann, also ignoring Gil.
Jo was about to apologize for their rude behavior when Gil smiled and said, “Don’t worry about that, I get it quite often. You wouldn’t believe how many people are in church each week against their wishes.”
Jo still didn’t know what to say. “I don’t think that was the case with Sue Ann. She volunteered to come today. I think she’s still just a little bit suspicious of your intentions toward the bars in town and thus me.”
When he only nodded, she said, “My little sister is against anything I suggest at first. Hopefully, she’ll come around.
They shook hands and she started past him when he said, “Are you here because you want to be, Jo?”
She wasn’t expecting that question. Did she really want to be here today? Yes, she really did.
She smiled back at him and said, “Yes, I think I truly am here because I want to be.” She looked up at his smiling face briefly and then quickly turned away. “Could we just leave it at that for now . . . please?”
“Yes, of course.”
The three of them seemed to cause quite a stir as they made their way into the sanctuary and found seats toward the back. People stared at them and whispered to each other all around them.
During the singing part of the service, both of Jo’s companions were quiet and even sang along a little. But when Gil stepped into the pulpit to deliver his message, they both decided to start talking to her at once and about the same thing.
Sue Ann wanted to talk about Mike Bates in anticipation of having lunch with him. Carla wanted to talk about how Sue Ann had better stay away from Mr. Bates.
Jo was lucky to hear half of what Gil said about the parable Jesus told about the ten virgins. She did hear one thing that made her stop and think. She heard him say that sometimes we think we have lots of time to do something but then before we know it, that time has run out and we didn’t get it done. Hmmm she’d have to think about that some more, as soon as she was alone.
Once the service was over and they were leaving the sanctuary, Jo made sure she was in the lead this time. She also made sure that she had Carla by the hand and dragged her up to Gil.
“Gil, I’d like for you to meet my sister, Carla.”
When Gil reached out to shake her hand, Carla said, “I was one of the ones holding those signs the first day you came to town.”
Jo was so embarrassed that she wanted to run far away from that little scene, but Gil saved the day when he smiled at Carla and said, “That was nice of you and your friends to welcome me into town that way, Carla. I appreciate it.”
This time, it was Carla who was embarrassed. She turned a bright shade of red that contrasted with her blond hair and muttered under her breath, “Sorry,” and rushed out the door.
Jo shrugged her shoulders and followed Carla with her eyes, but Gil just kept smiling.
He then turned his attention to Sue Ann. “Ms. Vickers, I understand that you are a member here at First Baptist. I’m delighted to see you here and I’m so glad that you brought your friends with you as well.”
Sue Ann was speechless for one of the few times that Jo could remember. But she rebounded quickly.
“We’re going to Thelma’s for lunch, Preacher. Why don’t you join us? There’ll be another man there if it bothers you to be with so many women.”
Jo was shocked. Where did that come from? Then as she thought about it, she knew her best friend was up to something and Jo needed to find out what it was . . . and quickly.
But she didn’t think she had to worry. Gil probably wouldn’t go with them anyway. But she was surprised when he turned to her and said, “Is that all right with you Jo?”
He had asked her permission? No man had ever done that. They always just stepped on her and kept on going.
She was only able to stammer, “Yes, it’s fine with me.”
“Good, then I’ll see all of you down there in about fifteen minutes.”
As she walked out the door, she looked at her former best friend who was still grinning. “What did you do that for?”
Sue Ann laughed aloud then. “I knew you wanted to ask him yourself, but were too bashful to do it, so I asked him for you.”
Jo wasn’t so sure she agreed. Having lunch with one man was bad enough, but two . . . no way. She wasn’t in the least prepared to experience that any time soon.
* * *
As Gil made his way back to his office, he was still in shock. Had he just been invited to lunch with Jo and her friend and little sister? Sure, Jo hadn’t actually done the inviting, but still, she didn’t object, at least not verbally. Maybe Jo was getting more comfortable being around him.
Suddenly he wondered if he should go or not. Would it be too uncomfortable for Jo if he were there, especially with another man there too?
He had hoped that it would give him a chance to gain a little more of her trust. Then another thought occurred to him. A wise pastor had told him not too long ago that sometimes the best way to get to parents is through their children. Could t
hat work in this case? Jo was basically Carla’s parent.
He wasn’t so sure about success in that area though. Carla had seemed rather hostile toward him just now.
When he arrived at the restaurant, or rather café, he saw them immediately at two tables pulled together in the center of the room. The other man was already seated with them. As he made his way toward the table, three sets of eyes followed him, but Jo was hiding behind her menu. That was okay. It was to be expected.
The other man stood when Gil stepped up to the table. Jo’s friend introduced him as Mike Bates a new teacher at the high school.
He was surprised to hear Carla mumble something under her breath. Since he was right next to her, he was sure she said, “My teacher.”
That was interesting. As he surveyed the seating arrangement, he was sure this could prove to be a very interesting meal. He had Jo on his left and Carla on his right with the teacher and Jo’s friend, Sue Ann, across from him. He was glad though that Sue Ann was sitting between Jo and the other man.
Then he realized that the poor teacher didn’t stand a chance with Sue Ann on one side of him and Carla on the other side.
And that was what happened. Both of them kept up a steady chatter directed at the poor guy through the whole meal.
Gil had skipped breakfast so he ordered bacon and eggs. When his meal came, he looked down at it and there was a glob of white grainy stuff in a bowl next to his plate. It also had unappetizing brown and black specks in it. As he continued to look at it, he realized that he had no clue as to what it could possibly be.
A soft laugh to his left brought his attention away from his food. Was that Jo laughing? He had never heard her laugh before and it sounded nice, very nice.
“I take it you’ve never had grits before, Gil.”
He couldn’t help smiling at her as she continued to laugh. He pointed at the bowl in front of him. “Is that what that white grainy stuff is?”
When she nodded, he said, “I’ve heard of it before but I’ve never seen it and especially never tasted it. What do you do with it?”
She stopped smiling and dropped her eyes to her own plate. “I’m sorry, Gil. I wasn’t trying to make fun of you.”
He knew he had to say just the right thing and quickly or she would withdraw from him again.
“I know you would never do that Jo. But I really don’t know what to do with this stuff.”
She peeked up at him shyly then pointed to the butter dish. “You can put some butter on it and stir it to let it melt. Then you might want to add a little salt and then taste it before you add anything else.”
When he did as she suggested, she said, “Some people like to sit their fried eggs, bacon, or sausage on top of their grits and eat it all together.”
Gil knew he wasn’t up to trying that, especially after he tasted the grits. He thought that if he kept the stuff isolated, it might not be so bad. He added a little more salt and tried them again.
When he swallowed, he realized that Jo was still watching him for a reaction. “I think I might be able to get used to these grits, but I don’t think I’m quite ready to eat my eggs or anything else on them though.”
Jo smiled shyly and returned her attention to her own meal.
They all ate in silence for a few minutes, even the trio on the other side of the table.
Gil took this opportunity to ask Jo the question that was foremost on is mind. “Jo, Floyd said that he thought the ones causing us so much trouble were the other two bar owners, an Earl and a Clyde.”
She turned her eyes toward him briefly. “Earl Jordan and Clyde Jenkins. Yes, I think so too. They’ve each come into my place individually to try to get me to help them run you out of town.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. Was Jo in danger?
“I was wondering if it would do any good if I talked to them and assured them that I have no intention of trying to close down the bars in town.”
Jo was shaking her head the whole time he was talking. As soon as he finished, she said, “No, I don’t think it would do a bit of good. I’ve told both of them to their faces that I won’t help them but they keep after me to do it. Not only that, but I’ve told both of them that you don’t intend to fight them too. And they’re still harassing both of us.”
Gil didn’t say anything as he thought about all that she had just said.
Jo looked up at him and added, “I think it would be best for you if you run into them around town, if you don’t even try to talk to them. Just avoid them if you can. They both have been known to get nasty and even violent in an argument.”
Gil decided that he would follow Jo’s advice. He didn’t need any kind of public confrontation with either of their tormentors. Without a doubt, that would go against him no matter what. He was just getting Floyd on his side and certainly didn’t want to upset the big sheriff.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn’t realize that Carla had said something to him.
“I’m sorry Carla, I guess I was daydreaming. What did you say?”
She looked as if she wouldn’t repeat it at first, then gritted her teeth and said, “I said that Clyde Jenkins has a son a year older than me and he’s the worst bully in school.”
Before he could respond to that, Jo said, “Has Calvin been bothering you again, Carla?”
She shook her head and said, “No. I try to stay out of his way.”
They had all finished eating and Gil was drinking the last of his coffee when a strange sound came from behind him. He looked around and saw Floyd standing there with his hands on his hips and a frown on his face. He had on jeans and a western shirt. Gil’s stray thought was that he looked different out of uniform.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here? Looks like a cozy little get together to me. Mind if I join for a bit?”
“No way!”
“Sure.”
Sue Ann and Jo spoke at once and everyone laughed. Everyone except Floyd and Sue Ann, that is. Jo blushed and Sue Ann gritted her teeth. Gil didn’t know what was going on and certainly didn’t know what to do. Floyd was glaring at Sue Ann and she was glaring back at him. It didn’t take much imagination on Gil’s part to realize there was some history there.
The teacher, Mike, rose and took the check with him. “Here Sheriff, you can have my seat. I really need to get going. I’ve got a whole stack of tests to grade that I’ve been putting off all weekend.”
Carla giggled and said, “One of them is mine.”
They all laughed again. Even though Floyd didn’t join in the laughter, it still diffused the situation as Mike Bates took his leave and Floyd sat down in his vacated chair.
* * *
Jo was thoroughly embarrassed by what had just happened between her best friend and her favorite cousin. She was so glad that Mike had chosen to leave. She knew that Floyd would have gotten worse and maybe even caused more of a scene had Mike stayed.
She sneaked a peek at Gil. He must be wondering what was going on. She didn’t know what to say to him and besides, she couldn’t very well explain in front of Sue Ann and Floyd. But the knowing smile on his face as he looked back and forth between Floyd and Sue Ann, told her that he might have figured it out on his own.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Carla stood and said, “This is pathetic. I’m out of here.”
Jo stood too and said, “Where are you going?”
Carla made that bored, frustrated face that only teenagers can make and said, “I’m going to the restroom.”
When Jo sat back down, she looked at Gil again. She couldn’t help but giggle at the expression on his face.
“Welcome to our little three ring circus, Gil. Sometimes I think we have our own Peyton Place right here in Crowleyville.”
He laughed and turned his attention from Sue Ann and Floyd, who were arguing again, back to Jo. “I’ve had an enjoyable lunch, Jo but I have a meeting in a little while. So I’m afraid I need to go.”
Just then, Sue A
nn jumped up and actually slapped Floyd across the face, and then she stormed out of the café. As Floyd took off after Sue Ann, Jo wondered what Floyd had said to Sue Ann for her to do that. Her next thought was to wonder how she and Carla were going to get home.
Gil must have realized her predicament for he said, “I’d be happy to take you and your sister home, Jo.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you.”
She tried to think of something else to say. “I’m not really sure that I know what’s going on between those two, but I’m afraid it’s really going to blow up one of these days.”
Gil laughed and said, “If that wasn’t a blow up, then I certainly don’t want to be around when they actually have one.”
Jo laughed but kept her eyes down on her purse as she prepared to leave as soon as Carla returned.
When Carla came back to the table, she stood there looking down at Jo. She placed her hands on her hips, rolled her eyes, and said, “Are those two going to be all right?”
Jo didn’t know what to say. How did she defend her best friend or her cousin who had each done so much for her when they were both so obviously in the wrong?
She shook her head and said, “I just don’t know Carla.”
She stood and tossed her hand in Gil’s direction. “Gil has offered to take us home in his car. Are you ready?”
Carla didn’t say anything but turned and headed for the exit.
No one spoke on the way home. Jo was afraid of what Gil must think of her and her family now. But did it matter? Yes, somehow, she thought that it did matter . . . a lot.
When Gil stopped his car near the stairs to their apartment, Jo and Carla both climbed out before Gil even had a chance to put the car in park. He did get his door open enough to stand in it while looking over the top of the car at Jo and Carla.
Jo said, “Thank you Gil we really appreciate it, don’t we Carla?”
Carla shrugged her shoulders and said, “Yeah.” Then under her breath, which Jo was sure that Gil heard too, she said, “Whatever.”
No Easy Solution (Crowley County Series Book 1) Page 13