Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken: Seasons Boxed Set Bundle 1-4

by Laura J. Marshall

  Kitty typed back. I’m tired.

  Come on! It will do your soul good. I’ve missed you.

  Kitty considered. She could nap now and wake up later, hopefully more refreshed. It would be nice to be with Jaycee, who had a firm head on her shoulders and hold on her beliefs. Kitty’s faith had tilted so much since she’d moved away, like a teeter totter.

  Okay.

  Great, we’ll pick you up a bit after 9.

  We’ll? Maybe Dash was coming? Or maybe…oh no. Kitty couldn’t see herself on a date right now.

  Who’s we? She typed back, holding her breath until she saw Jaycee’s answer then expelled it all at once.

  The guys and us…you, me, Dash, and Colt. It will be fun and NO pressure.

  Great. Four months pregnant and being set up on a date. Too tired to respond, Kitty dropped the phone back on the bed and closed her eyes.

  CHAPTER THREE

  A chick-flick won out over the three other movies showing at the small theatre. Dash had taken Jaycee over to the mall and hung out with her as she closed Heaven Sent then they’d picked up Colt and Kitty, respectively. Jaycee had picked the movie online and they were in their seats with popcorn in hand for it to start at 9:35.

  They were seated Dash – Jaycee – Kitty – Colt, arranged he was sure with some forethought by Jaycee. Their two friends weren’t dumb. They knew this was a setup. Kitty’d been looking tired and drawn, not her usual bubbly self. But Colt was reliable and steady, like a constant stream through the crags of the foothills and Dash expected that was just what Kitty needed right now.

  He put his arm around Jaycee and she leaned her head briefly on his shoulder. The theatre darkened and the movie began. Their fingers met in the popcorn container and he smiled to himself in the darkness.

  He leaned down and whispered, “Quit stealing my kernels.”

  “Get used to it.” He could hear the grin in her voice. He saw her move again towards the bowl in her lap and his hand met hers, purposely this time. His brain screamed at him to lift her fingers to his mouth, wanting to taste the buttery saltiness against her flesh. But he refrained, pushing the thought away and briefly squeezing her hand.

  She turned her head towards him. Her eyes burned into his, desire mirroring his own. Fourteen more days now.

  He concentrated on the screen before him, the movie’s opening credits beginning to scroll through. An hour later, Dash found himself laughing at the romantic escapades on the screen. It was the classic plotline: girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl gets boy back. There were a few funny scenes. He’d looked over at Colt and Kitty during the movie. They were laughing and he saw Colt lean in to talk to Kitty several times. Apparently, he thought Kitty was something special after all.

  Jaycee’s phone was blowing up. Texts from her Momma, Kitty, Dash, even Marcus! She’d opened the store an hour before, making sure Clara and Lisa had shown for their shifts. Midday, Tina was expected then two more girls would show for the night shift. She’d posted her cell number in the back for emergencies then given a quick perusal of inventory and back stock. Nancy’d been in touch with her briefly the night before, making sure things were fine, but having no further news on Rebecca.

  Jaycee flew another prayer up to heaven. She couldn’t imagine the worries going through Tom and Nancy’s minds right now. Dear God, give them Your strength and peace. Please give the doctors wisdom and help heal Rebecca. Amen.

  Jaycee pulled her red Chrysler LeBaron into the Fast Lane’s Bowling parking lot then tilted the mirror to look at her hair, tucking a stray piece of her long blonde bangs behind her ear. She was supposed to meet Kitty and her momma to go over the last minute details for the wedding and make a schedule of how to complete the remaining decorations in time. She hoped Kitty was feeling better today.

  Jaycee jumped from the car with her wedding organizer and into the unusually warm day, her skin singing in contact with the fragrant morning air. Jaycee’d chosen a light purple sundress with a cream cropped sweater for the day. As she entered the double doors of the bowling alley, a breeze kicked up and she caught the smell of the bright orange begonias in the flower beds. She loved spring.

  She absently looked at her phone one last time before placing it back into her bag. She was surprised when she looked up and saw her father and Dash standing near the front counter.

  “Well now. Shouldn’t you two be busyin’ yerselves with something? Didn’t know our little meeting included the two favorite men in my life.” Jaycee joked, coming up beside Dash. He slipped a hand around her back and pulled her close to kiss her quickly on the cheek.

  Jaycee’s Momma appeared just then with Kitty in tow. “Now, darlin’. Come with us.” She took Jaycee by the hand and led her towards the side of the bowling alley and down a long corridor. Throwing open the doorway at the end of the hall, she pulled Jaycee forward.

  “Momma!” Jaycee said, laughing at her mother’s insistence and glancing back towards Kitty who took the bridal book from between Jaycee’s hands. Just as she went to protest, she heard a loud “Surprise!” shouted in a cacophony of voices.

  Jaycee whipped her head back around to see friends and family gathered in the large function room. A “Congratulations” sign hung between the floor to ceiling length windows. To the left of the door, chafing dishes and covered casseroles stood at the ready on long tables along with paper plates and cups, two punch bowls, and a huge iced white cake.

  Moments later, Dash joined her side as people surged forward to kiss and hug the couple. Old Mrs. Owens was there along with Donna, her great granddaughter. Eileen Casey and her family shook their hands, along with Cora and Mike Tubbins with their baby and twin sons.

  She blinked back tears. This was Jaycee’s bridal shower! She’d been so busy worrying about the details of the wedding that she’d forgotten one of the timeworn traditions.

  A few minutes later, Dash and Jaycee were led to a table in the center of the room where Jaycee sat down. Other tables formed a big square around it with more tables against the walls. People mingled and laughter rang throughout the room. Jaycee saw her Momma grab her father’s cane-free hand and lead him to stand nearby.

  “Your attention, please. We’d like to welcome you to Jaycee and Dash’s shower. We’re glad you came to celebrate with us.” Applause and shouts of approval drowned out her Daddy’s voice, but then things quieted down as he held up a hand. Jaycee saw her Momma poke him in the ribs with her elbow.

  He cleared his throat and continued on as people shuffled to sit down and others stood in small groups. Marcus came to stand next to his Daddy. He encircled the boy with one arm. “Before we get started on the food I’d like to give Jaycee and Dash a little something then say grace.”

  Jaycee’s momma produced a long white envelope from her bag.

  “We love Dash like a son and wish them all the happiness in the world. This here – . ”

  Jaycee’s mother waved the envelope and then stepped in behind her husband to hand it to Dash, who had remained standing.

  “Is the deed to 20 acres of land next to our own.” Lifting the cane, he swiped at one eye with the back of his hand.

  Jaycee looked from her father to Dash’s face. His eyes had gone wide and he opened his mouth several times to say something. He looked down at Jaycee and she smiled up into his face. She stood and reached up to kiss his cheek then nodded. He made his way around the table and caught Marcus up under his arms and swung him around, giving a whoop.

  Depositing him back on the ground, he hugged her Daddy, thanking him heartily and then embraced her Momma. Jaycee knew Dash’s love of the land had been growing. As they sat on the back porch in the afternoon’s slanted light, he’d cross his scuffed cowboy boots at the ankle and tell her of his work on the farm that day. It was as if the land was singing and weaving a pattern of its own over the fabric of his life, but he’d just discovered its song.

  Not much later, the whole party had eaten their fill of the potluck dishes, cold cut
plate, salads, and appetizers. The middle table was exchanged for the gift table, Clint Sparrow and his son Todd hoisting the overladen rectangle and showing their brawn.

  A chair was produced for Jaycee and she settled into it with Dash watching from the sidelines. Kitty was at her right side keeping track of what gifts were from who. Marcus helped by grabbing the crumpled papers as they fell to the floor and discarding them into a trash bag.

  By the end of the gift opening, Jaycee and Dash were the proud owners of two blenders, three sets of dishes, new utensils for the kitchen, bath towels, a kitchen clock, a microwave from Aunt Katie, and various and sundry items too numerous to count.

  One in particular had made Jaycee blush red to the roots of her hair and she’d quickly shoved it back into the little pink bag with a smile and embarrassed “thank you”. The older women raised their eyebrows and the younger ones laughed loudly. As the party wound down and the last gift was opened, Jaycee’s momma presented her with a keepsake bonnet festooned with bows and ribbons.

  Jaycee posed for more pictures then turned to Dash at her side. With tears in her eyes, she grabbed his arm and pulled him close. The world faded away, the noise of kids running, parents wrangling, others cleaning up now just background noise to the rush of intimacy with him. He tipped her face up with his hand gentle on her chin.

  “Is it really okay to be so happy? I’m afraid the other shoes about to drop. It’s danglin’ over my head.”

  “The ribbons and the memories, they’ll protect you. God’s got you and so do I.” He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. She turned her head and rested her cheek against his chest, closing her eyes then opening them briefly. She met Kitty’s gaze from across the room and saw an indescribable sadness there. Jaycee blinked back tears and tried to smile at her friend. What on earth could be wrong?

  Kitty wanted to run away from her worries and just be…Kitty. She missed who she was, before all the fears and unknowns had appeared. It’s not like she had anyone to blame but herself. But right now, she wanted to not care and return to being the fashionable, up and coming editor for Acclaim Magazine. Yet, here she was back in Twain, Georgia living with her mother.

  Colt had texted her earlier in the afternoon, mid-party. She’d slipped her phone out and stared at his words. He seemed like a nice guy. Sweet as yesterday’s iced tea and her type, tall, dark and handsome. They’d talked some at the movies and in the car on the way home. He had a small apartment, worked for Dash, and was into rock climbing and canoeing in his spare time. Out-doorsy, well…one strike on the Kitty type. Not that she didn’t like the outdoors, she’d just been in the city for so many years, it hadn’t been a priority in a long time.

  Nightlife, parties, late night sessions with the marketing team as a new monthly issue was about to be released, mingling for business and pleasure. That was the world Kitty could relate to. But seeing Dash and Jaycee’s relationship, she found a new tug on her heart. The one for a steady guy and a family. But the order in that equation was messed up. She’d done it backwards.

  Back in her room, she put the TV on for noise and sat on her bed. She knew she’d be showing soon. It was a miracle she wasn’t already. Naked it was obvious, but dressed in baggy clothes, she’d hidden her condition. For how long? She’d have to tell her mother and then her grandmother and aunts would all come to gather and give their opinions.

  Kitty scrolled through the apps on her phone, scrolling her way back into Messages. Why not? She ignored the gentle pressure against her bladder and shifted slightly, her fingers hanging over the illuminated letters.

  Sorry, I was gone most of the day. She bit her lip. Would he be around?

  Her phone lit up a few minutes later. Hey! Was just thinking about you.

  Really? Kitty stretched her legs before her and settled into the pillow at her back. This could get interesting. She thought back to the moment her eyes locked with Jaycee’s that afternoon. It wasn’t fair. Kitty wanted the happily ever after too. Was it even possible anymore?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Jaycee had spent the last two days organizing the stacks of gifts that had overtaken the dining room. She’d shuttled numerous things to Dash’s apartment, where they’d be living after the wedding. Now she cleared the last large box off the table at her parent’s house and plopped several bags of craft supplies onto the middle.

  Kitty would be there soon and she and Jaycee were putting together the centerpieces today. Jaycee had painted the miniature crate-type boxes white. The paint was now dry and they’d sand it in spots to look shabby chic then add the silk flowers Jaycee had found on clearance. They needed 22 centerpieces for the tables.

  She pulled the hot glue sticks free of a bag along with a glue gun. One of them could work on sanding while the other glued in the flowers. It shouldn’t take them long. She heard the doorbell ring and ran to the front hall. Kitty stood there looking more relaxed than she had the other day. She’d been checking in with her, but her vague answers had Jaycee wondering.

  “Hey! Just gettin’ the supplies out. Come on in.” Jaycee led the way to the dining room.

  Kitty followed and sniffed appreciatively. “What’s that smell?”

  “Momma’s made us some munchies. Macaroons and buffalo chicken dip.”

  “God’s honest truth,” she said in typical Kitty fashion, “it’s about makin’ me swoon.”

  Laughing, Jaycee took her hand and led her into the kitchen. “And it’s makin’ the southern come out in you too. Let’s eat first!”

  The crockpot was making little popping sounds on the countertop. She pulled open a cabinet and took out the corn chips, dumping them into a bowl while Kitty took a seat at the island. Jaycee put those before Kitty then scooped some of the hot dip into a serving dish with a spoon. She flipped the crockpot temperature gauge to warm then slid into the stool next to Kitty.

  They both munched in silence for several minutes, the crunch of the chips loud in the quiet house.

  “Where is everyone?” Kitty asked between bites.

  “Marcus is at school and Daddy ‘s out back. Momma’s shopping with Aunt Katie. Gettin’ the chalk board to write on and direct people towards the peach grove and some Sharpies to write on those flat river rocks I bought.”

  “I saw that in your binder. Great idea to have marriage advice from guests written on those.”

  “Looks like we’re almost done. Last thing is for you to try on your dress. Today, Kitty.” Jaycee gave her a look as she licked some dip from her fingers. “After we eat.”

  Kitty blinked rapidly and cleared her throat. “Guess it’s been put off long enough.”

  She stood then and wandered towards the sink, washing her hands then drying them on the towel hanging at the front of the stove.

  “Do you mind if I take a few?” Kitty eyed the white mountain of fluffy macaroons on the countertop.

  “Sure enough and bring me two, will ya?” Jaycee let out a groan. “We’ll be lucky if either of us fit into our dresses.”

  Her mouth full and walking back to stand by Jaycee, Kitty tilted her head to the side and handed Jaycee the cookies. She gulped down her food and opened her mouth to speak. Nothing came out. She walked to the refrigerator near the back door. “You want a drink?”

  “Yes, please.” Jaycee ate the macaroons in two bites. They melted in her mouth. “Milk.”

  Kitty nodded and poured them both a cup and went to sit back next to Jaycee. She took a small sip and put her glass down with some finality. Jaycee looked up in surprise, her hands at her stomach for all she’d eaten.

  “I’ve got something important to tell you.”

  Jaycee waited. The hum of the appliances causing a rhythm in the room she’d previously been unaware of. This was it. She prayed silently for Kitty. Whatever it was had taken a lot of courage for her to talk about. She grabbed for Kitty’s hand and they sat there with the remnants of their snack before them.

  “I – I’m pregnant, Jaycee.” Silent
tears slid down Kitty’s face.

  Jaycee tried to remain calm, but she couldn’t help but glance at Kitty’s stomach. Kitty nodded at her look. “Oh my gosh! Are you okay? Does your mother know? How about the father? Is the baby Todd’s?”

  The questions flew from Jaycee’s mouth before she could clamp down on her tongue. She stood suddenly. “Come on, let’s go into my room.”

  “But – but the decorations.” Kitty stammered as she followed Jaycee past the dining room and into the familiarity of the bedroom.

  “They’ll wait. Sit.”

  “No. I need to show you.” Kitty lifted her shirt. Large tears flowed down her cheeks and great sobs wrenched from her throat.

  Jaycee could imagine how shocked her face looked. Kitty’s stomach was, well…pregnant. Her belly button was still an inny but not for long. Her skin was taught across the little round bundle.

  “Oh, Kitty. Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “I couldn’t. I told a few friends and it spread like wildfire at work. I’ve left. I’m done with New York. Now I – I’m here and…I don’t know what to do.”

  She fell into Jaycee’s arms. Jaycee stepped back and they both sat on the bed while Kitty cried.

  “Well, what’s there to do?” Commiserating at this point would only prolong the pain. Jaycee pulled Kitty away to look into her tear-stained face, her eyes filling. “You’re gonna have a baby and we best get to celebratin’.” Kitty with a baby. Well, don’t that beat all.

  Jaycee didn’t like to keep secrets from Dash but she also hadn’t asked Kitty’s permission to tell him. She said she’d need more time to tell her mother before news spread, which it was sure to. Kitty’s dress for the wedding was snug, but Jaycee planned to ask her Momma to take it out an inch on each side, which would give her room to breathe.

  A baby! Not only would she encourage Kitty to celebrate the new life growing within her, but also to not be ashamed. Sure, she’d made a mistake, but now she’d move forward and be the best mother she could. As the afternoon wore on, talk of what she would do had turned to forming a plan to find an OBGYN and starting prenatal vitamins.