“Miss Mildred,” I said. “I’m so glad you could make it. Looks like you arrived right in time.”
Her head jerked and her hands shook. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was here early.”
“But…”
Violet tilted her head with a syrupy smile pointed at me. “What does it matter when she showed up, Rose. The important thing is that Miss Mildred is here now.” Violet looped her arm through Mildred’s. “Let me show you around, Miss Mildred. We have a collection of orchids in the greenhouse that I’m sure will interest you.”
They hobbled off toward the greenhouse and Joe fumed. “I have no idea why you want to live in this godforsaken town.”
Some days I wasn’t so sure either.
The crowd dispersed and began to wander around, checking out the plants we had lining the sidewalk and throughout the greenhouse. We encouraged everyone to go inside our gift shop to get a piece of the sheet cake Violet’s mother-in-law was handing out. I figured if we could get the people inside to eat cake, they might find something they wanted to buy. Aunt Bessie was bustling with activity behind the cash register, serving a steady stream of people at the checkout line. I was pleased as punch that my plan had worked.
Violet and I greeted our new customers and helped them find what they needed. After mingling with some of the crowd and filming something with his cameraman, Reverend Jonah cornered Violet at the end of the row filled with flats of pansies. I made a beeline for them.
“—have it in by next week?”
“Um…” Violet’s eyes looked wild, searching me out.
I reached a hand toward Jonah. “Hi, I’m Rose Gardner, Violet’s sister.”
He offered his hand. His grip was loose and slightly sweaty. “Reverend Jonah Pruitt. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. If I’d known Henryetta was full of so many beautiful women, I would have moved my church here several years ago.”
Violet giggled, but I was more interested in business. “About your flower beds—”
“Ah,” he winked. “I can see you’re the businesswoman of the team.”
That wasn’t necessarily true, but in this case, the way Violet was all atwitter, it certainly was.
Violet and Mike had been high-school sweethearts, and it looked like Violet was making up for all those years she’d been with one man.
I needed to get this back on course. “Well, you were our first official customer. We want to make sure you’re taken care of.” I wasn’t about to tell him we’d had seven sales before the ceremony.
“That attention to customer service will ensure your success.” He preened then cleared his throat, turning more serious. “Yes, we need to discuss how soon you can get the flowers planted. We’re having a revival on the church grounds next week—tent and all—and I’d like to have the lot covered in flowers. It’s fittin’, don’t you think? All those flowers representing the New Living Hope Revival Church?”
Violet nodded, but I kept my gaze on him. Let him worry about the symbolism. I wanted to talk money. “What kind of flowers were you thinking, Reverend?”
His hand rested on my arm. “Jonah, my dear.”
My dear, my eye. He was trying to make himself sound older, but I knew Jonah Pruitt was in his mid-thirties, which meant he was probably no more than ten years older than me. Reverend Jonah Pruitt could obviously sweet talk himself into and out of anything. I hoped I would have been resistant to his charm even without Joe’s warning. “What kind of flowers were you thinking, Jonah?”
He laughed. “I don’t know the first thing about flowers. I thought I’d leave that to you lovely ladies.”
Violet gave him her sweetest smile. “If you’re wanting them planted by Monday, we’ll have to go with something traditional. I’m not sure I have enough stock to plant your entire grounds, but I can get the more traditional plants in time.”
I knew for a fact we didn’t have enough. We were going to have to put in a rush order of chrysanthemums by the end of the day, the only plant we could get in a large enough quantity on time.
“We’re going to need half down on the flowers,” I said, trying to sound business-like.
His eyes narrowed. “And you can guarantee they’ll be planted by Monday afternoon?”
“Yes.”
Violet’s eyebrows rose, but she stayed silent.
Jonah laughed. “Well, alrighty then. You’ve got yourself a deal.” He extended his hand toward me. I gave it a good shake, probably squeezing tighter than necessary, then pulled away.
“We’ll be out this afternoon to figure out how many plants we need, and we’ll have an estimate by the end of the day. Where can I find you to get the deposit?”
He grinned, shaking his head. “You really are a stickler for business, aren’t you, Rose?” He winked at Violet, then turned back to me. “I’ll be in my office the rest of the day. You can find me there until five-thirty, when I have to leave to get ready for the evening service.”
“I’ll be there to get a check.”
“And I very much look forward to seeing you again.” He moved onto a group of elderly women in the garden club who giggled when the semi-famous televangelist started talking to them.
Violet’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Do you know what this means, Rose?”
“It means a heck of a lot of work.”
“But to have our flowers at his church? They’ll be on his TV show!”
I suspected none of his TV viewers would ever know they were our flowers, but I didn’t see the point of taking her glory from her. “I’ll go measure the beds, and then we can figure out what to plant and how many flats we need before I give him our estimate. And get his check.”
She scowled. “Why’d you do that? Insist on getting money down? You know we can buy those flowers on thirty-day credit.”
Violet wanted this order, and so did I, Jonah Pruitt’s questionable character aside. But I saw no reason to tell her about that part. “Just think what we can do with the early cash flow. Besides, we have to hire someone to help plant all those flowers. You and I can’t do it ourselves.”
Worry wrinkled her forehead. “What are we going to do about that?”
I patted her arm, watching Jonah work the crowd. “I have a couple of guys in mind.”
Violet heaved a sigh of relief moments before a woman pulled her aside with a question.
I wasn’t so sure she’d approve of the two guys I had in mind, but with such short notice, beggars couldn’t be choosers. Besides, their characters might benefit from a little time spent working on church grounds.
“He sure does know how to work the older women of Henryetta.”
Mason Deveraux stood next to me, eyes fixed on Jonah.
“Does he? It looks like they love him.”
“Oh, they sure do.” There was a suspicious note in his voice.
I looked up at him with a grin. “Are you worried you have even more competition for most eligible bachelor of Henryetta?”
His eyes widened in confusion, but I wasn’t sure why. He was a fine looking man from a respected Arkansas family. With his dark blonde hair, hazel eyes, and fit physique, the women in town were trying their darnedest to get his attention. Rumor had it he hadn’t dated at all since his arrival, which only added to his allure.
I shook my head. “Surely, you know you’re on the list of the most eligible bachelors in town. You and Brody MacIntosh.”
Mason’s face reddened. “That explains all the baked goods that keep appearing in my office.”
“And that explains the five pounds it looks like you’ve gained.”
His eyes widened again, this time in alarm.
I leaned my arm against his. “I’m joking. You look great, Mason.”
His shoulders sagged with relief.
I shot him a glare. “Why have you been avoiding me the last couple of months?”
It was my day to shock him. “Um…” A frown creased his forehead. “I’m the wrong person to be
talking to about that.”
“Then who is?”
“I think you know.” Mr. No Nonsense was back, the man I’d met at the beginning of Bruce Wayne Decker’s trial, not the man I’d gotten to know. Without a backward glance, Mason walked toward the cars parked in the street.
Who was he talking about?
And then it hit me.
Joe.
Chapter Three
When I found Joe, he was carrying a flat of asters to the street and loading it into the car of one of the garden club cronies. The sight of him being so helpful made my irritation fade slightly. How many boyfriends would be so helpful? As the woman’s car drove away, Joe made his way toward me, and my irritation won out.
“What did you say to Mason about me?”
“What?” He narrowed his eyes in confusion.
I grabbed his arm and pulled him to the back corner of the building. “Did you tell Mason not to talk to me?”
Joe recovered his senses and had the nerve to look angry. “What did he say?”
I put my hands on my hips. “He didn’t say anything, but I think you just answered my question.”
“Rose.” He inhaled, a hard look filling his eyes. “There’s a lot you don’t know about Mason and me.”
“Then tell me.”
He glanced at his watch and groaned. “I don’t have time. I have to go in a few minutes.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I shot him a glare. “How convenient.”
Joe gripped my arms and tugged me to his chest. “Rose, I love you, and I’d never do anything to hurt you. Yes, I did ask Mason to stay away from you, but I have my reasons.”
I leaned my head back and cocked my eyebrows. “And those are?”
He whipped me around the back corner, out of sight of the customers, and pushed me against the wall. His lips covered mine, and he kissed me so thoroughly I forgot what we were talking about. But then again, that had probably been his plan. He knew I couldn’t stay mad at him for long when he kissed me like that.
Lifting his head, he sighed, worry in his eyes. “Mason and I have a history that I don’t have time to get into right now. When I get back, I promise to tell you everything.”
His news wasn’t a total shock. After Joe’s overreaction to finding me with Mason on my porch the night I was first attacked by Jimmy DeWade, I had since suspected they had a past together. “Why haven’t you already told me about it?”
He grimaced. “It’s not something I’m proud of.”
My stomach dropped. What could Joe have done to make him so ashamed? “I don’t get why you don’t want Mason to talk to me.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“How could talking to Mason hurt me?”
“I was scared he would tell you about what happened in Little Rock. I want to be the one to tell you, but I wasn’t ready yet. It was wrong, and I’m sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair, leaving a ruffled mess and looking miserable. “Darlin’, I have to leave in less than five minutes, and I don’t know when I’ll see or talk to you again. I’d rather spend that time kissing than dredging up my miserable past. I’ll explain it all later, okay?”
No, it wasn’t okay. He should have already told me, but he was right. I didn’t want to spend these last few minutes talking about something upsetting. It bothered me enough that he was leaving.
He brushed the hair out of my face, gazing into my eyes. “I love you, Rose, more than I think you even realize. You see me as Joe McAllister, the man you met four months ago, but there’s more to Joe Simmons than you know, parts I’d like to leave behind. You make me want to be Joe McAllister.”
“You are Joe McAllister to me.”
He hesitated. “I’m thinking about quitting.”
My chest froze. “Quitting what?” I whispered.
“The state police.”
I blinked, sure I’d heard him wrong. “What?”
His hand cradled my cheek. “I miss you. I want us to be more permanent than just weekends and some weeknights.”
I closed my eyes as guilt rushed in. Two months ago, I’d agreed to move to Little Rock with Joe, but then I’d realized I wasn’t ready. And now that I’d opened the nursery with Violet, I was stuck in Henryetta. With Little Rock two hours away, our situation was far from ideal. “I’m sorry.”
He kissed me again, a sweet kiss full of love and tenderness. “No, don’t be sorry. You love what you’re doing now, and I think you’ll be great at it. Plus, I’ve had fun helping you get ready to open the store. I wouldn’t dream of taking this from you.”
“But if you quit, what will you do?”
“I put my application in with the Fenton County Sheriff’s department a few weeks ago, and I had an interview yesterday afternoon. That’s part of the reason I’m here.”
My stomach tumbled with excitement. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you know my attempt to transfer here with the state police didn’t work out. I didn’t want to get your hopes up, only to disappoint us both. They have an opening for a deputy, though, and I’m sure they’re going to offer me the job.” He smiled. “This is the last time I’m going undercover. I never want to purposely be gone from you this long again.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Oh, Joe. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.”
His mouth found mine and I clung to him, unshed tears burning my eyes. I told myself the most he’d be gone was a few weeks, and I’d more than likely get to talk to him several times, but the dangerous part of his absence terrified me. What if he didn’t come back?
“Be careful.” The lump in my throat made my voice tight.
“Always, darlin’. I’ve got too much to lose.” He wiped the tear escaping down my cheek, his eyes becoming more stern. “And I’m serious about being careful with Jonah Pruitt.”
Joe’s tone gave me second thoughts about doing business with the man. “Is he really that dangerous?”
“No, nothing like that. I don’t think he’d physically hurt someone—not that I know of anyway—but watch him with your financial dealings.” He lowered his voice. “I’ve already told you more than I should have.”
“I told him we need half down, which more than covers the cost of the flowers.”
He gave me a tight smile. “That’s my girl.”
I rested my cheek against his chest, the dull thud of his heartbeat in my ear. I soaked in his presence, trying not to think about the dangers he was going to face over the next few weeks. Instead, I had to trust that he’d do everything in his power to come back to me.
I walked Joe to his car and gave him one last kiss goodbye.
“I love you, Rose. Don’t ever doubt that.”
I forced myself to be strong and not break down. “I love you too, Joe. If anything happens to you, I’ll make you regret it.”
He chuckled and ducked into the car. “I’ll keep that in mind. Stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”
“It’s not like I go lookin’ for it.”
He shook his head with a grimace. “That’s the part that worries me the most.”
I watched him drive away, my heart leaving with him. At least getting the store up and running would fill up my time and keep me from missing him too much.
We had a steady stream of customers for the next several hours. We’d hoped to sell plants for fall beds, and we were doing better than we’d expected. But then again, the only other places to get bedding plants in Henryetta were Walmart and the hardware store.
Around two o’clock, things died down so I could get away to measure the New Living Hope Revival Church beds. Neither Violet nor I had thought to bring a measuring tape to the nursery. I had one in my kitchen junk drawer, so I decided to swing by and pick it up on the way there.
As soon as I pulled onto my street, I knew something was wrong. A small crowd had gathered on the sidewalk in front of Miss Opal’s house, Miss Mildred’s next-door neighbor. A police car and an ambulance w
ere parked at the end of the street, their flashing lights swirling. Over the last few months, anytime there was a vehicle with flashing lights in our neighborhood, it always stopped in front of my house. The ladies of the Busybody Club—a.k.a. the neighborhood watch—had to be confused.
After I parked in my driveway, I walked across the street to find out what was going on. I lived in an older neighborhood, and the bungalow homes on my street were mostly occupied by elderly women. The only residents under retirement age were me, the neighbors in Joe’s old house, and the house on the corner, the one belonging to Thomas’s family.
The elderly women huddled in a tight pack, all of them staring at Miss Dorothy’s front door. The front of her house was filled with several emergency personnel. She lived between Opal and Thomas’s family. Mildred stood in the middle of the pack, not surprisingly in the position of ringleader. She lifted a shaky hand to her mouth. “I knew something was wrong when I didn’t see Dorothy at Violet’s nursery this morning. She’d been planning on going to that grand opening since she found out what Violet was up to. She always loved that girl.”
My next door neighbor Heidi Joy waddled up to me, her right hand on her back, supporting the weight of her pregnant belly. Her nine-month-old baby was perched on her left hip. “What’s all the commotion about?”
“It’s Dorothy,” Opal answered from the ranks. “Mildred found her.”
Heidi Joy’s eyes widened. “What do you mean found her?”
“She was lying on her living room floor.” Mildred’s voice shook. “Dead as a doornail.”
Gasping, Heidi Joy covered her mouth and wobbled.
I grabbed her elbow to help steady her. “Do you want to sit down?”
She shook her head, but her face had paled. I lifted the baby from her arms and set him on my own hip. He grabbed a handful of my hair and promptly stuffed it in his mouth.
“What happened to her?” I asked.
Mildred’s face was almost as pale as Heidi Joy’s. “I don’t know. I just found her lying there.”
A dark sedan pulled up to the curb behind the police car. The driver’s door opened, and Mason got out, surveying the crowd. His eyes landed on me for several seconds, but he was wearing his no-nonsense face.
Thirty and a Half Excuses Page 3