Thirty and a Half Excuses

by Denise Grover Swank

  “We’re almost done.” David said through a mouthful of sandwich.

  Muffy jumped out of the car and made a beeline through the grass.

  “What is that?” David asked, watching her.

  “It’s my dog.”

  “It’s an ugly thing, ain’t it?”

  If one more person besmirched Muffy’s looks, I wasn’t going to be held responsible for my actions. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” I frowned my disapproval. I was a firm believer in if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. “She’s a good dog.” I added defensively.

  Muffy wandered past David, and he began frantically waving a hand in front of his face. “I thought you said it was a dog. She smells like a skunk.”

  I shrugged. “Muffy has some fiber issues.”

  Bruce Wayne chuckled as Muffy stopped next to him, and he scratched behind her ears. “I think she’s cute.”

  Somewhat appeased, I spun around to appraise the front of the church. “It looks beautiful.” And it did. I had a good view of the front of the church along with the east side. It had been an overgrown mess, and they’d cleaned out the weeds, trimmed the bushes, and planted the flowers.

  “All that’s left is the mulching,” Bruce Wayne said, getting to his feet.

  I hadn’t brought it to the job site yet since I hadn’t thought they’d be this far along. “Bruce Wayne, don’t let me disturb you on your break.”

  “I’m nearly done.” But the half-eaten sandwich in his hand told me otherwise. Muffy followed him as he walked toward me.

  “Are you gonna need help loading the mulch in the truck, Miss Rose?” Bruce Wayne asked.

  “Um…” I hadn’t thought that far ahead, distracted by everything else.

  “How about I ride back with you to the nursery and help load?”

  “What do you have left to do here?” From the looks of things, they were almost done.

  “We’ve got a small batch of flowers to plant. David can take care of that while I go with you.”

  To my surprise, David agreed. “I can handle it.” Maybe he was worried I’d make him help load the truck. He might have gotten out of the loading, but he was going to get plenty of opportunity to unload. I kept that part to myself.

  Bruce Wayne gathered the rest of his lunch and got into the truck with me. Muffy sat between us, studying Bruce Wayne, who was quieter than usual.

  “Everything okay?” I asked.

  He swallowed, glancing at me before looking straight ahead. “Yeah.” He reached for Muffy’s head and began to rub.

  “Thanks for all your hard work this week. You’ve really helped me out of a bind.”

  “No, thank you. It feels good to be working. I like this job because I can see that I’m doing something that makes a difference. I’m making something better, even if it’s just plants.”

  I smiled. “I understand. I started gardening when I was a girl. One of the reasons I loved it was because I could plant something and take care of it and watch it grow. It was magical. It still is.”

  “Yeah, I get that,” he said softly. “I like that too, but I also like how I feel when I’m working.”

  “And how’s that?”

  He took a deep breath. “It’s hard to explain. I ain’t necessarily good with words.”

  “That’s okay, try.”

  He twisted his hands in his lap. “It’s like I’m someone else when I’m working with the dirt. I feel like I’m important.” He swallowed again. “Like I’ve found somewhere I belong.”

  I’d spent my entire life searching for that feeling. I’d only ever known it with Joe and the nursery. “I get that,” I finally said.

  “I like this work. I know it ain’t David’s thing—he hates manual labor and sweating—but I like it. I’d like to keep working for you if you’ll have me.”

  My shoulders cramped. I didn’t have any other work for him at the moment, but I wondered if I had anything else he could do. Bruce Wayne had finally found a place he fit, and I didn’t want to be the one to take it from him. “You’ve done a great job. If we have more work when this project is done, you’ll be the first person I hire. But I don’t have anything at the moment.”

  He nodded, his mouth drooping with disappointment.

  “I’ll be happy to give you a reference too, so that you can get another job until I have more work for you.” I turned to him. “I’m sorry. I wish I had something now.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” he insisted. “You’re the only one who thinks I can make something of myself. You and Reverend Jonah.”

  “Do you like Reverend Jonah?”

  “I ain’t sure yet. He’s been nice to David and me, but I don’t like how he’s sniffing around you.”

  I could tell it pained him to tell me that. I’d seen how Jonah treated him, but Bruce Wayne was also protective of me. “I’m glad he’s been kind to you two.”

  He was quiet the rest of the way to the nursery, and he insisted on loading the truck by himself when I went in to check on how things were going. Violet was craning her neck to get a glimpse of Bruce Wayne.

  “Is that him?”

  “Don’t talk about him like that. He’s not an ax murderer, Violet.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “That you know of.”

  “Stop it. I like him. He just needs someone to believe in him and give him a chance.”

  “And that person is you?”

  “It’s not just me who thinks that. Reverend Jonah has been nice to him too.” I figured that would have some effect on Violet, and I wasn’t wrong.

  “Well… Still, be careful.”

  I rolled my eyes, then glanced around the shop. “Where are the kids?”

  “Mike picked them up while you were gone.”

  “Oh.” I was sad I hadn’t seen him. Violet might be the one most likely going through the divorce, but I’d lost him too.

  Neely Kate came inside, wild eyed. “Is that him? Bruce Wayne Decker?”

  I nodded.

  “How come you didn’t jump down her throat when she asked?” Violet protested.

  “Maybe because she looks at him as a celebrity instead of a criminal.”

  Violet’s mouth puckered before a customer walked up to the counter to check out, and then her face burst into happiness. It was scary how fast she could transform herself.

  “So he’s working out, huh?” Neely Kate asked, watching Bruce Wayne load the truck.

  “He’s a hard worker, and he’s really trying to do a good job. He asked me if he could keep working for me, because he really likes it. I wish I had something for him to do.”

  “Have you read that book about gettin’ what you want?” She craned her neck as Bruce Wayne walked to the side of the building to grab another bag. “You’re supposed to just put it out there in the universe.” She stretched out her open hand. “And the universe gives it to you.”

  I squinted in disbelief. “Let me get this straight. I just tell the universe what I want, and it’s supposed to give it to me? What if everyone asks for a million dollars? How would that work?”

  She shook her head in irritation. “Why do you have to always be so literal? I’m sure it has something to do with karma. Have a little faith.”

  “Faith? I’m supposed to throw my secret desires out there into the universe and some genie will answer my requests?”

  Laughing, Neely Kate smacked my arm. “I didn’t say it has to be a secret. In fact, I think you’re supposed to tell people.” She gave me a wicked grin. “Now tell the universe what you want.”

  I didn’t see the point, but I also didn’t see how it could hurt. “I want to have enough work to give Bruce Wayne a job.” I turned toward her. “So what do I do?”

  She shrugged. “You just did it.”

  “You’re kiddin’ me. That’s it?”

  “Yep.”

  I already knew it would never work. The job with the New Living Hope Revival Church had been a fluke. We weren’t a full
-service nursery. For one thing, we didn’t have the stock for it. We hoped to expand our inventory next spring, but at the moment, we were just feeling our way around owning a nursery. There was no way Bruce Wayne could wait that long for a job.

  When he finished loading the truck with as many bags as the truck bed would hold, we went back to the church, Muffy coming along again. David didn’t seem very happy about unloading the mulch, but he didn’t complain about it either. He’d finished planting the last of the flowers, so he had nothing else to do, not to mention that once they finished this job, they’d be officially done.

  It didn’t take them long to spread out the mulch, and Muffy had fun running around and sniffing the musty-smelling wood chips. When they finished, I wrote each of them a check. David stuffed his into his jean shorts pocket, but Bruce Wayne held his in his hands, staring at it. “I’ve never loved working for a paycheck as much as I did for this one.”

  David shook his head, tossing gardening tools into the back of my truck. “You are crazy.”

  Bruce Wayne winked at me then tucked his check into his wallet. “Crazy like a fox.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” David asked.

  “Hell if I know, but it sure sounded good.”

  I shook my head laughing. “I’ll be in touch, Bruce Wayne.”

  He nodded, turning solemn. “You do that.”

  Muffy and I headed back to the nursery, me feeling like I’d let Bruce Wayne down. Not long after, I was assembling some potted plants in the back of the shop when I heard Violet call out, “Well good afternoon, Reverend Jonah.”

  My breath stuck in my chest. That man made me nervous, even on my own turf.

  “Call me, Jonah. I insist.”

  “Of course. Silly me.” Violet giggled. “What can I do for you, Jonah?”

  “I was hoping to see Rose.”

  I cringed. I’d been hoping to avoid him.

  “She’s in the back. Let me get her.” Violet poked her head into the open doorway leading to the back room. “Someone’s here to see you,” she sing-songed.

  Groaning, I set the plant I was holding on the work table, not stopping to wash my hands.

  “Well there she is, the miracle worker!” Jonah beamed.

  I shook my head. “Bruce Wayne and David did all the hard work.”

  “But they were only implementing your vision. You have definitely found your calling, Rose.”

  “I helped,” Violet said, her voice rising.

  Jonah turned to her and smiled his TV smile. “Of course you did.” Then he turned back to me, leaving a stunned Violet in his wake. She wasn’t used to people dismissing her so easily, and she sure as Pete didn’t like it. “I’d really like for you to come to church as my special guest tomorrow for the late service. I want to introduce you to the congregation.”

  “Isn’t that your televised service?” Violet asked.

  “It sure is.”

  I took an involuntary step back. “Oh…I don’t know…”

  “We’ll be there.” Violet said, walking around the end of the counter and wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Should we be there at a special time?”

  Jonah’s smile faded a tiny bit. “The service starts at 10:30. Perhaps you could come at 10:15, so we can make sure you’re seated in the front.”

  As soon as I got Jonah Pruitt’s check, I didn’t want to be anywhere near him. But Miss Mildred’s lecture had been nagging at me all day, along with what Neely Kate had said to me. What if I could find out something about Miss Dorothy and Miss Laura’s murders? If I had that ability to figure out what happened, wasn’t it my obligation to do just that? And if Jonah Pruitt was the murderer, then going to his church was a good opportunity to try digging up some information on him.

  “Okay,” I agreed, but try as I might, I couldn’t make it sound enthusiastic. “Thank you for inviting us.”

  Jonah clapped his hands together. “Well, now that that’s settled, I have one other thing to discuss.” He leaned closer.

  Oh, dear Lord. I hoped he wasn’t going to ask me out on a date.

  Neely Kate slipped inside, her eyes wide with anticipation.

  “You did such a wonderful job on the church that I’d love to have you work on the parsonage too.”

  I blinked, stunned. “You mean your house?”

  He grinned. “While I do live there, it belongs to the church.”

  “And you want the Gardner Sisters Nursery to do some work there?”

  “Well, I was hoping you would do it.” He took my hand in his, and I stopped myself from jerking it back.

  Violet looked confused, as though she wasn’t sure whether she should be happy we got the business or upset that he specifically requested me. But then again, Violet was more a weeding type of girl, while I’d always been of the get-my-hands-dirty variety. Maybe she was relieved.

  Neely Kate was practically jumping up and down in the doorway, reminding me that there was more at stake here than just me. This was a chance to give Bruce Wayne more work.

  “Why thank you, Reverend.” I said, uncomfortable that he was still holding my hand. “I’d love to see what we can do with the landscape of the parsonage.”

  “Now, now, what do I keep telling you about calling me Jonah?” He laughed and looked back over his shoulder at Neely Kate. “Isn’t she something else?”

  Neely Kate smirked. “She sure is.”

  Jonah turned back to face me. “Wonderful. Why don’t you plan on coming by the parsonage on Monday morning at nine?”

  I forced a smile. “I can’t wait.”

  “But first you’re going to be my special guest tomorrow!” Thankfully, he dropped my hand.

  The way he kept saying special guest reminded me of Hansel and Gretel for some reason. Was Jonah planning something devious? No, I told myself. My imagination was running wild. He was just being friendly.

  So he could get me to sign over all my worldly possessions.

  Violet’s smile spread so wide it was a wonder her face didn’t crack open. “We wouldn’t dream of missing it, now would we?” She jabbed her elbow into my side.

  “Can’t wait.”

  “Well, I’ll see you lovely ladies tomorrow.” Jonah turned around and left. Neely Kate could barely contain her squeal.

  “I told you!” she whisper shouted. “I told you it would work!”

  “What would work?” Violet asked, narrowing her eyes.

  It occurred to me that Violet probably wouldn’t approve of me wanting to provide more work for Bruce Wayne, but I didn’t care. This was my business too, and the way things were turning out, it looked like I would be in charge of offsite business while Violet was in charge of the store. That meant I could hire whomever I wanted.

  “Rose was saying how bad she felt that Bruce Wayne loved working for her so much that he asked to keep working for her, only she didn’t have anything for him to do. So I told her to just put it out there in the universe.” She thrust her hand forward. “If you put it out there, the universe will provide.”

  Violet squinted, looking at Neely Kate as though she were a crazy person. “That’s awfully New Age, isn’t it?”

  Neely Kate ignored her. “Didn’t I tell you to do that, Rose?”

  “You did. And it worked.” Only I was sure the cosmos was playing some big practical joke by sending the business via Reverend Jonah Pruitt.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Violet and I had agreed to meet in the parking lot of the New Living Hope Revival Church. We usually rode together to things like this, especially since Mike had left, but I realized why as soon as I pulled up.

  Violet was with Brody MacIntosh.

  Irritation prickled my insides, and I fought the crankiness ebbing its way in. Brody was a nice guy. And Violet had every right to date again. But she’d just started dating him. Did they have to do everything together?

  I sat back in my seat, grabbing onto the steering wheel as reality hit me. Isn’t that what I h
ad done when I started dating Joe? I’d spent every spare moment with him. I turned to catch a glimpse of them out the side window. Brody had his hand around her waist and was leaning in to whisper something in her ear. Violet laughed, looking up into his face with eyes shining with happiness.

  I gasped.

  Violet was in love with Brody MacIntosh.

  How could she fall in love with him so quickly? They’d just started dating a few days ago. Did people fall in love with each other that fast?

  I spied on them a few seconds longer, feeling like a peeping Tom, but desperate to prove my theory wrong.

  The thing was, they clasped hands like two people familiar with each other, people who had been together for weeks or even months.

  Oh dear God. Violet hadn’t just started dating Brody. This had been going on for some time. This was Violet’s secret.

  Violet caught sight of me and motioned for me to get out, her face beaming. An internal skirmish began brewing inside me. I got out of the truck and walked toward them, trying to hide my disapproval.

  “Rose, you look beautiful this morning,” Violet said as I approached.

  I involuntarily smoothed the skirt of my peach dress. “Thank you, Vi. You do too.”

  She smiled at my compliment, and then turned to include Brody. “Look who I found in the parking lot.” Violet gushed. “The mayor himself.”

  “Good morning, Brody.” I forced myself to smile at him.

  Brody dropped his hold on Violet, his hand flopping to his side as though it didn’t know what to do with itself. “Good morning, Rose. I hear the Gardner Sisters Nursery had a very successful first week.”

  “That it did.” I tilted my head toward the front entrance. “Shall we go in?”

  “Sure.”

  It was funny how different the church felt today. It might have been because the lot was full of cars and people were going inside, but I didn’t think so. A sense of foreboding washed over me that hadn’t been there all week, even when Jonah had made me uncomfortable. Then I realized what it was… I used to get this feeling every Sunday, back before the preachers stopped trying to expel my demon.