Thirty and a Half Excuses
Page 53

“Rose,” Mason called out in the foyer. I stopped, surprised he was here, and even more surprised to see his mother was with him. She was more beautiful in person than she’d been in my vision.
I lifted my chin, resisting the urge to cry. “Mason, what are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t resist the chance to hear one of Jonah Pruitt’s sermons. I didn’t realize you’d be part of it.”
I shifted my weight, looking down. “That makes two of us.”
“Are you okay?”
I nodded. The last thing I wanted to do was talk about the video that had just been played.
“We haven’t officially been introduced,” Mason’s mother extended her hand, a warm smile on her face. “I’m Maeve Deveraux.”
I took her hand, surprised at how gentle her touch was. “I’m Rose, but then I guess you already know that from that demonstration inside.”
“I knew about you long before Reverend Pruitt put on his show. Mason speaks very highly of you.”
Mason’s cheeks reddened, and I couldn’t help but grin. “Did he tell you about our first encounter, and how I asked him if his mother knew about his rude behavior?”
To my surprise, Mrs. Deveraux burst out laughing. “No, he most certainly did not. I’m sure he was worried about the repercussions.”
“Well, don’t hold that against him. His behavior has greatly improved. You’ve raised a fine Southern gentleman.”
“Can we change the subject now?” Mason asked, glancing around. “You two are ruining my reputation as the intimidating assistant district attorney.”
I laughed, thankful that the horror of what had happened in the sanctuary was fading.
Violet emerged from the double doors, Brody following close behind. She was heading straight for me when she spotted me with Mason.
“Do you have plans?” Mrs. Deveraux asked. “Mason and I are going out for lunch before I head back to Little Rock.”
I hesitated. Part of me was drawn to Mrs. Deveraux’s friendliness, but I was already in a mess with Joe over Mason. I couldn’t imagine how going out to lunch with them was going to help matters. “You have no idea how much I’d love to join you.” I hoped my sincerity came through. “But I’m going to have to take a rain check today.”
“But of course,” she said. “I plan on visiting Mason more often, so this won’t be our last opportunity.”
“Good. I look forward to it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to appease my sister.” I turned around, but Mason touched my arm.
“Rose.”
I spun at the waist to face him.
“I want to talk to you later.” He looked worried.
“Sure. Call me after your mother takes off for Little Rock.”
I headed Violet off before she reached Mason.
Her smile was tight. “Why didn’t you prepare me for that little show?”
I lowered my voice. “Because I had no idea he was gonna do that. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come.”
“I don’t think he even mentioned the name of the nursery.”
“Our sign was in the video, with the footage of you and Brody cuttin’ the ribbon. You both looked very nice, by the way.”
Brody grinned, but Violet wasn’t so easily swayed from the topic. “That man is far too fascinated with you.”
Finally, she was seeing what I’d been trying to tell her all week. Her jealousy could actually be useful. Maybe she’d insist that the nursery shouldn’t work on Jonah’s parsonage. Relief washed through me, guilt quickly on its heels. I might be more comfortable that way, but Bruce Wayne would be out of a job. “Well, I didn’t ask for it.”
She frowned. “I’d tell you not to take that parsonage job, but you know we need the business.” Her eyes studied mine. “Unless you feel threatened by him. Then we’ll make do. I don’t trust him.”
“I’m okay with it for now. Bruce Wayne needs the work.”
Brody’s eyes squinted in confusion. “Why wouldn’t you trust Reverend Pruitt? He’s the second best new business to hit Henryetta.” He kissed Violet’s cheek. “The Gardner Sisters Nursery being the first, of course.”
While Brody might be the most eligible bachelor in Henryetta, he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. At least Mason had looks and brains.
Violet smiled at him. “Thank you, Brody. Just call it women’s intuition.”
Mildred hobbled over, Opal following with her walker. “You can’t just come to church and mind your own business?” she said to me.
“If I’d known Jonah was going to do that, I never would have come.”
“Then why did you come?” She glared.
I locked eyes with her. “I think you know.” I had a sinking suspicion that’s why she was there too. I turned to Miss Opal, who was leaning forward on her walker. “I was surprised to see you here Miss Opal. I thought you were a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church.”
“I was until Reverend Jonah invited me to coffee one day and convinced me to try his church. I’ve been coming here ever since.”
“Has Jonah ever talked to you about bequeathing your worldly possessions to him?”
Opal looked offended. “No. Of course not. Why would you insinuate such a thing?”
“Because Miss Dorothy did.” Now I was confused. I was fairly certain Miss Opal had more money than Miss Dorothy. Not that you could tell by the way they lived. Then again, maybe that was my answer right there.