Thirty and a Half Excuses (19 page)

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 had 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.

Maybe I was worried Jonah Pruitt would do something similar.

I told myself to relax. Special guest or not, I would leave if he made me uncomfortable. Rose Gardner was done with letting people make her feel badly about who she was.

As I reached for the front door, I heard a voice call out from behind me.

“Rose! Wait up!”

I looked over my shoulder to see Neely Kate hurrying to catch up with me, dragging her husband behind her. She wore a gauzy floral dress and Ronnie had on a suit and tie. I was secretly pleased that he was dressed better—and looked better—than Brody.

I was surely going to hell. I hoped I didn’t burst into flames when I walked into the sanctuary.

Violet grimaced. “Who invited her?”

“It’s a church, Violet. It means that technically anyone is welcome.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Do you think she’s trying to get on TV?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“Well, she’s not stealing my limelight.” Violet tugged on Brody’s arm. “It’s hotter than blazes out here. Let’s go inside.” She went through the double wood doors, leaving me at the top of the stairs.

Neely Kate was breathless when she reached me, and I hugged her tight, grateful for her presence. “What are you doin’ here?”

“Like I would miss my chance to be on TV?” She wrinkled her nose, waving her hand as though she were batting away that nonsense. “I don’t think so.”

So Violet was right, not that I cared. I didn’t understand their desire to be seen. I’d spent my entire life trying to hide.

Neely Kate leaned closer with a knowing look. “Besides, I didn’t want you to be alone in case you start investigating. You might need me for back up.”

“What exactly do you think I’m gonna do?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’ve got your back.”

I shook my head. Neely Kate’s imagination had run wild again. Ignoring it seemed the best option. “Hi, Ronnie.” He stood behind his wife, surveying the parking lot. “You look quite handsome today.”

He tugged at this neckline. “Thanks.” Ronnie was a mechanic, and I knew he hated dressing up. Neely Kate must have done some serious bribing to get him in a suit.

I suddenly wondered what Joe looked like in a suit. I’d seen him dressed up in nice shirts and even a tie, but never a suit. Like Ronnie, Joe seemed more comfortable in casual clothes.

A wave of melancholy washed over me. I hated that we’d had a disagreement the other night, especially when he was in a dangerous situation. The thing was, I understood why Joe was upset when I stepped back to look at the situation. I didn’t blame him. At the same time, I didn’t think I’d done anything wrong. How could we both be right? Or wrong.

Neely Kate and Ronnie followed me into the church foyer. Violet and Brody were still in the foyer, waiting with Rhonda, who had a clipboard tucked in the crook of her arm and a frown tugging at her mouth. “You’re late.”

I clutched my purse to my side, feeling defensive. “Jonah said to be here at 10:15.”

“And it’s now 10:16.” If possible, she scowled even more. “And it’s Reverend Pruitt to
you
.”

I kept the fact that he insisted I call him Jonah every time I saw him to myself. She already hated me enough.

A harried-looking guy wearing a headset came over. “Rhonda, we’re having problems with camera two.”

She put a hand on her hip. “Why are you telling
me
? That’s the production manager’s job.”

His shoulders scrunched up around his ears as his face reddened. “I only know what I was told.”

Rhonda turned her evil glare on me before she started to walk way. “Wait here and don’t be wandering off,” she called over her shoulder.

Neely Kate leaned into my ear. “Is it my imagination or does that woman not like you?”

I sighed. “That’s Jonah’s secretary. I told you that she thinks I’m a jezebel.”

Neely Kate giggled just as Bruce Wayne walked through the door into the foyer. His eyes widened as he looked around. He’d been in the building multiple times over the last few days, but he looked as lost as I felt. He caught sight of me and headed for us.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” He wore a long sleeve dress shirt that was too big for him and a poorly knotted tie.

I offered him a welcoming smile. “Bruce Wayne, what are you doing here?”

“Reverend Jonah invited David and me, but David couldn’t make it.”