Sweet Olive (9780310330554) (26 page)

T
he closing on the duplex was set for mid-November, and as they walked out of the title office, Ginny handed the keys to Camille.

“Are you sure?” Camille asked, her fingers gliding down the smooth wood of the key chain.

“If you utter those words one more time, I’m going to beat you with a paintbrush,” Ginny said. “This is the perfect solution for all of us.”

Camille’s mind, with a voice sounding much like Uncle Scott’s, told her all the reasons why this was a bad idea, but Ginny sounded determined and happy.

“Congratulations, again.” Ross stepped out behind them. “I look forward to the grand opening.”

“New Year’s Day,” Ginny said. “A fresh new start.”

“But we’ll be glad to have your manual labor between now and then,” Camille added. “There’s a lot to be done.”

“Is Allison still screeching in Houston?” Ginny asked.

“She calls every day,” Camille said. “I told her we might be willing to let her do an exclusive Sweet Olive exhibit—if the
price was right.” She gave a mocking smile. “But she says the new volunteer is
imminently
more qualified than I was.”

Ginny laughed so hard that she had to take her big glasses off to wipe her eyes.

Marsh, who had to make a rush trip to Baton Rouge for the week, didn’t expect the crowd at Camille’s new place on a Friday afternoon.

A gallery of lawn chairs lined the side yard. A giant flowering bush sat on the front porch, and he glanced down at the plant in his hands. So much for original ideas.

“Hey, Marshall.” Evelyn waved cheerily from a lawn chair.

“Pretty impressive show of support, eh?” Lawrence came from around the corner, motioning with a large fork. He grinned. “We didn’t expect quite this turnout.”

“Hey, son.” His father rounded the corner wearing his tool belt and stepped up next to Lawrence. “How’d the interview go this week?”

“Dicey.” Marsh gave his father a hug with his free arm. “They made it clear they usually appoint attorneys from larger firms. We’ll see.” He shrugged. “On the plus side, my computer system’s up and running, and I’ve gained a couple of clients—thanks to you and Ross.”

“Two more people called this afternoon.” Lawrence grinned. “Not counting your mother, who wanted to know if you got the commission appointment.”

The three men laughed. “You’re going to make a great assistant,” Marsh said. “You may decide to give up art for law.”

“Part-time assistant.” Lawrence shook his head as he spoke. “I’m working deals here and with Allison’s gallery.”

Marsh’s father glanced at the plant in his hand. “If you’re looking for Camille, she and Ginny should be here anytime.”

“I’d better get busy, then.”

His father winked.

Camille sucked in her breath when she and Ginny approached Trumpet and Vine.

“Surprise,” Ginny said.

Someone had hung a string of bright little flags across the front porch. Two people were raking leaves, while three people held garbage bags and picked up trash.

Lawrence stood at a grill to the side. T. J. Aillet was up on a ladder, and Ross was handing him something. One of Evelyn’s bright metal sunflowers had sprouted to the left of the steps, and someone—
Marsh
—was kneeling in the flower bed.

Before they were out of the pickup, the crowd had begun to move toward her. Evelyn was the first to reach Camille, wrapping her into a careful hug. “Your artists await you.”

“What are you all doing here?” Camille asked.

“Earning shelf space in the Sweet Olive Folk Art Gallery.” Ginny added her booming laugh to the end of the sentence.

“The light is going to be fantastic,” Lillie Lavender said.

“I have just the carving for the mantel downstairs.” Bud pointed to the part of the house that would house the gallery.

A minor commotion occurred at the corner of the house,
and she looked up to see her mother coming toward her, arms outstretched.

“Mama?” Camille said, her brow creased.

“I’m so proud of you, honey.” Her mother, a brown package wedged under her arm, gently held her for a moment, before putting her at arm’s length and studying her. They both had tears in their eyes.

“But … what … how?”

“I’m thrilled for you.” She kissed Camille on her cheek. “Our past is part of who we are, Camille, but we can’t stay there forever.”

“I finally realized that.”

“Scott called today. He wishes you well, despite the new federal investigation.”

Camille swallowed a lump in her throat. “I hope he’ll be okay.”

“He brought it on himself—but enough about that.” Her mother handed her the package and helped Camille open it. The clown paint-by-number smiled up at her.

“The first piece of art for my new house,” Camille said softly, hugging her mother again. “By Johnny Gardner. I loved him.” She wiped at her eyes. “I love you. Oh, Mama, I’m so happy.”

She searched the crowd and found Marsh watching from nearby. He brushed dirt from his hands and gave her a big smile. He looked much as he had her first evening in Samford, working in the yard, at ease. Her heart rate increased and her mother nudged her in his direction. Camille’s eyes locked on his, sparkling blue in the late afternoon light.

“Am I ever glad to see you,” he said as she stepped close, and he gave her a hard kiss. “Congratulations!”

“I missed you.” Her voice was soft and sure. Marsh put his arm around her waist and walked her toward the porch.

When they stopped, a surge of joy unlike any she had ever known ran through her. Here, where she once thought her life was over.

Marsh pulled her next to him on the duplex steps, the spot of their visit a few weeks back. She scanned the crowd while soaking up the feel of Marsh so close. Her mother talked to Bud and Ginny across the yard, and Lawrence was laughing with—”Is that
Allison
?”

“She flew in for the occasion.” Marsh smiled. “And, I suspect, to try to get more of Lawrence’s … work.”

Her hand flew to her mouth to cover her burst of laughter, and Marsh gently removed it to give her another kiss.

The green leaves of a freshly planted sweet olive bush glowed in the flower bed. “Did you plant that for me?”

He nodded. “I want to help you put down roots.”

“I’d like that.”

He took her face in his hands. “I’ll wait as long as it takes. Camille … I’ve fallen in love with you.” Her heart pounded. “I love you too.”

That slow smile spread across his face as he drew her into another embrace.

She looked over Marsh’s shoulder at the intersection of Trumpet and Vine. The traffic light flashed from red to green.

“Thank You, Lord,” she whispered.

She was … home.

1. Camille Gardner wants to follow her dreams as the book opens but is thwarted. Have you ever faced roadblocks on your journey? How did you handle those? How does she handle them? How does God guide us as we seek to do the right thing in life?

2. The artists in Sweet Olive have wavered in recent years, and they need a reminder of their talent. Why do you suppose Camille has such an impact on them? Which of the artists was your favorite? Why? Who in your life has been a catalyst for change?

3. Camille loves art and has found messages for her life in the creativity of others. What creative gifts do you see in your life and the lives of those around you? How might you share those with others?

4. The sweet olive bush entices Camille with its smell and becomes a symbol for the changes in her life. Do you have a favorite flower that speaks to you? What season blesses you most?

5. Ginny Guidry makes joyful whirligigs, which become a reminder of God’s hand in our lives. Why do you think these old-fashioned pieces of art move Camille so much?

6. Marsh wants to do the right thing, and he finds himself drawn to Camille. What do you think he learned during this story? How does he struggle with his mother and father?

7. Camille’s mother is an important part of her life, even though they haven’t lived in the same town for a long time. Why do you think they are so close? How do you handle long-distance relationships with family members?

8. Uncle Scott demands much of Camille, and she changes her life to accommodate his requests. Why do you think she does that? Have you ever felt an obligation to someone in your family? How did you deal with it?

9. Camille struggles with the memory of her father during her stay in Sweet Olive. How does that relationship unfold? Is there someone in your life who you have forgiven or need to forgive? How has that worked out?

10. The corner of Trumpet and Vine is where lives intersect. Is there a place in your life where you connect with others? Can a place, such as the old duplex, transform a community?

11. The community of Sweet Olive wants to pull together, believing that their strength comes in helping each other. Have you experienced the power of a small group or faith community helping you through a tough situation?

12. Each person in the book is, in some way, putting the past behind and moving forward. Who do you think changes the most? In what ways might God be moving you forward in your own life?

I
offer deep thanks to the many people who gathered with me at the corner of Trumpet and Vine:

To my agent, Janet Grant, and editors Sue Brower and Julee Schwarzburg, for welcoming Louisiana flavor;

To landman and author Tracy Carnes, who took me on a tour of the Louisiana Office of Conservation and visited for hours about Louisiana oil and gas; Attorney Lynn Estes Jr., who walked me through the intricacies of Louisiana law—and always makes me laugh; artists Brenda McCart, Carol Greening, and Judy Horne, who shared why creativity matters; although each of the above only suggested, and any errors or fictionalized facts are my own;

To friends (and early readers) Kathie Rowell and Jamie Chavez; Cedar Key artist Joan Morgan; the Montgomery family and their cabin; authors Lenora Worth, Lisa Wingate, Betsy St. Amant, and Suzanne Woods Fisher; Stan Williams, who shares his “Moral Premise” wisdom generously; and Pulpwood Queen Book Club leader and friend, Kathy Patrick.

To Carol Vahue Lovelady and the memory of Helen Mack Vahue, who touched my heart as I wrote;

And, finally, always to my husband, Paul.

JUDY CHRISTIE
writes fiction with a Louisiana flavor. She is the author of the Green series of novels including Gone to Green. A fan of primitive antiques and porch swings, she blogs from her green kitchen couch at www.judychristie.com. She and her husband live in northern Louisiana.

“Judy Christie writes small town fiction with big time charm!
Sweet Olive
is a tender, romantic tale loaded with faith, hope, and heart.”

—L
ISA
W
INGATE, NATIONAL BEST-SELLING
AUTHOR OF
T
HE
P
RAYER
B
OX
AND
F
IREFLY
I
SLAND

“In
Sweet Olive
, Judy Christie invites us into a community of people who value beauty and prize authenticity, in life and in art. Her story draws readers into this community and makes us want—like the main character Camille—to put down roots.”

—M
ARYBETH
W
HALEN, AUTHOR OF
T
HE
M
AILBOX
,
T
HE
G
UEST
B
OOK
,
AND
T
HE
W
ISHING
T
REE
AND
DIRECTOR OF
S
HE
R
EADS, WWW.SHEREADS.ORG

“When Camille Gardner is sent to Sweet Olive, Louisiana, to wrap up an oil deal, she plans to get in, get it done, and get out. Distractions prevail—first the captivating and whimsical art of local craftsmen, and then the flying sparks from the handsome attorney who opposes her business plans. Soon Camille’s assignment in Sweet Olive is completely, wonderfully derailed in the most unexpected way. Talented author Judy Christie delivers a page-turning tale of endearing characters set in charming small Louisiana towns.”

—S
UZANNE
W
OODS
F
ISHER, AWARD-WINNING
AUTHOR OF
T
HE
S
EARCH
AND
T
HE
W
AITING

“Louisiana charm! With an endearing cast of characters,
Sweet Olive
is a heartfelt story with so many twists and turns I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I can’t wait to see what Judy Christie does next with the Trumpet and Vine series!”

—C
ARLA
S
TEWART, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR
OF
C
HASING
L
ILACS
AND
S
WEET
D
REAMS

“I enjoyed Judy Christie’s
Sweet Olive
so much. We all loved her Green series, of course. But in
Sweet Olive
she turns up the heat and goes deep into the pain of the past then brings us into the hope of the future. Having lived in Louisiana for close to thirty years, I understood these characters and loved visiting with them. The story made me homesick but it also made me smile and cheer and sigh. I loved it from the first page and I think you will too. If you’re looking for a good David vs. Goliath story with a little bit of Louisiana lagniappe, this is the book for you!”

—L
ENORA
W
ORTH, AUTHOR
OF
S
WEETHEART
B
RIDE

ZONDERVAN

Sweet Olive

Copyright © 2013 by Judy Christie

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EPub Edition © AUGUST 2013 ISBN: 9780310330554

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Christie, Judy Pace, 1956-

Sweet Olive / Judy Christie.
     pages cm. – (Trumpet & Vine ; 1)
ISBN 978-0-310-33054-7 (trade paper)
I. Title.
PS3603.H7525S94 2013
813’.6–dc23
                                                 2013009675

All Scripture quotations
THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION.
© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

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Interior design: Mallory Perkins

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