Thirty and a Half Excuses (3 page)

“You look beautiful, Violet.” Neely Kate beamed. “He’s bound to notice.”

I turned my confusion to Neely Kate. “Who are you talking about?”

Violet shook her head. “Never mind. Have you seen Miss Mildred?” She bit her lower lip and surveyed the crowd.

“No, but I wasn’t lookin’ for her either.” The less I saw of that woman, the better.

“She promised me she’d be here. As president of the garden club, if she doesn’t come…”

“She loves you, Violet. If she said she was coming, she’ll be here. Maybe she had trouble getting her car started. You know how old that thing is.”

“You and I both know that old Cadillac is like a cockroach. Even a nuclear bomb couldn’t kill it.” Violet took a deep breath and smoothed a hand over her stomach. “I’m so nervous I feel like I’m gonna throw up.”

I grabbed Violet’s hands. “You are
amazing
, Violet Mae Gardner Beauregard. You created this from nothing! Two months ago it was an abandoned building, and look at it now! It’s bursting with flowers and happiness.
You
did that.”

“No, Rose. You’re just as much a part of this as I am. You and Joe.”

“But
you
had the dream, Violet. You did the homework. This would never have happened if it weren’t for
you
.” I looked at the assembled crowd. There were over fifty people present, and I suspected they weren’t just here for the sheet cake. “The townspeople of Henryetta love you, Violet. That’s why they’re all here, ready to cheer you on and buy flowers from us. They’re here to support
you
.” Part of me was a tiny bit jealous of that fact, but I’d lived with it for long enough to accept it. This was Violet’s moment, and I wouldn’t begrudge her that. “Now get up there and cut that giant ribbon.”

Her eyes flew open. “We’re doin’ it together.”

Violet’s world was hanging on this business. Mine was hanging on the man walking toward me. “I’ll come up there with you, but I’m gonna stand to the side and let you do all the talking.”

She nodded and turned to face the crowd, smiling as she walked to the front of the store. Someone from city hall had draped a red ribbon across the sidewalk in front of the entrance and tied it to the racks holding flats of flowers.

When Joe reached me, he was beaming with pride. “It’s your big moment, darlin’. Now get over there with Violet.”

Neely Kate’s eyebrows rose. “He’s right. You earned it.”

“After all the work you’ve done, you’re coming too.” I slipped my hand into Joe’s and pulled him with me.

Brody MacIntosh, the recently elected mayor, stood at Violet’s left, holding a ginormous pair of scissors. Brody was a good-looking man, and newly single since his wife had taken off with the manager of the Walmart in Lafayette County. Every unattached woman in Fenton County was after him, and a good portion of the married ones too. Since he owned the local lumber yard, he had looks
and
money, and his newly gained political position also gave him power. Although, for the life of me, I couldn’t see how being able to vote on the trash pickup day made him more attractive.

I kept to the side and let my sister have her moment of glory. I hated to be the center of attention, but it would be odd if I wasn’t at the front with Violet since it was the Gardner
Sisters
Nursery. I scanned the crowd, thankful almost everyone was focused on my older, more beautiful sister. My gaze stopped when I locked eyes with Mason Deveraux, the assistant district attorney, and he offered me a hesitant smile.

I had been introduced to Mason when I was picked for—and then kicked off of—the jury for Bruce Wayne Decker’s murder trial a couple of months ago. Mason and I had a rocky start after I literally bumped into him in the courthouse, but we ironed out our differences and became friends. That’s why I found it odd, and more than a little hurtful, that he’d practically ignored me the few times we’d run into each other since then. Whenever I mentioned Mason’s behavior to Joe, he’d just scowl and change the subject, not that I was surprised. The two of them had known each other in Little Rock, but they refused to elaborate on the circumstances. In any case, it was clear that their acquaintance had been less than amicable. As far as I knew, the only time the two of them had gotten along was when they worked together to get me out of jail.

Jonah Pruitt was also in the crowd, standing toward the front with his too bright smile and some of his church people flanking him. A cameraman stood next to them, his camera pointed at the ground.

I scanned the crowd for Miss Mildred, surprised to see her hobbling over to the crowd from the sidewalk. Her face was red, and she looked flustered. Maybe the heat was getting to her, because despite what I had told Violet, Miss Mildred was never late for anything.

Brody got everyone’s attention and gave a little speech about Henryetta being built on entrepreneurial spirit and how supporting the Gardner Sisters Nursery was supporting the determination and drive of single mothers, starting right here in our own hometown. He gave Violet an appreciative grin and although her back was turned to me, I could feel her practically swoon.

Violet was not immune to the Brody MacIntosh charm.

He handed her the scissors, and the two of them cut the ribbon together.

Joe tensed, and I grabbed his hand. I knew he was feeling indignant on my behalf, but it didn’t bother me. Much.

The crowd broke into applause when the ribbon fell, and Jonah Pruitt immediately walked sideways toward Violet, making sure not to turn his back to the crowd. The cameraman had his camera pointed at the reverend as he stepped in front of Brody and snatched up Violet’s hand in a handshake. Turning to the camera, Jonah flashed his toothy smile. “I’m Reverend Jonah Pruitt, the pastor of the New Living Hope Revival Church. As a new member of this community who wants to support local businesses, I’d like to be your first customer and order enough flowers to cover the grounds of the New Living Hope Revival Church!” The crowd broke into loud applause.

Violet’s smile spread across her face. She cast a glance over her shoulder at me, but Joe’s hand tightened in mine. He leaned into my ear. “I mean it, Rose. Be careful with that man.”

“I have every intention of being careful.” I was gonna insist on at least half down. Maybe two-thirds. I had seen his church before, and I knew there were a number of landscape beds around the building. The income we could make from this job would be more than we’d budgeted for the entire month.

“And can you plant them as well?” Reverend Jonah asked.

Violet’s eyes widened as she looked over at me.

I nodded. “We sure can.” We’d figure something out.

“Rose,” Joe grunted my ear.

Brody pushed his way around Jonah’s side, trying to regain the limelight and take control of the event. “Well, look at that, folks. Our new-to-town televangelist has stepped up to show his support! Thank you, Reverend Pruitt.”

Jonah flashed his mega-watt smile. “Just doin’ my part.”

Miss Mildred pushed her way to the front, thrusting an elbow into Jonah’s side to get him out of the way. Everyone wanted their moment in the spotlight. “As president of the Henryetta Garden Club, we welcome Violet and the Gardner Nursery as an asset to the town.”

The crowd clapped politely.

Joe tensed beside me and muttered under his breath. “That’s Gardner
Sisters
Nursery.”

I squeezed his hand. “Joe, it’s okay.” Miss Mildred had not only made an appearance, but she’d given our business the Garden Club’s stamp of approval. Violet had to be ecstatic.

“The hell it is.”

He started forward, but I tugged him back and ran my hand up and down his upper arm. “Joe, it’s really okay. I’m used to it.”

“Well, you might accept that attitude from the people in this town, but I sure don’t see Violet correcting her.”

My stomach cramped. Joe was right.

“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.