Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken: Seasons Boxed Set Bundle 1-4 Read online

  She giggled then. “And I’m your rescue?”

  “That’s the plan. Rescue us both from a trip to County Hospital.”

  This made her laugh harder and she wiped tears from her eyes.

  “Must we do this at eight am?”

  “Picnics in a few hours’ time.”

  Jaycee moved to the sink and washed her hands. “Cutting board?”

  He grinned his thanks and went to remove it from a cupboard.

  “I need a fresh plate and a sharp knife too … please.”

  He went to work getting her everything she required and stood near the counter, waiting for his next order and trying to avoid the sight of those birds. He could still remember the cold, wet, bony feel against his hands. A shiver ran up his spine.

  “Afraid of a little raw meat?” She chided him, quickly working with the sharp knife and creating the familiar pieces he’d grown up eating: Breast, wing, drumstick.

  “No, I just never realized chickens were so … gross.” He laughed at his own words and went over to the coffeepot. “You want a cup?”

  “Sure. You have any flavored creamer?”

  “No,” he said, but suddenly had an idea. “I have amaretto and chocolate syrup. Let me make you a frou-frou coffee.”

  “Sounds divine.”

  He passed behind her, removing items from a cabinet over the stove and from the refrigerator. It didn’t take Jaycee long to finish cutting up the two chickens into a neat pile before her on the plate. She washed the knife, cutting board, and her hands in hot soapy water. Dash eyed her triumphantly as he slid the coffee in front of her when she sat down at the kitchen table.

  She fingered through the recipes he’d printed earlier and took her first sip. He sat across from her and she looked at him with appreciation on her face. “Dee-licious.”

  “Thank you. And thanks for helping with the chicken.”

  She assessed him over her next sip and he couldn’t help but warm under her gaze. She looked so good sitting in his kitchen, the cat lounging near the AC vent in the floor and the morning sunlight streaming through the large bay window.

  “You know how to fry chicken?”

  “Um, no. But I’ve got those recipes.”

  “One of these calls to fry in shortening. You know how to do that?”

  “Oh, I-I didn’t notice.”

  He could tell she was holding in a grin.

  “Tell you what,” she said, “I’ll fry up the chicken usin’ my Momma’s recipe and you go to the store for the rest of what we need for the picnic.”

  “Such as?”

  Her eyes lit up and she pushed her empty cup towards him.

  “Surprise me.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Jaycee parked her car and raised the ragtop. She was proud of herself. She made two different coatings from the meager ingredients in Dash’s kitchen, frying the pieces to perfection. Tasting one of the last to come out of the hot oil, it was crispy and juicy, just like her Momma’s. She’d grown up in the kitchen at her elbow, knowing most of her recipes by heart, fried chicken being one of them.

  She entered the house and headed towards her room, intent on a cool shower. She turned over in her mind the clothes in her closet, deciding what to wear to the picnic.

  “Jaycee?”

  “Yes, Daddy?” she called from the hallway, a hand on her doorknob.

  “Come see me, please.”

  Her daddy’s voice sounded congenial. ‘Course, it being July 4th, he’d be taking it easy except to care for the animals.

  She found him in the living room seated in his favorite chair, remote in hand. At his elbow was the ever-present bag of French-fried onions, his favorite snack. Momma bought them in big, resealeable bags from the local bulk warehouse. Who in tarnation invested in French-fried onions like the Hamilton family was beyond Jaycee. They were meant for green bean casserole, not every day fare.

  She approached him, kissing his cheek and smelling the familiar onion scent.

  “Where ya been?”

  “Just helpin’ fry some chicken for the picnic.”

  “You?” His left eyebrow went up.

  “I can cook, Daddy.”

  “I assumed you could; just haven’t seen you do much ‘round here.”

  She took a seat on the couch, glancing at the NASCAR pre-show on TV.

  “Exceptin’ Momma’s birthday, you know how she is about her kitchen.”

  He nodded, catching her eye and grinning, “Shoulda’ been a chef.”

  “She is, Daddy; your own personal one.”

  He laughed at that and patted his slightly rounded middle. “That she is.”

  They sat in comfortable silence, Jaycee trying to decide if it was a good time to talk about New York. “Been talkin’ to Kitty,” she began.

  “Yeah? She home for the 4th?”

  “No.” Jaycee bit her lip in anticipation, the rest coming out in a rush. “You know I’ve been savin’. I’m gonna go up there for a week; check things out.”

  Her father’s eyes slid from the TV and met her own. “When’s this?”

  “Week after next. I’ll get off work.”

  “And then what?”

  Jaycee shrugged then regretted it. She sat up tall on the couch and stuck her chin out. “Then we’ll see. If I like it, I’m goin’ to live there.”

  He stared at her hard. As the minutes passed, his expression softened and he beckoned her closer. She came to perch on the heavy rolled arm of his chair. He put his hand on her back and rubbed it gently.

  “I trust your judgment, Julia Cozetta Hamilton. You go and follow yer dreams. Decide what you want out of life and go get it.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes and she turned and grasped him around his neck, loving her father for the simplicity of his speech and the way he always spoke to her from his heart.

  “I will, Daddy. I will.”

  Dash arrived at Jaycee’s house at two o’clock. He wiped his palms across his khaki shorts, nervousness causing his stomach to flutter even though he’d seen her just a few hours earlier.

  He rang the doorbell, expecting Mr. or Mrs. Hamilton to answer. He was pleasantly surprised when the green-painted door swung in and Jacyee stood there with her mouth curved up in greeting. In her turquoise sundress, she took his breath away.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, revealing the bouquet of wildflowers from behind his back.

  “Well, aren’t these lovely; you’re lookin’ a fine sight yourself, Dash.”

  He momentarily preened under her scrutiny and then lifted a hand, self-consciously checking the cowlick at the side of his head.

  “I’ll put these in water. They won’t last long in this heat.”

  He nodded and followed her into the house, standing just inside the door. He heard a cabinet open and the water run briefly. She returned a moment later, a yellow cotton sweater and a covered-plate in hand. She wiggled the sweater.

  “For later, during the fireworks; lotsa bugs.”

  “Right,” he said.

  “And dessert.” She jiggled the plate.

  He reached for it so she could grab her purse and lock the door. “Nice.” He held the plate up to his nose to sniff the contents.

  “Dash! You wait ‘til later. It’s a surprise.”

  He grinned at her over the plate. “It certainly is.”

  ***

  The entire town of Twain, Georgia seemed to be at Trinity Church’s annual picnic. It was one of two churches in town that held a July 4th celebration, which ended over at Moonlight Lake with the county fireworks.

  They arrived in Dash’s truck, causing a stir among the menfolk, many of who surrounded the truck as he exited. Jaycee could almost feel the air hanging heavy with whispers from the women on the lawn as she waited for him at the front of the truck. He disentangled himself from the conversation and joined her with the picnic basket in hand.

  “Shall we?” He led the way onto the grass next to the large church and past a covered
tent with a line of tables laden with food. More tables were set up for bingo and face painting. He reached for Jaycee’s hand as bathing-suit clad kids ran past and through dueling sprinklers. They continued walking until he stopped beneath a large oak tree. Its limbs stretched wide and proud with plenty of shade beneath its branches.

  He let loose of her hand and set the picnic basket down, producing a plastic-encased red and white checked tablecloth. Unwrapping the new purchase, he spread it on the ground.

  He gestured for her to sit, which she did without hesitation, anticipating Dash’s first taste of her fried chicken. She stretched her legs out and kicked off her white sandals.

  He bent his legs beneath him and dug a hand into the basket, producing two chilled sweet teas.

  “Let’s cool down before we eat. Guess we shoulda taken yer car,” he said sheepishly.

  “It’s okay. I woulda’ let you drive, though.”

  He smiled at that. She was like a momma lion with her cub where her car was concerned. She could still remember how he had advised her against the purchase while eating supper one night at the diner. She’d pointedly ignored his advice and continued to charm Mrs. Brewer. The car had sat in the old woman’s garage going on 10 years and Jaycee had finally sweet-talked her into selling.

  He tapped his glass bottle to hers. “Happy July 4th.”

  “Happy July 4th,” she grinned. “Thanks for inviting me before I …” Her voice trailed off.

  “Before you what?” he questioned, taking a sip of tea.

  “I’m goin’ to visit Kitty.”

  His eyebrows arched, wrinkling his forehead. “In New York city?”

  “Yes.” She held her breath for a moment, then willed it out in small fractions.

  “Ahh, nice. For how long?”

  “For a week and then … maybe to stay.”

  He was mid-sip and swallowed hard with a cough.

  “Wow.”

  “I’ve been savin’ since graduation. Don’t know what for, but I think this is it.”

  “Think this is it?” She heard the weight of the question in his voice.

  “My life’s not all mapped out, Dash.” She felt her face start to redden and her temper rise. “It didn’t come with an instruction manual. I’ve been workin’ at the same job since high school. It’s – it’s downright suffocatin’.”

  She anticipated his disapproval before it came.

  “And so’s this town,” she finished.

  There. She’d said it. Laid it out for him. Why she cared to explain to him she couldn’t fathom. Hot Flash Dash. How dare he tug at her heart with those dark green eyes of his. With a chin held-fast with yesterday’s scruff, making him appear rugged and capable … and dad-blamed attractive.

  He hadn’t said a thing since her outburst.

  She sighed and lay back, the iced tea wet in her hand at her side. She imagined she could feel the swaying from the branches up and through the tree’s roots in the ground. She stared at the thick, crooked limbs above their heads, breathing in the familiarity of the church and its old trees.

  She felt him lie down also. Her tension eased. This was silly. She put way too much pressure on herself. Should’ve kept my mouth shut. She’d probably just ruined their picnic. And she didn’t know why it mattered as much as it did, but her heart hurt and her eyes stung with tears.

  Dash kept quiet for a long stretch of time. He eased his legs out straight, silently saying a prayer and feeling a slight breeze wash over them. The sounds of the picnic farther down the lawn continued.

  Feeling a strange, cold, damp feeling near his elbow, he sat up. Seeing the source, he gulped and looked over at Jaycee’s serene face.

  “Jaycee?”

  “Mmmmhmmm?”

  “We need to eat. I-I, the picnic basket’s leakin’.”

  He saw her screw her face up, trying to figure that one out. She opened one eye to look up at him.

  “Leakin’? What have you done now?”

  He grinned sheepishly down at her. “The ice cream …”

  “Ice cream!” she interrupted, sitting up quickly.

  “Made some homemade, last night late. Vanilla and honey. Thing is, I filled the bottom of the basket with ice and … and it’s meltin’ everywhere.”

  She scrambled up onto her knees and scooted over to the basket, seeing the stain at the cloth’s edge. Opening the lid and peering in, she fell onto her side, laughing loudly.

  Dash couldn’t help but join in as he thought of his brilliant idea, not taking into account the extreme heat of the day.

  “Quit laughin’ at me and help me eat the ice cream. It’ll be soup before long.”

  He removed two Tupperware bowls and some plastic spoons from the hamper and held one out to a recovering Jaycee. As they began eating, Jolene and Dee came over to the tree. They plopped on the edge of the tablecloth simultaneously.

  “Well, ain’t this a surprise,” Dee said in greeting.

  Dash nodded in return, filling his mouth with the deliciously cool treat. He wanted to get to Jaycee’s fried chicken and ate his ice cream in fast spoonfuls.

  “Hey there,” Jaycee said, offering no explanation. She closed her eyes briefly in seeming enjoyment after each bite. She faced Dash. “You made this all by yourself?”

  “I do have my talents,” he said, pleased she liked it.

  She grinned back and wiggled her toes.

  “How’s your summer goin’,” she asked the newest arrivals.

  Jolene spoke first, waving her hand and flashing a ring with suitable dramatic flair. “Todd and I got engaged,” she squealed delightedly.

  Dash watched Jaycee’s reaction to the announcement. She looked at the ring and into Jolene’s face. Jolene had always been a sweet girl, since high school, kind and shy. It was Dee’s influence that made Dash wince when he saw her coming. Dee always seemed to have Jolene under her thumb and by the expression on Dee’s face, she didn’t look too thrilled.

  “I’m so happy for you. Todd is a great guy and what a ring!” Jaycee oohed and ahhed at the diamond. Jolene drew closer to Jaycee, sharing the plans she’d made so far for the wedding.

  Dee stared at the pair then sidled closer to Dash. Beneath the chatter, she questioned him, “So … you two an item?”

  “We’re just sharin’ a meal together, Dee. Nothin’ more.”

  “Seems pretty cozy to me, Flash.”

  He groaned inwardly. She always knew how to get on his last nerve. “That was high school. Time to move on.”

  “Well … it’s somethin’ I’ll never forget,” she said, tracing a hand up Dash’s arm.

  He turned and looked her square in the face, meeting her eyes as he spoke. “It was a kiss. Just one. I was a bit too loose in my youth. Sorry to lead you along.”

  “Whatever. Water under the bridge,” Dee laughed and loudly added so the other two could hear, “or under the stadium bleachers, I should say. Oh, memories.”

  He rolled his eyes at her and announced loudly, “Well, I invited Jaycee to eat with me and we’ve got to get to the meal. The ice is sure meltin’ fast.” He indicated the puddle of water and mud beneath the picnic basket that had been shifted onto the grass.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Jaycee watched Dash take his first bite of chicken. It was always better when it sat in the fridge and got cold for a few hours. She smiled as satisfaction settled over his features.

  “What’dya think?” For some reason it was important to hear him say he liked it.

  He finished chewing the bite, dramatically lengthening his chews, then patting his lips with a napkin. “Will you marry me?”

  “Good gravy,” she said, pleased with his ribbing. A lifetime of meals; that’s a high compliment.

  “It’s the best chicken I’ve ever tasted. Better’n Grandma’s. ‘Course she’s not here to clock me for that one.” He smiled and met her gaze.

  A short time later their bellies were full and only a few pieces remained. They both agreed the C
ajun spice coating was the best.

  Dash dumped out the last of the ice and placed the covered plate with Jaycee’s mystery dessert back into the hamper. Packing up their spot, they wandered over by the tent and tables. The hottest part of the day had passed and a pleasant breeze blew across the field.

  Jaycee spied her parents and they went over to say hello. Her father stood chatting with Clint Sparrow and his son Sam. The Sparrows owned the local hardware and feed store. Jaycee interrupted the conversation on the varieties of protein-based cattle feed to plant a kiss on her father’s cheek. Her mother sat nearby with Katie and Dash slid into a chair next to his aunt.

  Jaycee took a seat near her mother. At the other end of the table, Cora Tubbins sat with her newborn baby atop the table in its carrier. She had two toddlers at her side. Jaycee smiled and nodded toward the newest Tubbins family member. “Congratulations. She’s beautiful.”

  “Thanks, sweetie.” Cora looked up briefly from the paper plate in front of her as she cut her children’s hotdogs into small pieces.

  “Can I help?” Jaycee offered.

  Cora smiled wearily but grinned at each of her children with pride, “We’re fine. The twins are learnin’ patience in little ways and are being great big brothers.”

  Mike Tubbins came up behind his wife, placing a plate filled with watermelon on the table near the baby. He rubbed her back briefly and reached for the sleeping infant.

  “Now don’t you wake her.”

  He beamed, lifting the tiny bundle up and onto his shoulder. “Thought I’d take her into the coolness of the church for a spell.”

  “Don’t you fall asleep on a pew in there,” his wife scolded, smiling.

  His quiet laugh carried back to Jaycee and, seeing a tender look pass between the two, she averted her eyes.

  Dash drove the truck through the woods and up the dirt road that led to Moonlight Lake. A line of cars stretched before and behind them. He drove into the dirt lot overgrown with weeds, backing in so the truck bed faced the lake.

  “Perfect viewin’ spot,” he said, grabbing a bag from between them on the seat and jumping from the truck.