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

  Jaycee slid from the high truck seat while a car pulled next to them. She waved at Maude and Flint Nolan who exited their car.

  “Fine night.”

  “Indeed,” she responded with a smile.

  When she reached the back of the truck, she saw Dash had spread a blanket in the bed with the tailgate down.

  “Figure we’d have our dessert.” He hinted again at Jaycee’s treat. “Then we’ll head down to the lake.”

  She nodded. The sun had set but the sky was still light enough to see by. Puffy white clouds lazed across the moon which vied for their attention. “Poor moon.”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Going to be outdone by the pyrotechnics.”

  “A momentary flash can never outshine its constancy and beauty, being a light in the darkness.”

  They looked at each other, sitting side-by-side in the truck bed.

  “You continue to surprise me,” she said, marveling at this side of him. It must be so nice to be assured and confident. To know exactly what you are and where you want to be.

  “As do you, Jaycee. Yet, I’ve been aware of your worth, intelligence, and wit now for years. Just couldn’t get close enough to wear down yer suspicions.”

  “Suspicions?” she repeated. So he had known she was wary. Been that way since high school, always skirting him and his offers of friendship and attempts at deeper conversation.

  He smiled. She knew that he knew that she knew. What a thought, let alone a mouthful. She remained quiet instead of voicing an excuse.

  Slowly the traffic eased in the lot. Stragglers walked past them and they waved hellos at neighbors and friends. Down near the water, they could see families sitting lakeside, others standing. The boats on the horizon took on the appearance of shadows as night deepened.

  “My turn for a surprise.” Jaycee reached into the basket and pulled out the foil-covered plate. “Close yer eyes.” She hadn’t planned to say that. Honest to sweet cherry pie, she hadn’t. But she couldn’t resist.

  As he sat there with a slight grin and his eyes closed, she moved closer. Close enough to feel the warmth of the arm at his side and his leg as it hung over the lowered liftgate.

  “Open yer mouth,” she whispered, close to his ear.

  His smile disappeared and he fidgeted, almost as if he were resisting the urge to reach out for her.

  A thread of disappointment lit through her. It disappeared as she realized the power she had with his eyes shut. She could kiss him. Her stomach flipped in reaction to the thought and she hesitated.

  “Good Lord, woman. You are the biggest tease,” he said. “I better not choke on a bug.”

  She laughed softly. “Stop spoilin’ my fun. Open,” she insisted.

  She dangled the strawberry near his mouth, causing him to arch his neck to reach and just feel the edge of it close to his lips. The smooth white chocolate dipped strawberry with a ring of blue sparkle-sugar descended. He opened his eyes as he took the first bite.

  “Delicious,” he said, when he had finished chewing.

  “July 4th berries. My specialty.”

  “I’m surprised Marcus didn’t eat them all on you.”

  “He would’ve too if I hadn’t hid some in the barn fridge.”

  “I know it.” He smacked his lips. “He’s a good kid. Stops by to help around the shop once in awhile.”

  “Our Marcus?” Well miracles abound, he did lift his head from his games now and again.

  “Yeah,” he said, grabbing for another strawberry off the plate.

  She took one herself and eased back in the truck, then rolled onto her belly on the blanket, adjusting her dress and sweater.

  He followed suit, the plate of berries at their elbows between them.

  “You wanna go closer or is this okay?”

  “I like it here,” she said quietly.

  “Me too.” He reached over then and touched her arm. “Hey, I wanted to thank you for comin’ … for everything.”

  “Was a mighty fine 4th. Thank you.” She wanted to say more. Ask him his dreams and plans; get to know more of Dash. The essence of him. He was in her senses. His deep southern voice and easy smile; the tilt of his head when he spoke.

  Laughter of the townsfolk down by the lake carried. Jaycee stared into the crowd, seeing the sputter of sparklers and hearing the first test shots firing across the lake. Things quieted momentarily in anticipation of the celebration.

  She was anticipating – not New York City, not seeing Kitty, or the possibility of a big move from rinky-dink Twain, Georgia – but him. She was anticipating Dash and his soft, strong lips on hers. And as her breath caught at the thought and the first fireworks lit up the night sky, he did it.

  He kissed Julia Cozetta Hamilton but good and sound right there in the back of his truck across a plate of her famous July 4th berries … and she liked it.

  It was a cool morning. Earlier than usual for Jaycee to be up and about. She found her mother on the screened in back porch, coffee in hand.

  “Mornin’, Momma.”

  “Good morning, Peaches.”

  Jaycee warmed at the familiar nickname. She plopped herself into a floral pad-covered chair and stretched her arms over her head.

  “Need to talk to you.”

  “I heard. Daddy told me.” Her mother’s glistening eyes found her own and Jaycee could see the worry there. “New York? The city?”

  “I’ve been savin’. You knew it would come eventually. Me leavin’.” She hesitated, not as confident after that kiss and holding Dash’s hand the rest of last night. He had walked her to the door and hugged her firmly, capturing her in a hard embrace. But as she had tipped her mouth up to his, he had kissed the tip of her nose, and followed it by a chuck under the chin.

  “… a pipe dream,” her mother finished saying, interrupting her thoughts.

  “I’ll work and decide who and what I want to be. No more Twain aspirations of only bein’ a wife and momma.”

  Jaycee’s mother visibly winced and tried to smile, shrugging a shoulder.

  “No offence, Momma,” She grabbed her mother’s hand as it lay in her lap. “I love you. I-I just need to know where I fit.” She was so confused, now more than ever.

  Her mother nodded slowly. “I know you do, Peaches. I know you do.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  As sure as the poplar tree leaves turn when a big rain is about to come, Dash had wanted to kiss Jaycee when he dropped her off after the fireworks. He knew she wanted him to, but something in him told him to wait. She needed to ponder her own feelings and direction without any more influence by him. He was sure. She was his. He couldn’t see himself with another girl and hadn’t for a long while, but … his heart felt vulnerable. And he had no one he trusted with it to talk to.

  Aunt Katie. He had shared about Jaycee over the years, but to reveal this much, and her being so close to Jaycee’s mother … she wouldn’t do.

  No, this was between him and God … and Jaycee. And the good Lord knew Dash couldn’t talk to her. Not yet.

  She had some major decisions to make and he had just complicated her life even more. At least he hoped he had.

  “Problem is, Julia Cozetta Hamilton, you are spoiled.”

  She stood there in her customary pose, hands on her hips, her ire rising. Her Vera Bradley duffel bag sat on the splintered wood of the rail station walkway. Her train was due to depart in fifteen minutes.

  “Dash, you’ve had all week to accost me with yer sorry self and you choose to show up now?”

  “I knew you were leavin’, just not … not this week. You didn’t give me much of a chance.” His voice trailed off.

  “Sadie was takin’ off next week. It happened quick.”

  “Three days ago. Three days isn’t that long, Jaycee. I was comin’ in tonight for supper.”

  She huffed out a long breath, “Well, enjoy yer meatloaf. I won’t be there.”

  “Now, let’s not leave off like this. I-I wanted to say somethin�
��.”

  She looked around at the two people standing at the other end of the walk. Waves of heat shimmered off the ground. “I’m listenin’.”

  Dash stepped closer and took her hand, “I guess I’m not much good for words or speakin’ from my heart.” He visibly gulped and with his free hand, loosened his collar.

  She could’ve laughed if he didn’t appear so jittery or if she didn’t feel that this was somehow a moment where life slowed down and paused. She ached to ease his nervousness.

  She pulled him to within inches of her and a crooked smile appeared, dancing at the corner of his mouth. Butterflies flew about her stomach at his nearness and she breathed out, “You know, you’ve had me waitin’ on you all week.”

  “Three days, Jaycee.”

  “I know. I’ve been countin’.”

  “You didn’t answer my texts.”

  “I was packin’ and doin’ laundry. Momma had half the county in sayin’ goodbye. You’d think I was goin’ away for a lifetime.”

  “Are you?”

  It was her turn to gulp, her palms growing sweaty. “I don’t know. I’m confused. Maybe goin’ will help.”

  “Have you prayed about it?”

  “Some.”

  “And?”

  “And they’re hittin’ the ceilin’, Dash. Flyin’ back down in my face.”

  “They’re not. The answer will come. Go. Have fun. Give Kitty my best.”

  “I’ll see you in a week.”

  “Rightly so. Text me if you need anything.” He said as he looked down into her eyes, “I’d come, you know.”

  “You do the same. I’d-I’d come too.”

  He smiled. Her world tilted. His breath fell across her lashes. “Thank you.”

  He gently captured her lips with his own. Tracing a finger down her cheek, he lengthened the kiss. His hand moved to the back of her neck, gently massaging small circles.

  He pulled away. An emptiness descended, the air hanging with the void. Before Jaycee could open her eyes, he was gone.

  Jaycee arrived in New York City half a day later. She was unsure of where she was at any given moment, zipping as fast as they were through large cities with tall buildings and small towns with long wheat blowing in the night sky that reminded her of Twain. She’d slept half the time and looked out the window the rest with night turning back into day.

  They pulled underground and into Penn Station. She emerged from the train and looked around at the throngs of people. Grasping her bag close to her shoulder, she wrinkled her nose at the odd smells in the tunnel. It was with relief that she heard a familiar voice.

  “Hey, Peaches,” Kitty called loudly over the noise, running up next to her. Jaycee found herself in a warm embrace.

  “Peaches, is it?” She heard a distinctly male voice question over Kitty’s shoulder.

  “John,” Kitty said triumphantly, turning with Jaycee still held in her embrace, “This is Jaycee.”

  Jaycee nodded and smiled in response to John’s amused greeting. So this was Kitty’s roommate. She kept the million questions forming in her mind to herself as she saw the handsome, dark-haired young man standing by them. He wore sharply-creased, straight-leg khakis with a fashionable white polo.

  He stepped towards the pair and reached out a hand, “Here let me help.” He took the duffel bag from her without waiting for an answer and started walking towards the stairs that led outside. They caught up to him and fell into step while Kitty gushed over how great Jaycee looked.

  It wasn’t long before they were out into the bustling city. John hailed a cab and Jaycee turned in circles standing next to the busy street. Large buildings surrounded her on every side each with hundreds of windows and the occasional electronic billboard flashing colorful images.

  If the heat of Georgia could be described as humid and sticky, New York’s summer swelter felt unrelenting in its reverberation off the pavement and structures. A heavy cloud cover seemed to hang over the city and the sun struggled for center stage. A cab pulled up a moment later and John threw her bag into the trunk. The three of them stuffed themselves into the back seat in relief, the air conditioning cooling their flushed faces.

  Kitty and Jaycee sat cross-legged on Kitty’s bed. John had offered to grab Chinese for dinner with a plan for them to head out to some nightlife later.

  “Ten o’clock?” Jaycee questioned.

  “Yeah, sometimes not ‘til eleven, but we thought we’d ease you into things.”

  Jaycee laughed. She was like an alien on another plant. “I can’t wait.” She glanced around, seeing Kitty’s door open and then remembered John had left the tiny apartment.

  “So, tell me … are you and John an item? I didn’t get that impression from you, but … you were never one to pass up a gorgeous man.”

  “He is, isn’t he? And sweet as yesterday’s sweet tea. There’s just no chemistry. Like my big brother.”

  “Come on, Kitty!”

  “God’s honest truth.” Kitty held up her hand in silent pledge. “I thought you two … you know, might hit it off.”

  “My head’s spinnin’. I wouldn’t know right from wrong right now. Especially with Dash and his southern courtin’ ways.”

  “You didn’t say what’s going on. I knew he fancied you.”

  Jaycee reddened, thinking back to Dash’s kisses, her heart skipping a beat. “I like him. Enough to ponder what I’m doin’ here.”

  “He’ll be there when you get back. Things don’t change quickly in Twain, Georgia.”

  Karl’s had lost some of its appeal without Jaycee there to season the meal. Dash got back to his house in record time from supper and flopped onto the living room couch. He flipped open his phone. No texts. Jaycee must’ve arrived earlier in the day, safe and sound by now. With his phone open, he weighed calling Dave or Chuck to go for a beer and play some darts.

  He flipped it closed a moment later. He knew he wasn’t good company and if he wasn’t the regular jokester he was known to be, his buddies would be wondering. Too many questions he wasn’t ready to answer.

  Casper jumped up next to him, rubbing her face against his hand. She occasionally looked up and past him into the kitchen. He’d fed her earlier, but she was a beggar.

  “Yeah, I know what you really want.”

  He rubbed her briskly behind her ears until she was putty in his hands, rolling onto her side and showing her furry, fat stomach.

  “Have you no shame?” He laughed softly.

  The cat looked at him through her slitted eyes, purring loudly. He absently thought he heard a crackling in the kitchen. Fridge making ice.

  Dash reached over his silly putty cat and grabbed the remote from the coffee table. He settled himself lower, his head against a couch cushion. She snuggled in closer as he whispered softly, flicking through channels, “Just you and me tonight, beautiful.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  The little black dress clung to Jaycee like a second skin. It was Kitty’s, along with the strappy heels on her feet. As teens they had always exchanged clothes, so it was only natural for Kitty to advise her on her clubbing attire.

  She emerged behind Kitty and followed her to the kitchen. John’s eyes grew large and rounded falling on Jaycee when she stepped into the room. He let out a low whistle and moved closer, offering her a glass of wine.

  “Peaches,” He said quietly, his voice low.

  Jaycee heard Kitty’s laughter, “I told ya’ to hold onto your teeth, John.”

  “You are dan-ger-ous.” He teased. “I’ll stay close for crowd control,” he said with a wink.

  John’s hair was slicked back and he appeared fresh from a shower. He caught her green eyes with his own bright blue ones and held them for a moment longer than Jaycee was comfortable with. She looked away and faked a sip of the wine in her hand. She wasn’t much of a drinker.

  Kitty stood across the kitchen in a red dress with a ruffle at the bottom and matching heels that showed off her long legs.

 
“Wish I had a tan like you,” Kitty lamented.

  “The benefits of the farm and a convertible,” she said, grinning.

  “You live on a farm?” John questioned.

  “Sure enough. We raise cattle, chickens, have a few horses, and peach trees. Daddy’s all for tryin’ a little of this and that.”

  “Daddy?” He smirked over the rim of his glass.

  Kitty teased. “That’s what we call our parents down south, not this “mother and father” you Northerners use.”

  He looked at Jaycee with more interest, “I’ve lived in the city my whole life. Sounds like heaven.”

  “I guess if your idea of heaven includes dirt, smelly animals, and manure,” she said without thinking.

  John studied her quietly, “So – you here to see the great big world?”

  “I am.” She put her glass on the counter and tugged the hem of her dress down slightly.

  John’s eyebrows raised incrementally as he grinned appreciatively at her toned legs.

  “Peaches, I need to keep my distance or I’ll be wearing cowboy boots, talking with a twang, and hitchhiking my way to Georgia in a week.”

  Kitty laughed and Jaycee’s eyes slid to her friend, giving her a long, worried look.

  Dash was dreaming. It was scorching hot down at the lake. He was on a boat, and no matter how many times he tried to dive into the water, he never made it. He kept finding himself back in the boat. It suddenly started to rain, but even that didn’t cause the heat to ease. He heard Casper from a distance, her cries loud and plaintive and he struggled from the dream to see what was wrong. He felt rough hands grab him and he cried out. Unbearable pain seized him awake. Before blackness descended again, he smelled it. Thick acrid smoke.

  The loud, rhythmic music exhilarated Jaycee. She danced to every song, notknowing most of them. When her feet couldn’t take anymore, she slipped out of the heels and hung them from her index finger as she danced.