Merry Cowboy Christmas (Lucky Penny Ranch #3)(13)

Fiona imagined the church roof lowering back into place when Truman raised his head and said, “Amen.” The quietness ended and folks began to talk in low tones as they moved toward the door where they’d shake hands with the preacher. Then they’d brave the bitter north wind to their vehicles and drive like bats set loose from the bowels of hell to get home and save what was left of the dinner.

Somehow Fiona got separated from the rest of the family when Lucy Hudson grabbed her arm and gave her a hug. “Lord, honey, I hate it when Truman gives the final prayer, but I suppose Preacher Lyle was trying to get him to see that he’s been a horse’s ass the past year.”

Fiona raised an eyebrow.

“You look like your granny Irene when you do that,” Lucy giggled. “Don’t tell me your sisters haven’t told you about his vendetta against the Lucky Penny. He’s strutted around like a peacock talkin’ crap about how he’d buy that ranch yet from them when they got tired of hard work and moved away.” Her eyes shot toward the ceiling. “Forgive me, Lord, but it’s not judgin’; it’s the Gospel truth. Anyway, he’s been talkin’ bad about the Dawsons ever since they got here.”

“Why?” Fiona asked.

“No one wanted the Lucky Penny, what with its reputation for being so unlucky for anyone who buys it. But Truman wanted it real bad, only he’s tighter with his money than a bull’s butt in fly season and he was trying to hold out for a better price when the Dawsons showed up and bought it,” Lucy whispered.

“That’s no reason to be ugly to Blake and Toby and now Jud.”

Lucy nodded emphatically, the gray bun on top of her head bobbing as if it would tumble off and go flying across the pews. “I know and everyone else in town knows but Truman and about three women. I won’t call any names but one of the women is Truman’s wife and the other two are her friends. Dora June don’t give a damn”—another eye roll to the ceiling and the sign of the cross over her heart—“about the ranch but she’s upset because Allie and Lizzy wouldn’t listen to them about them Dawson boys. What with y’all’s granny in that place with her problems, those three old biddies thought they could step right up and give Lizzy advice.”

Fiona stifled a giggle.

Lucy patted her on the back. “As if anyone could give Lizzy advice, right? After that preacher wannabe broke her heart, she grew a bigger pair than most men in this place.”

The giggle escaped. “Survival causes that.”

“Yes, it does. Anyhow, I’m glad you are home and real happy that you are going to help your mama out in the store. I been worried about her for a while now with all she’s got on her plate. I heard you are taking care of Lizzy’s books. Would you be interested in taking on some more work in that line? Me and Herman is getting too damn old to keep up with all these newfangled tax laws,” Lucy said.

“We could talk about it,” Fiona replied.

Lucy hugged Fiona again. “I’ll come on by and talk to you first of the week, then.”

Allie worked her way through the crowd until he was right beside Fiona. She cupped her hand over Fiona’s ear and whispered, “We’re supposed to love Truman? God’s asking a lot this morning, isn’t He? Come with me to the nursery and we’ll get Audrey. It’s the first time I’ve left her, but last week she made such a fuss that Dora June and Truman were both giving me dirty looks all during services.”

“Well, if I’ve got to love Truman and Dora June after the way they’ve acted, then I guess y’all had best pack my casket full of sunblock because I’m bound for hell,” Fiona said softly.

Allie laughed so loud that several people turned around to stare at her. Fiona didn’t care if it was right there in the sanctuary. The scripture said that even David from the Bible was a noisy fellow. He played the musical instruments and danced around rejoicing when he bested his enemies and the good book said that he was the apple of God’s eye. So if Allie wanted to laugh in the church house, then by damn she could.

Allie poked her on the arm. “You’ve been standing next to Lucy too long. That expression on your face looks like her when she’s ready to tear into someone.”

Fiona’s mossy green eyes went from angry to twinkling in a split second. “I’m hungry and you know what that means.”

“Bitchy,” Allie said.

Nadine grabbed Fiona by the arm. “Hey, girl, I wanted to invite you to the café for Sunday dinner to welcome you back to Dry Creek.”

Allie waved over her shoulder and disappeared into the crowd.

“I should eat with the family. Rain check?” Fiona asked.

“Anytime. Got to get going. I only leave the café for the hour that church services are going on. Mary Jo is working until I get back. She, Sharlene, and I take turns on Sunday so that only one of us three misses church,” Nadine said.

Dora June touched Fiona on the shoulder. “It’s good to hear that you are back in town. I hope you are smarter than your sisters.”

Dora June was Truman’s opposite. He had a squirrelly little face with small squinty eyes that constantly darted around and a hump in the middle of his nose. But Dora June, now, she was a different story. Not more than five feet tall, she was square built and had at least three chins hanging below a moon-shaped face.