The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop (Cadillac, Texas #3)(16)

“Yes, I did,” Lorene said. “Will you just think about it?”

“That is so sweet of y’all,” Piper said.

“I know you are off work on Sunday and Monday, but we could have them from Tuesday through Saturday, right?” Lorene asked.

“And on Gene’s weekends?” Piper asked.

“If he wants to see them or if he wants to take them, we can do that from right here,” Lorene said. “You wouldn’t have to deal with him. I think his papers say every other weekend from Friday night at six to Sunday at six, right? Of course, if we have them, we’d be glad to bring them home whenever you say on the weekends like we did this morning.”

“That would make it real easy for him to just run by and say hello, though, and not have much responsibility,” Piper said.

“I realize that, but we’ve told him we’ll take them any time that he has plans. We really want to be part of their lives, Piper. You’ll let us know your decision, then?” Lorene asked.

“Yes, I will think about it and I’ll talk to the boys about it. They have made friends at the day care, but I promise we will discuss it.”

“That’s all I can ask. If they decide to stay at the day care this summer, then please remember we are available any time if one of them doesn’t feel well or if they just want a day at the ranch,” Lorene said. “’Bye now. I’m at my church and it’s time to go inside.”

Piper looked up at the sky after she’d dropped the phone in her purse. “Well, how about that? Did some of those prayers for a husband for Stella get diverted my way?”



Charlotte had just taken her seat in church when Boone slid in beside her. His jeans were starched and ironed and his shirt had perfect creases down the arms. His cowboy boots were so shiny that she could see the reflection of her shoes in the sides of them. His brown eyes looked tired when he yawned.

She kissed him on the cheek and asked, “Good mornin’, darlin’. Did you catch a lot of fish?”

“We’ve got enough to have a big fish fry at the park. Bring Piper and her boys and Stella. We’ve invited Everett since he didn’t get to go with us last night,” Boone answered.

“What time?” she whispered.

“Six o’clock. Don’t bring a thing. This is on us. Wade and Marty are bringing desserts from Clawdy’s and Cathy and John offered to bring gallons of sweet tea and beer. I can’t wait to see you.” He stretched his long legs out under the pew in front of them. “I missed you last night, but believe me, I’m going to make it up to you tonight and neither of us has to work tomorrow, so we’re going to spend all day in bed. Speaking of which, right after lunch I’m going to take a long nap or I won’t be able to stay awake to cook fish or make wild passionate love to you either one,” Boone said.

Charlotte smiled. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

The noise level settled down immediately when Jed stepped up behind the podium and cleared his throat. “Good morning, everyone. It’s a fine morning, isn’t it? And aren’t we glad that the air-conditioning works this morning as hot as it’s turned out these past few days. I suppose you’ve all seen the sign that Heather has put up outside and most of you know that it’s our own pianist, Stella, that it is talking about. Nancy thinks she needs a husband.”

It started as a soft giggle somewhere in the back of the church and quickly turned into full-fledged laughter. Jed gave it a minute then held up his hand. “I don’t reckon we should limit the powers of God, so y’all feel free to pray for Stella if you want. Now I’ll take a minute and read the entire list.”

“Stella Baxter,” he said.

Stella rose up from the piano seat, waved at the whole congregation, and did a perfect curtsy.

Heather glared at Stella.

Stella blew her a kiss before she sat back down.

“Thank goodness she didn’t show them her middle finger,” Piper whispered to Charlotte.

“Good God, Nancy, what have you done?” Everett said out the side of his mouth.

“I’m doing what I can to fix it,” she answered.

Immediately after the last amen was said, Stella went to the ladies’ room, put the potty lid down, sat down, and put her head in her hands. She’d vowed she wouldn’t let that black-haired hussy, Heather, see her crying or upset, but keeping a smile pasted on her face during the sermon had been pretty damn difficult. Especially with Heather shooting mean glares toward her all during the services.

Stella had never been an emotional person. In every situation she grabbed the bull by the horns, looked him right in the eye, and he backed down. But there she sat on the church potty, tears streaming down her face, a damn hole in her panty hose with a bubble of skin poking out and sticking to the other leg.

She stood up, removed the hose, and tossed them into the trash can. As much as she wanted to strangle Heather with them, it wouldn’t be fitting for the preacher’s wife to do such a thing. She wrapped toilet paper around her hand and dabbed away the tears. Ruined panty hose, everyone talking about her, worry over Jed’s contract and her business—damn Heather’s jealous soul!

The first time she eased open the door she could still hear the buzz of conversation in the choir room next door, so she repaired her makeup and waited. The second time all was quiet, so she started back through the sanctuary. She took her place behind Charlotte and Boone and hoped that her best friend didn’t see the sparks dancing around when Stella shook hands with Jed.