The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop (Cadillac, Texas #3)(42)

“Miz Agnes, you ain’t goin’ to really wear overalls, are you?” Kayla asked.

“Yes, I am. And Violet, Bert visits me at night and he says that he likes my overalls and flip-flops. He says that he thinks they are damn sexy. I keep askin’ him if I can load up my shotgun and shoot you but he says not until he gives me a sign. Soon as he does I’m going to give you a twenty-minute head start just to give you a fightin’ chance. But remember, I can run faster in flip-flops and overalls than you can in a girdle and high heels, especially now since you done wore out your knee.”

Violet puffed up like a bullfrog. “Bull crap. Bert was glad to die just so he could be rid of you. And my knee is getting a replacement on Monday. In a few weeks it’ll be like new and then I could beat you in any footrace you want to set up, you old bat.”

“Y’all heard that,” Agnes said. “Nancy, you are my witness. I do believe that is my sign. I’ll ask Bert when I get home to be absolutely sure, but there could be fireworks for sure at the football field tonight. Kayla, darlin’, paint my toenails the brightest red you got in the shop.”

Nancy covered her mouth with her hand and did a fake cough to cover the giggles. What was Agnes thinking? She knew that Violet had her hair done twice a week at Ruby’s—on Tuesday and Friday.

“Agnes, I just got one more thing to say. If you do one thing to upset Heather’s barbecue ball, you’ll be able to talk to Bert up close and personal,” Violet said.

“Why, Violet Prescott, are you threatening me? And just when I was about to buy ten of them tickets. Well, Nancy, I’ll just buy them from you since Violet, God love her hateful old soul, is in a pissy mood today.”

“Why would you want that many?” Nancy was elated. Each member of the Angels was supposed to sell at least ten tickets. She’d have hers sold in one fell swoop if Agnes was serious.

“Three for the girls at Clawdy’s, three for the Bless My Bloomers gals, and three for the girls down at the Yellow Rose and one for me. Well, shit, I almost forgot Darla Jean. I can’t forget my pastor, now can I, so go on and give me eleven tickets.” Agnes counted them off on her fingers.

“Why are you buying for all those folks?” Heather asked. “Can’t they buy their own?”

“It’s payment for serving as my bodyguards.”

Nancy’s hair was done, so she got out of the chair so Violet could have it. “You really want eleven tickets, then, Agnes?”

Agnes pulled a wad of money from her pocket, undid the rubber band holding the bills together, and peeled off four fifty-dollar bills and one twenty.

“Miz Agnes, you shouldn’t be carryin’ around that much money,” Kayla said.

“Honey, I’m old but I’m meaner than a junkyard dog. Anyone wants my money they’ll have to fight me for it, and I don’t fight fair. Thank you, Nancy. What’d y’all do with all them haircuttin’ money orders you bought? I heard the men gave them back to you.”

“We are giving them as door prizes at the barbecue ball. Since the beauty shop has the same name as our ball, we thought it would be nice,” Heather said.

Nancy’s laughter broke free when she reached her truck. When sweat began to puddle up around the band of her bra, she remembered to start the engine and turn on the air-conditioning. As she passed Clawdy’s she saw Jack Landry crossing the street to his patrol car. She pulled over to the curb and rolled down the window.

“Hello, Nancy.” He bent at the waist and put his hands on the side of the truck. “You got a pretty dress for that big redneck ball? I heard that Everett is cooking the brisket. That’ll bring in a lot of people in for sure.”

“Thought you might like to know that Violet and Agnes are both at Ruby’s and they’ll be at the football field tonight for the fireworks,” she said.

“I’ll call in a couple of extra duty volunteers for the evening, then, and thanks,” he said.

“Might be a good idea. We don’t need a repeat of last year.” She smiled.

He straightened up and waved. She rolled up the window and went on her way. She glanced over at the Yellow Rose as she drove past. She missed Stella and couldn’t wait until this damned old barbecue ball was over. A son-in-law or a grandbaby couldn’t fill the place in her heart that her daughter held.





CHAPTER TEN

Stella’s father waved at her from the second row of the bleachers. Her mother sat on one side of him and Jed on the other. She stopped in her tracks, her feet glued to the wooden steps leading up into the stands.

“Hey, you almost made me dump nachos all over you,” Charlotte said right behind her. “What’d you stop for, anyway? Oh, now I see. I’ll sit by your mother so you don’t have to. You sit by Jed.”

Stella swallowed hard. “I’ll sit by Mama. It’s okay. It won’t kill either of us and we’ll have to face off with each other someday.”

“Someday is not today,” Charlotte said. “Get going. Our nachos are getting soggy.”

“What’s the holdup?” Boone asked from behind Charlotte.

“We’re moving,” Charlotte said.

Stella could feel every eye in the stands on her as she smiled and waved back to her father. Were they all taking bets as to whether she’d sit by her mother or the preacher? If she sat by Nancy, what wild stories would be setting the phone lines on fire later that night? If she sat beside Jed, would the gossips have a name to go on the church sign?