The Pepper in the Gumbo (Men of Cane River #1)(54)

“Hey there, sweetie. Find yourself a spot real quick-like.” Helen Delassixe gave her a kiss on the cheek and tugged her toward the aisle. Alice felt the angst of the morning slowly fade away at the touch of Helen’s papery skin, a little cloud of baby powder accompanying the kiss. The elderly woman had been part of Alice’s Sunday morning since she was a child, before the cathedral was named a Minor Basilica, and before Alice had become a respected bookstore owner.

The organ was just reaching its usual roar when Alice slipped into a pew and reached for a hymnal. She knew most of the songs by heart, but if the organist decided to go for that fourth verse, she’d have to get out the songbook anyway. She sung familiar words and felt the muscles in her shoulders start to relax. Sunday morning was her favorite time of the week, bar none.

Or it had been until a movement caught her eye and glanced to her left in time to see Paul and his mother coming up the side aisle. Alice felt her mouth drop open and her hands went numb. He wore a nice suit and tie, looked freshly shaved but about as tired as Alice felt. She wondered how long he’d stayed at the festival. She slouched down, hoping they would pass by and head for the front pews. Surely he’d want to be seen by the congregation, especially if he was trying to win support for his store.

Instead, his mother turned her head and caught Alice’s eye. She smiled, then tugged Paul to a stop. He was staring down at his feet and seemed to follow where she was leading without looking up.

His mother wouldn’t… she couldn’t… but she did. Alice watched in growing horror as his mother stopped at Alice’s pew, stepped to the side and motioned for Paul to go first. He genuflected, then looked at Alice for the first time.

She wished she could have seen her own face, because she figured they wore the same expression. Surprise, shock, dread. There was nothing like seeing your make out partner from last night in church the next day.

“Hey,” he whispered as he side-stepped into the pew.

“Hey,” she whispered back, and scooted down several feet. She looked longingly at the far end and wished she was bold enough to just keep going until she hit the next aisle. Or even slip away and come back at a later service. But her manners wouldn’t allow her to be so obvious.

The organist decided three verses was enough and let the last few chords fade away. Alice mumbled the opening greeting and hoped her face was set in a smile. Of course, he couldn’t see her expression since they were shoulder-to-shoulder. He smelled wonderful, as usual, except he lacked the old book smell this time. She let her eyes slide to the left, taking in his charcoal-gray suit and nice dress shoes. She’d figured he spent all his time in T-shirts and jeans, but of course he would be wearing a suit every now and then. Even when the whole world thought you were the cat’s meow, you still had to dress up for church.

After a few minutes, the congregation settled into the pews for the first Bible reading. As she sat, Alice snuck a look at Paul’s mom. Her dark hair was pulled back and she had just a hint of makeup on her face. She seemed perfectly at ease. Alice would have liked to believe his mom was trying to bring them together. But it was much more likely his mom was trying to give a little nudge in that special way that moms always have. Guilt was always a great way to get the message across, just in case Alice thought she could get caught kissing Paul and get away with it.

The words all seemed to blend together and Alice clenched her fists, letting her nails dig into her palms, forcing herself to concentrate. As the lector finished the first reading, Alice shifted uncomfortably. She never could have imagined the torture of sitting just feet away from the man she’d kissed, then run away from, and his mother whom she’d refused to meet. At the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation moved to stand and Alice shot a glance at Paul. He looked calm enough, but his jaw was tight and the line of his mouth didn’t speak of happy Sunday vibes. Well, if he thought he was uncomfortable, it was nothing compared to what Alice felt.

***

The last hymn finally faded away and Paul dropped the hymnal into the pew pocket. He cleared his throat, leaned closer, and whispered, “Sorry. I never would have decided to sit in the same―”

“Paul!” His mama had ahold of his elbow. “Why don’t we have your friend over for lunch?”

He saw the look on Alice’s face and it would have been funny if he hadn’t felt just the same.

“Mrs. Olivier, thank you so much but I really should get back,” Alice said, a hint of panic in her voice. She was edging out of the pew, looking around her.

“You keep the store open on Sundays?” His mama narrowed her eyes. “Or do you have another date?” The another seemed to reverberate in the air between them all.

“No. And well, no…” Her face turned bright pink. She shot Paul a look and seemed to be asking something, but he shook his head.

“Please come to lunch, Alice.” He gave a little shrug as he said the words. She met his eyes and at first he thought she was going to argue, but then he added, “please”.

Her lips turned up at the corners. “That would be lovely,” she said. “I walked here today but I can go home to get my car and meet you wherever you’re going.”

“Wonderful,” his mama said. “I was just fixin’ to make a little something at Paul’s new place. So, I guess we’re going the same direction.” They walked in silence down the steps and he tried to catch Alice’s eye, but she resolutely faced forward.