Page 71 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Are you implying I’m a gossip?’ The older woman bristled and Fee hoped he’d turn his charm on before his grandmother smacked him.
‘Not likely. I value my life,’ Tom declared.
Before they could go back and forth all day Fee interrupted and started to do as Tom had asked. Betty Mae made exclamations and pithy comments all the way through the story.
‘It’s not Christian to say this but some people don’t deserve to take up space on this earth and that man’s one of them. Of course I’ll add him to my prayers tonight. The wicked man’s gonna need it.’ Betty Mae calmly sipped a fresh cup of coffee while she made the blunt summing up.
‘Thanks, Mee Maw,’ Tom whispered and kissed his grandmother on the cheek. When he turned back towards Feethere was a new sadness touching his eyes. ‘There’s somewhere I need to go.’ He hesitated for a second. ‘I need to tell Gina and I wondered if you’d come with me. The cemetery is about a five minute drive but I need to go to the flower shop first.’
Fee struggled against the urge to run away. Those days were part of her past. Loving wasn’t always going to be easy. ‘Of course.’
He gulped down his coffee and pushed away the empty plate. ‘Mee Maw. Do you mind if we go now?’
‘What a damn fool question. ’
‘Before we go let me take your picture together,’ Fee suggested. ‘It’s so pretty out here.’ She picked up her camera and encouraged Tom to move his chair closer to his grandmother before quickly framing the shot. ‘Perfect.’
Betty Mae set the dishesback on the tray. Fee smiled to herself when his grandmother made no objection to Tom taking it right out of her hands.
This time out by the front door Fee initiated the hug. ‘So?’
The old woman’s eyes danced with amusement. ‘You’ll do fine. Tom’s not a rash, flitting around sort of boy. You’d better appreciate him and if I ever hear you’ve messed him around you’ll have me to dealwith.’ Betty Mae mitigated her sharp retort with a mischievous smile. ‘Even if I’ve passed on I promise I’ll come back and haunt you.’
‘I don’t doubt it for a moment.’ Fee laughed.
Tom opened his mouth to protest but they both stared him down until he gave up the idea and stood there, waiting until she joined him. They walked down the path hand in hand, waving back at his grandmotheras they went.
‘You sure you’re okay with doing this?’ As soon as the words left his mouth Tom regretted them. ‘Sorry,’ he murmured. ‘I don’t mean to be stupid.’
‘I know. It simply comes naturally to some people.’ Her face softened. ‘You’ve had a tough day so I’ll let you off this time.’
‘Thanks. I don’t deserve you.’
‘Something we both agree on at last. Now let’sget to the flower shop.’
He chose the usual bronze chrysanthemums tied with a gold satin ribbon. Out at the cemetery Tom left his cleaning supplies in the truck and walked with Fee along the rough gravel path, the pale November sun warming their backs.
‘This is a lovely spot.’
‘Yeah. Her parents chose it.’
‘Are you close to them?’
‘Not any longer.’ He shookhis head. ‘They blame me. Gina was their only child.’
‘That’s tough. Are those her favourites?’ Fee pointed to the flowers and he nodded. Tom hunkered down on the grass and gathered up the flowers he’d put there on the anniversary of her death before replacing them with the fresh ones.
Quietly he told Gina what had happened to Gary Higgins and how he hoped she could be at peacebecause he was, finally. Without looking at Fee he described her to Gina, catching Fee’s quick intake of breath when he struggled to explain how much he loved her. ‘I hope you don’t mind?’ he asked, smiling as a warm breeze touched his face. ‘I’m goin’ away for a while but I’ll be back.’ Tom rubbed his fingers over Gina’s name etched into the cold marble and sighed.
‘Are you good now?’Fee asked. He stood and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her fresh, silky hair.
‘Yep.’
‘Is it time to go home?’
Hearing her call Black Cherry home warmed his heart. ‘Sure is.’
‘I might even make you one of my famous sandwiches if you’re lucky,’ Fee teased.
‘I can’t get any luckier.’
