Yeah, life with Mama is a circus, and Im the reluctant ringleader. I leaned down to kiss her on the top of her patchy, platinum hairdo. And I wouldnt have it any other way.
___
Two weeks later, Mama dragged my sisters and me to her church to hear Delilah give her first sermon. She stepped up after her husbands downfall. She was pretty good, believe it or not.
I have an announcement, she told the congregation at the start of the service. If its all right with you, Id like to change the name of our little church.
There was a low murmur from the metal chairs. I leaned around Mama to raise my eyebrows at Marty and Maddie.
Ive been doing a lot of thinking since Bobs arrest. About
all
the things that transpired, including my own behavior. I havent always been kind. And some of you may know I strayed in my marriage. I lost respect for my vows, which are supposed to be sacred.
Several men shifted in their seats. A few women picked that moment to search their purses for one thing or another.
Delilah continued. A cornerstone of our faith is forgiveness. I need it. Some of you may need it, too. I propose we call our church Abundant Forgiveness, because thats what I want to offer here. I intend to live my life that way. And I hope you will, too.
I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. What do you say, Mace? A whisper came from behind my right ear. Do you think theres enough forgiveness to go around?
I turned my head to see Jeb Ennis in the seat behind me, hat in his lap, hair soaked with sweat at his forehead and temples.
I see that ACs still broken in your truck, I said softly.
It is. He flashed a nervous smile, looking like the shy choirboy hed never been. Can I talk to you outside for a few minutes?
As I slid out of our row, Maddie whipped her head around to see what was going on. Her harrumph followed Jeb and me all the way to the door.
Outside, Jeb put on his hat and hooked his thumbs into the front pockets of a clean pair of blue jeans. They were tight as ever. They still looked pretty darned good.
I just wanted to make sure were okay, Mace. His eyes searched my face. Im leaving for a while. I didnt want to take off with hard feelings between us.
The knot in my throat surprised me. I really hoped I wouldnt cry.
Were fine, Jeb. I already told you Ive forgiven you for lying to me. And I hope youve forgiven me for suspecting you in Jim Alberts murder.
He let me stand there and squirm for a moment before he answered. You know, Mace, you couldve just called me and asked about the windows in my truck that day at the park. Maybe you can understand how I wouldnt have thought right off about rolling them down as I was pulling out, even though it was hot.
I fiddled with a loose thread on my sleeve. Truth is, I wouldnt have believed any excuse from Jeb Ennis. Id already tried and convicted the poor man in my head. When Jeb got no response, he continued.
Maybe I was a little upset that afternoon, seein as how the girl I used to lovewas startin to love againhad just pointed me out as a suspect to that smart-ass detective from Miamuh.
I stared at the ground. Yeah, I regret that, Jeb. Im sorry.
Anyway. Im packing up; taking a little camper on the road. Im going back to rodeo for a while. Cindy and I are together again. Shes agreed to come along. Old as I am, she can help bandage me up and fetch my crutches after I ride.
But what about your ranch?
Im leavin my foreman in charge. Hes a good man. Hes stuck with me through everything. In six months, were gonna sit down and evaluate. I might come back; I might decide to sell to him. I just need to make things simple again.
And the gambling?
Now it was Jebs turn to study the ground. He toed a crack in the sidewalk with his boot. Im getting some help on that, he finally said. Theyve got a group just like Alcoholics Anonymous, but for people with my problem. Ive got a sponsor and everything. And I found out theres a few guys I can talk to on the rodeo circuit, too.
But you owed so much money
Im gonna pay back what I borrowed from my family and the other ranchers. But that biggest debt died with Jim Albert, so far as I can tell. That doesnt mean I dont wake up every day waiting for one of his buddies to come kicking down my door.
He took off his hat and squinted into the distance. The heat was starting to rise in waves off the street in front of the church.
Anyway. He put a hand on my shoulder, leaned toward me, and gently brushed my lips with his. And there it was: that tiny shiver of desire. Fainter now, but still there. With a first love, does it ever disappear?
I rested my hand on his cheek and watched his long lashes close over his gold-flecked eyes. Then I dropped my arm to my side and took a step back. Hey, well see each other again, wont we? Ill come and cheer you on this winter at the Seminole rodeo. Youre going to ride at the Brighton reservation, arent you?
Hope so. He brushed his hat against this thigh and stuck it back on his head.
Good luck with Cindy, I said, and I think I meant it. Any woman who will live with a guy in a travel trailer is a keeper.
Yep. Shes a good ol gal.
Jeb sounded like he was describing a favorite horse instead of the woman of his dreams. Then again, he always was passionate about horses.
Happy trails, Jeb. Take care of yourself, hear?
You, too. So, are we all forgiven, like that lady minister was preaching?
Abundantly, I answered.
Well, I for one was impressed. Maddie lectured us over the top of her reading glasses. That Delilah Dixon really blossomed once the police hauled her husband off to the hoosegow.
Mama, my sisters, and I had gathered at the Pork Pit after services at the newly christened Abundant Forgiveness church. Id already filled them in on Jebs farewell. Now, wed moved on to Delilahs performance in the pulpit her husband had disgraced.
Im happy for her. She was just glowing up there, Marty said. She wet her napkin in her water glass and wiped a streak of barbecue sauce from Mamas chin. Has anyone heard what will happen to Emma Jean?
Maddie raised her eyebrows at me over the dessert menu, echoing Martys question.
Henry says the prosecutor might go easy on her, I said. Theres that whole history with her boy disappearing. Her lawyer will probably try and argue that Bob Dixon held some kind of psychological sway over her. Fact is, she didnt actually kill anyone.
Maddie tsked-tsked. The woman ran you off the road into a ditch, Mace.
Once all the danger was over, wed confessed to Mama that we kept that from her.
Dixon was there, egging her on. He had Emma Jean convince Sal to meet with me at the golf course, and then call up with that fake story about Mamas heart giving out in jail. That way, Id be out on that road all alone.
Mama decided not to wait for her own dessert. She slid Martys half-finished bowl of banana pudding to her placemat. Well just have to wait and see how Emma Jeans case goes, she said, dipping in her spoon.
Hmph! Maddie said. I think her case should go right to Death Row.
Maddie, were your ears plugged during Delilahs sermon on forgiveness? Martys voice was as sweet as ever, but the words had some sting. And thats my pudding, Mama. As Marty took the pudding back to her own placemat, Maddie stared at her for a long moment. She might not approve of the new Marty, but I was getting a kick out of seeing our little sister fight back for a change.
You know, youre right, Marty. Im sorry. I could use some forgiveness myself.
I nearly spit out a mouthful of sweet tea, hearing Maddie apologize.
But I would like to hear why youve been so different lately. Its not just the promotion, is it? Maddie asked.
A glance passed between Mama and Marty. Then both of them started shredding their pink Pork Pit napkins.
Marty? I asked. No answer.
Finally, Mama could stand it no longer. Sal knew he was about to lose me, so he took a chance on Marty. He told her how hed been a policeman up north. Then he asked her to convince me that hes a good man, without giving away his secret. Your little sister can be very convincing, girls.
Marty took a tiny sip of tea and gave us her sweetest smile. He said all those years on the job had made him trust his instincts. And his instinct was that he could trust me.
I felt a tiny tug of envy. Why hadnt Sal chosen me? Maybe because I was judging people left and right, and Marty tends to accept them as they are. I guess Ill have to work on that.
Mama motioned the waitress over.
Well have peach cobbler all around. With ice cream. And another banana pudding for the table. When the server left, scribbling in her pig-pink order pad, Mama turned to us. Now, lets talk about something else. Who has news?
Ive got something. Yall remember that New Jersey newcomer I told you about? The one who kept insisting she had a panther?
The one you made fun of? Marty asked me.
The very same. I traced the outline of a cheerful pig on the Pits bottled sauce. Well, damned if she wasnt right. It escaped from a pen at Pocock Ranch. The ranch owner has a license to rehabilitate injured Florida panthers.
Maddie looked over her glasses at me. Did she say, I told you so?
Nah. She was actually pretty gracious. I promised her a freebie on her next trapping call. Shes worried now that an armadillo army is undermining her homes foundation.
The waitress returned with our desserts and a fresh round of napkins. My news is bigger than that, Mama said, loading her fork with cobbler. Mace went on a date with that good-looking Carlos Martinez.
Her revelation set off a seismic mood shift. Both sisters were all smiles and
Say whats
?
It wasnt a date. We just went to dinner.
Did you wash your hair? Maddie asked.
Yes.
Then it was a date.
Actually, Carlos is going back to Miami.
Their faces fell.
It may not be forever. Hes only taking a leave of absence from the Himmarshee Police. He says he has to face some demons down there before he can get on with his life.
The three of them looked so glum, I thought Id toss them a bone.
Its not like hes moving to California, I said. Miamis only three and a half hours south, you know. In fact, Im going down to visit him next weekend. I plan to try some
arroz con pollo
and
un cafecito Cubano
.
Mace! Maddies mouth was tight with disapproval. You may want to experiment, but I really dont think you should talk about your sexual shenanigans in front of Mama.
I laughed at their shocked expressions. All that means is rice with chicken and a short Cuban coffee. Didnt I tell yall? Ive started studying Spanish.
The End
About the Author
Like Mace Bauers, Deborah Sharps family roots were set in Florida long before Disney and
Miami Vice
came to define the state. She does some writing at a getaway overlooking the Kissimmee River in the wilds north of Okeechobee, and some at Starbucks in Fort Lauderdale. As a Florida native and a longtime reporter for
USA Today
, she knows every burg and back road, including some not found on maps. Heres what she has to say about Himmarshee:
Home to cowboys and church suppers, Himmarshee is hot and swarming with mosquitoes. A throwback to the ways of long-ago southern Florida, it bears some resemblance to the present-day ranching town of Okeechobee. The best thing about Mace and Mamas hometown: it will always be threatened, but never spoiled, by suburban sprawl.