Page 18 of Magnolia Summer

But no matter how progressive the hospital was, Truett didn’t like being told he should send his brother there. How would she feel if he suggested she do the same thing with her mother?

“I apologize, Dr. Beverly. I wouldn’t bring it up at all except that I’m concerned about my younger siblings.”

He tried not to be angry with her. After all, he might feel the same way if he were in her shoes. But she didn’t know Griff like he did. Griff had a big heart. He loved people with the intensity and trust of a child. But because of his brain injury, he sometimes got agitated and confused. He sometimes lost control.

Truett took a deep breath before he spoke. “We’ve actually considered it—at least, my father and I have. My mother won’t hear of it. She intends to take care of him as long as she lives. But as I said, your young siblings are safe. The other men of the community would intervene well before he could hurt anyone.”

“Thank you, Doctor, for explaining.” She pursed her lips as though she still wasn’t completely satisfied.

She’d only just arrived, but obviously she wasn’t afraid to share her opinion. Not only had she not been impressed by his poetry recitation, but she’d insinuated that he couldn’t keep his brother from being a danger to little children.

He was in danger of losing his wager with himself. Perhaps more than ever, he wanted to change her opinion of him. He would win her over yet.

Everyone else had already entered the church. Truett held out his arm to Celia, knowing she would bristle at having to walk into the church on his arm. Sure enough, the slight scowl on her face showed that she didn’t want to allow him the liberty.

Still, she accepted his arm, placing her small gloved hand inside the crook of his elbow. And he liked the gentle warmth of it.

* * *

Celia walkedinto the church on Truett Beverly’s arm just as the song leader was clearing his throat. The whole church stood, holding hymnals. Several people turned to see who was walking in late. Their eyes grew big as they watched Celia enter on Truett’s arm. The blond woman who had been talking with Truett narrowed her eyes and her cheeks turned red.

She searched for Lizzie and finally saw her standing with Will and the twins—in the same pew with Truett’s mother and Griff. Lizzie scooted over and left enough room for two people by the inside aisle. Truett led her straight there, and Celia stood beside her sister. Truett picked up the hymnal in the back of the pew in front of them and held it between him and Celia.

Dozens of eyes burned into the back of her head. As well as a few in front that were rudely turned in her direction.

Since there weren’t any other hymnals, Celia had no choice but to share with Truett.

She could certainly see where everyone’s thoughts had gone. But Truett Beverly was safe from her. If it were proper to do so, she’d announce it to all the unmarried women of the county.

After singing one song, they all sat down and sang two more. Celia was careful to keep her left arm close to her side so as not to come in contact with Truett Beverly’s arm, or even his sleeve. When the preacher stood up to speak, she held her black leather Bible on her lap and got ready to turn to whatever chapter and verse he dictated.

The man spoke slowly and precisely. He called out a Scripture verse, then rattled it off from memory before Celia was able to turn to it in her Bible. His message was good, full of admonitions to live a life worthy of the gospel, though his grammar was somewhat wanting. He called out several other verses, but again, he quoted them before she could even find the correct book.

Truett Beverly sat perfectly still, the small Bible he’d pulled from his pocket cradled in his hands, but when she glanced at his face, he appeared to be reading the Bible instead of listening to the preacher. Why? At the end of the sermon, they sang one more song and someone spoke a collective prayer.

When the service was over, Celia engaged Lizzie in a conversation about the final preparations for dinner, making sure Truett Beverly couldn’t talk to her without interrupting.

Finally, when most of the people sitting in front of them had made their way toward the back of the building, Celia stood. Dr. Beverly was nowhere in sight. She set her jaw and lifted her chin.Good, he’s gone.

She wasn’t sure why her eyes kept darting around the churchyard looking for him.

“You must be Lizzie Wilcox’s sister.”

Celia turned to see a pretty girl with a pale complexion, brown hair, and a shy smile. “I am. Call me Celia.”

The girl held out a slim, fragile-looking hand. “I wanted to welcome you to Bethel Springs. I’m Almira Suggs.”

* * *

Truett stood outsidewith the rest of men, pretending to listen to their conversation about fishing in the creek. Instead, he was thinking how Celia had turned her back on him. Apparently she wasn’t interested in him, and that was for the best. Even though he still wanted to make her admit he was much more refined and intelligent than she had believed him to be, he needed to remember that he had little to offer Celia, or any woman. He would be quite ungallant if he caused her to think well of him, only to hurt her when she discovered he had no intention of marrying. Because if Sheriff Suggs ever found out he was the hooded horseman who had rescued James Burwell from his noose, Truett wouldn’t live long enough to make a woman a widow, much less a wife.

And women generally liked their husbands living.

Truett shoved his hands in his pockets, wandering over to wait in the shade of the trees until his mother and Griff were ready to go, but Sheriff Suggs’s wide shoulders caught his eye. Four other men were crowded around him. His head and eyes were lowered, as well as his voice, as he spoke to the men.

Truett started walking in their direction but kept his eyes focused away from them, pretending not to notice the gathering.

He drew closer and was able to make out the mumble of the Sheriff’s deep voice. He picked a leaf from the pecan tree he was passing and pretended to study it.