Page 82 of Magnolia Summer

Of course, everything he said was completely justified, but still, wasn’t it foolish for him to attack the sheriff so publicly? Her father had a saying: “God helps the feeble-minded.” Well, she hoped it was true and God would help Truett! Because he had surely lost his feeble mind.

As the congregation disbursed, Truett remained at the podium, his head bent over his Bible, as if he was praying. Finding that they were alone except for a few stragglers in the back of the church, Celia stood, wondering if Truett would say anything to her or just go on praying.

Boots clomped down the aisle, coming toward Truett. Celia turned to look.

Sheriff Suggs.His jaw was clenched and his eyes were locked on Truett as he stormed toward him.

Celia’s vision became hazy. All the breath left her lungs.Oh, God, please, not again.As she started to sit down, darkness closed in around her, and gradually, everything went black.

* * *

Truett looked up.Suggs was coming toward him with hatred in his eyes, and Celia was fainting.

He knew that pale look and closing eyelids. She was going down. But he also knew he would never get to her in time. She collapsed to the floor.

He ignored Suggs and hurried over to Celia. The sheriff got to her first. Suggs pushed the pew in front of her out of the way.

Sheriff Suggs stood back to let Truett get to her. Truett gathered her in his arms and placed her on the wooden pew. He knelt beside her and lifted her limp hand from where it hung down off the side of the bench.

“What ails her?” Suggs grunted from behind him.

“She fainted.” He leaned closer to her face. “Celia? Are you all right?” He touched her forehead, then her cheek, wishing he had some cool water to wipe her face with to help bring her around.

Celia made a sound at the back of her throat. Her eyelids fluttered.

“Celia? It’s Dr. Beverly. Can you hear me?”

Her eyes opened and her gaze immediately settled on Sheriff Suggs. Her eyes went wide and she screamed.

Sheriff Suggs muttered an expletive under his breath and stepped farther back.

Truett patted and squeezed Celia’s hand, trying to help her get hold of herself. “It’s all right. It’s just the sheriff.” As ifthatwould make her feel better.

Her eyes fluttered shut again.

Truett turned to Sheriff Suggs. “Maybe you’d better leave. She seems to be a little upset by, uh, the sight of you.”

Suggs pointed his finger at Truett. “I’m not finished with you.” Then he turned and stomped back down the aisle and out the door.

Truett and Celia were alone now in the church building. She blinked, beginning to come around again.

“It’s all right. I’m here. Everything’s all right.” He tenderly rubbed her cheek with his fingertips.

She turned her head and stared at him. Her voice was weak as she whispered, “Oh, Truett, is he gone?”

“Yes, he’s gone.” He squeezed her hand.

“Did I faint again?” She groaned. “Did anyone see me?”

“Just Suggs. And me.”

“Is he going to kill you?” Her lower lip trembled.

Truett’s heart squeezed in his chest. She loved him.

“No, he’s not going to kill me.”

“How do you know?”