Page 97 of Magnolia Summer

Celia peered out the window. The brown-skinned man pulled off his hat as he mounted the porch. His shoulders drooped slightly, as though tired. Celia had never seen the man before, but his dark skin—and Almira’s reaction to seeing him—told her exactly who he was.

“James.” Almira flung the door open and leapt into his arms.

He hugged her, then backed away, holding her at arm’s length and staring down at her stomach. “I’m sorry, Almira.”

She shook her head. Her voice trembled as she said, “I’m not sorry.” She paused. “I’m not sorry I’m having your baby. I’m just sorry we’re not married.”

“Truly?” Hope was evident in the way his voice rose at the end.

Almira nodded.

James sank to one knee, clutching Almira’s hand. “I love you, Almira. Will you marry me?”

“Yes.”

James stood and she fell into his arms again.

Will was already backing away, his cheeks red. Lizzie and Celia turned to go as well.

Heavy boots clomped up the steps outside. Sheriff Suggs was stomping across the porch.

James and Almira started running through the parlor toward the back of the house but had barely reached halfway across the room when the door burst open. Sheriff Suggs stood with a rifle pointed at James.

“I’m gonna kill you, boy!”

Chapter 29

Screaming added to the confusion as James pushed Almira behind him and Will jumped in front of James.

Celia was closest to the sheriff. She grabbed the gun barrel and shoved as hard as she could, slamming it into the side of the Suggs’ head.

James and Almira ran. Suggs turned on Celia and grabbed her around the neck with one enormous hand.

Lizzie screamed.

Will ran forward, grabbing the sheriff’s gun and yelling, “Don’t touch my sister!” He kicked the sheriff in the shin.

The sheriff howled and let go of Celia to wrest his gun away from Will. Celia gasped for breath.

Suggs grabbed Will by the shoulder, holding him at arm’s length. “Who else is here?”

Celia’s heart stopped beating. What if he found Truett?

Strength surged through her and started her heart again. She grabbed Suggs’ arm from behind but he shrugged her off.

“Stop! I forbid you to come into my house! Get out. Now!”

Suggs ignored her and stomped down the hall, peering into the bedroom she shared with Lizzie. He pointed the gun inside, glanced around, then moved on to the next room.

Celia and Will both jumped in front of him when he got to the doorway. The sheriff easily peered over their heads.

“Who we got here?” An evil grin spread across his face and he took his time moving his chew of tobacco from his left cheek to his right.

Celia glanced over her shoulder and saw Truett standing behind her. He’d somehow managed to pull on his pants and shirt. Truett and Suggs stared each other down.

“What are you doing here? Say!” Suggs’ thunderous voice reverberated in Celia’s ear.

“He’s my fiancé. He has every right to be here.” Celia thrust out her chin and glared at the sheriff. “But you do not. Leave this place immediately.”