Crispens Point - Book 1 of the Blackberry County Chronicles Read online

  “Excuse me, could you mix this color for me?” Charlotte handed the man behind the counter a slip of paper that was a dreamy shade of blue. She’d seen the color on a wall in a magazine and cut it out to match it. “Sure. No problem. We’ve got one of those newfangled machines that reads the color. We can match anything.”

  He took the slip over by the paints and attached it to a computer. After reading the numbers displayed on the screen, he began to add drops of color to the white base. While the paint was being shaken to smithereens by the mixer he asked, “You live around here?”

  “Yes, I bought the old Fowler place.”

  “Ooh,” he said as he grinned and hung his head like a shy boy who’s trying to get up the nerve to look a girl in the eye for the first time. A moment ago, they had conversed like old friends, but now he felt awkward. Charlotte rolled her eyes and walked away to look for the other items she needed. Just then, the man who had looked through her kitchen window burst through the door from the back and almost rammed into her. He had on the same Hawaiian shirt and was carrying a long piece of lumber. When he saw who she was, he set the wood down with a thump. “Oh, it’s you. Hey, Wilbur, it’s the romance lady. Ain’t she as pretty as I said?” Wilbur, who was pounding the lid back onto her paint can, just grinned and nodded. He’d become mute.

  Suddenly, Charlotte had had enough. Her eyes narrowed and she put her hands on her hips. “I’m not the romance lady. I happen to write books about people who fall in love. I’d appreciate it if you’d not call me that.”

  Wilbur gave a 306hicuppy kind of laugh and the Hawaiian shirt hung his head. “I didn’t mean 306nothin’ by it. Don’t get all mad.” His little-boyish manner mollified Charlotte, but she gathered the rest of her stuff and escaped as soon as possible.

  By this time it was eleven thirty, so she decided to head over to the Junction to wait for Janice. She ordered a coke and sipped on it as she read a book she kept in her purse for moments such as this. As usual when she read, the time flew, so she was surprised when Janice walked in what seemed like a only few minutes later.

  “Wow, it feels good to sit down,” Janice proclaimed as she flopped into the booth. “So what do you think of this place?”

  “It’s cute. I like how they kept the feel of the old train station.”

  “Yeah, they did a good job. It’s actually a distant cousin of mine who runs it. I’m kind of proud of that.”

  “You should be.”

  “So how’s life treating you so far in Crispens Point?”

  Charlotte sighed and looked at Janice for a minute, trying to decide whether to be honest or not. She felt she could trust her. “I like the town a lot, but I’m fighting all the preconceived ideas about what I’m like because I’m a romance author. You’d think a hooker had come to town based on the remarks I’ve been getting.”

  Janice giggled and nodded. “I guess that’s true. I’m sorry everyone’s making all these judgments before they get to know you. The notoriety will wear off in time. You have to be patient with us. Any newcomer causes a stir, and you’re as close to a celebrity as we’ve had.”

  Charlotte gave Janice a small smile, just barely turning up the corners of her mouth. It was unconvincing, so Janice added, “Would it help if I threw a party to introduce you? That way people could get their curiosity satisfied, and they would see that you’re just a normal person. Besides, I like any excuse for a party.”

  Charlotte looked at Janice more kindly this time. She was impressed with her. “You are really sweet to offer such a thing. I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say yes! How about a week from Saturday?”

  “I guess that would be fine. But only if you let me help.”

  “Agreed.” Janice took a bite of the sandwich the waitress had brought her. She loved the Reubens here, though she knew all that fatty corned beef wasn’t good for her. “Do you miss your friends from the city?”

  To Janice’s surprise, Charlotte’s eyes teared up. She dabbed at them quickly with her napkin. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be such a baby. It’s just that . . .”

  Janice moved her hand over Charlotte’s to reassure her, “What is it, honey? You can tell me.”

  And Charlotte thought she could. She hadn’t talked to anyone about it since it happened, so she took a deep breath and started in. “I was engaged to a man who I thought was perfect for me. When he asked me to marry him, I knew I was the luckiest woman in the world. Then last year, he began growing more aloof. I thought maybe it was because we were getting married so he was concentrating on other things rather than pursuing me. But then a few months ago he broke our engagement. He’d met another woman at work and knew that she was the one.

  “That was bad enough, but he also took all my friends with him. I’d only lived in the city for a few years and met him right away, so all my friends were his friends. He left me with no one.”

  Janice leaned over and squeezed her hand again. “What a jerk! How could someone leave a woman as sweet as you?”

  Charlotte laughed, changing her countenance in every way, “Very easily, evidently. I started looking for a place to settle down right after that, which brought me here, so I’m starting over. But I know one thing. I will not give my heart away quickly again. Maybe God wants me to stay single.”

  “That’s kind of ironic considering what He’s given you to do, don’t you think?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Jane Austin was single her whole life and she wrote the best romances ever. Who knows? Maybe if I married, I’d lose my edge. Besides, I’m getting pretty set in my ways.”

  Janice shook her head from side to side, sending her red curls flying. “Not me. I’d throw everything about my life away for a good man. I just can’t seem to find him. When Pastor Gordon came, I thought he was the one for sure, but winning him over is like trying to thaw out a snowman in Alaska. He has about as much romance in his body as a turtle.”

  Charlotte laughed but somehow felt sad about this information. However, the good thing was that it gave her one more reason to avoid Gordon McCrae.

  CHAPTER Six

  The next Sunday, Charlotte was invited over for dinner after church by a middle-aged couple and their daughter. The daughter, who was named Cherry, was close to Charlotte’s age and had a twinkle in her eye that Charlotte immediately liked. She also loved the practical and honest relationship that Cherry had with her mother. But the way Cherry’s father doted over Cherry really won Charlotte’s heart.

  Cherry was energetic, cheerful, and plump. Charlotte hated even adding that last adjective in her mind, but somehow Cherry’s plumpness was part of her charm. Charlotte tried to imagine her skinny, but that visual image made Cherry seem ordinary rather than exceptional. As it was, she was a powerhouse of personality.

  “So, Charlotte, what do you think of this tiny portion of the planet smack dab in the middle of Blackberry County? Is Crispens Point treating you all right?” Cherry asked as she enthusiastically piled the jam on her biscuit.

  “Very much so,” Charlotte replied, mumbling around the bite of chicken she was trying to chew discreetly as she answered. “It’s certainly the friendliest place I’ve ever lived. Here it is just my second Sunday and I’m having dinner with you.”

  Cherry smiled at her mom. “Yep, Mom has been trying to fill the place up ever since I left. Evidently, it’s a daunting task.”

  Cherry’s mother rapped Cherry’s knuckles with her fork causing Cherry to yelp. “How you ever got to be so snippy with such dignified parents as you’ve got, young lady, I’ll never know. Pay no attention to her, Charlotte.”

  Charlotte smiled and passed the salt to Cherry’s dad who was motioning toward it. Charlotte got the feeling that it was hard for him to get a word in edgewise. “So, you don’t live here anymore, Cherry?”

  “Nope. I live about thirty miles from here. I work in a garden center in Conner. I went to school there and just stayed.”

  “Oh, a garden center. I need t
o come visit you. I want to purchase some perennials to put next to the house, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone who sells them in Crispens Point. ”

  “Not much of anything in Crispens Point!” Cherry smirked and winked at her mom as she grabbed another biscuit. Then she added, “The garden center where I work is a beautiful place. People come there just to hang out. I’ll show you around when you come.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Cherry’s father finally found a way to inject himself in the conversation. “Cherry knows that place like the back of her hand. And the boss depends on her. He couldn’t run it without her.”

  Cherry’s mother gave a little harrumph sound that Charlotte was at a loss to interpret, but Cherry looked adoringly at her father. “Dad thinks I can do wrong. He’s a very intelligent man, “ she added with a mischievous smile.

  When they finished dinner, both Cherry and Charlotte offered to help with dishes, but Cherry’s mother waved them away, “You two just enjoy each other. I’ve got this.” Then she looked at Cherry with squinted eyes and said in a commanding voice, “Get some advice, Cherry!”

  Cherry sighed and looked exasperated as she handed her mom the dirty plates she’d carried into the kitchen. Charlotte raised her eyebrows in question.

  Cherry explained, “Mom wants me to pump you on how to get a man. She clearly thinks I’m a hopeless case and have passed my last chance for happiness.”

  Cherry’s mom shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t care a hoot about your happiness. I just want some grandkids!”

  Cherry rolled her eyes and pulled Charlotte out of the kitchen. “Let’s go outside. I need some fresh air.”

  Charlotte grinned as Cherry led the way. In spite of their banter, she could tell that Cherry and her mother were very fond of—and understood—each other.

  As soon as they stepped outside, Charlotte quickly added, “I hate to disappoint you, but I’m the last person to be shelling out advice on how to ‘get a man.’” The phrase annoyed Charlotte and she hated even using it. It sounded like laying a trap for some kind of creature.

  Cherry waved her hand in exact imitation of her mother’s gesture to get them away from the dishes. “Pay no attention to my mother. She’s been harping on me for years to just settle for someone—anyone—just so long as he’s a male and can give her grandchildren.”

  Charlotte laughed and Cherry added. “You think she’s joking, but she’s not. She once told me I had until I was thirty to find someone and then she’d pick someone herself. She has a whole arsenal of local men she’d like to set me up with. Believe me, I know them all and wouldn’t have a one of them.”

  “The local guys are that bad?”

  Cherry smirked. “Of course not. Some are just great. But they are all married.” She plucked a daisy as she said this and began furiously pulling all the petals from it.

  Charlotte laughed. Being around Cherry was like a fresh breath of air after weeks of being housebound. After demolishing the daisy, Cherry added, “Except Pastor Gordon, of course. He’s great—and single.”

  Charlotte felt her throat close up and hoped that Cherry wouldn’t notice. Evidently that was a hopeless wish, because Cherry began to grin when she noticed Charlotte’s blush creep up her face. “Ah, you’ve fallen into that hole too, I see, “ she said with a smile.

  Charlotte shook her head, denying it with every fiber of her being, but something about Cherry demanded honesty. “Of course, I noticed that he’s attractive. I’m not blind. But I’ve been assured by everyone that he’s untouchable, so I’m not going to waste my time.”

  Cherry studied Charlotte for a minute and then laughed. “I like you! I might just visit my folks more now that you’re in town.”

  Charlotte smiled and felt the redness dissipate from her face. “I would like that, Cherry.”

  Cherry settled down into a more serious tone. “It gets tough at our age, doesn’t it Charlotte. I don’t know about you, but I always pictured myself married by now with a couple of kids in tow. It’s hard to adjust to the fact that may never be a reality.”

  It made Charlotte sad to see Cherry’s exuberance wane, but her honesty touched a chord. “Yes, it does get hard. It’s mostly tough to think about growing old alone. And the prospect of never having children makes me tremendously sad.” At this, her voice caught and embarrassed, she recovered the moment with a joke. “But then again, when I’m around some of my friends with little ones, I count my blessings!”

  Cherry nodded, getting into the spirit. “That’s right! No interrupted sleep, no cleaning up drool and endlessly changing diapers, no tantrums of two-foot high munchkins yelling no at us.” She grinned, “We haven’t got it bad at all.”

  Charlotte heartily agreed while inwardly thinking she wouldn’t mind any of those things right now.

  CHAPTER Seven

  The week flew by. Charlotte finished several more chapters in her novel. Mrs. Bartholomew put some completing touches on a painting, canned some pickles, crocheted a baby sweater for the pregnancy center, and gave Custer his weekly bath—to which he protested so loudly that Charlotte could hear him howling from across the street.

  Wednesday night arrived, and Charlotte decided to attend a Bible study on the Book of Romans that Pastor Gordon was teaching at church. This took some courage on her part because she knew it would be a smaller group than on Sunday morning, but she couldn’t live in fear of running into this man. She’d just put all foolish thoughts of him out of her mind and look to him as the teacher that he was. It would also be good if she could be around him without getting all fluttery inside, which would take practice, so she might as well start now.

  She took out her well-worn Bible and put it in a satchel with a notebook and a pen. Once again, she dressed in conservative clothes—a blue polo and khakis—and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She put on small pearl earrings as her only jewelry. She would convince these people that she was a decent person! Walking down the block, her confidence grew as she neared the church and heard guitar music drifting out to the street through the open doors.

  Once inside, Janice accosted her immediately. “I’m so glad you’ve come. We aren’t very many on Wednesday nights, and I’ve always wished for a friend. Will you sit with me?”

  “I’d love to.” Charlotte started for the sanctuary, which was all lit up.

  “Oh no, not in there. That’s worship practice. We meet in the fellowship hall. There are usually only about a dozen of us.”

  Charlotte stopped walking and felt like bolting out the door. Only a dozen? It would be pretty hard to be anonymous in that group. Janice noticed that she’d stopped and turned around to look at her. “What’s wrong?”

  Charlotte knew that she couldn’t possibly explain, so she shrugged her shoulders and walked ahead. “Nothing, I just think I’ll duck into the bathroom real quick. I’ll meet you there, okay?”

  “Sure, I’ll save you a seat.”

  Charlotte almost ran to the bathroom. Once inside, she looked in the mirror. Sure enough, her face was bright red again. For being dark complected, she sure blushed easily. She splashed some cool water on her face and patted it dry, trying not to rub off her makeup. Taking a few deep breaths, she prayed, “God, help me here. Keep my mind off the pastor and on You. I don’t want to be this way.” With a last look in the mirror, she stepped out into the hallway. Following the sound of voices, she went into the fellowship hall.

  Fortunately, Pastor Gordon had his back to her, so she didn’t have to face him right away. She slipped quietly past him and sat next to Janice, then turned to speak to her, so she didn’t notice that Pastor Gordon’s face tensed when she sat down. No one else noticed either.

  After a few more people trickled in, he cleared his throat. “Welcome, everyone. I’m glad you all could make it. Well, let’s get started. We’re on Romans, chapter five.”

  A woman on his left raised her hand right away. “Wait, Pastor. Aren’t you going to introduce the ne
w person?” She fairly bounced in her seat in anticipation.

  Pastor Gordon was extremely annoyed, but he tried not to show it in his words or actions. “Well, Louise. I’m afraid I can’t do that because I haven’t met her myself. Janice, is this a friend of yours?”

  Janice beamed at the attention. “Why yes, she is. This is Charlotte Fyne. She’s just moved to Crispens Point. I’ve only known her a few days, but I already love her.”

  Charlotte smiled and made eye contact with everyone except Pastor Gordon. No one seemed to notice that he also avoided looking at her. “With introductions finished, let’s open in prayer.” With that he bowed his head and prayed eloquently about God’s holiness. The regular people thought it was a more heartfelt prayer than he usually said. Charlotte thought it was a powerful prayer which took her right into God’s presence.

  They opened to Romans 5; Pastor Gordon gave them some background information and then had them read the first eleven verses together. As he asked questions, the group came alive in their discussion. Charlotte mostly listened, hesitant to speak when she was so new, but she couldn’t keep quiet when they got to verse three, about how we are to rejoice in our sufferings. She’d been learning about this first hand. “How in the world are we supposed to do this?” he asked, and the room grew silent. Finally Charlotte blurted out, “We do it because we believe that God has a plan. That He knows better than we do what is best for our lives; that suffering leads to perseverance, character, and hope, like it says in verse four. We do it because we trust Him.”

  Pastor Gordon looked up with a start when Charlotte began to speak. He’d almost forgotten she was in the room, but now her presence loomed large, as if she were three times her normal size. Her answer was perfect, but for some reason he couldn’t acknowledge it so he simply said, “Yes, any other thoughts on this?”