SECRET IN THE CELLAR by Jackson Ruby

Author:Jackson, Ruby [Jackson, Ruby]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: ruby jackson
Published: 2012-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Cecil waited in the truck as Sammie and Danny finished getting ready for church. The snow was almost gone and temperatures had risen above freezing.

Ole Blue jumped into the back of the truck. Turning around several times, he finally settled onto the canvas tarp that was always in the back.

Sammie held the door for Danny then ran toward the truck. Danny slid into the middle of the seat with Sammie close behind.

“I’m glad you’re going to church with us,” Danny said as the truck bounced down the road.

“I’m glad you invited me,” Sammie answered.

“Margaret’s housekeeper goes every Sunday. She sits with another woman. Are you going to sit with them?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Sammie started. “I haven’t thought about it.”

The little church was a white clapboard building sitting at the end of a dirt road near a gray house.

“That’s where Preacher lives with his family,” Cecil said, pointing to the house. “They farm this place. Jesse was born here and when he was called to preach, he felt the need to stay here.”

“It’s a lovely place,” Sammie replied. Her eyes moved around the horizon. It was barren except for a few leafless trees. Sammie could see a chicken pen and barn behind the house. A sad moo came from the fenced corral.

“You’ve known him a long time?”

“Jesse and I went to school together. He’s been my best friend forever. He and Betty, that’s his wife, used to visit often.”

Getting out of the truck, Sammie straightened her skirt. It was old and worn, but the color wasn’t faded.

“How long have you attended this church?” she asked as they walked to the door.

“Long time. This is where Lydia and I mar---.” Cecil’s sentence ended.

Lydia and Cecil married here, Sammie thought. With a smile she went through the door.

Prayer was ending as they moved down the little aisle. Sammie wondered if she should sit with Cecil and Danny, but as they walked, she realized it would be best to sit in a different pew.

Best to keep rumors down, she thought. No reason to rock the boat and hurt Cecil. She needed to be where she was. She was safe and happy.

Smiling at the women in the third pew from the front, she moved into the seat with them. They smiled back and turned their attention back to the front.

Danny watched Sammie as his father led him to another pew. They settled in and Cecil directed his eyes toward the preacher.

Sammie fidgeted through the service. The preacher was hitting her nerves.

“Lies only beget more lies,” the preacher was saying. “They will catch up with you.”

Sammie fidgeted more.

Lord, she said to herself, I know it’s wrong. I should have cleared all this up when Cecil found me. I’ve depended on you all my life. What do I do now?

The service ended and Sammie grabbed her coat. She didn’t make it out of the pew.

“You must be new to these parts,” one of the women said.

“I’m Mary Fletcher. And, you are---?”

“Sammie Fagan. Yes, I am new here.

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