The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman

Author:Elizabeth Bass Parman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper Muse
Published: 2024-09-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Callie Jane

Evangeline was pouring two cups of coffee into mismatched mugs. “I would have given anything to be an ant on that picnic table, listening to you break up with Trace.” She snorted. “I still can’t believe he said ‘praise the Lord.’ You must have just died.” She giggled as she adjusted her Mary Quant–inspired miniskirt, a hand-sewn gift from Becky.

Callie Jane’s eyes crinkled. “I know, right? There I was, thinking I was breaking his heart, and the whole time he was thinking marrying me was something he had to do. Right before I got to their house the night he proposed, his mama told him that my mother had told her that I had been sobbing for weeks about him not asking me to marry him yet. He was so upset about me crying that he just blurted out the proposal without really thinking it through.” Two pieces of bread sprang from the toaster. “A complete and total lie, of course, but what else should I expect from my mother?”

Grabbing the tub of margarine from the fridge, she carried their breakfast to the table and glanced out their tiny kitchen window. “It says a lot about him that he was willing to honor his commitment, even though he felt it wasn’t right either. He talked to Mr. Humboldt about calling it off, but his daddy told him he had to go through with it.” She lowered her voice to a baritone. “‘Humboldts keep their word, son.’ Trace had made up his mind to be happy, to make me happy. And he really wants a wife and children, and he does love me, so he had been trying to look on the bright side. That’s why he went a little nuts with the house and everything.” She chewed thoughtfully. “Once we both realized the truth, we cracked up.”

“So how did you leave it with him?”

“We hugged and said we’d always be friends, and then he kissed my cheek and I left.”

Evangeline poured them each a second cup of coffee. “So what’s next for you, Cal?”

The trill of the phone made them both jump. Evangeline grabbed the receiver, then frowned as she listened. “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.” She paused, shaking her head at whatever was being said on the other end of the line. “No, of course I’m coming. I know you can handle it yourself, but that’s the whole point, isn’t it? I’ll be there this afternoon.” She paused again, this time smiling. “I love you too.”

“What’s happened?” Callie Jane asked after Evangeline hung up the phone.

Tears sparkled in Evangeline’s eyes. “Becky’s mom has taken a turn for the worse. I need to go to Ohio.” She rose from her chair and crouched beside Muse stretched out on the floor. Stroking her graying muzzle, she asked, “Could I leave her here with you?”

“Of course.”

Evangeline gave her a grateful smile. “Her kibble is on the shelf. Put her bowl in its regular spot so she can find it. Remember, she’s blind as a bat, but she’ll do okay as long as you talk to her so she knows where you are.

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