Page 79 of Magnolia Summer

“I don’t know if I’d marry him or not. I’m just really scared.” Celia stopped peeling. “And confused.”

“Have you prayed about it?” Almira half-frowned. “I know. I’m pregnant and unmarried and have no right to give advice, but then again . . . maybe my mistakes qualify me.”

Almira’s features slackened with sadness. “I think love is the most powerful force in the universe. And although I shouldn’t have sinned, I still believe that God is love, and love will one day bring James and me back together.” Almira reached over and squeezed Celia’s juice-covered hand. “If love is stronger than hate, then love is stronger than your fears, Celia. You just need to let go. Love is so much better than fear.”

Part of Celia wanted to think Almira had simply read too many novels. But she also wondered if she was right.

When had she become such a fearful person? She’d always prided herself on being courageous, not afraid of going against other people’s strictures to make her own life. But she wasn’t sure if love was worth sacrificing a life of independence and . . . well . . . power. She wanted power over her future, power over her own mind, and the power that came with position and earning her own money.

But to get it, she’d always known she’d have to give up love and marriage. That had never bothered her before. Why did it bother her now?

Because she’d seen the tenderness in Truett’s eyes, felt the love in his embrace. She didn’t want to lose him and the wonderful way he made her feel.

But she was being unfair to him. If only she had the money to take care of her family and get back to Nashville, everything would work out according to her plan and she’d forget about him.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear,” Almira quoted as she went back to peeling

Celia stiffened. “If perfect love casts out fear, then my love must not be perfect. Because I’m afraid Truett’s love wouldn’t make me content.”

“How about your fear? Is your fear making you content?” Almira smiled. “You just admitted you love him, you know. You should talk to him about it.”

“Oh, no, I should not.” She’d already rejected him and hurt him—and herself. “I’ll not be throwing myself at a man when I don’t know what my intentions are—or his, anymore.”

“That was my mistake,” Almira said softly.

“What?”

“Not talking things over—about our future. If I had, perhaps we’d be together now instead of several states away from each other. We should have talked instead of . . . kissing and getting into trouble.”

“Is that how it starts? With kissing?” Celia swallowed, feeling her cheeks begin to heat. “I mean, you don’t have to tell me. I’m sorry.”

Almira’s white cheeks blushed rosily. “That’s how it started with us.”

Whoa. No more kissing.Not that she needed to worry about that now, after the way she treated Truett.

* * *

The next day,Celia and Almira were in the kitchen preparing dinner when someone galloped up the lane toward the house. Will, Lizzie, and the twins were out in the back yard plucking a turkey Will had shot.

Celia went down the hall to look out the window. Her heart nearly stalled.

Sheriff Suggs!

She ran back down the hall. “Almira! Go hide! It’s the sheriff.”

Almira went as white as a boll of cotton. She dropped the knife she was using to slice okra and fled to the bedroom.

Celia took a deep breath and forced herself to walk calmly to the front door.

Sheriff Suggs was just setting a boot onto the first step of the porch. Tempie was sitting on the porch playing with her dolls. She stared up at the sheriff. He ignored her as he walked with deliberate steps across the noisy planks toward the front door.

Celia pulled the door open wider. “Good afternoon, Sheriff.” Celia pasted on a welcoming smile while each beat of her heart trembled. She forced her voice not to sound as breathless as she felt. “What can I do for you?”

“How do, Miss Celia.” He took off his hat and switched his wad of tobacco from one side of his mouth to the other.

Celia’s stomach did a queasy flip.

Tempie started screaming. Celia hurried out and discovered she was screaming at a bug that was walking slowly toward her. She picked Tempie up and carried the child inside as fast as she could, calling an apology to the sheriff which she was sure he never heard over Tempie’s screams.