Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma (12 page)

She found that he’d taken her seat next to Miss Jamison and was all smiles as the two engaged in conversation. Just as an elderly woman took her seat at the piano up front, Rena managed a quick, “Sheriff, I need you.”

Perhaps not the best choice of words. And maybe she shouldn’t have raised her voice, but to be heard over the piano-playing was nearly impossible.

“I mean, the children need you,” she said. “There’s a problem with the boys.”

Several of the women turned to look her way then began to whisper among themselves. Chief among them was a petite older woman with soft white curls. She appeared to be glaring at Rena.

“What else is new?” the woman said, rolling her eyes.

Rena turned to face her as the sheriff slipped out of the pew and headed off toward the Sunday school classroom, muttering, “I’ll handle it, whatever it is.”

The older woman with the sour expression marched Rena’s way. She was small in stature but came across as intimidating nonetheless. Just as the piano music began a rousing chorus of “We Shall Not Be Moved,” the woman crossed her arms and commenced with what sounded like a rehearsed speech. “You’re the new director over at that orphanage?”

“I…I am.” Rena felt the eyes of several parishioners on her. Up front, the pianist was really going to town on the song.

“I have a few things I’d like to say to you.” The woman’s volume increased as the song continued. “But I guess most of it’ll have to wait till after service. That’s fine. It’ll give me plenty of time to gather my thoughts.”

“Gather your thoughts?” Rena asked.

“Yes.” The woman gestured for Rena to lean down to her level, which she did. “But I’ll give you a little how-do-you-do to get you started, so you know where I stand.” She paused and her gaze narrowed. “I’ve been against the idea of this orphanage from the time I first heard about it. This town was respectable before those hooligans came along. Just last week I started a campaign to rid the town of their nonsense. If you haven’t heard about it yet, you will. So don’t get any big ideas about staying long. If I get my way, the whole lot of you will be gone soon enough. I’ve already passed around a petition stating as much. I’ve got over a dozen signatures too. As soon as the mayor signs on, we will shut that place down. Mark my words.”

With a huff, the woman marched up the aisle toward the front of the church. Her sour countenance changed long enough for her to shake the reverend’s hand, but as she settled into the first pew, she turned and gave Rena a look that was clearly meant to send her packing. The music began to slow, but Rena’s heartbeat did not.

Jenny Jamison gave her a sympathetic look. “Pay her no attention,” she said in an exaggerated whisper. “Just sit down and go on with the service as if that never happened.”

Half relieved and half frozen with fear, Rena slipped into the pew next to Jenny. “I…I…” She shook her head, unable to speak.

“Molly Harris often renders folks speechless,” Jenny said with a smile. “But don’t let her get to you, promise? She’s poisonous at times, but there are plenty of other kind folks to counteract that sting.”

“Bu–but…” Rena still couldn’t speak.

Of course, with “Hallelujah, What a Savior” now being played in full force, she didn’t need to be speaking, anyway. The choir director rose and called the congregation to join him, and they all began to sing at the top of their lungs.

Gene took one look at the boys with their inside out clothes and laughed. “So, this is what I’ve been sent to fix? I’d rather leave you this way so folks can have a field day over it.”

“They’re a distraction, Sheriff,” Mrs. O’Shea whispered. “The other boys and girls can’t concentrate on the Bible story if they’re all laughing at this. You understand. So please take them and do with them as you will.”

She sighed, and Gene got the point. Still, he could hardly punish the children for being clever, now could he? No, he’d rather give them an
E
for effort. At least his own two weren’t involved this time. He gave William and Jacob a warning look, hoping they wouldn’t further aggravate the situation with any antics of their own.

“Come with me, boys.” He led them down the hallway to the water closet, where he sent them inside, two at a time. Wesley went first, his blond hair a bit of a distraction as he barreled past, rambling on about his grandfather. The kid needed a haircut. Oliver, ever the clown, followed suit, mimicking Wesley’s every word. Next came David, followed by Timmy, Nate, Joseph, and Evan, the four quietest in the bunch. The twins took their turn next, filling his ears with stories too, but he couldn’t make much sense of them, with their brogue so thick and all. After that came Henry, who looked as sour as always. Mochni followed Henry, chattering all the way.

“You gonna keep up that talking?” Gene asked the last boy.

“Yep.” He offered a toothless grin. “I’m Mochni. Talking Bird.”

“That would explain the inability to keep quiet,” Gene said. “Now get in there and turn your clothes right-side-out.”

The infamous trio of brothers—Mikey, Bubba, and Tree—went last. They smelled as if they’d not bathed in weeks. Several of the other boys were in similar conditions.

Finally convinced they’d all been taken care of, Gene led the way back to the classroom. Doing his best to hide a smile, he gestured for the boys to go inside.

“Now, don’t make me come back here,” he said. “This is Sunday. I’d like to rest, if you don’t mind. Even the Lord got one day off.”

The boys settled back into their chairs and Mrs. O’Shea carried on with her lesson. Convinced that one problem had been alleviated, Gene walked back toward the sanctuary. Miss Jewel’s interruption couldn’t have come at a worse time. He’d finally worked up the courage to sit next to Jenny Jamison during church. Oh well. Maybe he could still slip into that spot without too much notice from the other parishioners.

Making his way into the small sanctuary, Gene caught a glimpse of the beautiful Jenny Jamison. He took a couple of steps in her direction but discovered that someone else had taken the coveted spot at her side: Miss Jewel.

From a few rows up, his mother turned around and gave him a little wave. With a sigh, he decided to take his usual spot—beside Mama.

T
IPS FOR
D
EALING WITH
U
NRULY
Y
OUNG
’
UNS
—
Most folk ’round these parts know me as a newspaperman, but I see myself more as one who exposes problems and offers solutions. I shine a journalistic light on situations and invite my readers to join in the quest for making things better. When it comes to the children of Daisy, I can see both sides of the story. As a reformed rapscallion myself, I see those youngsters through hopeful eyes. Perhaps they will one day transform their world, as I seek to do with the pieces I write. One can hope, anyway. In the meantime, I plan to do what I can to turn the hearts of the grown-ups toward the children. It’s the least I can do.

—Jonathan Brewer, Journalist for the
Atoka County Register

Rena managed to make it through the first fifteen minutes of the reverend’s sermon on patience when a tap on her shoulder caught her attention. She turned to see Lilly standing beside her.

“Mrs. O’Shea says you need to come and get the boys.” The child spoke in an exaggerated whisper. “She can’t take it anymore.”

Rena closed her Bible and brushed the wrinkles out of her skirt before standing. A quick glance up the aisle clued her in to the fact that the elderly woman who’d confronted her had turned and was glaring at Lilly.

“Want me to come and help?” Jenny whispered.

Rena nodded and mouthed the word “Please.”

Together they slipped out of the pew and tiptoed down the aisle. Minutes later, Rena found herself getting an earful from a very unhappy Mrs. O’Shea. Rena sighed then lined up the boys—all fourteen of them—in the hallway for a little chat. She paced in front of them and they stared at her as if they were facing a firing squad. Well, maybe they were. With her temper rising, it was all she could do not to come out swinging.

Deep breath, Rena. Give them a chance to explain their poor behavior before trying to correct it.

“Is it true?” she asked Henry. “Did you really shoot spit wads at the teacher?”

“She’s boring,” he said. “Had to do something to stay awake.”

“I see.” Rena turned to Wesley. “And you glued her papers to the desk?”

He smirked. “Pretty clever, huh?”

“Pretty clever, huh?” Oliver mocked.

Rena took him by the shoulders. “Oliver, Mrs. O’Shea tells me that you brought a spider into the classroom. Where is it now?”

“Where is it now?” he echoed.

Rena resisted the urge to turn the youngster over her knee and give him a spanking. Instead, she dove into a lengthy speech about their behavior, honing in on Scriptures that she hoped would prove helpful.

Off in the distance, the piano playing began once more, and the congregation began to sing “It Is Well with My Soul.” Ironic, since she’d never felt more ill at ease.

Rena continued her lecture on behaving, and the boys stood in silence, listening. A couple of times Henry tried to interrupt or offer excuses, but she would have none of it. By the time she finished, the congregation had wrapped up the hymn and the whole place fell silent. For a moment, anyway.

“Gee-willikers, Miss Rena, you sermonize better than the reverend,” Wesley said with a look of admiration in his eyes. “You should ask to take the pulpit next Sunday.” He brushed a loose string of hair out of his face and offered a delightful grin.

“He’s got a point,” a deep male voice rang out. “I found your message quite convicting.”

She turned to find a man about her age. He looked polished and refined in his Sunday-go-to-meeting suit, very much like most of the men from back home.

Home.
There was that word again.

“Jonathan Brewer,” the handsome fellow said, extending a hand. “I’ve been meaning to stop by to meet you. I live in town, just off Main. Work for the paper.”

“John writes for the
Atoka County Register.”
Jenny’s eyes shone with delight as she gazed up at him somewhat starry-eyed. “His stories are read all over the county.”

Rena shook his outstretched hand. “Nice to meet you, Jonathan.”

“Jonathan, this is Miss Rena Jewel, the new director of the orphanage,” Jenny said. “She only just arrived three days ago.”

“Miss Rena Jewel.” Jonathan gave her hand a squeeze. Gazing into her eyes, he said, “Well, now, I heard a rumor that we had a rare jewel in town. I’ve been dying to see if you were a Ruby or a Pearl. Looks like you’re a Rena.” He gave her a little wink, and her heart began to flutter. His hand lingered in hers for a bit longer than necessary. When he finally withdrew it, he raked his fingers through his dark brown hair. “I must confess, I made a point of meeting you this morning because I want to discuss a topic of great importance with you.”

The strains of a rousing closing hymn played, and before long the people began to stream out of the chapel, anxious to fetch their children from the Sunday school classrooms.

Rena started to respond to Jonathan when the boys began to squirm.

“Miss Rena, can’t we go now?” Oliver asked.

“Yeah, Mrs. Wabash always let us play outside fer a spell after church,” Henry added.

“If’n we behaved ourselves,” Callie said as she walked by. “And you boys did not behave yourselves.”

“Not even close,” Josephine added, her nose tilted upward.

The girls giggled and took off with Lilly on their heels.

Rena looked at the boys. “You’ve already endured one ‘sermon’ from me, as you called it. If I hear of any more trouble from you boys, there will be far worse than a sermon to contend with. Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes’m.” Henry gave her a nod.

“Go on with you, then.” She waved her hand to dismiss the group. “Try not to burn anything down.”

“We’ll try!” Wesley’s voice rang out, followed by a burst of laughter.

“Cain’t make any promises!” Henry added.

“Cain’t make any promises!” Oliver echoed.

Mikey, Bubba, and Tree led the way outside with the twins on their tail, who were carrying on about the big ship that had brought them to America years ago. The rest of the boys—including David, Nate, Timmy, and a couple of the others—tagged along behind with smiles on their faces.